Some of the peculiarities that we discover in ourselves are weaknesses
that should be discouraged and combated to the utmost; others require
more or less modification. But there is no choice concerning most of
them; their sum constitutes our nature, and we must accept them. They
are our original capital, our source of strength on which all increase
of strength must be grafted. And we should become well acquainted with
them, just as the engineer should know the properties of steam.

Full acquaintance is impossible, and even approximate knowledge of the
extent of one's powers cannot be reached, until one has become deeply
interested in some project and loaded with responsibility in regard to
it. But by humbly and diligently observing one's better tendencies,
and by giving full expression to them, one may attain a fair degree of
self-knowledge. One of the special duties of teachers and parents is
to come to the assistance of young people in such study, helping them
to recognize their strong and weak points and to understand themselves
without getting discouraged or excited. If we fail to enjoy a book or
musical concert that arouses the enthusiasm of others, we may well
admit the fact to ourselves, and perhaps to others, with neither pride
nor shame, but as a fact. Such facts reveal us to ourselves, and
should be noted with the consciousness that, if strength is not found
in one direction, it is likely to be discovered in some other.

_3. Responsibility for initiative._

It is obvious from preceding statements that both children and older
students must become far more accustomed to taking the initiative
during instruction, if they are to take it in private study. The way
to prepare for leadership, whether of self or of others, is to