When distant and unfamiliar and complex things are communicated to great masses of people, the truth suffers a considerable and often a radical distortion. The complex is made over into the simple, the hypothetical into the dogmatic, and the relative into an absolute. What a shame to waste those great shots on the practice tee. The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully. Men are mortal, but ideas are immortal. The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much. The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and will to carry on. Most men, after a little freedom, have preferred authority with the consoling assurances and the economy of effort it brings. Between ourselves and our real natures we interpose that wax figure of idealizations and selections which we call our character. |