按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ideal of moral perfection has no more dangerous rival to contend
with than the ideal of the highest strength and the most energetic
life； the maximum of the barbarianwhich needs only a due
admixture of pride； ambition； and selfishness； to be a perfect
ideal of the devil。 Amongst men of such stamp are found the
greatest scourges and devastators of the worldthose elect
scoundrels whom Providence； in its inscrutable designs； permits to
fulfil their mission of destruction upon earth。 （10）
Very different is the man of energetic character inspired by a
noble spirit； whose actions are governed by rectitude； and the law
of whose life is duty。 He is just and upright；in his business
dealings； in his public action； and in his family lifejustice
being as essential in the government of a home as of a nation。 He
will be honest in all thingsin his words and in his work。 He
will be generous and merciful to his opponents； as well as to
those who are weaker than himself。 It was truly said of Sheridan
who； with all his improvidence； was generous； and never gave
painthat
〃His wit in the combat； as gentle as bright；
Never carried a heart…stain away on its blade。〃
Such also was the character of Fox； who commanded the affection
and service of others by his uniform heartiness and sympathy。 He
was a man who could always be most easily touched on the side of
his honour。 Thus； the story is told of a tradesman calling upon
him one day for the payment of a promissory note which he
presented。 Fox was engaged at the time in counting out gold。 The
tradesman asked to be paid from the money before him。 〃No；〃 said
Fox； 〃I owe this money to Sheridan； it is a debt of honour； if any
accident happened to me； he would have nothing to show。〃 〃Then；〃
said the tradesman； 〃I change MY debt into one of honour；〃 and he
tore up the note。 Fox was conquered by the act： he thanked the
man for his confidence； and paid him； saying； 〃Then Sheridan must
wait； yours is the debt of older standing。〃
The man of character is conscientious。 He puts his conscience
into his work； into his words； into his every action。 When
Cromwell asked the Parliament for soldiers in lieu of the decayed
serving…men and tapsters who filled the Commonwealth's army； he
required that they should be men 〃who made some conscience of what
they did；〃 and such were the men of which his celebrated regiment
of 〃Ironsides〃 was composed。
The man of character is also reverential。 The possession of this
quality marks the noblest； and highest type of manhood and
womanhood： reverence for things consecrated by the homage of
generationsfor high objects； pure thoughts； and noble aims
for the great men of former times； and the highminded workers
amongst our contemporaries。 Reverence is alike indispensable to
the happiness of individuals； of families； and of nations。
Without it there can be no trust； no faith； no confidence； either
in man or Godneither social peace nor social progress。 For
reverence is but another word for religion； which binds men to
each other； and all to God。
〃The man of noble spirit；〃 says Sir Thomas Overbury； 〃converts all
occurrences into experience； between which experience and his
reason there is marriage； and the issue are his actions。 He moves
by affection； not for affection； he loves glory； scorns shame； and
governeth and obeyeth with one countenance； for it comes from one
consideration。 Knowing reason to be no idle gift of nature； he is
the steersman of his own destiny。 Truth is his goddess； and he
takes pains to get her； not to look like her。 Unto the society of
men he is a sun； whose clearness directs their steps in a regular
motion。 He is the wise man's friend； the example of the
indifferent； the medicine of the vicious。 Thus time goeth not
from him； but with him； and he feels age more by the strength of
his soul than by the weakness of his body。 Thus feels he no pain；
but esteems all such things as friends； that desire to file off
his fetters； and help him out of prison。〃 （11）
Energy of willself…originating forceis the soul of every
great character。 Where it is； there is life； where it is not；
there is faintness； helplessness； and despondency。 〃The strong
man and the waterfall；〃 says the proverb； 〃channel their own
path。〃 The energetic leader of noble spirit not only wins a way
for himself； but carries others with him。 His every act has a
personal significance； indicating vigour； independence； and self…
reliance； and unconsciously commands respect； admiration； and
homage。 Such intrepidity of character characterised Luther；
Cromwell； Washington； Pitt； Wellington； and all great leaders
of men。
〃I am convinced；〃 said Mr。 Gladstone； in describing the qualities
of the late Lord Palmerston in the House of Commons； shortly after
his death〃I am convinced that it was the force of will； a sense
of duty； and a determination not to give in； that enabled him to
make himself a model for all of us who yet remain and follow him；
with feeble and unequal steps； in the discharge of our duties； it
was that force of will that in point of fact did not so much
struggle against the infirmities of old age； but actually repelled
them and kept them at a distance。 And one other quality there is；
at least； that may be noticed without the smallest risk of
stirring in any breast a painful emotion。 It is this； that Lord
Palmerston had a nature incapable of enduring anger or any
sentiment of wrath。 This freedom from wrathful sentiment was not
the result of painful effort； but the spontaneous fruit of the
mind。 It was a noble gift of his original naturea gift which
beyond all others it was delightful to observe； delightful also to
remember in connection with him who has left us； and with whom we
have no longer to do； except in endeavouring to profit by his
example wherever it can lead us in the path of duty and of right；
and of bestowing on him those tributes of admiration and affection
which he deserves at our hands。〃
The great leader attracts to himself men of kindred character；
drawing them towards him as the loadstone draws iron。 Thus； Sir
John Moore early distinguished the three brothers Napier from the
crowd of officers by whom he was surrounded； and they； on their
part； repaid him by their passionate admiration。 They were
captivated by his courtesy； his bravery； and his lofty
disinterestedness； and he became the model whom they resolved to
imitate； and； if possible； to emulate。 〃Moore's influence；〃 says
the biographer of Sir William Napier； 〃had a signal effect in
forming and maturing their characters； and it is no small glory to
have been the hero of those three men； while his early discovery
of their mental and moral qualities is a proof of Moore's own
penetration and judgment of character。〃
There is a contagiousness in every example of energetic conduct。
The brave man is an inspiration to the weak； and c