Making Enemies Versus Standing Firm for Duty
“No MAN is worth his salt who makes no enemies,” is a common saying in which there is an element of truth. No man is worth that name who lets himself be prevented from doing what he knows to be his duty by the fear that others will object, and perhaps even will hate him. But it is not necessary to incur enmity as often as some suppose. He who clearly is determined to do right at all hazards, yet who evidently takes pains to be considerate of others, thwarts their plans as little as possible, and shows a gentle spirit, even when most firmly insisting upon his own course—he may even retain the friendship, as he surely will keep the respect, of the very persons whom he opposes. It is as discreditable to make enemies needlessly as it is to shrink from thorough loyalty to truth and duty for fear of making them; and he who by rude and evil behavior causes others to dislike him and then comforts himself with the notion that it is merely because he is right and they wrong, makes one of the worst of errors.—Congregationalist.