Life and Literature Part 33

--_Dr. E. Young._

441

One of the Fathers said: "That there is but this difference between the death of old and young men,--that old men go to death, and death comes to young men."

--_Bacon._

442

THE REPROOF OF A FOOL.

There was a certain n.o.bleman who kept a fool, to whom he one day gave a staff, with a charge to keep it till he should meet with one who was a greater fool than himself. Not many years after, the n.o.bleman fell sick, even unto death. The fool came to see him: his lord said to him--"I must shortly leave you." "And whither are you going?" said the fool. "Into another world," replied his lords.h.i.+p. "And when will you come again?

Within a month?" "No." "Within a year?" "No." "When then?" "Never."

"Never!" said the fool, "and what provision hast thou made for thy entertainment there, whither thou goest?" "None at all." "No!" said the fool, "none at all! Here then, take my staff; for with all my folly, I am not guilty of any such folly as this."

443

The divinity who rules within us, forbids us to leave this world without his command.

--_Cicero._

444

When a man dies, they who survive him, ask what property he has left behind. The angel who bends over the dying man, asks what good deeds he has sent before him.

445

Happy is, or ought to be, the man who owes nothing.

446

If you would avoid paying debts, avoid incurring them.

447

But wealth and power have no immortal day, For all things ripen only to decay.

448

DECISION.

Lose this day loitering,--'t will be the same story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory; The indecision brings its own delays, And days are lost lamenting over days.

Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute, What you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Only engage, and then the mind grows heated,-- Begin, And then the work Will be completed.

--_J. W. Von Goethe._

449

Let him that hath done the good office conceal it; let him that hath received it disclose it.

450

n.o.bLE DEEDS.

He built a house, time laid it in the dust; He wrote a book, its t.i.tle now forgot; He ruled a city, but his name is not On any tablet graven, or where rust Can gather from disuse, or marble bust.

He took a child from out a wretched cot, Who on the state dishonor might have brought, And reared him to the Christian's hope and trust.

The boy to manhood grown, became a light To many souls, preached for human need The wondrous love of the Omnipotent.

The work has multiplied like stars at night When darkness deepens; every n.o.ble deed Lasts longer, than a granite monument.

--_Sarah H. Bolton._

451

"He wishes well" is worthless, unless the deed go with it.

--_Plautus._

452

_Deformed._--Mock not at those who are misshapen by nature. He that despiseth them despiseth G.o.d that made them.

--_Dr. Fuller._

453

Away with delay! it always injures those that are prepared.

--_Lucan._

454

Do not delay: the golden moments fly!