This entire chapter could be taken up with these instances; and the
increasing number of them, the remarks I have quoted of that master of
worldly wisdom at the White House reception, the observation of the
great politician about the strong man of his party in another state,
fairly justify, I think, a suggestion to young men that as a
practical, worldly, and business matter they had better use no
stimulants, either alcoholic or others, for others are just as bad, or
worse, than the former. Indeed, alcohol and other various forms of
wines and other like stimulants have had a disproportionate amount of
abuse heaped upon them. Let the young man look out for all kinds of
stimulants.
Weariness, exhaustion even, is no excuse. If you are tired, take a
rest. If your natural energy is not equal to your task, take a lesser
task. There is nothing more melancholy than the spectacle of men,
young or old, attempting things out of proportion to themselves. It is
hard to gage what is beyond one's natural powers, it is true. But if
you feel the need of stimulants to keep you up to the level of your
work, that is at least one unfailing test of your limitations. I must
repeat, for the third time, that all of this advice--no, let us say
suggestion--is made only as a matter of practical help to _young_ men
trying to get on in the world.
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