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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1927)
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN PAGE 4 POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC (Continued from page 1) “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” And, furthermore, “Who dainties love shall beggars prove.” Think of this: “Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.” Speaking of what are set forth by dealers as bargains, the Almanac says: “Buy what thou hast no need of and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities.” When it is said, “At a great pennyworth pause awhile,” it is meant, perhaps, that cheapness is apparent only, or not real; or that the bargain, by straightening thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. In another place he says, “Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths.” “It is foolish to lay out money in a purchase of re pentance,” and yet we see this practiced every day at auctions and “cheap” sales. “Wise men learn by others’ harms, fools scarcely by their own.” Many a one for the sake of finery on the back have gone with a hungry stomach and half-starved their families. “Silk and satin, scarlet and velvets put out the kitchen fire.” These are not the necessities of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many want to have them! The artificial wants of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural, and for “One poor person there are a hundred indigent.” By these and other extravagances the genteel are are reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow from those whom they formerly despised, but who, through industry and frugality, have maintained their standing; in which case it appears, plainly, “A plow man on his legs is higher than gentleman on his knees.” “When the well is dry, they know the worth of the water.” Let us consider this: “If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing; and in deed, so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it again.” Let us take time to consider the above thoroughly. There is a lesson, a sermon, if you will, in the pro verbs set forth above that is of great value to all of us. We suggest that each reader take stock of himself and determine his greatest weakness; that he then re-read the foregoing and find just the saw that fits his espe cial case, then that he memorize that saw and on every appearance of his besetting weakness he will quote the saw to the vanquishment of said weakness. Give this a trial—it will help you. SUCCESS It seems that the idea of success in life differs great ly, each human being maintaining his own views in the matter. To the vast majority of mankind success means the accumulation of money, or chattels of some description. This is the ordinary view, but far greater the success and power for good in the world is the achievement of that person who by study and the de velopment of the powers of his brain is able to benefit millions of his fellows, than is the success of he who gathers and hoards gold for himself alone. Gold is good and it buys comforts innumerable, but it is not all there is to life. Gold alone is not success, and the possession of it often proves a curse. Knowledge is, in our judgment, the thing to be sought. Let our students ponder these matters for themselves. To be genuinely successful in life know ledge of some nature is necessary and knowledge is gained by study and observation. To study one must be alone. The mind cannot function to its greatest capacity in the midst of a general hubbub—solitude is necessary for reflection. It seems that our people are eternally seeking company. One cannot be sent on an errand without calling upon some chum to accom pany him. The time to lay the foundation for know ledge is during youthful years, and self-reliance is one of the most necessary traits of character which our students can develop within themselves. Think, and continue to think, and see to it that your mind dwells upon the better things of life. Liberty, success and power come more largely through mental development than from any other source. Put a high valuation upon your time. Value the time which you are allowed for study, for in truth it is a per iod of liberty—a period which is wholly your own, to use for yourself alone. Liberty such as this is price less. We can fancy nothing more desirable than the liberty of solitude. Pay heed to Petrarch’s idea of the value of liberty when offered a position paying an immense salary, but which would take from him his liberty: “Riches acquired at the expense of liberty are the cause of real misery; a yoke of gold or silver is not less oppression than if made of wood or lead.” True philosophy. To keep to the middle ground in nearly all things is a fine plan. To go to extremes in anything is cer tainly unwise. It is difficult to inspire in young people the views of their elders. It seems that the great majority of our young people must suffer in or der to see clearly—in a sense, to succeed. Oil and water do not mix, nor do youth and age fare much better. Longfellow says: “Youth is fiery, age is frosty.” To succeed, paddle your own boat: that is, do your own studying, and do it alone, so that you may think clearly. Try to put a proper valuation on both the mental or spiritual things and those which are wholly material. Be industrious and live clean lives.
