Men may be known six different ways: viz. 1. by their countenances, 2. their words, 3. their actions, 4. their tempers, 5. their ends, 6. by the relation of others. The truest characters come from domestics.

-BACON.

No one can persevere long in a fictitious character; for nature will soon reassert itself.

-SENECA.

It is not in the most distinguished exploits that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered, but frequently an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, that distinguishes a person's real character more than the greatest battles or the most important actions.

-PLUTARCH.

Man shows his character best in small trifles, where he is not on his guard, and it is in insignificant matters and the simplest habits that we may be often able to note the boundless egotism which pays not the slightest regard to the feelings of others, and which denies itself nothing in great things, though he may contrive to conceal it.

-SCHOPENHAUER.

It is when a man has lost his position in the world, or great wealth, that the silliness of his character, which was overlaid, is made apparent, and which was there though no one perceived it.

-BRUYERE.

A man's character may be judged of even more surely by the letters which his friends addressed to him than by those which he himself penned.

-SOUTHEY.

There is no act in a man's conduct, however simple and inconsiderable, in which there does not appear some slight peculiarities that reveal his secret character. A fool does not enter a room, nor leave it, nor sit down, nor rise up, nor is he silent, nor does he stand on his legs, like a man of sense and understanding.

-BRUYERE.

When Dr. Abbot, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, drew the character of his deceased friend Thomas Sackville, he did not dwell upon his merits as a statesman, or his genius as a poet, but upon his virtues as a man in relation to the ordinary duties of life. "How "Who more many rare things were in him!" said he. loving unto his wife? Who more kind unto his children? Who more fast unto his friend? Who more moderate unto his enemy? Who more true to his word?" Indeed, we can always better understand and appreciate a man's real character by the manner in which he conducts himself towards those who are the most nearly related to him, and by his transaction of the seemingly commonplace details of daily duty, than by his public exhibition of himself as an author, an orator, or a statesman. -SMILES.

The three events which cause us to think most profoundly, and which make the most decided impression upon the character, are thwarted ambition, unsuccessful love, and the approach of death.

Although genius always commands admiration, character most secures respect. The former is more the product of brain-power, the latter of heart-power: and in the long run it is the heart that rules in life.

of genius stand to society in the relation of its intellect, as men of character of its conscience; and while the former are admired, the latter are followed.

-SMILES.

Men of ability are common enough, but men of

character are very rare.

The greatest benefactor to society is not he who serves it by single acts, but whose general character is the manifestation of a higher life and spirit than pervades the mass. Such men are the salt of the earth. The might of individual virtue surpasses all other powers.

-REV. CHANNING.

Character is moral order seen through the medium
Men of character are

of an individual nature.

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the conscience of the society to which they belong.

-EMERSON.

He who is insensible to the duties which he owes to those who are nearest, and who ought to be dearest to him, will never feel a higher regard for your welfare, who are strangers to him. He, who acts wickedly in private life, can never be expected to show himself noble in his public conduct. He who is base at home, will not acquit himself with honour when sent to a foreign country in a public capacity; for it is not the man, but the place merely, that is changed.

-ESCHINES.

The end which the statesman should keep in view as higher than all other ends is the formation of character. -HERBERT SPENCER.

Its (of the prosperity of nations) foundation is laid in pure domestic life, in commercial integrity, in a high standard of moral worth and of public spirit, in simple habits, in courage, uprightness, and a certain soundness and moderation of judgment which springs quite as much from character as from intellect. If you would form a wise judgment of the future of a nation, observe carefully whether these qualities are increasing or decaying. Observe especially what qualities count for most in public life. Is character becoming of greater or less importance? Are the men who obtain the highest post in the nation, men, of whom in private life and irrespective of party, competent judges speak with genuine respect? Are they of sincere convictions, consistent lives, indisputable integrity? * It is by observing this moral current that you can best cast the horoscope of a nation.

*

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-LECKY.

Give me the man, who, if at times he err,
At least shows something like character,
Who can consult his heart as well as head,
Nor waits to ask if feeling be well-bred!

-LORD LEIGH.

19. CHARITY-ALMS-GIVING.

We are to relieve the distressed, to put the wanderer into his way, and to divide our bread with the hungry, which is but the doing of good to ourselves; for we are only several members of one great body.

-SENECA.

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

He only truly lives

Whose charity is free;

But he who never gives

Is dead as dead can be.*

Charity is the salt of riches; without this preservative they would corrupt themselves.

True liberal charity is wisely divided amongst many, and proportioned to the objects upon which it rests. It is not, it cannot be confined to near relations, intimate friends, or particular favourites. These it will never neglect; nay, to these its first attentions are naturally directed. But whatever may be its partialities to those immediately connected with us, or who love us and resemble us, it cannot remain under these restrictions. The principle which gave it birth, extends its influence in every possible direction. The objects which solicit the friendly aid of charity are many and various. Here we find the afflicted body-there the

*A Cural Song, from the Folk-songs of Southern India by Charles E. Gover.