Life and Literature Part 131

1819

Sorrow concealed, like an oven stopped, doth burn the heart to cinders.

--_Shakespeare._

1820

Sorrow's best antidote is employment.

1821

There are people who are always antic.i.p.ating trouble, and in this way they manage to enjoy many sorrows that never really happen to them.

--_H. W. Shaw._

1822

The love of the poor, to the poor, is often remarked: Privation and sorrow knit hearts as no bands of gold can.

--_Thos. D. Brown._

1823

If hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offense, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer As e'er I did commit.

--_Shakespeare._

1825

When sorrow is asleep wake it not.

1826

All sorrows are bearable if there is bread.

--_Don Quixote._

1827

Let your thoughts dwell on your blessings, and you will forget your miseries.

--_Gestfeld._

1828

BRIEF PULSATIONS OF JOY.

The little that I have seen in the world, and known of the history of mankind, teaches me to look upon their errors in sorrow, not in anger.

When I take the history of one poor heart that has sinned and suffered, and represent to myself the struggles and temptations it pa.s.sed through, the brief pulsations of joy, the tears of regret, the feebleness of purpose, the scorn of the world that has little charity, the desolation of the soul's sanctuary, and threatening voices within, health gone, happiness gone,--I would fain leave the erring soul of my fellow-man with Him from whose hands it came.

--_Longfellow._

1829

Sum up at night what thou hast done by day, And in the morning what thou hast to do.

Dress and undress thy soul, mark the decay And growth of it; since we shall be Most surely judged, make thy accounts agree.

--_George Herbert._

1830

SOMEWHERE.

Somewhere, beyond the limitless s.p.a.ce, That mantles the stars, there is a place; A beautiful place, where angels dwell.

Somewhere--but just where, no one can tell.

Nowhere on this realm, from pole to pole, Did G.o.d appoint a home for the soul; Yet "somewhere," above yon starry dome There's a "house not made with hands," a home.

There, all is fragrant with sweet perfume That falls from flowers which ever bloom; In that far-off unknown land so fair.

Where the great Redeemer dwells--'tis there.

1831

When you can say nothing good of a man, change the subject.

1832

Gentle speech and courteous mood Cost nothing, and are always good.

1833

Loose thinking leads to inaccurate speech.

1834