In his pursuit of right thinking the student should learn the art of definition. Thoughts fully matured in the mind are seen to be there in so many words. What do our thoughts or words really mean? The first step is to define them, and next to consider their truth. The habit of constant and searching reflection," recommended by Gladstone, is what more than anything else produces right thinking.
"I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Webster," said a young admirer, "upon your wonderful impromptu effort to-day." "Impromptu!" exclaimed the great orator, "my young friend, I have been thinking out that speech for over six months!" How long does it take to prepare a sermon?" some one asked Dr. John Watson. "If you mean to write the manuscript, then a day may suffice; but if you mean to think a sermon, then it may be ten years!''
It is well sometimes to think aloud, when alone, in order to bring one's thoughts out into concrete form. There is the advantage of definiteness, of getting an impression of the sound of words, and of tangibleness. Thoughts when uttered take on at the instant a life, reality, and character not possessed before. They can then better be considered, analyzed, and assigned to their proper duty or thrown upon the scrap-heap. The very act of giving expression to our thoughts illuminates and invests them with new power and significance.
An excellent way to furnish the mind with material for right thinking is to commit to memory some of the sayings of great men and to ponder them at leisure. This assists in establishing a standard of truth, and at the same time furnishes the mind with many nourishing and useful thoughts. Here are some examples:
"The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.''--La Rochefoucauld.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.'' --Tennyson.
"He who has once been very foolish will at no other time be very wise.''--Montaigne.
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