Life and Literature Part 150

2077

Hard words break no bones, but they sometimes break hearts.

2078

He that would be well spoken of, Must not speak ill of others.

2079

Kind words are the music of the world.

--_F. W. Faber._

2080

Kind words are a bright oasis in life's great desert.

--_The Coming Age._

2082

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below, Words, without thoughts, never to Heaven go.

--_Shakespeare._

2083

Words are but pictures of our thoughts.

--_Dryden._

2084

If word of mine Have harmed thee, rashly spoken, let the winds Bear all remembrance of it swift away.

2085

There are words which cut like steel.

--_Balzac._

2086

If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it.

2087

Thy words have darted hope into my soul, And comfort dawns upon me.

--_Southern._

2088

A word and a stone let go, cannot be recalled.

2089

Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without perfume, are the fine, but fruitless words, of him who does not act accordingly.

--_Buddha._

2090

It would perhaps be well for many of us to have in sight the following little sentiment when writing letters:--

Words spoken are light as air; Words written are always there.

2091

AN ILL-TEMPERED LETTER.

An ill-tempered letter, once sent, will sometimes embitter a life-time.

We once saw an old gentleman, with a wise, fine head, calm face, and a most benevolent look, beg of a postmaster to return him a letter which he had dropped into the box. To do so, as everybody knows, is illegal; but won over by the old gentleman's importunity, the postmaster complied, upon full proof, in comparing the writing etc. being given.

Then, with a beaming face, the old gentleman tore the letter into fragments, and, scattering them to the winds, exclaimed--"Ah! I've preserved my friend." The fact is, he had written a letter in a state of irritation, which was probably unjust and hurtful, but which he had wisely recalled. "Written words remain," is not only a proverb, but a very grave caution; and hence the advice--never write in anger, or, at any rate, keep your letter till next morning, when you probably will be cool and in a better frame of mind.

2092

A good beginning is half the work.

--_Euripides._

2093

Art little? Do thy little well: And for thy comfort know The great can do their greatest work No better than, just so.