The good temper that displays itself in kindness must not be
confounded with softness or silliness. In its best form, it is
not a merely passive but an active condition of being. It is not
by any means indifferent, but largely sympathetic. It does not
characterise the lowest and most gelatinous forms of human life,
but those that are the most highly organized. True kindness
cherishes and actively promotes all reasonable instrumentalities
for doing practical good in its own time; and, looking into
futurity, sees the same spirit working on for the eventual
elevation and happiness of the race.
It is the kindly-dispositioned men who are the active men of the
world, while the selfish and the sceptical, who have no love but
for themselves, are its idlers. Buffon used to say, that he would
give nothing for a young man who did not begin life with an
enthusiasm of some sort. It showed that at least he had faith in
something good, lofty, and generous, even if unattainable.
Egotism, scepticism, and selfishness are always miserable
companions in life, and they are especially unnatural in youth.
The egotist is next-door to a fanatic. Constantly occupied with
self, he has no thought to spare for others. He refers to himself
in all things, thinks of himself, and studies himself, until his
own little self becomes his own little god.
Worst of all are the grumblers and growlers at fortune--who find
that "whatever is is wrong," and will do nothing to set matters
right--who declare all to be barren "from Dan even to Beersheba.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306