"
Another individual, at least as solemn if not as wise as Emerson,
says:
"Discontent is the foundation of all human effort."
Both are right, for there are two kinds of discontent.
Almost everybody is afflicted with one kind of discontent or the
other.
It would be well for you, Mr. Reader, to decide what kind of
discontent afflicts you. If you have the wrong kind, hurry and
get the other as fast as possible.
THE DISCONTENT THAT WHINES
This is the kind of discontent which Emerson refers to when he
says that "discontent is the want of self-reliance."
The WHINING discontent ruins many lives; it is used as the
excuse for much foolish conduct, much neglect of duty.
It is the discontent which reflects the feeble soul, the
self-indulgent, worthless being.
A young man who gets drunk or dissipates otherwise, who offers as
an excuse, "Well, I was feeling kind of DISCONTENTED and had to
do something," is afflicted with the wrong kind of discontent in
its most virulent form.
The office boy with small wages who is caught smoking cigarettes,
or evading his duties, or undermining his moral character by
gambling, will also say, "I was discontented and had to do
something."
If you have THAT discontent, try to get rid of it and get the
other kind.
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