Self Improvement; S. Smiles

Every man can help himself to some extent. We are not mere straws thrown upon the current to mark its course; but possessed of freedom of action, endowed with power to stem the waves and rise above them, each marking out a course for himself. We can each elevate ourselves in the scale of moral being. We can cherish pure thoughts. We can perform good SELF-IMPROVEMENT 607 actions. We can live soberly and fru gally. We can provide against the evil day. We can read good books, lis ten to wise teachers, and place our selves under the divinest influences on earth. We can live for the highest purposes, and with the highest aims in view. cCSelf-loveand social are the same" says one of our poets. The man wh~ improves himself, improves the world .... Society at large is but the reflex of individual conditions .... Then again, a man, when he has improved himself, is better able to improve those who are brought into contact with him. He has more power. His sphere of vision is en larged. He sees more clearly the de fects in the condition of others that might be remedied. He can lend a more active helping hand to raise them. He has done his duty by him self, and can with more authority urge upon others the necessity of doing the like duty to themselves.

How can a man be a social elevator who is himself walking in the mir~ of self-indulgence? How can he teach sobriety or cleanliness, if he be him self drunken or foul? CCPhysician, Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) was born in Haddington, Scotland. He was trained as a medical doctor but gave up practice early in his career to become a journalist. He served as a railroad executive for several years before returning to writing. What fascinated him most were the possibilitiesof achievementfor those who would stUdy, work, save, in vest, and innovate. Among his books are Self-Help (1859), Character (1871), Thrift (1875), and Duty (1880). heal thyself," is the answer of his neighbors. The sum and substance of our re marks is this: In all the individual reforms or improvements that we desire, we must begin with our selves. We must exhibit our gospel in our own life. We must teach by our own example. If we would have others elevated, we must elevate ourselves. Each man can exhibit the results in his own person. He can begin with self-respect. i From the book, Thrift, by Samuel Smiles (Chicago: Belfords, Clarke & Co., 1879), pp.31-32.