Life and Literature Part 96

Never have anything to do with an unlucky man. I never act with them.

Their advice sounds very well, but they cannot get on themselves; and if they cannot do good to themselves, how can they do good to me?

--_Rothschild._

1326

He that studies books alone, will know how things ought to be; and he that studies men, will know how things are.

1327

Wise men care not for what they cannot have.

1328

Young people are very apt to overrate both men and things, from not being enough acquainted with them.

1329

YOUNG MEN.

The trouble with most young men is that they do not learn anything thoroughly, and are apt to do the work committed to them in a careless manner. The business world is full of such young men, content in simply putting in their time somehow and drawing their salaries, making no effort whatever to increase their efficiency and thereby enhance their own as well as their employers' interests.

--_Unknown._

1330

_The Clemency of a Queen._--It is related that during the first few days of the reign of Queen Victoria, then a girl between nineteen and twenty years of age, some sentences of a court-martial were presented for her signature. One was death for desertion. She read it, paused, and looked up to the officer who laid it before her, and said:--"Have you nothing to say in behalf of this man?" "Nothing; he has deserted three times,"

answered the officer. "Think again, Your Grace," was the reply. "And,"

said the gallant veteran, as he related the circ.u.mstance to his friends--(for he was none other than the Duke of Wellington)--"seeing her majesty so earnest about it, I said--'He is certainly a bad _soldier_, but there was somebody who spoke as to his good character, and he may be a good _man_ for aught I know to the contrary.'" "Oh, I thank you a thousand times!" exclaimed the youthful queen, and hastily writing 'Pardoned' in large letters on the fatal page, she sent it across the table with a hand trembling with eagerness and beautiful emotion.

--_Hodgins._

1331

Mercy's door should open to those who knock.

1332

When there is doubt, lean to the side of mercy.

--_Cervantes._

1333

MAN--THE CHILD OF MERCY.

When the Omniscient Giver of all life, In His eternal council first conceived The thought of man's creation, forth He call'd Into His presence three bright ministers-- Justice, and Truth, and Mercy, that forever Had hovered around His throne--and thus He spoke; "Shall we make man?" Then stern Justice replied: "Create him not, for he will trample on Thy holy law;" and Truth, too, answering, said, "Create him not, O G.o.d! he will pollute Thy sanctuary!" When forth Mercy came, And dropping on her knees, exclaimed: "O G.o.d!

Create him! I will watch his wandering steps, And tender guide thro' all the darksome paths That he may tread." Then forthwith G.o.d made man, And said: "Thou art the child of Mercy; go: In mercy with thy erring brother deal."

--_Judge Crittenden, of Ky._

1334

MERCY.

Think not the good, The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done, Shall die forgotten all; the poor, the prisoner, The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow, Who daily owe the bounty of thy hand, Shall cry to Heaven, and pull a blessing on thee.

--_Nicholas Rowe._

1335

He that showeth mercy when it may be best spared will receive mercy when it shall be most needed.

1336

MERCY.

I would not enter on my list of friends (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.

An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path; But he that has humanity forewarn'd, Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.

Ye, who love mercy, teach your sons To love it too.

--_Cowper._

1337

It is beautifully said that the veil of futurity is woven by the hand of mercy.

--_Bulwer-Lytton._

1338

We pray for mercy, Let that same prayer teach us to render The deeds of mercy.

--_Shakespeare._