8. For this also is a weakness, to be vexed at them, as well as to be diverted from thy course of action and to give way through fear;

9. For both are equally deserters from their post, the man who does it through fear, and the man who is alienated from him who is by nature a kinsman and a friend.

10. Endeavour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be, for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.

11. It may fall out that thine opinion may be good, but to refuse to yield to others when a special cause requireth it, is a sign of pride and stiffness.

12. Life is not so short but that there is always time. for courtesy.

THE BENEFI-
CENCE OF

13. A few more smiles of silent sympathy, GENTLENESS a few more tender words, a little more restraint on temper, may make all the difference between happiness and half-happiness to those I live with.

14. To cultivate kindness is a great part of the business of life.

15. Do not make life hard to any.

16. It is a little thing to speak a phrase

17.

Of common comfort, which by daily use
Has almost lost its sense;

Yet on the ear

Of him who thought to die unmourned, 'twill fall
Like choicest music, fill the glazing eye
With gentle tears, relax the knotted hand,—
To know the bonds of fellowship again,

HIGH-MINDEDNESS IS THE BOND OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

1. A faithful friend is the medicine of life.

2. There is no man that imparteth his joys to his friend, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his griefs to his friend, but he grieveth the less.

THE BLESSINGS OF COMRADESHIP

3. There is no such remedy against flattery of a man's self as the liberty of a friend.

4. We want one or two companions of intelligence, probity, and grace, to wear out life with; persons by whom we can measure ourselves, and who shall hold us fast to good sense and virtue.

5. Our chief want,-is it not somebody who can make us do what we can? We are easily great with the loved and honoured associate. We come out of our

eggshell existence.

6. O friend, my bosom said,

Through thee alone the sky is arched;
The mill-round of our fate appears

A sun-path in thy worth.

7. Let us follow after the things wherewith one may edify another.

HARMONY

OF HIGH AIMS

8. That friendship where men's affections are cemented by an equal love of goodness, neither hope, nor fear, nor any private interest can ever dissolve

it, but we carry it with us to our graves, and lay down our lives for it with satisfaction.

9. True, active, productive friendship consists in keeping equal pace in life, in the approval of my aims by my friend, while I approve his, and thus moving forwards together steadily, however much our way of thought and life may vary.

10. Between simple and noble persons there is always a quick intelligence; they recognise at sight, and meet on a better ground than the talents and skills they may chance to possess, namely on sincerity and uprightness.

11. The important thing is, not that two people should be inspired by the same convictions, but rather that each of them should hold his or her own convictions in a high and worthy spirit.

12. Harmony of aim, not identity of conclusion, is the secret of the sympathetic life.

13. Be admonished not to strike leagues of friendship with cheap persons, where no friendship can be.

CAUTIONS

AGAINST BASE FRIENDSHIP

14. If thou wouldst get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit him. For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of trouble.

15. Accept no person against thy soul.

16. Whatever is founded on mere carnal love, vanity or frivolity, on such attractions as are purely external, a sweet voice, personal beauty, superficial cleverness or outward show, is unworthy to be called friendship.

17. How can such friendships be other than shortlived, melting away like snow-wreaths in the sun!

High-mindedness is the Bond of True Friendship 187

18. If men share false and vain things, their friendship will be false and vain; if that which is good and true, their friendship will be good and true.

19. Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions, because we have made them a texture of wine and dreams, instead of the tough fibre of the human heart.

20. The laws of friendship are austere and eternal, of one web with the laws of nature and of morals.

21. Virtue alone is sweet society;

It keeps the key to all heroic hearts,

And opens you a welcome in them all.

22. Worldly friendship is profuse in honeyed words, passionate endearments, commendations of beauty, while true friendship speaks a simple, honest language.

23. False friendship turns to evil desires, upbraidings, slander, deceit, sorrow, confusion and jealousies; but pure friendship is always the same, modest, courteous and loving, knowing no change save an increasingly pure and perfect union.

CHAPTER LX

RETURN GOOD FOR EVIL

1. Ye have heard that it hath been said: thou shalt FORGIVE love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.

2. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.

3. Let a man overcome anger by kindness, evil by good;

Let him conquer the stingy by a gift, the liar by truth.

4. If thou hast not mercy for others, yet be not cruel unto thyself:

FORGET 5. To ruminate upon evils, to make critical notes upon injuries, and be too acute in their apprehensions, is to add unto our own tortures, to feather the arrows of our enemies, and to resolve to sleep no more; for injuries, long dreamt on, take away at last all rest.

6. A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.

7. Meditate not on injuries or provoking things, when thou art alone; suffer not thy thoughts to feed upon

them.