Gold Hill Daily News

THE FEAR OF RIDICULE.

Among the various motives that influence us so largely for good or for evil, none is more constant in its exercise, or more powerful in its effects, than the fear of ridicule. Deep down in the nature of every man is an earnest desire to be approved by those with whom he associates, and the knowledge of their displeasure rarely, even in the most independent natures, fails to create pain. But the pang that follows the disapproval of others is not so keen as that which is caused by the scornful smile or the sarcastic sneer, and even aversion is easier to bear than contempt. This natural dread of ridicule has its valuable side. This it is which checks eccentricities, which sets limits to fashions, which encourages polite manners, and which prevents the open expression of many evil and unkind thoughts, feelings or inclinations. As every emotion, whether good or bad, is strengthened by utterance and weakened by silence, the benefit of any motive which serves to repress the outward exhibition of evil is manifest. So far, then, as ridicule touches only what is unseemly, extravagant or injurious, we may rightly allow our natural dread of it to influence our conduct. But, unfortunately, it is not only upon such things that its power is wielded. Too often it becomes, in the hands of the unprincipled, a weapon of the most potent evil, and in proportion to the keenness of its shafts, is the amount of poison it conveys into the hearts and morals of a community.

Especially to the young, who are the most sensitively alive to its influence, is its power often fatal. Feeling their weakness, and naturally reaching after aid and craving sympathy, they are apt to lean so heavily upon the pillar of human opinion that they forfeit their own uprightness of soul. The companions whom they in their inexperience choose, or who through circumstances cross their path, are often such as reverse the true scale of excellence, placing the body above the mind, and the mind above the heart. Strength and activity, wit and geniality are admired and esteemed far above strict integrity and high moral principle. Natural talents gain a favor that solid perseverance and energetic industry fail to secure, and are often most warmly prized when employed in the service of folly and sin. How many a youth, open to good influence, has been sunk to the level of the worthless and vicious, simply by the dread of their sneer and the fear of their contempt. How many a young man, innocent in knowledge, but weak in principle, has been urged on little by little to sacrifice his integrity, to sully his purity, and to steep his whole nature in the depths of sin, simply because he could not brave the laugh of derision that would have greeted his firm adherence to right. Many and bitter are the struggles to forget a parent's loving counsels, to overcome virtuous affections, to harden conscience, that spring from this fear of ridicule. Yet those who exert this powerful and baneful influence are the last to whom any would go for comfort in distress, for help in sickness, or for sympathy in affliction. They are in reality the selfish, the mean, the unfeeling, who, having accomplished the moral ruin of a fellow creature, will when calamity overtakes him, leave him unaided to struggle or to sink.

Though the dread of ridicule does not always lead to such fearful lengths, yet few, if any, are wholly free from some of its evil influences. It affords so natural, easy and insidious an excuse for derelictions in duty, that we use it often unconsciously to ourselves. Much of the exaggeration and equivocation that lead by insensible degrees to direct falsehood; much of the extravagance that threatens dishonor; much of the failure to reprove boldly where duty demands it; much of the hypocrisy that degrades mankind, owe their origin to this debasing fear. It is not to be overcome, however, by a mere appreciation of its evils. No single effort of the will can free us from its influence. Every evil is best vanquished by cherishing its contrasting virtue. So if we would effectually free ourselves from the chains which the dread of ridicule have thrown around us, we must erect a higher standard of excellence than mere human opinion; we must cultivate firmness, stability and courage; we must become worthy of our own self-respect; we must learn to stand alone in conscious integrity; and, when our hearts crave, as they will, human support and sympathy, we must lean only upon those who, themselves climbing the rugged paths of virtue and self-denial, are ever ready to extend a helping hand to others.