The Eambles of an Idler 



"So be it." 



But really, there is no good reason why we 

 should not try walking in difficult paths. The 

 exercise is good for us, even if the attempt to 

 reach a goal is a failure. Pope suggests, "be 

 candid when you can, ' ' thus intimating there are 

 times and circumstances when and where we 

 cannot be. Recognizing such, why not avoid 

 them? 



"This is lack of candor/' asserts the critic. 



"Who, then, is not a liar?" 



Here, too, is another phase of the matter, and 

 a false view, I take it. 



Give me the avow'd, the erect, the manly foe, 

 Bold I can meet perhaps may turn his blow; 

 But of all plagues, Good Heaven, thy wrath can send, 

 I pray Thee, save me from the Candid Friend. 



But a moment ago my candid friend called me 

 a fool, but he is none the less my friend because 

 of that. It may be after all that he is right, 

 and, whether right or wrong, cannot affect the 

 final issue. His candor is his attraction. If he 

 was otherwise, he would be insipid ; as salt that 

 has lost its savor. His candor spurs me on to 

 attempt the discovery of the truth, whether a 



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