K 1029

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"I expect" said one, "to pass thro' this world but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can do, or show, to my fellow-men, let me do it now, as I shall not pass this way again."

Mrs. A. B. Hegeman.

1030

Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.

Goethe.

1031

Kindness has converted more sinners than either zeal, eloquence, or learning.

F. W. Faber.

1032

A long delay in kindness takes the kindness all away.

1033

To remind a man of a kindness conferred is little less than a reproach.

1034

In the Gentleman's Magazine for September, 1797, published in London, there appears a letter which shows Benjamin Franklin, the philosopher, in the character of a creditor. The letter, which was written in Paris, is as follows:—

April 22, 1784.

I send you herewith a bill for ten louis d'ors. I do not pretend to give such a sum. I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your country you cannot fail of getting into some business that will in time enable you to pay all your debts. In that case, when you meet with another honest man in similar distress you must pay me by lending this sum to him, enjoining him to discharge the debt by a like operation when he shall be able, and shall meet with such another opportunity. I hope it may thus go through many hands before it meets with a knave to stop its progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money. I am not rich enough to afford much in good works, and so am obliged to be cunning and make the most of a little.

1035

A Scotch Highlander was taken prisoner by a tribe of Indians; his life was about to be sacrificed, when the chief adopted him as his son. They carried him into the interior; he learnt their language, assumed their habits, and became skillful in the use of their arms. After a season the same tribe began their route to join the French army, at that time opposed to the British. It was necessary to pass near to the British lines during the night. Very early in the morning, and it was spring, the old chief roused the young Highlander from his repose: he took him to an eminence, and pointed out to him the tents of his countrymen. The old man appeared to be dreadfully agitated, and there was a keen restlessness in his eye. After a pause—"I lost," said he, "my only son in a battle with your nation; are you the only son of your father? And do you think that your father is yet alive?" The young man replied, "I am the only son of my father, and I hope that my father is yet alive." They stood close to a beautiful magnolia in full blossom. The prospect was grand and enchanting, and all its charms were crowned by the sun, which had fully emerged from the horizon. The old chief, looking steadfastly at his companion, exclaimed: "Let thy heart rejoice at the beauty of the scene! To me it is as the desert; but you are free; return to your countrymen, revisit your father that he may again rejoice when he sees the sun rise in the morning, and the trees blossom in the spring!"

1037

Little acts of kindness are stowed away in the heart, like bags of lavender in a drawer, to sweeten every object around them.

1038

A good man that has done a kindness never proclaims it, but does another as soon as he can; much like the vine which is satisfied by being fruitful in its kind, and bears a bunch of grapes without expecting thanks for it.

1039

There's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only in our blindness
We gather thorns for flowers.

Gerald Massey.

1040

Money can be repaid—
Not kindness such as yours.

Shakespeare.

1041

Returned Kindness.—When the country near Albany was newly settled, an Indian came to the inn at Lichfield, and asked for a night's shelter, at the same time confessing that from failure in hunting he had nothing to pay. The hostess drove him away with reproachful epithets, and as the Indian was retiring sorrowfully,—there being no other inn for many a weary mile,—a man who was sitting by directed the hostess to supply his wants, and promised to pay her. As soon as his supper was ended, the Indian thanked his benefactor, and said he would some day repay him. Several years thereafter the settler was taken a prisoner by a hostile tribe, and carried off to Canada. However, his life was spared, though he himself was detained in slavery. But one day an Indian came to him, and giving him a musket, bade the captive follow him. The Indian never told where they were going, nor what was his object; but day after day the captive followed his mysterious guide, till one afternoon they came suddenly on a beautiful expanse of cultivated fields, with many houses rising amongst them. "Do you know that place?" asked the Indian. "Ah, yes—it is Lichfield!" and whilst the astonished exile had not recovered his surprise and amazement, the Indian exclaimed—"And I am the starving Indian on whom at this very place you took pity. And now that I have paid for my supper, I pray you go home!"

Dr. Dwight.

1042

KINDNESS TO INSECTS.

Let them enjoy their little day,
Their humble bliss receive;
Oh, do not lightly take away
The life thou canst not give.

1043

Getting money is not all a man's business: to cultivate kindness, is a valuable part of the business of life.

Dr. Johnson.

1044

A more glorious victory cannot be gained over another man than this: that when the injury began on his part, the kindness shall begin on ours.

1045

If you grant a favor, forget it;
If you receive one, remember it.

1046

Whoever knows how to return a kindness he has received must be a friend above all price.

Philoctetes.

1047

Write injuries in the dust and kindness in marble.

1048

DEFINITIONS OF A KISS.

The seal that stamps many a future.

A woman's most effective argument.

Woman's passport to her husband's purse.

A wireless message from the lips to the heart.

1049

A kiss of the lips does not always touch the heart.

1050

Pleasant is the welcome kiss
When the day's dull round is o'er;
And sweet the music of the step
That meets us at the door.

1051

KISSING—PROPRIETY OF.

Some say that kissing's a sin;
But I think it's nane ava,
For kissing has wonn'd[1051:A] in this warld
Since ever that there was twa.
Oh! if it wasna lawfu',
Lawyers wadna allow it;
If it wasna holy,
Ministers wadna do it;
If it wasna modest,
Maidens wadna tak' it;
If it wasna plenty,
Puir folk wadna get it.

Burns.


FOOTNOTES:

[1051:A] Won.


1052

Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young, it will give us no shade when we grow old.

1053

Ask the young people: they know everything!

1054

A Persian philosopher being asked by what method he had acquired so much knowledge, replied, "By not being prevented by shame from asking questions respecting things of which I was ignorant."

1055

Knowledge is not gained on a bed of roses.

1056

If you have knowledge let others light their candles at it.

Fuller.

1057

Men may acquire knowledge, but not wisdom. Some of the greatest fools the world has known have been learned men.

1058

I have never yet found a man who did not know something of which I was ignorant.

1059

If we do not plant it (knowledge) when young, it will give us no shade when we are old.

1060

Knowledge without practice is like a glass eye, all for show, and nothing for use.

1061

Johnson:—I remember very well when I was at Oxford, an old gentleman said to me,—"Young man, ply your book diligently now, and acquire a stock of knowledge; for when years come upon you, you will find that poring upon books will be but an irksome task."

Boswell's Johnson.

1062

The Earl of Morton said at John Knox's grave,—
"He lies there who never feared the face of man."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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