THE MORAL MAXIMS HE man of first-rate excellence is virtuous independently of instruction; he of the middling class is so after instruction; the lowest order of men are vicious in spite of instruction. In the days of affluence always think of poverty; do not let want come upon you and make you remember with sorrow the days of plenty. Without the wisdom of the learned, the clown could not be governed; without the labor of the clown, the learned could not be fed. The cure of ignorance is study, as meat is that of hunger. The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven. The same tree may produce sour and sweet fruit; the same mother may have a virtuous and vicious progeny. It is equally criminal in the governor and the governed to violate the laws. As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over, so a man's name remains after his death. Questions of right and wrong (with reference to right and wrong) are every day arising; if not listened to, they die away of themselves. If the domestic duties be duly performed, where is the necessity of going afar to burn incense? Doubt and distraction are on earth; the brightness of truth in Heaven. Meeting with difficulties, we think of our relations; on the brink of danger we rely on our friends. Among mortals who is faultless? Do not love idleness and hate labor; do not be diligent in the beginning and in the end lazy. If there be no faith in our words, of what use are they? If riches can be acquired with propriety, then acquire them; but let not unjust wealth be sought for with violence. Wine and good dinners make abundance of friends, but in the time of adversity not one is to be found. Let every man sweep the snow from before his own doors and not trouble himself about the frost on his neighbor's tiles. Though a tree be a thousand chang in height, its leaves must fall down and return to its root. |