PESSIMISM AND SELFRELIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13286, 19 September 1906, Page 9

PESSIMISM AND SELFRELIANCE.

If we were to suggest the spirit which, * when we try to correct our pessimism, '> would be most efficacious, it would (says the London Spectator) he an increase in individual self-reliance. We are not beaten in public affairs as we imagine we are, and there is no necessity in carrying out our works of philanthropy for relying so entirely upon associations. We establish far too many societies. Everybody seems to feel that before he can do anything he needs the protection of a crowd, tie cannot even denounce or defend motor-cars unless hun- -,' dreds will join him to protect him from th« consequences of thinking independently. The result is that everyone who wants to do „ something good devotes to it tome fraction " of his mind, some little chip of his energy,.'., and that the strength which we should derive from the strong will of a leader is sel- ...;■ dom or never present. We develop some new and small group, not a Loyola or a Wesley. This, always the danger of democracy,' is the danger alto of the mental processes of our time, and deprives us *<?st and foremost of all help from individual genius. ••" We forget how much further a : bullet will . go than a handful of small shut.