We would be growing into
monsters of selfishness!
(J.R. Miller, "Getting Along with People" 1898)
At every point as we go on into
the thickening experiences of life--
the lesson of living with others
meets us. It is not always easy to
gracefully accept these contacts
with others, and to enter into
kindly relations with them.
There are some people who seem
to be very good alone, while no one
comes near them, while no other
life touches theirs, when they have
to think of no one but themselves--
who make wretched business
of living when they come into
personal relations with others!
Then they are selfish, tyrannical,
despotic, willful, and exacting!
They will not yield to any other
one's desire or needs. They must
have their own way; and they drive
their life like a rough plow-share
right through the comforts, the
desires, the feelings, of others!
It seems almost a pity there could not
be a few corners fenced off in this
great world for such people as these,
where they could live altogether alone,
with no one ever to interfere with their
rights or liberties, or to impinge upon
their comfort in any way.
But this is not GOD'S ordinance for
human lives. We are to live together in
families, in communities, in friendship's
circle. Indeed, no worse fate could befall
us, than to be doomed to live alone.
We might thus be absolved from
the duties of love, we could then
have our own way, we would not
be required to think of anybody but
ourselves, and there would be no
call for self-denial or sacrifice.
But meanwhile, we would
be growing into monsters
of selfishness!
We never can learn love's lessons,
except in life's school, where the
lessons are set for us in actual
human relationships.
with one another; be sympathetic,
love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
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