Show STUDENT LIFE your purpose because you cannot attain as much of the learning of the schools as you may desire Thankfully take what you may and seek for wisdom to teach you how to utilize it There is much to be learned outside of the schools and the intellectual training of your services here will help you over many difficulties Remember always that under the natural law of compensation you may not expect to receive something for nothing and that everything in life worth having knowledge wisdom character reputation or property must be obtained through laborious effort constantly sustained by an earnest and steadfast purpose I have known people who went about their ocd cupations in a perfunctory sort of a way indicating an indifference to life’s duties and obligations When employed by others they made it a point to give as little return for the compensation as consistent with a retention of the employment and without apparent interest in the business of the employer seemed to measure the time and duty of the service by the striking of the clock Such persons halt along through life doing only what they are compelled to do without manifesting any real interest or purpose in the work of life These people never succeed indeed they seldom even “get along” as we say and the reason is that this is not the way to “ do things” If you are in fact intending to be somebody — to do something in this world — you must — pardon the vulgarism for the sake of its present utility — “get a move on you !” That is the word move move your bodies your minds your zeal your interest move every faculty and force you have to accomplish what you undertake to do If you are studying a particular subject trade occupation or business put all your strength in the effort do not sty half-hearte- 159 and find out all there is to learn about it If you undertake to serve another do so with all your might taking just as much interest as if the work were your own How are your faculties to grow and expand into a large capacity for work and usefulness unless you develop them by constant exercise? Let us consider more in detail what the obligation imposed upon all of us of leading upright and useful lives means in our relations to society and our country As individuals we must subordinate our personal desires and ends to the will of society as expressed in law duly enacted for the safety and welfare of all the people The necessities of a community life demand that certain and defined rules of conduct be prescribed for the government of the people to be obeyed by all By yielding in a measure some of our natural rights we obtain the better security of life and property afforded by the power of the community and it may be said to be a part of the social compact that each of us yield a ready and prompt obedience to law Disobedience tends to a disturbance of social order and to a breaking down of that respect for authority so necessary to the maintenance of society and is followed by consequences disagreeable to both the individual and society We are also bound to observe truth integrity and justice in all of our intercourse with our fellows Justice indeed includes all for it is but just that we should obey the laws speak the truth and deal honestly with others Justice is but the great law of compensation which attaches a consequence to every act and never fails in administration No enlightened nation can long maintain itself unless the people have an love and respect for the even justice of wise and beneficent laws impartially administered Such a spirit in- all-abidi- ng |