the
HESPERIAN STUDENT.
-uaO-ja-
Qul nun rroflolf, Dollclt.
vr.Ovr.
VOL. VI.
A PHIL, 1877.
NO. 4.
iwursrox.
Men of decision are wanted everywhere.
The inducements are manifold; lcspeet,
power, portion, No quality is more dc.
sirahlc, none more worthy of cultivation.
It is a pleasure to meet a person who has
honest convictions and who will frankly
express and maintain them. Even though
we ma1 not agree, wo are refreshed and
stimulated hy his conversation. A hesi
tancy in avowing opinions is n failing
very common. Upon the most trilling af
fairs of life, men refuse to take settled po
sitions. They vacillate from one stand
to another with every brcczo of public.
sentiment. Not that their convictions
change, hut hecauso lew men have the
moral courage to adhere to an opinion in
opposition to public sentiment. Those
who have, shape the public will, mould
the age in which they live.
Decision is a prominent clement of
character. So prominent, indeed, that it
is almost the measure of it. A numerous
train of the elements of character arc sub
ordinate to this. Self-respect, without
which any character would bo weak, can
not exist where decision is wanting. For
how can one respect himself, his reason,
his judgment, who never relies upon their
conclusions? Nature never greatly dc.
velops except by use; so judgment and
reason upon which self-respect rests
unless their deductions are r-'lieil upon,
soon become, like some physical organs,
rudimentary, and self-respect ceases; If
you have a thought which you hold wor
Ihy of your private consideration, main
tain it boldly, if you would win .the re
spect of yourself and of your fellow
men.
Anolher trait, dependent upon decision,
important to every one, is reliance. With,
out decision an individual cannot rely up.
on hmsclf, nor can others rely upon him.
Under this peculiarity indecision presents
a pitiable picture. Often men esteemed
and respected when placed in positions
of responsibility, disappoint and disgust
their friends by their lack of reliability.
Not thai they are dishonorable or ungrate
ful, but simply because when two lines of
action are presented they are unable to
choose between them. And what is the
ell'ect of indecision is often attributed to
treachery.
Advancement is stimulated by indepen.
dent decision. If one knew the, solution
of a question rested with him, ho would
seek to understand the subject in all its
bearings, that he might arrive at the truth.
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