THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS 



bition makes for progress, yet contentment makes 

 for individual happiness. At least we may urge, then, 

 that the wise individual will put his ambition to the test 

 of some comparisons, and will hold it somewhat in check, 

 till he has proved his nascent power. Even the eaglet 

 does not soar high in air till it has amply tested its 

 wings. 



It may chance that such testing of your wings will 

 convince you, as you gain self-knowledge, that your 

 proper sphere of action is to be found rather in the rela- 

 tive quiescence of the village than in the turmoil of the 

 city. Surely then it will redound to your usefulness 

 in the world and to your individual happiness if you 

 early learn to interpret the verdict of Nature, and adapt 

 yourself to the idea of making the most of what you 

 may be, instead of futilely striving after what you may 

 not achieve. The earlier you attain such self-knowl- 

 edge, the fuller may be the measure of your self- 

 content. 



Desirable though it certainly is, however, to understand 

 your own propensities and capabilities, you should know 

 that there is no more morbid mental practise than that of 

 habitual self-analysis. Some vain and selfish persons 

 are forever dramatizing their wees, and seeing them- 

 selves as on a stage. Beware of this particular form 

 of egotism. Judge yourself by the results of your ef- 

 forts rather than by your pre-conceived estimate of 

 them. I do not suggest, of course, that you try a thing 

 once and, failing, decide that you can never do it. Try 

 again and again ; but if you fail after a reasonable ef- 

 fort ask yourself if there be not some other field more 



[140] 



