Gems.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 September 1884, Page 10

Gems.

When Anacharsis, the Scythian, was travelling in Greece, he was reproached by an Athenian with the barbarity of his native land. "It is true," replied Anacharsis, " that my country is a disgrace to me, but you are a disgrace to your country."

At almost every step in life we meet with young men from whom we anticipate wonderful things, but of whom, after careful enquiry, we never hear another word. Like certain chintzes, calicoes, and ginghams, they show finely on their first newness, but cannot stand the sun and rain, and assume a very sober aspect after washing-day. —Nathaniel Hawthorne.

A man who knows the world will not only make the most of everything he does know, but of many things he does not know, and will gain more credit by his adroit mode of hiding his ignorance than the pedant by his awkward attempt to exhibit his erudition.—Cotton.

It is an excellent circumstance that hospitality grows best where it is most needed. In the thick of men it dwindles and disappears, like fruit in the thick of a wood ; but where men are planted sparsely it blossoms and matures like apples on a standard or espalier. It flourishes where the inn and lodging-house cannot exist. Hugh Miller.

All pleasure must be bought at the price of pain. The difference between false pleasure and true pleasure is put thus : for the true, the price is paid before you enjoy it; for the false, after you enjoy it. John "Foster.

Price is as cruel a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece. It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follows it.— Benjamin Franklin.

Troubles are usually the brooms and shovels that smooth the road to a good man's fortune, of which he little dreams ; and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.

Boast not the titles of your ancestors’ brave youth ; They’re their possessions, none of yours. When your own virtues equall’d have their names ’Twill be but fair to lean upon their fames, For they are strong supporters; but till then The greatest are but growing gentlemen.

Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition, that no people ought to be free till they arc fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story, who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim ! —Macaulay.

When thou art obliged to speak, be sure to speak the truth ; for equivocation is half way to lying, and lying is the whole way to hell.—William Penn.

Laziness grows on people : it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains. The more business a man has to do, the more he is able to accomplish, for he learns to economize his time. —Judge Hall.

Nothing is more silly than the pleasure some people take in " speaking their minds." A man of this make will say a rude thing, for the mere pleasure of saying it, when an opposite behaviour, full as innocent, might have preserved his friend, or made his fortune. —Steele.

Curved is the line of Beauty ; Straight is the line of Duty ; W alk by the last, and thou wilt see The other ever follow thee.

A good wife is Heaven's last, best gift to man, his gem of many virtues, his casket of jewels ; her voice is sweet music, her smile his brightest day, her kiss the guardian of his innocence, her arms the pole of his safety, her industry his surest wealth, her economy his safest steward, her lips his faithful counsellors; her bosom the safest pillow of his Jeremy Taylor.

Women govern us ; let us render them" perfect ; the more they are enlightened, so much the more shall we be. On the cultivation of the mind of women depends the wisdom of men. It is by women that nature writes on the hearts of men.—Sheridan.

Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud ; Tis beauty that doth make them most admired ; ’Tis modesty that makes them seem divine. —tSIIAKESI’KAKK.

A woman has two smiles that an angel might envy : the smile that accepts a lover afore words are uttered, and the smile that lights on the first-born baby, and assures him of a mother's love. Haliburton.

Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm ; it is the real allegory of the tale of Orpheus; it moves stones ; it charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.--BuLWER.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarcely in that ; for it is true we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct, Remember this : that they that will not be counselled cannot be helped. If you do not hear reason, she will rap your knuckles. —Franklin.