Page 98 - 1930 Hartridge

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So I found that these people who seem to me to be the greatest suc­ cesses in this world were both book and nature lovers. But the charac­ teristic which distinguished them most decidedly from others was their ability to be content in their own company. There are a great many people who dread being alone for any length of time. Their aversion to solitude
is most natural. If they happen to be out of reach of books or music, they are forced to turn to their own thoughts and to try to derive pleasure from them. If in this attempt their minds reward them but poorly, they will be careful not to find themselves in so uncomfortable a position soon again. Or, perhaps, for want of outside interest, they are compelled to become analytical about their own feelings. If they are left alone for a sufficient length of time to brush aside their fancies and petty self-conceits and to
reveal to themselves their own characters, these people will be startled and will quickly cover up their glimpse of truth. Instead of perfecting them­ selves until they attain the height that they desire, they prefer to persuade themselves that that height has already been reached.
On the other hand, those who came nearest reaching the fulfillment of their ideals 1 saw to be those who took pleasure in introspection. They liked to face life frankly, and when they realized the truth about themselves they did not shrink from it, but sought opportunity to mould themselves
so that that truth might become what they had always wished it to be. rhere are few people who enjoy going into the woods in the morning with a book for company, and staying there until sun-down. But those few who do make such excursions come back wealthier in knowledge than they were
when they left. They have read a book which has broadened their minds, as another’s ideas will always do, and which has given them food for thought. I'hey have learned some things about nature of which we have never dreamed. And they have contemplated at leisure subjects too deep
for the light talk of the usual social gathering.
This is what 1 have noticed about the people who have a capacity for the giving and receiving that I so greatly admire. Since they are always
absorbing some new knowledge, no matter in what circumstances, since they have truly striven to better their characters, they cannot help being the sort of persons who make the world a happier place. From their minds, which are enriched with wisdom of many kinds, they are able to give gifts which could never be made by a mind less carefully developed,
despite the generosity of the owner’s heart.
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