Will Christian
Will Christian
nature way action
It is the nature of thought to find its way into action.
nature character men
All men are alike in their lower natures; it is in their higher characters that they differ.
years cheerful goodness
The cheerful live longest in years, and afterwards in our regards. Cheerfulness is the off-shoot of goodness.
kindness children flower
Words of praise, indeed, are almost as necessary to warm a child into a genial life as acts of kindness and affection. Judicious praise is to children what the sun is to flowers.
humility proud would-be
Some one called Sir Richard Steele the "vilest of mankind," and he retorted with proud humility, "It would be a glorious world if I were.
progress prejudice obstacles
The great obstacle to progress is prejudice
fate hawks resentment
Resentments, carried too far, expose us to a fate analogous to that of the fish-hawk, when he strikes his talons too deep into a fish beyond his capacity to lift, and is carried under and drowned by it.
evil abuse satire
Satire is an abuse of wit. It corrects few evils.
luxury slavery
Better freedom with a crust, than slavery with every luxury.
strong honesty greatness
The first step toward greatness is to be honest, says the proverb; but the proverb fails to state the case strong enough. Honesty is not only "the first step toward greatness," it is greatness itself.
hunting animal blood
Hunting is a relic of the barbarism that once thirsted for human blood, but is now content with the blood of animals.
winter men vanity
Vanity in an old man is charming. It is a proof of an open, nature. Eighty winters have not frozen him up, or taught him concealments. In a young person it is simply allowable; we do not expect him to be above it.
hope heaven soul
Hope is the best part of our riches. What sufficeth it that we have the wealth of the Indies in our pockets, if we have not the hope of heaven in our souls?
friendship weakness virtue
Kindred weaknesses induce friendships as often as kindred virtues.