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Editorial
January 1, 1895
Bennington Semi Weekly Banner
Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont
What is this article about?
An editorial on self-dependence, urging men to build reserves of character, reputation, and love through service and ties. Applies to Americans: no need for legislative favors; critiques greed for 'free lunches' as dangerous. From David Starr Jordan in Popular Science Monthly.
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Self Dependence.
A man must have a reserve of character
and purpose.
To the good man no harm can come, be he
alive or dead
He must have a reserve of reputation
Let others think well of us: it will help us
to think well of ourselves. No man is free
who has not his own good opinion. A man
will wear a clean conscience as he would
a clean shirt if he knows his neighbors
expect it of him. He must have a reserve
of love, and this is won by the service of
others. He that brings sunshine into the
lives of others cannot keep it from him-
self. He must form the ties of family
and friendship, that, having something at
stake in the goodness of the world, he will
do something toward making the world
really good.
When every American citizen has re-
serves like these, he has no need to beg for
special favors. All he asks of legislation
is that it keep out of his way. He de-
mands no form of special guardianship or
protection. He can pay as he goes. The
man who cannot has no right to go. Of
all forms of greed, the greed for free
lunches, the desire to get something for
nothing, is the most demoralizing and in
the long run most dangerous. The flag of
freedom has never floated over a nation of
deadheads.--David Starr Jordan in Popu-
lar Science Monthly
A man must have a reserve of character
and purpose.
To the good man no harm can come, be he
alive or dead
He must have a reserve of reputation
Let others think well of us: it will help us
to think well of ourselves. No man is free
who has not his own good opinion. A man
will wear a clean conscience as he would
a clean shirt if he knows his neighbors
expect it of him. He must have a reserve
of love, and this is won by the service of
others. He that brings sunshine into the
lives of others cannot keep it from him-
self. He must form the ties of family
and friendship, that, having something at
stake in the goodness of the world, he will
do something toward making the world
really good.
When every American citizen has re-
serves like these, he has no need to beg for
special favors. All he asks of legislation
is that it keep out of his way. He de-
mands no form of special guardianship or
protection. He can pay as he goes. The
man who cannot has no right to go. Of
all forms of greed, the greed for free
lunches, the desire to get something for
nothing, is the most demoralizing and in
the long run most dangerous. The flag of
freedom has never floated over a nation of
deadheads.--David Starr Jordan in Popu-
lar Science Monthly
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Self Dependence
Character Reserve
Reputation
Love Service
American Citizenship
Special Favors
Free Lunches
Personal Responsibility
Moral Virtue
Societal Goodness
What entities or persons were involved?
David Starr Jordan
Popular Science Monthly
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Self Dependence Through Reserves Of Character, Reputation, And Love
Stance / Tone
Exhortative Promotion Of Personal Responsibility And Independence
Key Figures
David Starr Jordan
Popular Science Monthly
Key Arguments
A Man Must Have A Reserve Of Character And Purpose
To The Good Man No Harm Can Come, Be He Alive Or Dead
He Must Have A Reserve Of Reputation To Think Well Of Himself
A Man Will Wear A Clean Conscience If Neighbors Expect It
He Must Have A Reserve Of Love Won By Service To Others
Bringing Sunshine To Others Benefits Oneself
Form Ties Of Family And Friendship To Stake In World's Goodness
Every American With Such Reserves Needs No Special Favors From Legislation
Demands No Special Guardianship Or Protection
Can Pay As He Goes; Cannot Has No Right To Go
Greed For Free Lunches Is Most Demoralizing And Dangerous
Freedom's Flag Never Over A Nation Of Deadheads