This is the advice given thee by an old man, who has
had a full share of the burden and heat of life's day. We must
ever stand upright, happen what may, and for this end we must
cheerfully resign ourselves to the varied influences of this many-
coloured life. You may call this levity, and you are partly
right; for flowers and colours are but trifles light as air, but
such levity is a constituent portion of our human nature, without
which it would sink under the weight of time. While on earth we
must still play with earth, and with that which blooms and fades
upon its breast. The consciousness of this mortal life being but
the way to a higher goal, by no means precludes our playing with
it cheerfully; and, indeed, we must do so, otherwise our energy in
action will entirely fail." (8)
Cheerfulness also accompanies patience, which is one of the main
conditions of happiness and success in life. "He that will be
served," says George Herbert, "must be patient." It was said of
the cheerful and patient King Alfred, that "good fortune
accompanied him like a gift of God." Marlborough's expectant
calmness was great, and a principal secret of his success as a
general. "Patience will overcome all things," he wrote to
Godolphin, in 1702. In the midst of a great emergency, while
baffled and opposed by his allies, he said, "Having done all that
is possible, we should submit with patience.
Pages:
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311