How to Live on Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Page: 24

simply mean so many happy years for them; all martyrs are happy years for
them; all martyrs are happy, because their conduct and their principles agree.


As for reason (which makes conduct, and is not unconnected with the making
of principles), it plays a far smaller part in our lives than we fancy. We are
supposed to be reasonable but we are much more instinctive than reasonable.
And the less we reflect, the less reasonable we shall be. The next time you
get cross with the waiter because your steak is over-cooked, ask reason to
step into the cabinet-room of your mind, and consult her. She will probably
tell you that the waiter did not cook the steak, and had no control over the
cooking of the steak; and that even if he alone was to blame, you accomplished
nothing good by getting cross; you merely lost your dignity, looked a fool in
the eyes of sensible men, and soured the waiter, while producing no effect
whatever on the steak.

The result of this consultation with reason (for which she makes no charge)
will be that when once more your steak is over-cooked you will treat the
waiter as a fellow-creature, remain quite calm in a kindly spirit, and politely
insist on having a fresh steak. The gain will be obvious and solid.

In the formation or modification of principles, and the practice of conduct,
much help can be derived from printed books (issued at sixpence each and
upwards). I mentioned in my last chapter Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus.
Certain even more widely known works will occur at once to the memory.
I may also mention Pascal, La Bruyere, and Emerson. For myself, you do
not catch me travelling without my Marcus Aurelius. Yes, books are
valuable. But not reading of books will take the place of a daily, candid,
honest examination of what one has recently done, and what one is about
to do--of a steady looking at one's self in the face (disconcerting though
the sight may be).

When shall this important business be accomplished? The solitude of the
evening journey home appears to me to be suitable for it. A reflective
mood naturally follows the exertion of having earned the day's living.