INSPIRERS OF MEN

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 18

INSPIRERS OF MEN

Poets through the ages have sung of Eve as the inspirer of men. She has not yet been called his driver. And yet biologists and students of the sex riddle generally admit now that without the goad which Eve applies, Man would sink into sloth,* and all the mighty- effort which has created the scientific age of to-day would never have been put forth (says the “Statesman”). Woman is conservative, man. is radical. The woman’s instinct is to preserve and conserve; the man’s instinct is to destroy and build, and build and destroy. The vast majority of men, if left to themselves, would not worry to make greater efforts than those needed to provide themselves with food and clothing. What theft drives a man to tremendous exertions—exertions far greater than those needed to sustain himself alone? In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the- necessity for providing for his mate and her children. _ The greatest hunger a man knows in his secret soul is that for the love and companionship of a woman, who also loves him. This is why a man often finds material success turn to ashes in his hand. And this is why many a man, who apparently luia everything that money can buy and ambition can attain, is miserable at heart. He has sacrificed

I everything to material things, and the love-hunger in him has starved to death. But given the love end companionship of a woman, a man will strain himself to great things and.be happy in doing them, He brings his achievements to his mate and finds his chief reward in her adraiaiotr. dlhc.l reward in her admiration and content. One day in the future, when the average man and woman understand and appreciate each other's fundamental differences of character better, the realisation of this eternal. sex truth will do a great deal to minimise the clash between the sexes—a dash which never quite dies. It is a noble thing which man does, curbing his liberty for the woman he loves. Too many women are apt. to regard man’s "voluntary subordination of himself as a sign of weakness. And some misguided and disgruntled feminists lately have been trying to argue I that men in reality are women’s unwitting slaves, and consequently in fact the “inferior’’ sexi How foolish this is! Normal men and women are the complement of each other; and if man works for his matewoman—it is because in so doing he finds the greatest and most complete happiness in this life—the happiness of giving, of doing things for a loved mate and comrade.