Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
iSTovember,  1920.  ) 
Editorial. 
769 
ideals  of  the  professions  are  upon  a  more  ethical  plane  that  does  not 
contemplate  such  shallowness  and  selfishness.  Unquestionably, 
there  is  need  that  these  be  maintained  by  a  more  exacting  practice. 
No  person  has  rightfully  a  place  in  a  profession  that  he  does  not 
love.  The  mere  fact  that  he  has  succeeded  in  passing  the  required 
examinations  for  the  diploma  and  the  license  to  practice  does  not 
signify  that  he  is  enthused  with  the  spirit  and  love  of  the  profession 
and  that  its  ideals  can  be  safely  entrusted  to  his  care.  It  is  far  more 
essential  that  he  possess  that  love  for  the  sciences  and  associated 
labor  of  his  profession  that  will  impell  him  to  assume  his  full  duty 
as  a  faithful  contributor  toward  scientific  progress  and  the  con- 
tinued advancement  of  his  profession.  To  Theodore  Roosevelt  is 
credited  the  pertinent  statement  that  "every  man  owes  some  of  his 
time  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  profession  to  which  he  belongs." 
Altruism  should  be  the  guiding  principle  of  the  professions.  We 
cannot  selfishly  live  for  self  alone.  We  share  in  the  enjoyments^ 
pleasures  and  benefits  resulting  from  others  labors  and  so  it  becomes 
us  likewise  to  contribute  our  full  quota  to  the  sum  of  human  knowl- 
edge, public  welfare  and  the  world's  progress.  Especially  is  it  in- 
cumbent upon  the  members  of  a  profession  that  the  duty  to  one's 
profession  is  discharged  in  accordance  with  opportunity  and  in  the 
true  ethical  spirit.  The  following  short  poem  beautifully  presents 
the  thought  of  the  mutual  enjoyment  of  the  benefits  of  labor. 
MY  NKIGHBOR'S  rose. 
The  roses  red  upon  my  neighbor's  vine 
Are  owned  by  him,  but  they  are  also  mine, 
His  was  the  cost,  and  his  the  labor,  too, 
But  mine  as  well  as  his  the  joy,  their  lovliness  to  view. 
They  bloom  for  me,  and  are  for  me  as  fair 
As  for  the  man  who  gives  them  all  his  care. 
Thus  I  am  rich,  because  a  good  man  grew 
A  rose-clad  vine  for  all  his  neighbor's  view, 
I  know  from  this  that  others  plant  for  me, 
And  what  they  own,  my  joy  may  also  be. 
So  why  be  selfish,  when  so  much  that's  fine 
Is  grown  for  you,  upon  your  neighbor's  vine? — Gruber. 
