A Wise Distinction

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 15, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 36.

A Wise Distinction

“We can do without cake, Mary, but we can not do without education,” was the reply a German-American mother made when her daughter asked for more table luxuries than had been provided. That was a far-seeing distinction to make, but it resulted in sending out sons and daughters as workers whose names are world-famous to-day. Learning to know the difference between dispensables and indispensables has helped a great many people to success. When you find yourself saying, “I can not do without this,” or “I must have that,” look into the matter closely, and try to know what sorts of choices you are really making, whether for temporary or lasting good. It will make a great difference to you some day. Phillips Brooks once said that he thought it far preferable to be able to go without a breakfast or a good dinner than to be without a desire to help on a good cause, or to lend a hand to a needy brother.—Kind Words.