Page:About people (IA aboutpeople00well).pdf/67

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INDIVIDUALITY IN HOME.
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become an equivalent for a falsehood. If we never spoke or acted without previous thought (though the thought might be in the distant background of accumulations of experience), and then gave our opinion, and did our deed from intensity of conviction, but with an open-mindedness to constant new impressions and experiences, men and women would oftener stand for some one definite mode of thinking and acting. Conscience is the foundation of individuality. Let that be developed as carefully as a sense of correct English; then, like each one's English speech, it will have its own tone and quality.

If we only dared to be honest, society would gain in intellectual and moral strength. We all think mightily after we have left a discussion. Do we never despise ourselves that we have lacked the moral courage to stand for our convictions, and do we never hate ourselves that we have none? When one has the courage of his convictions he becomes a

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