Life and Literature

Chapter 91

1258

NO.

No is a surly, honest fellow, speaks his mind rough and round at once.

1259

A true man never frets about his place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star.

1260

He had nothing and was content. He became rich and is discontented.

1261

Thou canst mould him into any shape like soft clay.

--_Horace._

1262

None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in error.

1263

A well-bred man is always sociable and complaisant.

--_Montaigne._

1264

"HOW MUCH DID HE LEAVE?"

The question is asked concerning the property of every rich man who dies; and it was answered very happily by Cloots, who was executor upon the estate of the late Mr. Snodgra.s.s. His neighbor, Mr. Nailroad, was an exceedingly inquisitive man. The day after the funeral, Nailroad visited Cloots, and, with an inspecting face, began to question him. "Mr.

Cloots," says he, "if it is not improper, will you inform me how much my particular friend Snodgra.s.s left?" "Certainly," said Cloots:--"He _left_ every cent he was worth in the world, and didn"t take a copper with him."

1265

Who does the best his circ.u.mstances allow, Does well, acts n.o.bly; angels could do no more.

--_Young._

1266

If you would know a man truly, know him off duty, when the duties of the day are over and he has left his post.

--_Observer._

1267

Men who want to do everything their own way must make a world to suit them, for it can not be done in this.

1268

The man whom I call deserving the name, is one whose thoughts and exertions are for others, rather than himself.

--_Blanchard._

1269

If a man write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse-trap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the wilderness, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

--_Emerson._

1270

He who doth not speak an unkind word to his fellow-creatures is master of the whole world.

1271

Those who think must govern those who toil.

1272

The wise man shapes himself according to his environments, as water to the shape of the vessel into which it is poured.

--_j.a.panese._

1273

At the working-man"s house hunger may look in, but dare not enter.