| Finding the Way |
Chapter 21 |
Page 4 |
There is another kind of sensitiveness that is still more unreasonable. Men call it touchiness. It is like an exposed sore which is always being hurt. There are people who seem to be ever on the watch for slights, and they are always finding them, too, or imagining them. The utmost thoughtfulness cannot avoid saying things which wound them, for they exaggerate everything unpleasant and imagine unkindly intention when none was dreamed of. They flush and show grieved feeling at the slightest questioning of their infallibility. If any one expresses a different opinion from theirs on the subject they at once resent it, become piqued and hurt, making it a personal matter. They can never calmly discuss a matter pro and con with another, for they will not tolerate any objection to their views, or any opinion that differs from theirs.
Such sensitiveness makes life hard, not less for one’s friends than for one’s self. It indicates a most unwholesome spirit, anything but beautiful, far from being sweet and winning. Those who become aware of their weakness in this regard should set to work at once to get rid of their unseemly burden and burdensomeness.
There are several considerations which may help in the cure of this weakness. One is the fact that exhibitions of hurt feeling are most unseemly. When we see them in others we know how they appear also in us. They are childish and unworthy of any one who is much past the years of infancy. We may excuse and tolerate touchiness in a very young child, but in a full grown man it is altogether unpardonable. Proper self respect should make it impossible for any one to permit such unseemliness in his conduct. We should be ashamed of anything so unworthy, so unbeautiful in our disposition and behaviour.
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