DON’T BE A COWARD
It is cowardly to “dare” do a wrong thing when the right course would take real moral courage. It is cowardly to “dare” do a foolish thing to avoid being laughed at by “the other fellows.”
It is cowardly, and vulgar as well, for a girl to let herself be drawn into a silly flirtation, a course that cheapens her own womanly nature and makes her the toy of the moment, just because “the other girls do it.”
It is cowardly for a grocer to give short weight, put sand in his sugar or sell cheap substitutes for pure food, just because his competitors do.
It is cowardly for a lawyer, merchant or other business man to indulge in sharp practices because others in the same line of business have set the example.
It is cowardly for a woman to try to dress more extravagantly than her purse will permit, to keep pace with her neighbors. And here I am going to say something which will cause some eyes to open wide in astonishment—it is cowardly to deny one’s self or one’s family the reasonable comforts of life when they can be afforded. Some do go to this extreme just from the love of being considered “prudent.”
Don’t mind what the “other fellow” says, or thinks, in these matters that concern only yourself and those nearest and dearest. Live so as to make the very most and highest of the life God has given you,—and let the tongues wag as they will.
Why bless you, if folks couldn’t talk they would die—some of them. Let them talk and let yourself be free from care concerning what they say,—if you know you are acting from principle. Tastes differ. Yours is as apt to be right as your neighbor’s. Live your own life—only so it be a brave, true, sensible one—and let the other fellow live his.