Mental Efficiency Series POISE: HOW TO ATTAIN IT by D. STARKE Translated by Francis Medhurst, D.Litt. 1916 "POISE IS A POWER DERIVED FROM THE MASTERY OF SELF" PREFACE All efforts directed toward the correcting of temperamental or mental blemishes or defects and nervous conditions are of benefit to humanity. In producing this book the Author's purpose was to help mankind to overcome these weaknesses, which are a serious impediment to mental development, and hinder personal advancement and general progress. The aim of the Publishers in issuing this translation is to put into the hands of those who wish to overcome their failings, become masters of themselves, and command the attention and respect of others, a work that has been thoroughly tested abroad and one that will be found of exceptional service in attaining the end in view--the securing of a perfect balance. This book is written in two parts. The first points to the need of Poise in daily life, indicates the obstacles to be overcome, and discusses the effects of Poise on personal efficiency. The second instructs the reader how to secure that evenness of temperament which is the chief characteristic of Poise. It includes, in addition, a series of practical physical exercises to be used in acquiring Poise. If such a work as this is to do good, if the reader really wishes to benefit by the advice that it gives him, it must be read thoughtfully and diligently, not fitfully and forgetfully, and the reader most steadfastly keep before him the maxim of the Author--"Poise is a power derived from the Mastery of Self." THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS Preface PART ONE POISE: ITS NEED, ITS ENEMIES, ITS EFFECT I. The Need of Poise in Life II. The Enemies of Poise III. War on Timidity PART TWO HOW TO ACQUIRE POISE I. Modesty and Effrontery Contrasted II. Physical Exercises to Acquire Poise III. Four Series of Physical Exercises IV. Practical Exercises for Obtaining Poise V. The Supreme Achievement PART I POISE: ITS NEED, ITS ENEMIES, ITS EFFECT CHAPTER I THE NEED OF POISE IN LIFE Lack of poise has always been an obstacle to those who are imbued with the desire to succeed. In every age the awkwardness born of timidity has served to keep back those who suffered from it, but this defect has never been so great a drawback as in the life of to-day. The celebrated phrase of the ancient Roman writer who said, "Fortune smiles on the brave," could very well serve as our motto nowadays, with this slight alteration: "Fortune smiles on those who are possest of poise." At this point let us attempt an exact definition of poise. It is a quality which enables us to judge of our own value, and which, in revealing to us the knowledge of the things of which we are really capable, gives us at the same time the desire to accomplish them.