Life and Literature Part 70

965

Man's ills are in the main of his own seeking.

966

Those who imitate us we like much better than those who endeavor to equal us. Imitation is a sign of esteem, compet.i.tion of envy.

967

LONGING AFTER IMMORTALITY.

It must be so--Plato, thou reasonest well!-- Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, This longing after immortality?

Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror, Of falling into naught? Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction?

'Tis the Divinity that stirs within us; 'Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter, And intimates eternity to man.

The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years, But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.

--_Addison._

968

_Impertinence._--That man is guilty of impertinence who considers not the circ.u.mstances of time, or engrosses the conversation, or makes himself the subject of his discourse, or pays no regard to the company he is in.

--_Fully._

969

Airs of importance are often the credentials of insignificance.

--_Lavater._

970

LIVING WITHIN OUR INCOME.

Live within your income. Always have something saved at the end of the year. Let your imports be more than your exports, and you'll never go far wrong.

--_Dr. Johnson._

971

All men are not susceptible to improvement.

972

It is better to have nothing to do than to be doing nothing.

--_Attilus._

973

Men of all ages have the same inclinations, over which reason exercises no control. Thus, wherever men are found, there are the same follies.

--_Fontenelle._

974

What madness to carry all one's income on one's back.

975

Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.

--_Colton._

976

_Fickleness._--Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro, as this Mr.

--_Shakespeare._

977

Mankind is made up of inconsistencies.

978

BEGIN IT.

Lose this day loitering, 'twill be the same story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory; True indecision brings its own delays.

And days are lost, lamenting over days.

Are you in earnest? Seize the very minute; What you can do, or think you can, begin it; Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

Only begin it and the mind grows heated; Begin it, and the work will be completed.--

--_Goethe._