BASELESS MAXIMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18168, 5 November 1930, Page 15

BASELESS MAXIMS.

VALUE OP COMMON SENSE. TO YOUNG OR OLD. It used to be said that a long word was an excellent substitute for a reason. We have improved upon that, writes “An Observer" in the London Daily Telegraph. One magic word will justify anything. Appeal to psychology, and you may defy common sense and common experience. Here is an odd example: “Those who have studied the human mind hold that unless a mind is loaded with considerable responsibility before the age of 30 it is no use ever loading it with responsibility.” You will observe the bland assumption that the study of the human mind is limited to a select band. The obvious elementary fact that all intelligent people since the dawn of time have been observing the ways of human mind and making experiments to discover how they can get the best out of it is ignored. But nothing was known till the elect began to call themselves psychologists, and, to be sure, what they know now is very wonderful. The reasons why a person must never, never be trusted with responsibility before he was 30 are even more surprising than the fact. The physics and chemistry of the body discharge into the brain certain poisons which ultimately prevent the brain from expanding and developing. But apparently if you have grave responsibilities before you are 30 your physics and chemistry do not poison you. Here is a mystery indeed.

Why should we be expected in the 20th century to believe in this or any other kind of magic? There are masses of evidence about the capacity of men to bear responsibility. Half the great men of action learnt how to use power by coming into power very young. The other half never had any heavy responsibility till they were middle-aged. Historical Opposites. Alexander went conquering the world as a boy. Caesar was only playing with • life till he v-as bald.

Napoeleon commanded armies atf a subaltern’s age. Cromwell was turned 40 before he had a regiment. How are we to believe that to be given re- ; sponsibility early is a certain means j to the ability to bear it well? The ‘ Kaiser came to his throne in youth. Since the days of Rehoboam, his- : tory has been full of Kaisers. It is also full of Clemenceaus, of men who were of small account in youth and saved the State in their old age. These contradictions have not persuaded ordinary people that responsibility is not good for youth. Long before psychology had a name, the great discovery was made that a gradual training in responsibility was a necessary part of education. Schools and universities are organised on that principle. Every professor works by it. The normal rational parent uses it. in bringing up Jiis children. I While we are all agreed, continues “An Observer,” that responsiblity is useful training, indeed that people only become fit for responsibility by bearing it, we are equally agreed that it' is dangerous to give responsibilities to those who are not old enough. ! B,ut what is old enough, whether 15, or 25, or 35, or 50? You find support for any opinion. The navy expects much of midshipmen. The army has no use for boy officers. The barrister just called, who will be a good deal more than a child, is not considered the best adviser on a grave case. In : politics, middle age is irresponsible youth. In private life .everybody has met rash young men who make a mess : of-their own and their family’s affairs ■ by taking charge before their capacity was equal to the burden. I Since there is such great diversity you may suggest that it does not matter what is taught by “those who ) have studied the human mind”; they I can hardly be quite wrong. But they j may be very dangerous if they persuade people to believe in general rules about human nature, whether this is one that you must have responsibility before 30, or that other that you are too old at 40, or any such . dogma. 1

The one sound general rule is that there are no rules, but only exceptions; this fellow will hardly know himself till he is 40. If we are deluded into treating men all alike we shall not get the best out of any of them. Life is not so easy that you can work it by handbooks of maxims.