“What is Class?

Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head-on and handle whatever comes along.

Jacob had it. Esau didn’t. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal ‘angel’ and won a victory that marks them thereafter.

Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.

Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of petty sacrifices.

Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blueblood can be totally without class while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

Class can ‘walk with kings and keep its virtue, and talk with crowds and keep the common touch.’ Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class — because he is comfortable with himself.

If you have class, you don’t need much of anything else. If you don’t have it, no matter what else you have — it doesn’t make much difference.”

From The Edge by Howard Ferguson

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Next Tuesday is Election Day. If you have time you might want to stop by LaCroix Church on Lexington Avenue here in Cape Girardeau. They are conducting a Prayer Program from noon to 12:45 p.m. No matter who wins we all can be thankful for the blessing of living in the United States.

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The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass.

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum

And think you’re a wonderful guy.

But the Man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please — never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Dale Wimbrow in The Edge

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QUOTES:

“Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.” Thomas Jones

“I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying.” Woody Allen (1935-)

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” Coach John Wooden

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” Hockey Pro, Wayne Gretzky

“A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.” Abba Eban (1915-2003)

“Always do right — this will gratify some and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain (1835-1910)

“The covers of this book are too far apart.” Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)

“Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.” Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

Gary Rust is chairman of the board of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, as well as a member of the editorial board.