Reveries of a bachelor almost forty

CHARLES G. SHAW

As the year.; slide past, I am less and less drawn to the frolics of the beau rnondc hut find, more and more, life's colors most brilliant the lower one dips. I believe that every kick in the pants sends a real artist a step forward.

I believe that the step from cleverness to genius is one of immeasurable distance. I do not believe that the return of the ''feminine woman" is very far off. I believe it is impossible to regard beauty without injecting an intellectual concept. I believe the most interesting "first nights" seldom take place in the theatre.

I believe the majority of generalizations to be twenty-five percent unsound. I believe the world would be a far gladder sphere if more people minded their own business and not that of others. I am convinced that most of us ask the opinion of others, not half so much for information as for an approval of one's own opinions.

I believe snobbery to be one of life's most human qualities. I do not believe we really ever get to know anyone without mutual suffering and, often enough, not even then. I believe that beauty and horror are art's most valued factors. I regard the art of living as the subtlest art of all.

I am convinced that a confusion of taste for talent is responsible for much shabby work. I believe the arm of coincidence is far mightier than most of us realize. I am certain some of life's best work is done under the head of relaxation. I believe few people would work if they didn't have to.

I believe every experience is artistically valuable, the most irksome being usually worth the most. I have never considered the business of enjoying oneself a waste of time. I believe most people are infinitely more attractive in the company of one other than in a group.

I believe that in nations, as in individuals, we arc far more likely to be impressed by the bad points than by the good ones. I regret that the facilities of modern travel have made it increasingly difficult to escape the vulgarian.

I believe the habit of early (and 1 mean really early) rising to be the hardest of habits to acquire. I consider the sensation of drifting off to sleep one of the grandest I know. I believe that the vast majority of us are governed completely by impulse and invent reasons for doing things in order to convince ourselves. I do not believe that more than one person in a thousand is really sincere with him (or her) self.

I believe almost nothing is as wonderful (or as dreadful) as we are apt to anticipate. I am convinced that the vanity of man is responsible for most of his triumphs, not to mention a still greater percentage of his defeats.

I know of few rules applicable to life worth a hobo's yawn and believe that one ounce of experience is worth a ton of pre-digested knowledge. I believe that less than one person in a million (if that many) knows what he really wants. I do not believe that happiness and success are in the slightest synonymous.

I do not believe that because a thing is of immense proportions it is a jot better than one of vastly smaller size; I am saddened by the current worship of mass production. I do not believe the tidiest of minds is ever wholly free from muddled thinking.

I consider it far more selfish to cause another to accede to your wishes (against his or her will) than to do as you yourself wish, regardless of another. I believe that the grandest thrills are nine times in ten spontaneous. I believe we all forgive ourselves, no matter what we may do.

I believe that the best intentions frequently bring about the saddest results. I do not believe any two lives on earth have ever worked out alike. I believe the recipe for true happiness to be just enough money, a little too much work, someone to love, and all the health in the world.