; truth,
or falsehood; of industry, or idleness; frugality, or extravagance; of
patience, or impatience; self-denial, or self-indulgence; of kindness,
cruelty, politeness, rudeness, prudence, perseverance, circumspection. In
short, there is not a virtue, nor a vice; not an act of body, nor of mind,
to which we may not be chained down by this despotic power.

5. BEGIN WELL.--It is a great point for young men to begin well; for it is
the beginning of life that that system of conduct is adopted which soon
assumes the force of habit. Begin well, and the habit of doing well will
become quite easy, as easy as the habit of doing badly. Pitch upon that
course of life which is the most excellent, and habit will render it the
most delightful.

* * * * *

{18}

A Good Name.

1. THE LONGING FOR A GOOD NAME.--The longing for a good name is one of
those laws of nature that were passed for the soul and written down within
to urge toward a life of action, and away from small or wicked action. So
large is this passion that it is set forth in poetic thought, as having a
temple grand as that of Jupiter or Minerva, and up whose marble steps all
noble minds struggle--the temple of Fame.

2. CIVILIZATION.--Civilization is the ocean of which the millions of
individuals are the rivers and torrents. These rivers and torrents swell
with those rains of money and home and fame and happiness, and then fall
and run almost dry, but the ocean of civilization has gathered up all these
waters, and holds them in sparkling beauty for all subsequent use.
Civilization is a fertile delta made by the drifting souls of men.

3. FAME.--The word "fame" never signifies simply notoriety. The meaning of
the direct term may be seen from its negation or opposite, for only the
meanest of men are called infamous. They are utterly without fame, utterly
nameless; but if fame implied only notoriety then infamous would possess no
marked significance. Fame is an undertaker that pays but little attention
to the living, but who bedizens the dead, furnishes out their funerals and
follows them to the grave.

4. LIFE-MOTIVE.--So in studying that life-motive which is called a "good
name," we must ask the large human race to tell us the high merit of this
spiritual longing. We must read the words of the sage, who said long
centuries ago that "a good name was rather chosen than great riches." Other
sages have said as much. Solon said that "