How Do We Know

WHAT THE LOOKING GLASS REVEALS

Do you know the man against whom you have most reason to guard yourself? Your looking glass will give you a very fair likeness of his face.

—RICHARD WHATELY

Among the highest virtues of mankind is self-control and the Archbishop of Dublin (1787-1863) clearly identified the individual in charge: Yours Truly!

Wrote Goethe, “What is the best government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.” The lesson? Those of us who would achieve self-mastery have only one guideline: strive for an understanding and explanation of Creation at the human level. This is an aspiration that can only be approximated, never achieved, no matter how brilliant one may be. Wrote the Spanish poet, dramatist and novelist, Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), “The road is always better than the inn.” If we truly seek freedom, founded on self-control, then there is no inn, no graduating class, so long as life endures. It is always the road—refinement and more refinement—now and forever. And fear not repetition, for nothing is too often repeated that is not sufficiently learned. Repetition is the mother of learning!

Several excellent thoughts by the American divine, Wilbur Fisk (1792-1839): “Every temptation that is resisted, every noble aspiration that is encouraged, every sinful thought that is repressed, every bitter word that is withheld, adds its little item to the impetus of that great movement which is bearing upward toward a richer life and higher character.”

Regardless of how great the temptation, it justifies no degree of sin, that is, no departure from truth as one beholds it. “The truth shall make you free!”

Edmund Burke came to our aid: “Nobility is a graceful ornament to the civil order. It is the Corinthian capital of polished society. It is, indeed, one sign of a liberal and benevolent mind to incline to it with some sort of partial propensity.” Propensity? It means learning, readiness and the like—intellectually moving in the right direction, an aim all of us should have!

As to nobility, it is, indeed, the graceful ornament to civil—stately—order. Emerson: “All nobility in its beginnings, was somebody’s natural superiority.” In this sense, our Founding Fathers were NOBLEMEN! Why? They unseated government as the endower of human rights and placed the Creator there! I, and everyone, should salute them!

Enough about Fisk’s noble aspirations. What about “every temptation that is resisted”? It is one thing to be tempted by monstrous and evil schemes such as socialism or any coercive device, but it is intellectual folly or sin to yield.

Observed the English critic and essayist, John Ruskin (1819-1900): “No one can ask honestly or hope fully to be delivered from temptation unless he has himself honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out of it.” In Matthew 6:13: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Every sinful thought that is repressed increases the good thoughts that are within one’s potentialities. The recognition of sin is the beginning of moral and politico-economic salvation. Wrote the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn: “If thou wouldst conquer thy weakness thou must never gratify it. No man is compelled to evil; only his consent makes it his. It is no sin to be tempted; it is to yield and be overcome.”

Perhaps an individual’s greatest weakness is when he fancies himself wise. All populations are infested with know-it-alls. Pretended omniscience is a self-imposed liability, not coercively inflicted by others. All of us are tempted, but a few, bless their souls, do not succumb. They lead the rest of us in the righteous way.

Every bitter word that is withheld is a blessing in disguise. Regardless of the derogatory names communists or other masters of coercion may call those of us who are freedom devotees, let us refrain from biting back. When one calls another a “so-and-so,” he reveals his own character. If one is improving, he doesn’t wholly agree with his self of yesterday. Bear in mind that the evolutionary thrust—Creation’s design for mankind—is toward an ever-expanding variation. Is it not obvious that bitter words, written or spoken to those who differ, hardens them in their ways? Instead of grasping any worthy ideas offered, they will turn their backs and assess the name-callers. “Thou fool!” It is tolerance and kindness that work wonders.

Wilbur Fisk’s wisdom, concerning character, is confirmed by Samuel Smiles: “Good character is human nature in its best form. It is moral order embodied in the individual. Men of character are not only the conscience of society, but in every well-governed state they are its best motive power; for it is moral qualities which, in the main, rule the world.”

No question about it, character is human nature in its best form. It is the know-how and the determination to become an attracting exemplar of liberty for one and all. Such good thoughts, if their progenitors be numerous enough, do, indeed, rule the world!

Wrote the Sage of Concord: “A man passes for what he is worth. What he is engraves itself on his face in letters of light.” To whom should one look for an ever-brighter light—understanding—of liberty? At the face seen in the looking glass!