The spirit of truth dwelleth in meekness. With the humble there is perpetual peace.

If a man be sincerely wedded to Truth, he must make up his mind to find her a portionless virgin, and he must take her for herself alone.

-COLTON.

He who is himself a true man, has a chance to know the truth of men, when he sees them; he who is not, has none.

-THOMAS CARLYLE.

If you want a

man to be truthful, don't ask him

where he has been.

Truth is a star that ever shines

With dazzling purity so bright,

Ills may assail it-envy, hate

May seek to cloud or dim its light;
But like a star mid darksome skies,
It shineth still with clear ray,
Revealing wrong and all false deeds,
And pointing out the one true way.
Thus, unappalled, its gentle light

Doth live with sinless peace to see
Base falsehood crushed beneath its feet,
And truth doth gain the victory.
E'en flattery's voice doth lose its power,
Disclosed by truth's pure, constant light.

It guides the world to noble deeds,

To learn the truth of good and right;
It cheers with joy the face of earth,
Dispels deceit and all false pride,

And bids the rising world look up,

And take truth's light to cheer and guide.
Where truth doth dwell there must be love,

In groves of shade, or hills of sheen,
Truth is of God, and God is love,

And where He is truth's light is seen.
All nature's works do speak of truth,

And all fair things seem brighter far,
Knowledge unfolds, and wisdom speaks,
When lighted by truth's dazzling star.
Then truth, shine on!-oh, spread thy light,
Disperse the darkness that doth rise:
Speak hope, repentance unto all,

And teach of love beyond the skies.
Shine on, O star! It is ordained
Vanquished thou shalt never be,
But to the end of time shalt stand,

And even through eternity!

THE DUCHESS AND THE KING.

The Duchess de Longueville afforded a powerful instance of uprightness of conduct. Not being able to obtain a favour for one of her people from the king, the Duchess was so much hurt that she suffered some very indiscreet words to escape her, which were reported by a gentleman present to his Majesty, and from him to her brother. The latter declared that it could not be true, for he would not believe his sister had lost her senses. "I will believe her, if she herself denies it, said the king.

The Prince went to his sister, and she concealed nothing from him. In vain he tried, during a whole afternoon, to persuade her that in this instance sincerity would be folly that in justifying her to the king, he

:

66

believed he had spoken truth, and that it would be even more grateful to his Majesty for her to deny than own her fault. "Do you wish me to repair it," said she, a greater, not only towards God, but towards the king? I cannot lie to him, when he has the generosity to put faith in me, and believe me on my word. The man who has betrayed me is much to blame, but after all, I must not let him pass for a slanderer, which he is not.

She went the next day to Court, and having obtained a private audience of his Majesty, threw herself at his feet, and begged pardon for the indiscreet words which had escaped her, which her brother had not believed her capable of, saying that she would rather avow her fault than be justified at the expense of others. The King pardoned her immediately and ever after treated her with more particular kindness than before.*

TWO YOUNG MEN IN A SHOP.

Two young men went into a cook's shop, under pretence of buying meat; and while the cook's back was turned, one of them snatched up a piece and gave it to his companion, who presently clapt it under his cloak. The cook turning about again, and missing his piece, began to charge them with it; upon which, he that first took it, swore bitterly he had none of it. He that had it swore as heartily, that he had taken up none of his meat. Why look ye, gentlemen, says the cook, I see your equivocation; and though I can't tell which of you bas taken my meat, I am sure, between you both, there's a thief, and a couple of rascals.

From Noble Deeds of Women, by Elizabeth Starling.

Moral-Evading the truth is just as blameable as

denying it.*

FALSEHOOD.

There are four sins of the speech:

1. Lying, 2. Slander, 3. Abuse, 4. Unpro

fitable conversation.

-THE ETHICS OF BUDDHISM.

Whoever in any special act is studious to make an outward show, to which no inward substance corresponds, is acting a lie, which may help him out of a difficulty perhaps for the occasion, but, like silvered copper, will be found out in due season.

-PROF. BLACKIE.

A lie faces God and shrinks from man.

-BACON.

A liar begins by making a falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood.

Take heed that thou be not found a liar; for a lying A liar is comspirit is hateful both to God and man. monly a coward, for he dares not avow truth. A liar is trusted of no man; he can have no credit, either in public or private.

-SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

*From Bewick's Select Fables.

-"BIBLE-PSALM 40."

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight.

"BIBLE-PROVERBS 12."

He that speaketh lies shall perish.

-"BIBLE-PROVERBS 19."

Oh! 'tis a lovely thing for youth
To walk betimes in wisdom's way;
To fear a lie, to speak the truth,
That we may trust to all they say.
But liars we can never trust,

Though they should speak the thing that's true;
And he that does one fault at first,

And lies to hide it, makes it two.

For little souls on little shifts rely,

And cowards arts of mean expedients try,
The noble mind will dare do anything but lie.

-DRYDEN.

A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity.*

He who tells a lie is not sensible how great a task he undertakes; for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain one.

-POPE.

Show me a liar, and I will show thee a thief.

Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.

* From Gracian's Art of Worldly Wisdom, translated from the Spanish by Jacobs.