Gold Nugget 275 - The End Principle
The end better than the beginning. There are many persons, especially among the young and ardent, who adopt and act upon a principle diametrically opposed to this. Every beginning has for them the charm of novelty; when this charm fades, the work, the enterprise, the relationship, have no longer any interest, and they turn away with disgust … But the language of this verse embodies the conviction of the wise and reflecting observer of human affairs.
The reason for this principle. The beginning is undertaken with a view to the end, and apart from that it would not be. The end is the completion and justification of the beginning. … thus we speak of means and end. Aristotle commences his great work on ‘Ethics’ by showing that the end is naturally superior to the means, and that the highest end must be that which is not a means to anything beyond itself.
The application of this principle. It is well that the foundation of a house should be laid, but it is better that the top-stone should be placed with rejoicing. So with seed-time and harvest; with a journey and its destination; with a road and its completion …
The beginning may, in the view of men, be neutral; but, in the view of the religious man, the birth of a child is an occasion for gratitude. Yet, if that progress be made which corresponds with the Divine ideal of humanity, if character be matured, and a good life-work be wrought, - then the day of death, the end, is better than the day of birth, in which this earthly existence commenced. …
The history of the individual Christian is a progressive history; knowledge, virtue, piety, usefulness, are all developed by degrees, and are brought to perfection by the discipline and culture of the Holy Spirit. The end must therefore be better than the beginning, as the fruit excels blossoms of the spring. …
The lesson of this principle. When at the beginning of a good work, look on the end, that hope may animate and inspire endeavour. During the course of a good work look behind and before; for it is not possible to judge aright without taking a comprehsensive and consistent view of things. We may trace the hand of God, and find reason alike for thanksgiving and for trust.
Seek that a Divine unity may characterize your work on earth and your life itself. If the end crown not the beginning, then it were better that the beginning had never been made.
The Pulpit Commentary, Ecclesiastes p. 180-181, Ecclesiastes 7:8, (J. R. Thomson)
Gold Nugget 275
The End Principle
