practically harmless, unless our own thought barbs it. [1]

It is our pride that makes another's criticism rankle, our

self-will that makes another's deed offensive, our egotism

that feels hurt by another's self-assertion. Well may we

feel wounded by our own faults; but we can hardly afford [5]

to be miserable for the faults of others.

A courtier told Constantine that a mob had broken

the head of his statue with stones. The emperor lifted

his hands to his head, saying: “It is very surprising, but

I don't feel hurt in the least.” [10]

We should remember that the world is wide; that there

are a thousand million different human wills, opinions,

ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a differ-

ent history, constitution, culture, character, from all the

rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless [15]

action and reaction upon each other of these different

atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest

expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen

relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great,

and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction [20]

of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with

an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor

accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a

charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and

sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it,—de- [25]

termined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor

even when it is, unless the offense be against God.

Nothing short of our own errors should offend us. He

who can wilfully attempt to injure another, is an object

of pity rather than of resentment; while it is a question [30]

in my mind, whether there is enough of a flatterer, a fool,

or a liar, to offend a whole-souled woman.