Page:About people (IA aboutpeople00well).pdf/87

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STRIVING.
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thus one grows again into unconsciousness, where it is best for peace's sake to remain; conscious of his purpose, unconscious of the way of obtaining it.

But peace and purpose demand self-control, which is the rock on which the whole character rests.

Unless self-controlled one can neither govern nor follow others long, for all take part in helping mankind, as assistants or leaders. Self-control is mastery of one's self. It is self-restraint; the ability to hold back from doing the wrong or silly things, goaded by the whip of conscience.

Self-control teaches that temperance applies to much more than meat or drink; that it is neither the demand for too much of any one thing nor the constant search for novelty. We throw away what is old by the law of fashion, rather than by the law of use. We call for new books, new bric-à-brac, new pleasures; we hunt for old-fashioned furniture

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