Life and Literature Part 40

--_Hiram Powers._

543

We always weaken whatever we exaggerate.

--_La Harpe._

544

He who has seen much of the world, is very p.r.o.ne to exaggeration.

545

Every man is bound to tolerate the act of which he has himself given the example.

--_Phaedrus._

546

n.o.ble examples excite us to n.o.ble deeds.

547

He who makes excuses, himself accuses.

548

A man must often exercise, or fast, or take physic, or be sick.

--_Sir W. Temple._

549

I am no longer the fool I was, I have learned by experience.

550

All is but lip-wisdom, which wants experience.

--_Sir Philip Sidney._

551

Among all cla.s.ses of society we see extravagance keeping pace with prosperity, and indeed outstripping it, realizing Archbishop Whately's paradox: "The larger the income, the harder it is to live within it."

--_Hugh S. Brown._

F

552

A clouded face Strikes deeper than an angry blow.

553

FACE PICTURES.

We write our lives upon our faces, deep, An autograph which they will always keep.

Thoughts cannot come and leave behind no trace Of good or ill; they quickly find a place Where they who will may read as in a book, The hidden meaning of our slightest look.

554

Nature has written a letter of credit on some men's faces which is honored wherever it is presented.

--_Thackeray._

555

The surest way not to fail, is to determine to succeed.

--_Sheridan._

556

THE MOUNTAIN FLOWER.

In Ross-s.h.i.+re, Scotland, there is an immense mountain gorge. The rocks have been rent in twain, and set apart twenty feet, forming two perpendicular walls two hundred feet in height. On either side of these natural walls, in crevices where earth has collected, grow wild flowers of rare quality and beauty. A company of tourists visiting that part of the country were desirous to possess themselves of specimens of these beautiful mountain flowers; but how to obtain them they knew not. At length they thought they might be gathered by suspending a person over the cliff by a rope. They offered a Highland boy, who was near by, a handsome sum of money to undertake the difficult and dangerous task. The boy looked down into the awful abyss that yawned below, and shrunk from the undertaking; but the money was tempting. Could he confide in the strangers? Could he venture his life in their hands? He felt that he could not; but he thought of his father, and, looking once more at the cliff, and then at the proffered reward, his eyes brightened, and he exclaimed: "I'll go if my father holds the rope." Beautiful ill.u.s.tration of the nature of faith.

557