Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

PRACTICE LOGIC, COMMON SENSE AND TACT

When a man can give a good reason for what he does he practices logic. Not excuses for doing what he should not do, but REASONS why.

When he gives good reasons, and follows the universal practice of other men under the same circumstances, he practices common sense.

When he does things in a quiet, unobtrusive, and agreeable manner, so that other men are satisfied with his way, he practices tact.

These three qualities are badges of success among every nation and in every occupation, trade, or profession.

The business and professional resourcefulness of every man is not measured upon the quantity of his learning, or his high proficiency, but according to his ability to apply what he knows to the matter in hand.

A man may be able to measure the stars, and yet not be able to saw a board straight. Such a man may know much but he makes a poor carpenter.

A man should reason with himself as to the best way of doing anything, and then do it, giving good reasons for it.

Common sense is good judgment applied to the every day things of life, and tact is doing those things without disturbing others or by considering their feelings with as much care as you do your own.

To use a common expression: “You have got to worm things out of the world, but you must do it as gently as inserting a corkscrew in a stubborn cork.”

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

When you encourage others to go ahead with what they are doing, with a cheery word or a pleasant smile, you are laying up treasure for yourself. For the man you encourage will encourage you, and heaven knows we all need encouragement.

Many men stand on the verge of a precipice of indecision, not being able to decide whether they should draw back or fall over.

It is not help these men want so much as it is encouragement. They are able to help themselves but they haven’t the nerve, and you give them a word of cheer or encouragement, and they get right with themselves and their work.

If a man starts into business and you can trade with him, do so, and that will encourage him to go ahead and strive to be successful.

He may be a beginner at manufacturing something for the use of others. Tell him how his work or productions are well received, or take one yourself and use it even if you do not want it. You encourage him to go on, and by and by you may be in a position where you will need a little encouragement, then he will remember you.

It is customary for the unthinking to imagine that they must do something big or great in order to expect returns, but this is a mistake. We show our greatness in little things, because we know that many little things make up a great thing. The more small things we do the greater will be the accumulation in the end.

Do not patronize any man or he will repulse your approach; you must encourage, which is far different from patronizing. By assuming a patronizing air you assume a superiority which is disliked.

This is an age of small things that go to make up big things, and we must fall in with the conditions of the age in which we live and expect to do business.

HOW TO LEARN SELF-CONTROL

To master the feelings the head and the heart should work together.

All of our emotions may be said to come from the heart, and the latter is set in motion by the will power which is the head.

There are times when a man feels like “boiling over” as it is called, but policy and good judgment warn him to keep within bounds.

It is always our sentiments or feelings and emotions that need a curbing hand, our opinions can take care of themselves.

Where our feelings and our mind go together there is no trouble, for then duty and inclination go together. But where our feelings are not regulated and controlled, they become unstable and shifting. Like the winds that blow where they list and whither no man can tell, our lack of self-control may drive us to the most violent acts. We become the sport of chance desires and vagrant impulses.

Control is essential because from our ill-regulated acts much injustice and harm may be done, not only to ourselves but to others.

A man who stands above whim and caprice is a superior in strength to a man who permits his caprices to direct him.

What we call character has its emotions and passions, its affections and intense sympathies, but mastered and controlled into a whole of outward justice and fairness.

The true freeman fights himself free from blind feeling and impulse; he is a happy warrior and fights on a battlefield where his convictions and emotions are a unit.

The Martyrs possessed such self control that burning at the stake, or limbs torn by savage beast did not wring a note of pain from them. “But,” you say, “that was Divine strength.” Of course, and any one who desires the same Divine strength to aid him control his emotions, may have it for the asking.