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Madame We Says:-
Beware Of Being
"One-Eyed"
Are we Australians one-eyed? It
has been suggested that such is
the case, yet I think that this fault
is not entirely Australian. Many
of us certainly have a habit of
forming our own ideas on matters,
and we pride ourselves that no
argument or different opinion
! offered on the subject will alter |
our outlook. ;
We like to feel that such a state-i
ment shows strength of character;
when it is really a form of weak
ness or, shall we call it, "one-eyed
ness," when we are not prepared
at least to debate another's Ideas,
whether the question discussed is
sealing wax. cabbages, or kings.
However, it is useless to try to
convince others merely in words.
To give people confidence in our
ideals and ideas we must be pre
pared to enact them ourselves,
since example is better than pre
cept. It is quite easy to point the
way to others, but not quite so
easy to lead the way. People soon
learn to follow when, they see that
certain plans are not only good in
theory but are practicable. But
we must not be one-eyed when we
set out to be example to others.
First of all. we must be prepared
for opposition, which must be met
with tolerance and with both eyes
iwide open to any new angle pre
isented. It is such tolerance that
convinces others of our strength
iof purpose, and it is in no way
I related to the actions of the -'one
eyed," whose vision is blurred and
weak, and who, as a rule, are sub
merged in self-opinion. i
One of the many lessons that we
must learn if we wish to be a wise
planner in the future is to open
both eyes and see the other fel
low's need as clearly as we see his
faults, and to work with the same
enthusiasm for his place in the
sun as we hope he is working for
ours.
After all. this merely boils down
to the old-time teaching of out
youth—??bear ye one another s
burdens," an injunction we nave
found easier to read in texts in the
past than to face as facts.
However, I think perhaps when
it comes to "summing us up," we
? Australians as a whole are not far
; behind in opening up our eyes to
see the needs of our fellow-men.
MADAME WU.
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