How Do We Know

RESOLUTION WORKS WONDERS

You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. “I cannot,” never accomplished anything. “I will try,” has wrought wonders.

—JOEL HAWES

The American clergyman Hawes (1789-1867) further advised: “Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.” Obviously, Hawes’ “Aim at the sun” is symbolic of the ideal, namely, that which is perfect. An excellent commentary on this point comes from another American clergyman, Tryon Edwards (1809-94): “We never reach our ideals, whether of mental or moral improvement, but the thought of them shows us our deficiencies, and spurs us on to higher and better things.”

One need not be an atheist to behave as if there were nothing in the Cosmos above his or her own shoulders. Herds of citizens are completely unaware of why they live so well—on the fruits of the freedom socialism has not yet destroyed; they are not striving for mental and moral improvement. Such improvement might be stimulated by an idea I have recently encountered: whether realized or not, every moment is new and everything we think and do is new. Creativity is constant!

No person on this earth knows what happened—bad or good—during the last minute. Nor does anyone have the slightest idea about what will happen in the next minute. Whenever a person grasps the truth that creativity is constant, that individual is on the right road, toward the ideal. As Cervantes wrote, “The road is always better than the inn.” Indeed, there is no inn, no stopping place on the way toward the ideal. The best one can do is to travel righteously every day of mortal life!

According to the French clergyman, René Almeron (1612-72): “The best and noblest lives are those who are set toward high ideals, and the highest and noblest ideal that any man can have is Jesus of Nazareth.” No one could have a higher goal. While not attainable, ’tis a heavenly lodestar, an ideal toward which we should aim. The second coming of Jesus does not, in my view, mean another Jesus but, rather, personal striving to approximate His Holy Perfection!

How true that “I cannot” never accomplished anything. To apply it to every aspect of life would be to descend below the human level. But reflect on the millions who are afflicted to some degree with the “I cannot” syndrome—no thrust for higher levels, for growth in understanding. Wrote the English essayist, Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729): “I know of no evil so great as the abuse of understanding and yet there is no vice more common.”

There are ever so many among my personal acquaintances who understand that the coercive prohibition of creative actions is evil. One sample among thousands of creative actions will suffice: the freedom to exchange goods and services in this or any other country. They understand and, thus, believe that free trade is right. The performance? They abuse their understanding by failing to show the fallacy of embargoes, tariffs and other obstacles to free trade.

Why this abuse? The fear of criticism, the lack of courage to stand for what’s right. In 1953 my FEE associate, Dr. W. M. Curtiss, wrote a booklet—The Tariff Idea—thoroughly exposing its flaws. It had two results: (1) an improved understanding by ever so many of this politico-economic fallacy and (2) a loss of many thousands of dollars in contributions to FEE. Had we known beforehand what these results would be, would we have presented our position to the 50,000 on our mailing list? An emphatic “YES”! Away with this common vice—fear of criticism!

Wrote the American author and editor, Christian N. Bovee (1820-1904): “There is great beauty in going through life without anxiety or fear. Half our fears are baseless, and the other half discreditable.” Should seekers after the truth of freedom fear criticism? Never! Expect criticism from those espousing socialistic notions, but heed it no more than opposition from anyone in a position of special privilege that he wants to protect. Let such nonsense pass by as mere babble.

But what about criticism from those who seek to achieve a reasonable understanding and explanation of the freedom way of life? Heed them, indeed! Why? This is a fruitful way to discover one’s own errors—the road to truth. Wrote Thomas Jefferson: “Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is free to combat it.”

Reason is “the power of comprehending . . . or thinking.” Briefly, it is the power to advance in consciousness. It is possible that our third President derived this wisdom from the English poet, John Milton (1608-74), who in 1644 wrote in Areopagitica: “Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe, and to utter freely, according to conscience, above all other liberties.”

Consciousness is the reality! One’s aim in earthly life should be to advance in this respect as far as possible for the consciousness we succeed in attaining during our mortal moments is the consciousness that will belittle or bless us in the hereafter.

Why is the liberty to utter freely the most important of all liberties? There are at least two assurances that one is advancing mentally, morally and spiritually: (1) when he is working for the liberty of everyone to act creatively as he or she pleases and (2) when he is able proudly to present the truth of human liberty before The Source—Infinite Consciousness—and his compatriots.

Wrote Emerson: “A good intention clothes itself with power.” Liberty has tremendous power for human advancement. Resolve to work on its behalf!