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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1877)
wmemmm MOTIVES. "Wlio aro tho nobles of the earth, Tho trucaiistocraK Who need not bow their beads to lord", Or dort to kings holr lints? Who arc tlioy but thu men of toll, Tho mighty nml tbo free, Whoso hearts and bunds subdue the earth, And compass all tbo sent They clnlm no gaud of heraldry, And scorn tho knighting rod: Tlrtdr coats of arms are noble deeds; Tiioir peerage is from God. They take not from ancestral graves Tho glory of their name, Jut win, as erst their fathers won, The laurel wreath of fame." MOTTVES. In looking about us we find a portion of our fcllowmcn toiling and striving with every power H1C3 possess to accomp lish this or that object; but a far linger portion Hoaling down life's stream, mak ing scarcely an cflbrt or using a power be yond what is necessary to supply their daily wants. What are the motives that have roused to action the few? "Where lies tho secret awaiting the skillful touch lhal is to awaken the many V Hidden in the mass of humanity, as in nature, are powers yet undeveloped and to whomsoever will unfold them the bene, dictions of all mankind arc waiting. This question is eminently a practical one for as one's knowledge of the inlluen ocs that control men's acts, so is his pow er among them. In general, all persons have some ruling desire that shapes the events of their lives, and to this influence, whatever it may be, all other considerations arc subordinate. What this stanuttrd is determines the whole life and character of the individual. All persons are true to themselves, and never take a step or do a deed in opposi tion to the dictates of their highest ambi. tinn. These motives, with different indi viduals, vary as greatly as do the condi tions of the human race, and are deter mined by surroundings and education. It is absurd to say that there is but one true motive in life and that all should aim at the same mark be judged h' tho satno standard. A savage can not be brought to comprehend tho longings of a cultured mind. You may tcacli him that there are possibilities in life better than he has yet attained, but you must still raise a stand ard on the low plains of life. Of course all should aim in tho same direction up ward. Hut do not take something beyond the range of your abilities to attain. If you would work to any purpose choose a motive that you can understand. This is not the usual theory; we are told to aim high and if we miss our mark, we, at least, will not be the worse for the at tempt. It is better to give lhal elevation suited to the range of our artillery than to point directb upwards; by the latter plan we may reach higher altitudes, but when our force is exhausted we begin to de scend and the ball crushes us. Every per son is fitted by nature within certain rang, es to comprehend clearly and distinctly, of anything above this level he can form only 0eneral conceptions A confused, mystical ideal should never be adopted, if it is the results will be doubtful and un certain. A distinct plan of life can not be drawn in a sphere with which we are not familiar. Ideals are often taken second hand. This is a dangerous experiment. Unless you borrow from persons of similar tastes with j-ourselves the result will bo either a double motive one theoretical, another actual or a life wasted in a vain attempt to accomplish what you wore not fitted for. We have said that all persons have some ideal for which they are striving. This is true but with too many it has not been the product of a wise judgement, but is such as nature has furnished, unaided by airy serious thought. Such motives are not the noblest. Mankind naturally retro grade. It is only by constant and persist ent labor that progress is maintained. Every individual should establish for himself, carefully but firmly, a motive. One that would embody all the highest
