Life and Literature Part 45

616

If there be One of you all that ever from my presence I have with sadden'd heart unkindly sent, I here, in meek repentance, of him crave A brother's hand, in token of forgiveness.

617

'Tis easier for the generous to forgive Than for the offender to ask it.

618

THE ALTERNATIVES.

A gentleman went to a friend, in great anger at a real injury he had received, which he intended to resent. After relating the particulars, he enquired if it would not be _manly_ to resent it? His friend replied, "Yes; it would doubtless be _manly_ to resent it, but it would be _G.o.dlike_ to forgive it."

619

FORGIVENESS.

How beautifully falls Forgiveness--'tis the attribute of G.o.d-- From human lips that bless'd word, Forgive; Thrice happy he whose heart has been so schooled That he can give it utterance; it imparts Celestial grandeur to the human soul, And maketh man an angel.

620

We forgive just as long as we love.

621

FORGIVE.

Hast thou a grudge within thy breast, Which time will not repair?

Is hatred still a lurking guest To intercept thy prayer?

"Forgive, and thou shalt be forgiven"

Is the decree of heaven.

"Till seven times! shall I forgive?"

Was asked our gracious Lord, List to his answer, heed and live, "Seventy times seven" 's His word.

"Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven;"

Doubt not the word of heaven.

--_Unknown._

622

He that cannot forgive others, breaks down the bridge over which he must pa.s.s himself, for every one has need to be forgiven.

--_Lord Herbert._

623

The world never forgives; it is only G.o.d and our mothers that can do that.

--_Ellen F. Fowler._

624

Forgiveness that covers only part of the wrong, is like two fingers given in a handshake.

--_Wells._

625

SUPPOSE YOU TRY FORGIVENESS.

The story is told of a British soldier who had broken every rule of the army and on whom every form of punishment had been inflicted without avail. He sinned again. His commanding officer was in despair as to what should be done. A fellow officer said, "Suppose you try forgiveness."

The guilty soldier was summoned. On being asked what he had to say in palliation of his offense, he hung his head and replied: "Nothing, except I'm very sorry." "Well," said the officer, "We have decided to forgive you." The culprit looked dazed, burst into tears, saluted, and went out to become one of the best soldiers in the army.

--_From The Rise of a Soul._ By James I. Vance.

626

Individuals sometimes forgive, but bodies and societies never do.

627

Nothing is more dangerous to men than a sudden change of fortune.

--_Quintilian._

628

The continuance of good fortune forms no ground of ultimate security.

629

Fortune gives too much to many, but to none enough.

--_Martial._