Life and Literature Part 117

"Ay, ay, Tammas, but there's wheels within wheels ye ken naething aboot; I canna do 't."

"It's a sma' affair to refuse me, laird."

"Weel, ye see, Tammas, if I was to pit my name till't, ye wad get the siller frae the bank, and when the time came round, ye wadna be ready, and I wad hae to pay't; sae then you and me wad quarrel; sae we mae just as weel quarrel the noo, as lang's the siller's in ma pouch."

1617

In all thy quarrels leave open the door of reconciliation.

1618

To quarrel with one person to please another, is to meet what we merit,--the displeasure of both.

--_Crete._

1619

He that blows the coals in quarrels he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.

1620

If you wish a wise answer you must put a rational question.

R

1621

WHEN IT RAINS.

THE PESSIMIST.

The rain is coming down in sheets; It makes me sad to think about The mud that will be in the streets And all the crops and things washed out.

THE OPTIMIST.

This rain will wash the dirt away, And leave the pavements nice and clean; I needn't use the hose to-day To keep the front yard looking green.

1622

My high birth suffocates me. If thou love me, mother, thou wilt not on all occasions quote my high rank; it is those only who have no peculiar good in their own nature who are constantly speaking of their n.o.ble birth.

1623

A man who attempts to read all the new publications must do as the fly does--skip.

1624

Man is not the prince of creatures, But in reason. Fail that, he is worse Than horse, or dog, or beast of wilderness.

--_Field._

1625

When a man has not a good reason for doing a thing, he has one good reason for letting it alone.

--_Sir Walter Scott._

1626

"Live and let live" was his rule: no more I'll say.

1627

There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life, that word is reciprocity;

What you do not wish done to yourself, Do not do to others.

--_Confucius._

1628

The bow cannot possibly stand always bent, nor can human nature subsist without recreation.

--_Cervantes._

1629

_Regret._--It is folly to s.h.i.+ver over last year's snow.

--_Whately._