Life and Literature Part 142

--_Amiel._

1979

There is a chill air surrounding those who are down in the world, and people are glad to get away from them, as from a cold room.

1980

SPEAK GENTLY.

"Please buy my penny songs!" cried a feeble voice in one of the streets of a great city. The day was very cold, and little Katie had left her cheerless home to earn, if possible, a few pennies. Poor Katie! Her little voice was feeble because her heart was sad, for so many pa.s.sed her by unnoticed; and she felt almost discouraged.

Soon she found herself in a music store, standing near a beautiful lady, who was sitting there selecting music. She again uttered her little cry, "Please buy a penny song!" but the lady, not hearing what she said, turned towards her, and, with the kindest, sweetest smile, said gently, "What is it, darling?" at the same time putting a piece of money in her hand. Katie, not thinking what she did, laid her head in the lady's lap, and cried as though her heart would break. The lady tried to soothe her; and soon Katie said, "O lady! I cry, not because you gave money, but because you spoke so kindly to me."

--_Anonymous._

1981

He who serves the unfortunate, serves G.o.d.

1982

Everybody and everything unknown are often magnified.

--_Tacitus._

1983

Things unreasonable are never durable.

--_Italian._

1984

Whatever hath been written shall remain, Nor be erased nor written o'er again; The unwritten only still belongs to thee: Take heed, and ponder well what that shall be.

--_Longfellow._

V

1985

TRIUMPH OF VICISSITUDES.

But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence.

--_Shakespeare._

1986

I had rather be the first man in the village than the second man in Rome.

--_Caesar._

1987

If you have performed an act of great and disinterested virtue, conceal it; if you publish it, you will neither be believed here nor rewarded hereafter.

1988

If there's a virtue in the world at which we should always aim, it is cheerfulness.

--_Sir Edward B. Lytton._

1989

Our virtues disappear, said Rochefoucauld, when put in compet.i.tion with our interests, as rivers lose themselves in the ocean.

1990

Virtue, not pedigree, should characterize n.o.bility.

--_From the Latin._

1991

The tones of human voices are mightier than strings or bra.s.s to move the soul.

--_Krummacher._

1992

THE TONE OF VOICE.