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were in themselves； not through the dim spectacles of vulgar
estimation。〃 （8）
〃Popularity； in the lowest and most common sense；〃 said Sir John
Pakington； on a recent occasion； （9） 〃is not worth the having。 Do
your duty to the best of your power； win the approbation of your
own conscience； and popularity； in its best and highest sense； is
sure to follow。〃
When Richard Lovell Edgeworth； towards the close of his life；
became very popular in his neighbourhood； he said one day to his
daughter： 〃Maria； I am growing dreadfully popular； I shall be good
for nothing soon； a man cannot be good for anything who is very
popular。〃 Probably he had in his mind at the time the Gospel
curse of the popular man； 〃Woe unto you； when all men shall speak
well of you！ for so did their fathers to the false prophets。〃
Intellectual intrepidity is one of the vital conditions of
independence and self…reliance of character。 A man must have the
courage to be himself； and not the shadow or the echo of another。
He must exercise his own powers； think his own thoughts； and speak
his own sentiments。 He must elaborate his own opinions； and form
his own convictions。 It has been said that he who dare not form
an opinion； must be a coward； he who will not； must be an idler；
he who cannot； must be a fool。
But it is precisely in this element of intrepidity that so many
persons of promise fall short； and disappoint the expectations of
their friends。 They march up to the scene of action； but at every
step their courage oozes out。 They want the requisite decision；
courage； and perseverance。 They calculate the risks； and weigh
the chances； until the opportunity for effective effort has
passed； it may be never to return。
Men are bound to speak the truth in the love of it。 〃I had rather
suffer；〃 said John Pym； the Commonwealth man； 〃for speaking the
truth； than that the truth should suffer for want of my speaking。〃
When a man's convictions are honestly formed； after fair and full
consideration； he is justified in striving by all fair means to
bring them into action。 There are certain states of society and
conditions of affairs in which a man is bound to speak out； and be
antagonisticwhen conformity is not only a weakness； but a sin。
Great evils are in some cases only to be met by resistance； they
cannot be wept down； but must be battled down。
The honest man is naturally antagonistic to fraud； the truthful
man to lying； the justice…loving man to oppression； the pureminded
man to vice and iniquity。 They have to do battle with these
conditions； and if possible overcome them。 Such men have in all
ages represented the moral force of the world。 Inspired by
benevolence and sustained by courage； they have been the mainstays
of all social renovation and progress。 But for their continuous
antagonism to evil conditions； the world were for the most part
given over to the dominion of selfishness and vice。 All the great
reformers and martyrs were antagonistic menenemies to falsehood
and evildoing。 The Apostles themselves were an organised band of
social antagonists； who contended with pride； selfishness；
superstition； and irreligion。 And in our own time the lives of
such men as Clarkson and Granville Sharpe； Father Mathew and
Richard Cobden； inspired by singleness of purpose； have shown what
highminded social antagonism can effect。
It is the strong and courageous men who lead and guide and rule
the world。 The weak and timid leave no trace behind them； whilst
the life of a single upright and energetic man is like a track of
light。 His example is remembered and appealed to； and his
thoughts； his spirit； and his courage continue to be the
inspiration of succeeding generations。
It is energythe central element of which is willthat
produces the miracles of enthusiasm in all ages。 Everywhere it is
the mainspring of what is called force of character； and the
sustaining power of all great action。 In a righteous cause the
determined man stands upon his courage as upon a granite block；
and； like David； he will go forth to meet Goliath； strong in heart
though an host be encamped against him。
Men often conquer difficulties because they feel they can。 Their
confidence in themselves inspires the confidence of others。 When
Caesar was at sea； and a storm began to rage； the captain of the
ship which carried him became unmanned by fear。 〃What art thou
afraid of？〃 cried the great captain； 〃thy vessel carries Caesar！〃
The courage of the brave man is contagious； and carries others
along with it。 His stronger nature awes weaker natures into
silence； or inspires them with his own will and purpose。
The persistent man will not be baffled or repulsed by opposition。
Diogenes； desirous of becoming the disciple of Antisthenes； went
and offered himself to the cynic。 He was refused。 Diogenes still
persisting； the cynic raised his knotty staff； and threatened to
strike him if he did not depart。 〃Strike！〃 said Diogenes； 〃you
will not find a stick hard enough to conquer my perseverance。〃
Antisthenes； overcome； had not another word to say； but forthwith
accepted him as his pupil。
Energy of temperament； with a moderate degree of wisdom； will
carry a man further than any amount of intellect without it。
Energy makes the man of practical ability。 It gives him VIS；
force； MOMENTUM。 It is the active motive power of character；
and if combined with sagacity and self…possession； will
enable a man to employ his powers to the best advantage
in all the affairs of life。
Hence it is that； inspired by energy of purpose； men of
comparatively mediocre powers have often been enabled to
accomplish such extraordinary results。 For the men who have most
powerfully influenced the world have not been so much men of
genius as men of strong convictions and enduring capacity for
work； impelled by irresistible energy and invincible
determination： such men； for example； as were Mahomet； Luther；
Knox； Calvin； Loyola； and Wesley。
Courage； combined with energy and perseverance； will overcome
difficulties apparently insurmountable。 It gives force and
impulse to effort； and does not permit it to retreat。 Tyndall
said of Faraday； that 〃in his warm moments he formed a resolution；
and in his cool ones he made that resolution good。〃 Perseverance；
working in the right direction； grows with time； and when steadily
practised； even by the most humble； will rarely fail of its
reward。 Trusting in the help of others is of comparatively little
use。 When one of Michael Angelo's principal patrons died； he
said： 〃I begin to understand that the promises of the world are
for the most part vain phantoms； and that to confide in one's
self； and become something of worth and value； is the best
and safest course。〃
Courage is by no means incompatible with tenderness。 On the
contrary； gentleness and tenderness have been found to
characterise the men； not l