Flowers fade quickly if they are much handled, but if they are not
touched they may be preserved a long time.--_A Kempis_.
The root of the plant is hidden under ground and trodden under foot;
it has neither odour nor beauty, and yet it gives life to the flower.
Thus a humble soul may, like Mary, be despised, it may be trodden
upon, forgotten; but this is the way for it to produce flowers and
fruits for eternal life.--_Nouet_.
The lily is the symbol of chastity; it preserves its whiteness and
sweetness in the midst of thorns, so long as it is left untouched, but
as soon as ever it is plucked it emits so overpowering an odour that
it causes headache.--_St. Francis of Sales_.
Whiteness is not an essential property of the rose--indeed, red roses
are more beautiful and of sweeter odour; but it is the property of the
lily. Let us endeavour to be what we are, and as justly and perfectly
as possible, that we may do honour to our Maker.--_The same_.