Life and Literature Part 46

630

Good-fortune comes to some people while they are asleep, i. e., without their seeking it.

631

Good fortune that comes seldom, comes more welcome.

--_Dryden._

632

How often it is, in the twinkling of an eye one vicissitude of fortune follows another.

--_Horatius._

633

That which we acquire with most difficulty, we retain the longest; as those who have earned a fortune are usually more careful of it than those who have inherited one.

--_Cotton._

634

Fortune knocks once at least at every one's door.

635

If fortune favors you, do not be too elated; if she frowns, do not despond too much.

636

Manners often make fortunes.

637

Fortune sometimes makes quick despatch, and in a day May strip you bare as beggary itself.

--_c.u.mberland._

638

_The Result of Fortune_:--The generality of men sink in virtue as they rise in fortune.

--_Sir J. Beaumont._

639

Don't live in hope with your arms folded. Fortune smiles on those who roll up their sleeves and put their shoulders to the wheel.

640

Whil'st fortun'd favour'd; friends, you smil'd on me: But, when she fled, a friend I could not see.

--_Burton._

641

G.o.d IN THE HEART.

Collins, the freethinker, met a plain countryman going to church. He asked him where he was going. "To church sir." "What to do there?" "To wors.h.i.+p G.o.d." "Pray, whether is your G.o.d a great or little G.o.d?" "He is both, sir." "How can He be both?" "He is so great that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, and so little that He can dwell in my heart." Collins declared that this simple answer had an effect upon his mind such as all the volumes which learned men had written against him had not.

642

The bird once out of hand is hard to recover.

--_From the Danish._

643

FREEDOM WEEPS.

A time like this demands Strong minds, stout hearts, true faith and ready hands; Men whom the l.u.s.t of office cannot kill, Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, Men who possess opinion and a will, Men who have honor, men who will not lie, Men who can stand before a demagogue And scorn his treacherous flatteries without winking, Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog In public duty, and in private thinking; For while the rabble with their thumb worn creeds, Their large professions, and their little deeds Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps, Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps!

--_Unknown._

644

He who attacks an absent friend, or who does not defend him when spoken ill of by another--that man is a dark character; beware of him.

645

Be my friend, and teach me to be thine!