stander is conscious that he has that within him by
which he could have taken the same step, although he did not. Some one
steps forward and practically opposes a social custom that is admitted
to be evil, yet maintained, and by his influence lays the ax to
its root and commences its destruction; while many, commending his
courage, wonder why they had not taken the same course long ago.
In numberless instances we are conscious of having had the same
perceptions, the same ideas, the same powers, and the same desires
to put them into practice that are shown by the one who has so
successfully expressed them; yet they have, for some reason, lain
dormant and inoperative within us.

When we consider the waste of human power that this involves, we may
well search for its cause. Doubtless it sometimes results from the
absorption (more or less needful) of each one is his individual
pursuit. No one can give voice to all he thinks, or accomplish all
that he sees to be desirable, while striving, as he should, to gain
excellence in his own chosen work. Conscious of his own limitations,
he will rejoice to see many of his vague ideas, hopes, and aspirations
reached and carried out by others. But the same consciousness that
reconciles him to this also reveals much that he _might_ have said or
done without violating any other obligation, but which he has allowed
to slip from his hands to those of another, perhaps through lack of
energy, or indolence, or procrastination. The cause, however, most
operative in this direction is a strange disloyalty to our own
convictions. We look to others, especially to what we call great men,
for thoughts, suggestions, and opinions, and gladly adopt them
on their authority. But our own thoughts we ignore or treat with
indifference. We admire and honor originality in others, but we value
it not in ourselves. On the contrary, we are satisfied to make poor
imitations of those we revere, missing the only resemblance that is
worth anything, that of a simple and sincere independent life.

We would not undervalue modesty or recommend self-sufficiency. We
should always be learners, gladly welcoming every help, and respecting
every personality. But we should also respect our own, and bear in
mind, that "though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of
nourishing corn can come to us but through our toil bestowed on that
plot of ground which is given to us to till." To undervalue our own
thought because it