--_Balzac._

2086

If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the
better for it.

2087

Thy words have darted hope into my soul,
And comfort dawns upon me.

--_Southern._

2088

A word and a stone let go, cannot be recalled.

2089

Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without perfume, are the
fine, but fruitless words, of him who does not act accordingly.

--_Buddha._

2090

It would perhaps be well for many of us to have in sight the following
little sentiment when writing letters:--

Words spoken are light as air;
Words written are always there.

2091

AN ILL-TEMPERED LETTER.

An ill-tempered letter, once sent, will sometimes embitter a life-time.
We once saw an old gentleman, with a wise, fine head, calm face, and a
most benevolent look, beg of a postmaster to return him a letter which
he had dropped into the box. To do so, as everybody knows, is illegal;
but won over by the old gentleman's importunity, the postmaster
complied, upon full proof, in comparing the writing etc. being given.
Then, with a beaming face, the old gentleman tore the letter into
fragments, and, scattering them to the winds, exclaimed--"Ah! I've
preserved my friend." The fact is, he had written a letter in a state of
irritation, which was probably unjust and hurtful, but which he had
wisely recalled. "Written words remain," is not only a proverb, but a
very grave caution; and hence the advice--never write in anger, or, at
any rate, keep your letter till next morning, when you probably will be
cool and in a better frame of mind.

2092

A good beginning is half the work.

--_Euripides._

2093

Art little? Do thy little well:
And for thy comfort know
The great can do their greatest work
No better than, just so.

--_Goethe._

2094

He who is willing to work finds it hard to wait.

2095

Never be ashamed of honest work. It is far better to be a good
blacksmith than a bad lawyer.

2096

YOUTH AND OLD AGE.

Youth is the seed-time, old age the harvest. If we lay nothing up for
old age it will be as related in the fable; namely: A cricket came to
the ant, and said, "Give me something to eat?" Th