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Show POPULARITY. Probably everybody cares more for the good opinion of his fellows than he is ready to admit. It is -natural to want those with whom we associate associ-ate to feel friendly toward us, or at least that our presence is not loathsome to them. Sometimes a man may say he doesn't care anything about the good opinion of a certain individual, especially if he has reasons to believe that certain individual has expressed decided opinions against him. but even then he would like to have that man change his mind. It is a common trait of humanity, this desire to be Avell thought of. The motive probably is selfishness in a great many cases, for behind the desire for popularity lies self-aggrandizement and I personal advancement and advantages to be attained attain-ed only through a widespread esteem. These selfish self-ish motives make the player for popularity a deliberate delib-erate schemer, and his actions frequently are a studied effort which deceive those upon whom he practices his wiles. Politicians particularly are open to suspicion that sincerity is lacking in their bids for popularity. But even little deceptions sometimes make individuals more enjoyable companions, com-panions, and those who speak out their disagree-ableness disagree-ableness on every occasion without cause soon learn that their companionship is not sought, even if it is not avoided. Xow it is not intended that we should go on record as condoning deception, even in little things. Frankness is an admirable characteristic, but frankness frank-ness is not the picking out of flaws and holding them up for execration. Xearly everybody has some characteristic which is not altogether lovable or even passably so, and the weaknesses of ourselves should inspire a respect for the weaknesses of others. oth-ers. We cannot see ourselves as others see us, which is a most fortunate circumstance, so our judgments, should be tempered that we may have a right to expect the same treatment. The follies and foibles of others should possess an educative value for ourselves. In so far as we learn from the experience ex-perience of others, we have gained in wisdom, but when that wisdom furnishes no guide for our own action it is without value. But while selfishness may furnish much of the reason for a desire for the esteem or approbation of our fellows, it would be most unfortunate to think-that think-that it is not perfectly proper to hold a certain regard re-gard for our own welfare. It does seem that an individual who feels unworthy in his own estimation estima-tion has a mighty poor chance of gaining the good opinion of his associates. It takes some egotism to give a fellow confidence in himself. Of course, the unthinking will condemn such a theory, but the fellow who succeeds is not- the one who debases himself in his' own thoughts. Carried to the extreme, ex-treme, though, he becomes a boor, and loses the good opinion of everybody with common sense. Extreme egotism and extreme selfishness are alike dcplorablo traits But there are mighty few men who are not at some time placed in such a position that the assertion as-sertion of their individuality, or their ability, or their ideas or theories, does not seem egotistical or selfish. If a man is going to do anything worth while in this world he must do it on his own initiative. initia-tive. He may enlist in his favor the approbation of tl e masses, or borrow the-influence of the powerful, pow-erful, and it makes small difference where the assistance as-sistance comes from. Popularity is merely an assistance; as-sistance; it cannot make men great, even if it places them in the highest office of the land. Greatness is innate and shines out. It takes advantage advan-tage of every opportunity. Great men in all walks command respect and esteem; worth has its rewards, re-wards, while the craven spirit of vain seekers after popularity live only to be stamped as failures in the end. |