Life and Literature Part 52

G

727

One thing obtained with difficulty is far better than a hundred things procured with ease.

--_The Talmud._

728

Gain, has oft, with treacherous hopes led men to ruin.

--_Sophocles._

729

Either hand must wash the other; If you take, then you must give.

730

Gain has a pleasant odor.

731

Prefer loss before unjust gain; for that brings grief but once; this forever.

--_Chilon._

732

Gain at the expense of reputation should be called loss.

733

No pains, no gains.

--_Italian._

734

It is impossible to be just, if one is not generous.

--_Joseph Roux._

735

Justice should precede generosity.

736

Generosity should never exceed ability.

--_Cicero._

737

A GENTLEMAN.

Show me the man who can quit the brilliant society of the young and listen to the kindly voice of age, who can hold cheerful converse with one whom years have deprived of charms. Show me the man of generous impulses, who is always ready to help the poor and needy; who treats unprotected maidenhood as he would the heiress surrounded by the protection of rank, riches and family; who never forgets for an instant the delicacy, the respect, that is due a woman in any condition or cla.s.s. Show me such a man and you show me a gentleman--nay, more, you show me a true Christian.

738

It's not the gay coat makes the gentleman.

739

The man who is kind and obliging and is ready to do you a favor without hope of reward, who speaks the truth--is a gentleman,

In any garb, And wherever he may be found.

740

Propriety of manners and consideration for others are the two main characteristics of a gentleman.

741

REAL AND ARTIFICIAL GENTLEMEN.

A friend of mine, not long ago, coming over from Ireland, heard a man asking, in reference to another, who he was. "I don't know," was the reply; "but he's quite a gentleman. He always wears a tall hat." Indeed, there are those who seem to be incapable of valuing their fellow-men by anything except their clothes. A story is told of a Persian prince, which well ill.u.s.trates such worldliness. Dressed as a poor man, this prince went to a feast. He was pushed here and there, could not get to the table, and had soon to withdraw. On going home, he dressed himself in his best, placing jewelled slippers on his feet, and putting on a cloth-of-gold cloak. Then he returned to the feast, where matters were immediately altered. The guests made room, and the host, rus.h.i.+ng up, cried, "Welcome, my lord! What will your lords.h.i.+p please to eat?" The prince's answer was very expressive. Stretching out his foot, so that his slipper sparkled and glittered, he took his golden robe in his hand, and said with bitter irony, "Welcome, my lord coat! welcome, most excellent robe! What will your lords.h.i.+p please to eat? For," said he, turning to his surprised host, "I ought to ask my coat what it will eat, since the welcome was solely to it."