While he strives for success by worthy methods, he will be
prepared for failures, he will keep his mind open to enjoyment,
but submit patiently to suffering. Wailings and complainings of
life are never of any use; only cheerful and continuous working
in right paths are of real avail.
Nor will the wise man expect too much from those about him. If he
would live at peace with others, he will bear and forbear. And
even the best have often foibles of character which have to be
endured, sympathised with, and perhaps pitied. Who is perfect?
Who does not suffer from some thorn in the flesh? Who does not
stand in need of toleration, of forbearance, of forgiveness? What
the poor imprisoned Queen Caroline Matilda of Denmark wrote on her
chapel-window ought to be the prayer of all,--"Oh! keep me
innocent! make others great."
Then, how much does the disposition of every human being depend
upon their innate constitution and their early surroundings;
the comfort or discomfort of the homes in which they have been
brought up; their inherited characteristics; and the examples,
good or bad, to which they have been exposed through life!
Regard for such considerations should teach charity and
forbearance to all men.
At the same time, life will always be to a large extent what we
ourselves make it. Each mind makes its own little world. The
cheerful mind makes it pleasant, and the discontented mind makes
it miserable.
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