We have tears of regret to shed over the wreck of beauty and talent; but
if we take no steps to preserve beauty and talent from wreck, our
compassion is not to our honor but to our disgrace. The feeling of pity
which to-day expends itself in solemn warning or solemn weeping for the
poor unfortunates of earth, must devise means to rescue them from misery,
or it is but a mockery and a shame. One arm inspired with love of man will
do more than a thousand tender sentiments. Sympathy must take the form of
assistance, or it is not sincere.
When we do not love man as we ought, we hate ourselves. The way to get
heaven for ourselves is to give it to others. The way to be happy is to
make others happy. Selfishness kills every noble feeling and defeats every
good desire. We cannot have peace when we give pain to others. Our deeds
reward us. What wrongs man is wrong for man to do. We should live so as
not to regret the past nor fear the future. We set too great a value upon
earthly possessions, and spend our lives in gaining what we cannot hold.
We best enjoy the things of earth when we give up wanting them wholly for
ourselves. The best part of our happiness is having someone to share it.