So  there  are  compensations  even  for  our
defects  of  character.  But  if  we  are  wise,  we
shall  use  the  self-knowledge  which  these
reflections  give,  to  set  about  correcting  the
excesses  to  which  we  find  our  stronger
qualities  incline  us.  The  thought  that,  after
all,  many  of  the  defects  we  observe  in  our¬
selves  are  only  the  result  of  a  leaning  too  far
in  the  right  direction,  should  give  us  courage
strongly  to  insist  with  ourselves  on  keeping
the  balance  and  holding  ourselves  firm  in  the
golden  mean.  The  correction  of  many  of
our  faults  does  not  require  of  us  entirely  to
change  our  inborn  nature.  All  that  is  needed
is  to  retrench  the  excess  to  which  our  strong
qualities  incline  us  and  to  exercise  well,  with¬
in  the  bounds  of  common  sense  and  duty,  the
dispositions  which  God  has  given.  A  very
great  deal  depends  on  the  courage  and  cheer¬
fulness  with  which  we  go  about  correcting
our  defects.  If  we  begin  by  looking  on  our¬
selves  as  quite  hopeless  monsters,  we  shall
never  have  the  heart  sincerely  to  reform  what
is  wrong  in  us.  But  if  we  regard  ourselves
as  possessing  certain  good  qualities,  the  gift
of  God,  which  our  inordinateness  and  im-


62  Our  Stronger  JV eaknesses

prudence  have  let  go  out  of  bounds  and  hurry
us  into  faults  and  excesses,  the  courage  we
feel  in  the  possession  of  the  good  qualities,
may  cheer  us  on  to  correct  with  right  good
will  the  defects  which  go  along  with  them.
