SELFISHNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 81

SELFISHNESS.

By

COLONEL ARTHUR LYNCH.

(Foe the Witness.) XIV.

Selfishness, one of the most unlovely of* faults, is, alas, the most common. It must be stronger even than vanity, for in its obdurate style it defies even the sting of hate, or the soft enticement of praise. “An unselfish man,” or per«t haps more often, “an unselfish worn V*that oonveys something more than an eulogy, it is an appreciation of a character to be set up as a model to admire even though we ourselves make no effort* to reach it. Of course, selfishness is natural to man, and the tfiore difficult his battle in life, 1 the more he is forced back on himself, on his own resources, and the more natural it becomes to develop his own powers and to safeguard his own defence.. Self-preservation is the first law of nature. The two classes the most selfish of all are children and tyrants, and for the sama reason that their desires are less checked by the need, or the intuition, of considering others. It will surprise some that I place children in the category, for chil« dren are tender-hearted, impulsive, genera ous. Yes, all that is true, but also in the first place, and until they are in* structed, or better taught by example,, they are innately selfish. How could ift be otherwise; they believe at the begins ning that the world revolves round them, and it is not till after long and bitter experience th/ the human being begins to realise his place in the world; few ever indeed attain to the perfection of that knowledge. Even the generosity of children cornea in part from lessons taught to them by their elders, especially if the teaching be sympathetic; it is imitative; in the generous display there is often an eye for recognition, for praise. It is well to give that praise till unselfish acts become a habit, for habit becomes a second nature. The tyrant, to use an old-fashioned word, is in a similar case; the world turns round his desires, and all he sees of other human beings shows them only as instruments for carrying out his wishes. Speaking to an historian, recently he told me how George IV, on his accession to the throne, threw overboard men like Sheridan, who had served him faithfully, even obsequiously. I asked why. He replied because George had never been taught to do anything else than to satisfy himself; he was all compact of selfishness. -The man who lives for self has a poor kingdom The whole nature, 1 e outlook, the inspiration of such a man is terribly limited; George IV, who was a bright young r .n, good looking, of fine physique and presence, intelligent, witty, popular with men, adored by women, the “First Gentleman of Europe,” became a besotted and discontented sensuj alist who lived without respect and died unregretted. He paid too big a price for his indulgence. It is one of the evils of a position such as that of a prince, that he is so much surrounded bv flatterers, by those who seek to currv favour by pandering to the lower side of his nature; in such a case if he does not become selfish there must be some fortunate circumstance, c somo deep inward grace, to save him. But one need not go so high in the social hierarchy. Day by day, and at every turn, one can see mothers either giving their children a good training or thoroughly spoiling them. The “good mothers,*' as they sometimes call themselves, are the bad mothers—those who surround their children with a sicklv atmosphere of sentiment, who “darling’* them at every turn, and all day long, and who indulge them in every petulant mood. Even when their own self-sacri-fice springs from good feeling these mothers make their children selfish, detestable, and unhappy. Too great a severity, especially ini step-fathers or step-mothers, may produce a similar result. The happy child is that one who is brought up with sense of duty, and quietly directed to an understanding of others and sympathy with them. Unselfishness. I think—though here doubtless I speak with insufficient experience—reaps its own reward.