AYES VERSUS I’S

Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.

—ELBERT HUBBARD

Committee reports—whether in the halls of Congress, state Assemblies, village Boards, chambers of commerce, or whatever—are decided by majority vote. If there be more agreement than disagreement, the chairman announces, “The ayes have it!” That counting noses is an inappropriate means of deciding right from wrong should be obvious to every person who does his own thinking.

HEADS UP

The idea of freedom must grow weak in the hearts of men before it can be killed at the hands of tyrants.

—THOMAS H. HOGSHEAD

TOO RARE FOR THE WINGS OF WORDS?

. . . the genius of man is a continuation of the power that made him and that has not done making him.

—EMERSON

Ralph Waldo Emerson—religious, spiritual, humble, and wise relative to the great and near great—added his own comment to the above observation:

I dare not deal with this element in its pure essence. It is too rare for the wings of words.

LIFE’S ACHIEVEMENT: INNER OR OUTER DIRECTED?

Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.

—LORD CHESTERFIELD

TO MAKE GOOD IDEAS MORE WELCOME

Not obtrusive, in order not to be slighted. Better too niggardly than too free with yourself. Arrive desired in order to arrive welcomed.

—BALTASAR GRACIAN

EVANGELISM: TO BE SOLD OR SHARED?

We know; and, better yet, we feel inwardly, that religion is the basis of civil society, and the source of all good and comfort.

—EDMUND BURKE

A good friend believes in the freedom way of life as much as anyone. But he’s not sure he agrees with our methods. He used these words from Mark XVI:15 to make his point:

And he [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

IF YOU CAN’T LICK ’EM, JINE ’EM

Every man has his devilish moments.

—LAVATER

There are those principles and practices which promote freedom and there are ideas and actions which impair it. A letter in my morning mail well illustrates the latter:

THOUGHTS: FOUNTAIN OF OUR DESTINY

Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.

—TRYON EDWARDS

EVOLVE FOR YOUR OWN SAKE

. . . and only a highly evolved man is willing to defend the liberty of others.

—LECOMTE DU NOÜY

FREEDOM: A YOUTHFUL ADVENTURE

Perpetual self-dissatisfaction is the secret of permanent youthfulness.

—ELIOT D. HUTCHINSON