The same thing, as already pointed out, may be said with reference to a man’s wife—­even more strongly, if possible.  But the conversation and opinion of any good woman are, as a practical matter and a measure of worldly wisdom, simply beyond price.  She is wise with that sublimated reason called “woman’s instinct.”

There is, too, a human quality kept alive and growing in your character by woman’s association and influence that, as a matter of business power in meeting the world and its problems, is far and away beyond the value of the craft of the trickiest gamester of affairs, business, or politics who ever lived.

It is a saying of the farmer folks among whom I was raised that such and such a person “has principle,” meaning that the person so described is upright, trustworthy, judicious; that such a person’s attitude toward God and man and the world is correct.

Women “have principle” in the sense in which that term is used by the country people.  They will keep you true to the order of things—­to the constitution of the universe.  They will do this not so much by preaching at you, as by the influence of their very personality.

The man who has gotten out of touch with womankind is not to be feared.  He is to be pitied rather than feared, for he is out of harmony with the world—­he is disarmed.  No matter how large his mind and great his courage, he is neutralized for all natural, properly proportioned, and therefore enduring, effort.

I know a physician who, still young, has reached the head of his profession in this country.  Sundays and the evenings with his wife and children are not enough for him; he takes Wednesday also.  Precisely this same thing is done by the young captain of finance and affairs whom I described first in this paper as being a total abstainer.  This is not done for the rest it gives these men; or, if it is done for that, it is not the greatest benefit they get out of it.

They come back to their work with clearer and stronger conceptions of human character and of truth in the abstract and the concrete, with which all men, no matter what their profession or business may be, must deal.  They have a new tenderness, a larger tolerance, a broader vision of life and humanity, and therefore of their business, which is merely a phase of life and affairs.

This particular suggestion would appear to me to be unnecessary were it not for the fact that I see the increasing number of men who think that their business or profession or career is the important thing, and that in these the influence of woman is not essential.  They are frightfully wrong who think so.  I am trying to give practical suggestions to young men.  Therefore I emphasize the practical value of the influence of women.

Remember that most great men have been discovered by women, and that nearly all of them have had her for their inspiration.

The value of woman’s society on character and intellect is above that of the conversation of the most learned and experienced men.  It is the elemental and natural in her that give a perspective of life and its larger purposes that man alone cannot possibly secure.