The following beautiful incident is related of the late Prince consort.
On one occasion a humble but very worthy man who had befriended the
Prince in early life called to see him, and was invited to come to the
family table. He began to eat with his knife, as he had always been
accustomed to do, and this excited a little quiet merriment among the
young people. Prince Albert looked round upon them, as if to say, "Stop
that!" and at once began himself to eat with his knife, and continued to
do so to the end of the meal. After dinner, one of the children asked
him why he did so. The Prince replied: "It is well enough for us to
observe the etiquette of the day; but it is far more important to avoid
insulting people. I wanted my old friend to enjoy his dinner, which he
could not have done had he seen you laughing at him. He is accustomed to
use his knife, and it would doubtless be quite difficult for him to use
the fork instead."--This was genuine politeness, and the world would be
happier if the same feeling were always shown.
1530
Politeness is as natural to delicate natures as perfume is to flowers;
it smoothes wrinkles.
1531
Ceremonies are different in every country; but true politeness is
everywhere the same.
--_Goldsmith._
1532
_Dr. Johnson_:--"Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in
the world. With this sole view do men engage in politics, and their
whole conduct proceeds upon it."
--_Boswell's Johnson._
1533
Few, save the poor, feel for the poor.
1534
Poor folks' wisdom goes for little.
--_Dutch._
1535
He that thinks he can afford to be negligent, is not far from being
poor.
--_Dr. Johnson._
1536
Poor and content, is rich and rich enough;
But riches, is as poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
1537
Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;
Let no harsh term be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word.
--_George W. Hangford._
1538
The poor, the humble, and your dependents, will often be afraid to ask
their due from you: be the more mindful of it yourself.
1539
The poor, who envies not the rich, who pities his companions in poverty,
and can spare something for him that is still poorer, is, in the realms
of humanity, a king of kings.
1540
The man who says, "Let me wait a little, when I have something to spare,
I will relieve the poor," will never relieve them.
1541