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CHAPTER VIII.

SECTION CXI.

HUMILITY.

HUMILITY has in every age, been regarded as a virtue, conferring excellence on character, and ennobling and dignifying our common nature. It requires self-examination, and a due estimate of our position and abilities. The humble man will, when conscious of an error, frankly acknowledge it, and seek to rectify the mistake; he will do justice to the abilities of others, and be disposed to acquire from them the knowledge which he has failed to attain. This virtue is uncongenial to caprice or self-conceit; a consciousness of his own infirmities will lead him to regard the opinions of others with deference and respect; if, on mature con

sideration, he deems their opinions wrong, he will express his own with caution and without arrogance. Whilst his own views are expressed clearly and impressively, he will abstain from exultation and unseemly triumph, and seek only to convince and to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. The humble man will love retirement rather than display, will prefer the shade, and will discover that this is the most effectual method of deserving and winning the esteem of others. Honour follows him who shuns it; and every reflecting mind will perceive that whilst its exertions are directed to purposes of usefulness it gains the esteem of mankind.

SECTION CXII.

FORBEARANCE.

From humility, forbearance and a disposition to forgive will naturally follow; for, as we are constrained to bear inflictions of pain and suffering from the hand of God, so, by analogy, we shall be led to endure patiently the wrongs inflicted by others, and whilst we seek redress by honourable means, we shall not be

ruled by the spirit of retaliation. When our enemies perceive the error of their conduct, and sue for pardon, we should bestow it without reluctance or reserve; not contenting ourselves with professing to forgive, we should endeavour to blot out from our memories the record of the injuries. Such conduct has in every age met with the universal approbation of mankind.

SECTION CXIII.

Nothing can be more pleasing to the great Father of our race than to perceive these indications of mutual affection amongst his offspring. On such scenes his eye must rest with complacency, and his heart rejoice. He who forgiveth because he knoweth our frame and remembereth that we are dust looks from the throne of his glory with approbation on these benevolent sentiments. Our sages draw an important line of distinction here; they say that there are four kinds of temperament or passion. One man is easily offended and easily appeased; in him the disadvantage balances the advantage. Another is easily offended, but appeased with difficulty; his is a bad temper. A third

can scarcely be offended, and is with difficulty appeased; in this case the good balances the evil. But he who can with difficulty be offended, but easily appeased, he only is the truly virtuous man.

SECTION CXIV.

INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS.

The duty of integrity comes next under our notice, and it is obvious that this is essential to the formation of excellence in the human character. When circumstances require that we should offer an opinion or give advice, we should act with straightforwardness and candour, avoiding the use of subtlety to perplex, or subterfuge to deceive; thus only can we lay the foundation of mutual security and confidence, and men will speak well of us while we do well unto ourselves. The sages teach the importance of speaking the truth, of saying nothing which will not bear the full light of evidence to justify it; not to speak that with the mouth which the heart does not mean; for he who is not upright in his dealings with man is not upright with God. The testimony, "He who walks in the upright way,

he shall serve me," implies, that he who has integrity of heart and action shows that he has reverence for God, whilst he who is not upright with man forgets that the actions of his life are observed and recorded by the Judge of all.

Expediency suggests the prudence of such a line of action, for he who would obtain respect and confidence from others must respect himself; uprightness of heart will receive sympathy and friendship in the intercourse of life; pride and arrogance must be replaced by humility and meekness, and thus only can we obtain the esteem and confidence of those with whom the intercourse of human life has been conducted.

SECTION CXV.

PRIDE.

How ridiculous does pride appear, whether we put it in beauty, station, intelligence, or wealth. Yet we discover many whose only object in existence appears to be the desire to eclipse or outshine others; arrogance and contempt mark their passage through human life, and thus they become isolated from their fellow men.