MAXIMS OF MORALITY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 25, 12 January 1878, Page 3

MAXIMS OF MORALITY.

It is on the nature of man and his various relations m society only that it. can stand, but which is sufficiently able to support it. Let us then discard the l'everies of imposture and Asiatic mysteries, and listen to the dictates of nature. Let us be ever attentive to the voice of truth, sober reason, and experience. Be just because equity is the support of the human species. Be good, because goodness connects all hearts. Be indulgeut, because, feeble thyself, thou livest with beings as feeble as thou art. Be gentle, because gentleness attracts affection, Be grateful because gratitude feeds and nourishes benevolence. Be modest, because haughtiness is disgusting to beings smitten with, themselves. Forgive injuries, because revenge perpetuates hatred. Do good to him that injureth thee, m order to show thyself more noble than he is, and to mate him thy friend. Be reserved, temperate, and chaste, because intemperance and excess will destroy thy being and'render thee contemptible. Be a citizen, because thy country is necessary to thy security, to they pleasure, and to thy happiness. Be faithful, and submit to legitimate authority, because such prerequisite to the maintenance of that which is necessary to thyself. jK obedient to the laws, because they are the expression of the public will, to which, thy will ought to be subordinate. Defend thy country, because it renders tliee happy, and contains thy property, as also those beings who are dearest to thine heart. Do not perftut this common parent of thyself, and thy fellow-citizens, to faU under the shackles of tyranny (either home or foreign despotism), because from them it will be no more than a prison for thee. If unjust coun. try refuse thee happiness : if, submitted ~toan unjust power, it ;suffers thee to be . oppressed, withdraw thyself from it m silence (?) and never disturb it. In short, be a man ; be a sensible and rational being ; be a faithful husband, a tender father, an equitable master, a. zealous citizen; labour to serve thy country by thy powers^ thy talents," thine industry^ and thy virtues 5 paWicipate with thine associates these gifts which nature hath bestowed on thee ; diffuse happiness, contentment, and joy over all those who approaclvthee, that the sphere of thine action, enlivened by Jcihdness, may react on thyself.. Be assured that the man who makes others happy cannot be unhappy himself.—^ ■ ; v; . : ,' : ;-; ":,"\ . ::■ -;■ •■;'.' '.''''■■■'.. ' '