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Union High School Commencement Address, June 11, 1958
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Union High School Commencement Address, June 11, 1958
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The original documents are located in Box D15, folder "Union High School
Commencement Address, June 11, 1958" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press
Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D15 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
UNION HIGH SCHOOL - - 6-11-58
INTEDUCTION:
SINCE RECEIVING INVITATION:
Read Commencement addresses
Research ideas with Library of Congress
Covered waterfront.
Conclusion:
Emphasis on problems of past and present in world.
Emphasis on failures of past generations and what's
worng with "teen-agers" today.
Emphasis on criticism, implied or direct.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
(2)
My remarks tonight, I hope, will emphasise a
different theme:
I want to talk with you about:
(a) Your fine school:
I've been impressed with it and
have some bruises to show for it
for the past 30 years.
(b) Your exceptional attitude and your
maturity:
1) Unity, honesty & sincerity
2) Motto - We bear each one our
own destiny.
Too often in these days we tend to accentuate the negative.
We should in contrast emphasise the positive.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
(3)
What about your School:
I hope every one of the 266 who are being honored here tonight
will forever proudly say, "I graduated from Union," and as you
commence a new phase in your life look back with reverence and
respect to the traditions, the faculty and your friends.
Many may know about Union's history, but let me review several
major milestones:
a) A school on the site since 1854.
b) First high school class 1912
c) Illustrious graduates:
Melvin Anderson
Frank Knox
d) Respected and responsible leaders in business,
professions, and labor.
e) A faculty second to none.
Clayton Basuin
Doc Ellingson
f) Athletic and other extra-curricular activities:
Rocky Parsaca
George Fulgoni
g) W.W. II - a) Students bought $500,000 in War Bonds.
b) 102 Union boys lost their lives.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
(4)
What about your attitude as reflected in your school and class Mobto, Class Song,
and the principles emphasised by your class.
Unity - implies joining and pulling together for the common
good, the joint benefit of all, but also the betterment
of the individual. (cooperation)
a) Union won city football championship because..
b) Our Nation was founded because 13 separate
colonies would have been swallowed up.
c) The U. S. Was preserved bedause of the dedication
of Lincoln to the principle of"the Union".
d) The U. S. and its allies prevailed in W.W. I,
W. W. II because in union there is strength.
e) The U.S. and its free world allies can preserve our
Republic, our Democratic traditions and the
inalienable rights of man by unity -
A Go It Alone philosophy which 1/0 the opposite Unity is:
H Unipeation Jarmel of Services.
(1) difficult for the individual and,
(2) dangerous for our Nation.
172 mailm No 2 When
of U.S. shika its responality
GERALD FORD LiBRARY
(5)
Honesty:
Don't expect any in this group will ever be
involved in serious criminal matters:
"The vast majority of our youngsters are upright,
wholesome citizens. Unfortunately, the public repu-
tation of this entire group of American Youth is too
fre frequently jeopardised by the visious acts of the
relatively small percentage of youthful hoodlums."
Personal Statement of
- J. Edgar Hoover
April 1, 1958: FBI Law In-
forcement Bulletin.
But that isn't the important point - honesty in the
smallest, day to day application is what really counts.
Story: Men who walked across the continent.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
(6)
Sincerity:
All have seen examples of:
a) Individual who is a fancy dresser.
(Aristocracy is of the soul, not the cloth)
b) Individual who speaks eloquently.
(Can't tell the book by the cover.)
c) Individual who spends much money.
(ell that glitters is not gold)
d) Individual who buys biggest house and car.
(What doth it profit a man if he gain the
whole world and lose his OWIL soul)
"To thine ownself be true and it shall follow as the night, the
day thou canst not then be false to any man." - Shakesphere
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
(7)
We bear each our own destiny.
What you are saying is - Don't pass the buck.
a) Don't blame the teacher.
couch.
B) Don't blame the work.
c) Don't blame your parents.
d) Don't blame your friends.
Rev. Winfred Overholser, Supt. of St. Elizabeth's
Hospital, Washington, stated last Sunday:
-"Tranquilizers have proved invaluable in mental
hospitals" - but he deplored their use by
"reasonably mature people who should take frustations
and failures as spurs, not as defeats."
-"The primary signs of social maturity are self-relisnce
and recognition of one's duty to others," Overholser
stated.
-Overholser termed the Golden Rule, "one of the
soundest formulas for mental health."
Yes, you can alwyas find fault, if looking for it - Scapegoat.
Let's not find scapegoat, but find opportunity.
Everyday is a day of opportunity.
As you commence a new era..
Don't listen to false prophets
Don't be disillusioned
GERALD FORD (LBRARY
(8)
Follow through, each one of you, on the guide lines -
Unity
Honesty
Sincerity
MOTTO:
While as your motto suggests, and I have stressed, this is
primarily your individual responsibility, you will need help.
1. Family and friends.
2. Community organizations.
3. Government of all kinds.
4. God and His Church.
("Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
heart be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and
my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14)
BRART
UNION HIGH SCHOOL - 6-11-58
INTEDUCTION:
SINCE RECEIVING INVITATION:
Read Commencement addresses
Research ideas with Library of Congress
Covered waterfront.
Conclusion:
Emphasis on problems of past and present in world.
Emphasis on failures of past generations and what's
worng with "teen-agers" today.
Emphasis on criticism, implied or direct.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
(2)
My remarks tonight, I hope, will emphasise a
different theme:
I want to talk with you about:
(a) Your fine school:
I've been impressed with 1t and
have some bruises to show for it
for the past 30 years.
(b) Your exceptional attitude and your
maturity:
1) Unity, honesty & sincerity
2) Motto - We bear each one our
own destiny.
Too often in these days we tend to accentuate the negative.
We should in contrast emphasise the positive.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
(3)
What about your School:
I hope every one of the 266 who are being honored here tonight
will forever proudly say, "I graduated from Union," and as you
commence a new phase in your life look back with reverence and
respect to the traditions, the faculty and your friends.
Many may know about Union's history, but let me review several
major milestones:
a) A school on the site since 1854.
b) First high school class 1912
c) Illustrious graduates:
Melvin Anderson
Frank Knox
d) Respected and responsible leaders in business,
professions, and labor.
e) A faculty second to none.
Clayton Basuin
Doc Ellingson
f) Athletic and other extra-curricular activities:
Rocky Parsaca
George Fulgoni
g) W.W. II - a) Students bought $500,000 in War Bonds.
b) 102 Union boys lost their lives.
GERALD assuall FORD
(4)
What about your attitude as reflected in your school and class Mobto, Class Song,
and the principles emphasized by your class.
Unity - implies joining and pulling together for the common
good, the joint benefit of all, but also the betterment
of the individual. (cooperation)
a) Union won city football championship because..
b) Our Nation was founded because 13 separate
colonies would have been swallowed up.
c) The U. S. Was preserved bedause of the dedication
of Lincoln to the principle of"the Union".
d) The U. S. and its allies prevailed in W.W. I,
W. W. II because in union there is strength.
e) The U.S. and its free world allies can preserve our
Republic, our Democratic traditions and the
inalienable rights of man by unity -
A Go It Alone philosophy which is the opposite of Unity is:
(1) difficult for the individual and,
(2) dangerous for our Nation.
FORD i LIBRARY OFRALD
(5)
Honesty:
Don't expect any in this group will ever be
involved in serious criminal matters:
"The vast majority of our youngsters are upright,
wholesome citizens. Unfortunately, the public repu-
tation of this entire group of American Youth is too
fre frequently jeopardized by the visious acts of the
relatively small percentage of youthful hoodlums."
Personal Statement of
- J. Bigar Hoover
April 1, 1958: FBI Law Bn-
forcement Bulletin.
But that isn't the important point - honesty in the
smallest, day to day application is what really counts.
Story: Men who walked across the continent.
GERALD LIBRARY P FORD
(6)
Sinceraty:
All have seen examples of:
a) Individual who is a fancy dresser.
(Aristocracy is of the soul, not the cloth)
b) Individual who speaks eloquently.
(Can't tell the book by the cover.)
c) Individual who spends much money.
(all that glitters is not gold)
d) Individual who buys biggest house and car.
(What doth it profit a man if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul)
"To thine ownself be true and it shall follow as the night, the
day thou canst not then be false to any man." - Shakesphere
RALD CERALD R FORD
(7)
We bear each our own destiny.
What you are saying is - Don't pass the buck.
a) Dan't blame the teacher.
b) Don't blame the work.
c) Don't blame your parents.
d) Don't blame your friends.
Rev. Winfred Overholser, Supt. of St. Elizabeth's
Hospital, Washington, stated last Sunday:
-"Tranquilizers have proved invaluable in mental
hospitals" - but he deplored their use by
"reasonably mature people who should take frustations
and failures as spurs, not as defeats."
-"The primary signs of social maturity are self-relisnce
and recognition of one's duty to others," Overholser
stated.
-Overholser termed the Golden Rule, "one of the
soundest formulas for mental health."
Yes, you can alwyas find fault, if looking for it - Scapegoat.
Let's not find scapegoat, but find opportunity.
Everyday is a day of opportunity.
As you commence a new era..
Don't listen to false prophets
Don't be disillusioned
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
(8)
Follow through, each one of you, on the guide lines -
Unity
Honesty
Sincerity
MOTTO:
While as your motto suggests, and I have stressed, this is
primarily your individual responsibility, you will need help.
1. Family and friends.
2. Community organizations.
3. Government of all kinds.
40 God and His Church.
("Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
heart be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and
my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14)
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
From the office of Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
For release June 12, 1958
"The selection of your class motto, Tile bear each one our own destiny',
suggests that you are a class of mature individuals", Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
told the members of the Union High School Senior Class at their Commencement
exercises last night.
"What you are saying", Ford continued, "is, "Don't pass the buck'. This is
one of the major signs of social maturity. Along with a recognition of one's duty
to others, self-reliance marks the truly mature individual."
Taking as his theme the class motto and Union High's alogan, "Unity, Honor,
and Sincerity", Ford challenged the graduates to continue to stand by the
principles which had guided them through high school.
"Let's not find scapegoats; let's find opportunity", Ford suggested in point-
ing out that everyday is an opportunity and that it is all too easy to listen to
false prophets, to become disillusioned, and to blane someone else or something
else for our own failures.
Addressing 266 graduates in the Civic Auditorium, Rep. Ford traced the
history of Union High and urged each senior to always be proud to say, "I graduated
from Union."
Pointing out that "Unity" means cooperation, the Fifth District Congressman
insisted that a "go it alone" philosophy is most difficult for the individual and
dangerous for our nation.
In discussing "Honor", the "H" in Union High School's slogan, Ford emphasized
that he didn't expect any in the class to be involved in serious criminal matters
but that the important thing was honesty in the smallest, day to day, activities
of life. He quoted J. Edgar Hoover who stated recently that "This public repu-
tation of/entire group of American Youth is too frequently jeopardized by the
the
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
vicious acts of the relatively small percentage of youthful hoodluns."
In concluding his address, Ford told the graduates that they would need
the help of many others if they were to maintain the high ideals they have set
for themselves. He mentioned family and friends, community organizations,
governmental units of all levels, and God and the Church as sources of
assistance.
FORD 3 018870 BRARY
From the office of Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
For release June 12, 1958
"The selection of your class motto, We bear each one our own destiny',
suggests that you are a class of mature individuals", Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
told the members of the Union High School Senior Class at their Commencement
exercises last night.
"What you are saying", Ford continued, "18, "Don't pass the buck. This is
one of the major signs of social maturity. Along with a recognition of one's duty
to others, self-reliance marks the truly nature individual."
Taking as his theme the class motto and Union High's alogan, "Unity, Honor,
and Sincerity", Ford challenged the graduates to continue to stand by the
principles which had guided them through high school.
"Let's not find scapegoats; let's find opportunity", Ford suggested in point-
ing out that everyday is an opportunity and that it is all too easy to listen to
false prophets, to become disillusioned, and to blane someone else or something
also for our own failures.
Addressing 266 graduates in the Civic Auditorium, Rep. Ford traced the
history of Union High and urged each senior to always be proud to say, "I graduated
from Union."
Pointing out that "Unity" means cooperation, the Fifth District Congressman
insisted that a "go it alone" philosophy is most difficult for the individual and
dangerous for our nation.
In discussing "Honor", the "µ" in Union High School's alogan, Ford emphasized
that he didn't expect any in the class to be involved in serious criminal matters
but that the important thing was honesty in the smallest, day to day, activities
of life. He quoted J. Edgar Hoover who stated recently that "This public repu-
tation of/entire group of American Youth is too frequently jeopardised by the
the
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
vicious acts of the relatively small percentage of youthful hoodlune."
In concluding his address, Ford told the graduates that they would need
the help of many others if they were to maintain the high ideals they have set
for themselves. He mentioned family and friends, community organizations,
governmental units of all levels, and God and the Church as sources of
assistance.
QERALD FORD VIBBARY
(8)
Follow through, each one of you, on the guide lines -
Unity
Honesty
Sincerity
MOTTO: We bear lach me our own desting
While as your motto suggests, and I have stressed, this is
primarily your individual responsibility, you will need help.
1. Family and friends.
2. Community organizations.
3. Government of all kinds.
4. God and His Church.
("Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
heart be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and
my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14)
GERALD
(7)
Them
11 We bear each our own destiny.
What you are saying is -- Don't pass the buck.
a) Don't blame the teacher. - failures
b) Don't blame the work. coach- - not made the tram
c) Don't blame your parents. - repremends
d) Don't blame your friends. -
Do rents others as you would have Them to unto you
Rev. Winfred Overholser, Supt. of St. Elizabeth's
Hospital, Washington, stated last Sunday:
Pills + potions
-"Tranquilizers have proved invaluable in mental
hospitals" - but he deplored their use by
"reasonably mature people who should take frustations
and failures as spurs, not as defeats."
-"The primary signs of social maturity are self-reliance
and recognition of one's duty to others," Overholser
stated.
-Overholser termed the Golden Rule, "one of the
soundest formulas for mental health."
Yes, you can always find fault, if looking for it - Scapegoat.
Let's not find scapegoat, but find opportunity.
Everyday is a day of opportunity.
As you commence a new era..
Don't listen to false prophets
Don't be disillusioned
Don't stand back from life
Be ready for the new Era- SPACE
(6)
Sincerity: said Centuris ago one great philosopher
to another - To thrie own self be time
All have seen examples of:
a) Individual who is a fancy dresser.
(Aristocracy is of the soul, not the cloth)
b) Individual who speaks eloquently.
Glub tongul
Clever phonois
(Can't tell the book by the cover.)
c) Individual who spends much money.
(all that glitters is not gold)
d) Individual who buys biggest house and car.
(What doth it profit a man if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul)
"To thine ownself be true and it shall follow as the night, the
day thou canst not then be false to any man." - Shakesphere
GERALD
(5)
Honesty:
Don't expect any in this group will ever be
involved in serious criminal matters:
as a matter 3 fact.
"The vast majority of our youngsters are upright,
wholesome citizens. Unfortunately, the public repu-
tation of this entire group of American Youth is too
frequently jeopardized by the vicious acts of the
relatively small percentage of youthful hoodlums."
Personal Statement of
--- J. Edgar Hoover
April 1, 1958: FBI Law En-
forcement Bulletin.
But that isn't the important point - honesty in the
smallest, day to day application is what really counts.
Story: Men who walked across the continent.
shoes everyday.
The sand that goting in
&
FORD
(4)
What about your attitude as reflected in your school and class Motto, Class Song,
and the principles emphasized by your class.
Unity - implies joining and pulling together for the common
Unity
good, the joint benefit of all, but also the betterment
phone
of the individual. (cooperation)
a) Union won city football championship because..
b) Our Nation was founded because 13 separate
colonies would have been swallowed up.
c) The U. S. was preserved because of the dedication
of Lincoln to the principle of "the Union".
d) The U. S. and its allies prevailed in W.W. I,
W. W. II because in union there is strength.
e) The U.S. and its free world allies can preserve our
Republic, our Democratic traditions and the
inalienable rights of man by unity -
A Go It Alone philosophy which is the opposite of Unity/is:
1 Unipeation Jammel Fours- -
& Corporation
(1) difficult for the individual and,
(2) dangerous for our Nation.
Today world has about
21 2 billion people -
800 million - Ince world
800 : -slavery -
800 "I - Unrammetted
FC
&
GERALD
(3)
What about your School:
I hope every one of the 266 who are being honored here tonight
will forever proudly say, "I graduated from Union," and as you
commence a new phase in your life look back with reverence and
respect to the traditions, the faculty and your friends.
so
Many may know about Union's history, but let me review several
major milestones:
a) A school on the site since 1854.
b) First high school class 1912
c) Illustrious graduates:
Melvin Anderson
? Frank Knox
d) Respected and responsible leaders in business,
professions, and labor.
e) A faculty second to none.
Clayton Bazuin
Charles Everest.
Doc Ellingson
f) Athletic and other extra-curricular activities:
Rocky Parsaca
George Fulgoni
g) W.W. II - Students bought $500,000 in War Bonds.
Tom a) Daubya
b) 102 Union boys lost their lives.
ALD
(2)
My remarks tonight, I hope, will emphasize a
different theme:
I want to talk with you about:
(a) Your fine school:
I've been impressed with it and
have some bruises to show for it
for the past 30 years.
(b) Your exceptional attitude and your
maturity:
1) Unity, honesty & sincerity
"
2) Motto - We bear each one our
#
own destiny.
Too often in these days we tend to accentuate the negative.
We should in contrast emphasize the positive.
UNION HIGH SCHOOL - 6-11-58
INTRODUCTION:
SINCE RECEIVING INVITATION:
Read Commencement addresses
Research ideas with Library of Congress
Covered waterfront.
Conclusion:
Emphasis on problems of past and present in world.
Emphasis on failures of past generations and what's
worng with "teen-agers" today.
Emphasis on criticism, implied or direct.
Fine class - tubute to throe in andrew
9 audrence - trute to class.
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
H
s
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE
CERTAIN VERITIES: SELECTED ANECDOTES
Unity
The Lion and the Three Bulls
Three Bulls for a long time pastured together. A Lion lay in hiding
in the hope of making them his prey, but was afraid to attack them whilst
they kept together. Having at last by crafty speeches succeeded in
separating them, he attacked them without fear, as they fed alone, and feasted
on them one by one at his leisure.
Union is strength.
Source: E sop's Fables. (A Selection of Sixty of the best known and most
often quoted) c1894, p. 38.
Determination
This Being the Yarn about the Man Who Got Stuck in the Sand
No doubt you've all done as I did that day-got stuck in the sand.
Or maybe the mud. It's much the same thing. It means you'll have to find
some one to dig you out; that is, if you get stuck so deep you can't dig
yourself out, or don't have a shovel, or a block and tackle, or something.
On that late summer's evening, the road I traveled crossed a sandy
wash-and suddenly the wheels began to lose traction. I started to turn
around; saw I couldn't make it; stopped; tried to back up; and then I
stuck.
But this isn't the reason for my story. The point of my yearth is to
be found in what the Neighbor said to me-the Neighbor who very graciously
pulled me out for a meager donation of $10.00.
Anyway, while he was digging me out he preached a little sermon on the
ethics of driving a car through the sand. And he quoted something from
FORD is LIBRAR OERALD r
- 2 -
Tennyson, or Shakespeare, or the Bible-or maybe it was Emerson, to the
effect that "in skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.'
Said if I'd just kept going I would have made it all right. The trouble
was, I had stopped. And he showed me where, less than three feet ahead,
the sand had hardened again. But the minute I stopped, I was sunk. Or
rather my four wheels were sunk, which amounts to the same thing.
And so I suppose the lesson was worth the ten dollars, one way or
another. For if ever I get into sand or mud again, I'll keep sludgin'
away as long as the wheels will turn. The more I see of trouble the
more I'm convinced the best way to get out of it is to wade right on
through in the hope of reaching the high spots again. It's when a man
stops, and tries to back out, that he generally gets stuck. And whether
this philosophy is right or whether it's wrong, it cost me ten bucks
and a lot of inconvenience to find it out. So I'm passing it on for what
it's worth.
Source: Edwards, E. I. Desert Yarns. 1946, pp. 5-6.
How Napoleon Crossed the Alps
About a hundred years ago there lived a great gen-er-al whose name
was Na-po'le-on Bo ina-parte. He was the leader of the French army; and
France was at war with nearly all the countries around. He wanted very
much to take his soldiers into It-a-ly; but between France and Italy there
are high mountains called the Alps, the tops of which are covered with
snow.
"Is it pos-si-ble to cross the Alps? said Na-po-le-on.
The men who had been sent to look at the passes over the mountains
shook their heads. Then one of them said, "It may be possible, but" --
"Let me hear no more," said Napoleon. "Forward to Italy!"
People laughed at the thought of an army of sixty thousand men
crossing the Alps where there was no road. But Napoleon waited only
to see that everything was in good order, and then he gave the order
to march.
The long line of soldiers and horses and cannon stretched for twenty
miles. When they came to a steep place where there seemed to be no way
to go farther, the trum-pets sounded "Charge!" Then every man did his
best, and the whole army moved right onward.
Soon they were safe over the Alps. In four days they were marching
on the plains of Italy.
GERALD R. FORD
- 3 -
"The man who has made up his mind to win," said Napoleon, "will
never say 'Im-pos-si-ble.'"
Source: Baldwin, James. Fifty Famous Stories Retold. c1924, pp. 75-76.
Sincerity
Diogenes the Wise Man
At Corinth, in Greece, there lived a very wise man whose name was
Diogenes. Men came from all parts of the land to see him and hear him
talk.
But wise as he was, he had some very queer ways. He did not believe
that any man ought to have more things than he really needed; and he said
that no man needed much. And so he did not live in a house, but slept in
a tub or barrel, which he rolled about from place to place. He spent his
days sitting in the sun, and saying wise things to those who were around
him.
At noon one day, Diogenes was seen walking through the streets with
a lighted lantern, and looking all around as if in search of something.
"Why do you carry a lanternwhen the sun is shining?" some one said.
"I am looking for an honest man," answered Diogenes.
When Alexander the Great went to Corinth, all the foremost men in
the city came out to see him and to praise him. But Diogenes did not
come; and he was the only man for whose opinions Alexander cared.
And so, since the wise man would not come to see the king, the king
went to see the wise man. He found Diogenes in an out-of-the-way place,
lying on the ground by his tub. He was enjoying the heat and the light
of the sun.
When he saw the king and a great many people coming, he sat up and
looked at Alexander. Alexander greeted him and said--
"Diogenes, I have heard a great deal about your wisdom. Is there
anything that I can do for you?"
"Yes," said Diogenes. "You can stand a little on one side, so as
not to keep the sunshine from me."
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This answer was so different from what he expected, that the king
was much surprised. But it did not make him angry; it only made him admire
the strange man all the more. When he turned to ride back, he said to his
officers—
"Say what you will; if I were not Alexander, I would like to be
Diogenes."
Source: Baldwin, James. Favorite Tales of Long Ago. 1955, pp. 88-90.
Honesty
Mercury and the Woodman
An honest, hard-working woodman was felling a tree on the bank of a
deep river. In some way his hand slipped and his ax feal into the water
and immediately sank to the bottom. Being a poor man who could ill afford
to lose the tool by which he earned his livelihood he sat down and
lamented his loss most bitterly.
But Mercury, whose river it was, suddenly appeared on the scene.
When he had learned of the woodman's misfortune, he offered to do what
he could to help.
Diving into the deep, swift-flowing stream, he brought up an ax
made of solid gold.
"Could this be yours?" he asked.
"Alas, I wish it were," replied the woodman sadly.
Again Mercury dived into the icy-cold water and this time brought
up an ax made of solid silver. But again the woodman shook his head and
denied that the tool belonged to him. Mercury dived a third time and
produced the identical ax which the man had lost.
Naturally the owner was delighted to see his trusty ax once more,
and so was Mercury.
"You are an honest and a good man, = said the messenger of the gods.
"I want you to take the golden and the silver ax as a reward for telling
the truth."
Thanking his benefactor, the woodman ran home to tell his wife of his
good fortune. As the story spread, one of the neighbors rushed down to the
same spot on the riverbank, threw his ax into the water, and began to moan
and groan over his loss. Just as before, Mercury appeared, and learning
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what had occurred, dived into the water and fetched up a golden ax.
"Is this the ax you lost, my friend?" he asked.
"Yes, yes, that's it," lied the man, greedily reaching for the golden
ax in Mercury's hand. But just as he was about to grasp the ax of gold,
Mercury said: "Not so fast, sir. You are lying, and to punish you for not
being truthful, I am not only denying you this, but I am leaving your own
ax at the bottom of the river."
Application: Honesty is the best policy.
Source: Esop's Fables. (Illustrated Junior Library) c1947, pp. 3-4.
Christopher Dell
History and Government Division
April 11, 1958
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THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE
CERTAIN APHORISMS: SELECTED QUOTATIONS
Unity
"Give to all nations unity, peace, and concord."
-Book of Common Prayer (American Revision, 1928), "The Litany."
"The desire for unity, the wish for peace, the longing for concord,
deeply implanted in the human heart, have stirred the most powerful
emotions of the race, and have been responsible for some of its moblest
actions."
-Sir William Osler, Aequanimitas (2d ed.), XXI, Unity, Peace and
Concord.
"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity."
-Psalms. CXXXIII, I.
"Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,
Uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on earth."
-Shakespeare, Macbeth. Act IV, Sc. 3. Line 98.
"The movement from unity into multiplicity, between 1200 and 1900, was
unbroken in sequence, and sapid in acceleration. Prolonged one
generation longer, it would reguire a new social mind."
-The Education of Henry Adams. Chap. 34 (A Law of Acceleration).
"The bonds that unite another person to ourself exist only in our mind.
Memory as it grows fainter relaxes them, and notwithstanding the illusion
by which we would fain be cheated and with which, out of love, friendship,
politeness, deference, duty, we cheat other people, we exist alone. Man
is the creature that cannot emerge from himself, that knows his fellows
only in himself; when he asserts the contrary, he is lying."
-Marcel Proust, The Sweet Cheat Gone. Page 47.
Source: John Bartlett. Familiar Quotations. 11th ed.
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Determination
"He who considers too much will perform little."
-Schiller, Wilhelm Tell. Act iii, sc. 1.
"His way once chose, he forward thrust outright,
Nor stepped aside for dangers or delight."
-Abraham Cowley, Davideis. Bk. iv, 1, 361.
"Be firm! One constant thing in luck
Is genuine solid old Teutonic pluck.'
-0. W. Holmes, A Rhymed Lessen, 1.282.
"All things are what you make them."
-Plautius, Pseudolus, 1.578. (Act ii, sc.1)
Honesty
"He that loseth his honesty, hath nothing else to lose."
-John Lily, Euphues: Euphues and Eubulus.
"The measure of life is not length, but honesty."
-Ibid.
"No legacy is so rich as honesty."
-Shakespeare, All's Well that Ends Well. Act iii, sc. 5, like. 13.
"I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say
to our children that honesty is the best policy."
-Bernard Shaw, Radio Address, July 11, 1932.
"Integrity is better than charity. The gods approve of the depth and not
of the tumult of the soul."
-Socrates (Emerson, Uncollected Lectures: Natural Religon).
Sincerity
"Private sincerity is public welfare."
-C.H. Bartol, Radical problems: Individualism.
Every sincere man is right."
-Emerson, Essays: Natural History of Intellect.
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"The only conclusive evidence of a man's sincerity is that he gave
himself for a principle."
-J. R. Lowell, Among My Books: Rousseau.
"Sincerity is impossible, unless it pervade the whole being, and the
pretense of it saps the very foundation of character."
-J. R. Lowell, Essays: Pope.
Source: Burton Stewenson. The Home Book of Quotations.
Christopher Dell
History and Government Division
April 11, 1958
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