Word: life
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...only position that can be taken by a man who has any self-respect" is apt to be "a disappointed aspirant for popularity"; that such a person "openly depreciate[s] what he inwardly esteem[s]"; that he "blurts out his opinion" and pronounces "unsolicited his views on college life and the motives which he thinks should guide it"; and that "he calls every one a toady who is not of his way of thinking." "Hatred toward the popular," "Ossip" quotes from La Rochefoucauld, "is nothing but love for popularity"; and he argues, in conclusion, that "the popularity which the independent...
Undoubtedly the writer does demolish his independent man, but that creature is made chiefly of straw. For why a man to be completely independent (as every man of self-respect should be) need "blurt" out unasked his opinions or his views on college life and its proper motives does not appear. Nor is the reason evident why he should call every one who is not of his way of thinking a toady. Nor does it seem very clear why he should scorn the esteem, respect, and friendship of manly...
...conservative element in a state that keeps it from anarchy. But these commonplace truths are ignored by the independent man. In the face of established and recognized principles he blurts out his opinions. He thinks it is great and original to pronounce, though unsolicited, his views on college life, and the motives which he thinks should guide it. Not only does he air his notions with self-complacency, but he calls every one a toady who is not of his way of thinking. This is his self-respect! It looks more like a lack of gentlemanly feeling towards others...
...those we know is a healthy one, and the individual who separates himself from this desire, who finds pleasure in the admiration of his own ideas, in the constant contradiction of others, and in the affected indifference to the world's sympathy, ought to be pitied for the solitary life he is leading, and for the sad memories he is laying up for the future...
...Adown my life's mysterious current...