If a man take no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near
at hand.--_Confucius._
Those old stories of visions and dreams guiding men have their truth: we
are saved by making the future present to ourselves.--_George Eliot._
~Forgetfulness.~--There is nothing, no, nothing, innocent or good that
dies and is forgotten: let us hold to that faith or none. An infant, a
prattling child, dying in the cradle, will live again in the better
thoughts of those that loved it, and play its part through them in the
redeeming actions of the world, though its body be burnt to ashes, or
drowned in the deep sea. Forgotten! Oh, if the deeds of human creatures
could be traced to their source, how beautiful would even death appear!
for how much charity, mercy, and purified affection would be seen to
have their growth in dusty graves!--_Dickens._
~Forgiveness.~--It is more easy to forgive the weak who have injured us,
than the powerful whom we have injured. That conduct will be continued
by our fears which commenced in our resentment. He that has gone so far
as to cut the claws of the lion will not feel himself quite secure until
he has also drawn his teeth.--_Colton._