By reading between the lines we can infer from the foregoing that what the world really wants is men—good men. But the world is old enough and wise enough to know that if it does not train up some good boys, there will be no good men, by and by. “As the twig is bent the tree is inclined.” “The child is father of the man.”
Give me insight into to-day, and you may have the antique and future worlds.—Emerson.
So the world simply wishes to inform you, here and now, that it will count on your assistance as soon as you have had sufficient time and opportunity to prepare properly for the many chances it has in store for you. It notifies you in good season of the important use it hopes to make of you. It does not wish you to be confronted suddenly with a life problem you cannot solve intelligently. You must be so well equipped that you will not make life a “fizzle.”
When I don’t know whether to fight or not, I always fight.—Nelson.
A “fizzle,” as defined by the dictionaries, is a bungling, unsuccessful undertaking.
What is a gentleman? I’ll tell you: a gentleman is one who keeps his promises made to those who cannot enforce them.—Hubbard.
Life is, or ought to be, a splendid undertaking. Some make a success of it; some make a “fizzle;” some make a sort of half-and-half. Every one who lives his or her life must make something of it. What that “something” is depends very largely on the individual person. Heredity has something to do with it; environment has something to do with it; yet we like to think it is the individual who has most to do with the finished product.
All men are to some degree “self-made,” although they are slow to admit it except in instances where the work has been well done.
When one begins to turn in bed it is time to turn out.—Wellington.
The loser declares it is Fate’s hard plan,