"While the Boy Waits.".H. Frowde, 1873 - 234 pages |
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Page 93 - Tho discovery that, although mortals cannot command, they may deserve it, takes it out of the catalogue of those inscrutable mysteries to which a limited intellect must needs succumb. Moreover, it is by no means so great and overpowering a thing in itself as we are apt to suppose. It is very far from absorbing all the consequences of the train of actions to which it stands as an end. The ways and the means by which the goal is reached and the prize won, are left behind or cast aside and forgotten,...
Page 94 - ... policy must be, than the simple result which we call success ; and how entirely erroneous is the presumption that nothing succeeds like success, or is entitled to the same esteem. An exaggerated notion of the nature and importance of success tells directly in support of that most pernicious heresy that "the end justifies the means" — a false doctrine, quite as disastrous to sound morals or common honesty as to sincere and genuine religion. The special conceit in which tender, or more correctly,...
Page 95 - ... conceit in which tender, or more correctly, weak, consciences take refuge, is that " the end may condone the means : " but the general idea is the same, and equally mischievous in any shape. If the result be good the process by which it has been attained is too commonly regarded with a charity which thinketh no evil of unworthy acts and principles of action, for which it ought to exhibit nothing but abhorrence. But this is not the only, or by any means the worst, consequence of worshipping success....
Page 97 - ... are not only more successful, but incomparably better thought of, than the less nimble workers who plod along the old and too much neglected ways of real labour and sterling principle. In proportion as attention is directed to the perfecting of this special artifice of parasitical expertness, it is diverted from the business of plain, straightforward, and intelligent industry. A tricky and haphazard policy is found to be quite as good in practice if only it succeeds, and not one jot worse if...
Page 97 - ... expertness, it is diverted from the business of plain, straightforward, and intelligent industry. A tricky and haphazard policy is found to be quite as good in practice if only it succeeds, and not one jot worse if it fails ; it therefore comes to be relied upon with as much faith and earnestness as the most solid and genuine ability. There is positively no just reason why success should be worshipped or failure despised. The one does not stamp the impress of respectability on the means by which...
Page 97 - ... useless. Whether the particular success to which the world does homage be the unification of States in one colossal empire, the acquisition of power for a party and place for an individual, or the attainment of some private end in life, the same conditions apply. The end cannot justify or even condone the means ; nor are the collateral evils to which a succession of efforts may have given rise extinguished by the single final result.
Page 93 - ... the consequences of the train of actions to which it stands as an end. The ways and the means by which the goal is reached and the prize won, are left behind or cast aside and forgotten, but they are not destroyed. Human action is indestructible, and it always exerts two sets of influence which are wholly distinct from, and entirely unaffected by, the particular object at which they are aimed. A purpose may be successful or it may be foiled, but the effort reacts upon the mind and character from...
Page 93 - ... of those inscrutable mysteries to which a limited intellect must needs succumb. Moreover, it is by no means so great and overpowering a thing in itself as we are apt to suppose. It is very far from absorbing all the consequences of the train of actions to which it stands as an end. The ways and the means by which the goal is reached and the prize won, are left behind or cast aside and forgotten, but they are not destroyed. Human action is indestructible, and it always exerts two sets of influence...
Page 93 - Tire -worship of success is a form of idolatry against which a wise philosophy would "wage remorseless warfare. The discovery that, although mortals cannot command, they may deserve it, takes it out of the catalogue of those inscrutable mysteries to which a limited intellect must needs succumb. Moreover, it is by no means so great and overpowering a thing in itetlf as we are apt to suppose.
Page 94 - ... it also operates directly, and, as an example, upon others. The reflex action, and the collateral effects are determined by the motive and nature of the efforts put forth rather than by the end they were intended to gain. Remembering, therefore, the several steps and endeavours it commonly requires to accomplish any serious purpose, it will be evident how much more important the consequences of any course of conduct or policy must be, than the simple result which we call success ; and how entirely...