Editorial October 9, 1943 Issue

Why Fear Human Opinion?

Paul Stark Seeley

That there is too much loose thinking and talking in the world by persons about persons is generally recognized. Not many of us are entirely indifferent to what others may think and say about us. Nor should we be. It is certainly right that everyone should so live as to be worthy of the respect and good will of his fellows. The opinions of others concerning us may often help us if they are the outgrowth of honest discernment and unselfed motives. If such opinions sometimes seem to us critical, what shall we do? The common habit is to rush to defend ourselves. The wiser course is to examine ourselves. If but a little of the criticism is true, we can be grateful for having the way pointed out for fuller overcoming and greater progress.

But many times the opinions of some mortals about other mortals are unjust, darkened with jealousy, distorted with prejudice, rivalry, animosity, and ill-will. Gossip, slander, and careless personal opinions are the cheapest commodities of human thinking. Their proponents barter them for nothing, and their subjects accept them without weighing their worthlessness.

I recall once asking a young student of Christian Science what she would do if she learned that a neighbor was spreading gossip about her character that was wholly untrue. To my surprise she frankly replied, "I'd boil, and boil, and boil!" Probably she stated the common reaction of mortals to false statements about them, but it is not the reaction which is effective in establishing one's dominion over the wrong, as I tried to have her see.

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