Moral Pieces, in Prose and Verse/On Indecision
ON INDECISION.
THERE are few constitutional misfortunes that lead to more unhappiness and disgrace than a wavering, unsettled disposition. In all its aspects of ambiguous expression, variable opinion, and contradictory behaviour, it is blameable and hideous. It is always open to censure, and is often the parent of deceit, dissimulation, and treachery. Let its first appearance in infancy and childhood be checked as the harbinger of much sorrow; let its earliest shoots be crushed, or they will spring up to misery and shame. As indecision of character has often ruined the most brilliant prospects, so an habit of dissimulation has darkened and defaced many minds which nature formed fair and beautiful. As we are travellers in a country where many paths tangled and irregular present themselves, it is necessarv that we should decide which to follow, and what object to pursue, lest while we are choosing, and varying, and wandering, "life's poor play" should end, and an unseen hand take us away. We must not only have resolution to decide, but firmness to oppose; because evil solicitations, and flattering seductions often meet us in the very path of duty. Let it be impressed on the mind of youth, that nothing virtuous, noble, or heroic, can be accomplished without resolution, firmness, and integrity. What would Washington, the deliverer of his country, have been without these virtues? What would he have been, had he wavered when the whole weight of a nation's grievances was laid upon him? Had he shrunk, when the trumpet of war sounded, and a proud foe approached to meet an irresolute and ill-provided band; had he sunk, when popular odium oppressed him; when hardship and weariness enfeebled him, and his native bowers invited him to return to ease, happiness, and the welcome of love? But he resolutely suffered for those whom he loved, and who for a time were insensible to his merits; he endured to the end, and now his name is immortal. Firmness in declaring the truth upon every proper occasion is the natural and commendable fruit of integrity. Of this, our great poet Milton was a striking instance. His hatred of all disguise and subterfuge sometimes exposed him to danger in his journeys among different nations, but his firmness pursued fearlessly the path which the rectitude of his heart pointed out. "He had in him," says a judicious critic, "the spirit of an old martyr." Our temptations to depart from good resolutions, and the wavering temperament of our own hearts, teach us the necessity of striving for a habit of firmness. With calm deliberation we should examine the position we are to take, we should be influenced by pure and innocent motives; and because our strongest determinations are weak, and our highest wisdom fallible, we should seek by prayer the counsel of God. Thus resolving, we should be less subject to errors in judgment; thus practising, we should save ourselves many hours of regret, self-accusation, and hopeless repentance. The scriptures contain frequent reproofs of a changeable temper, and excitements to integrity: "My beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for ye know that your labour is not in vain."