gi6 Rural School Leaflet. 



life for having known of this brave man. He was strong, forceful, 

 spirited, unselfish, and very brave. 



It is quite as hard, oftentimes, to be brave about little things as 

 about the great things of life. In fact, I sometimes think it is much 

 harder. We are responsible for mistakes and in order to get out of them 

 we follow what the world has called " the path of least resistance." No 

 brave person will do this. When you are called on to meet a difficulty 

 in life, before you make your decision as to what you will do be sure 

 you understand your motive. Don't try to make yourself believe that 

 you are doing the right thing when you are really deciding on the lazy 

 way out of it all. 



It is cowardice to refuse to do things that you know are right because 

 someone may ridicule you. It is very brave to go straight on with 

 whatever seems best no matter what others may say. 



It is cowardice to forsake your friend because of anything that any- 

 one else says against him. It very often requires much bravery to stand 

 up for someone who is being criticised even when that person is your 

 friend. It would be well for boys and girls to learn very young that 

 much unkind criticism is based on envy and that it is one of the most 

 serious wrongs of the world. Sydney Lanier, a great poet, speaks of 

 criticism as follows : 



"What possible claim can contemporary criticism set up to respect — 

 that criticism which crucified Jesus Christ, stoned Stephen, hooted Paul 

 for a madman, tried Luther for a criminal, tortured Galileo, bound 

 Columbus in chains, drove Dante into a hell of exile, made Shakspere 

 write the sonnet, 'When in disgrace .with fortune and mien's eyes,' gave 

 Milton five pounds for 'Paradise Lost,' kept Samuel Johnson cooling his 

 heels on Lord Chesterfield's doorstep, reviled Shelley as an unclean dog, 

 killed Keats, cracked jokes on Gluck, Schubert, Beethoven, Berlioz, and 

 Wagner, and committed so many other impious follies and stupidities 

 that a thousand letters like this could not suffice even to catalogue 

 them?" 



Among the above you will find mentioned many of the great, deep 

 spirits of the world. Be brave in doing your part, that sensitive natures 

 may not be hurt by unkindly criticism. Be brave in each and every 

 act that comes up in your life. What your associates think of you 

 does not matter but what you know of yourself must matter if you 

 would be great and useful. 



