p. 3 | Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 1, 1906

Editorial

By Editor

Principle and Principal

THE makers of dictionaries tell us that Principle means “a settled rule of action,” and that Principal means, among other things, “a capital sum of money, placed out at interest, due as a debt, or used as a fund.” Some persons write principal when they should write principle, and other persons are governed by principal when they should be governed by principle. It is remarkable to what an extent principal will sometimes override principle. Property interests will often warp the judgment and dull the perception so that principles which are perfectly clear to an unprejudiced observer are utterly disregarded by those who claim to be loyal and true. Adherence to principle is better than adherence to principal. “The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.”