is unable to do as much as the mother can do. What patience, forbearance and softness of speech are essential in giving lessons in religion, or in pointing out the path of religion, are seen to a greater extent in woman than in man. For example a baby annoys the mother, and keeps her sleepless one whole night, and again in the morning it gives her the same amount of trouble; nevertheless the mother is unwearied in her exertion, and with undiminished affection she continues to nurse it. This bespeaks no little patience on the part of the fair sex. Again a sweet tongue is necessary to effectually guide a man in the path of religion, and this also is a distinctive attribute of woman. When the father engages a child for the purpose of explaining or enquiring on some point, the child is very likely confounded, but the soft and tender accents of the mother and her sweet face fix the attention of the young listener to the subject in hand, and draw out a reply. -KHURSHEDJI RUSTAMJI KAMA. I think one important reason why they (the Parsis) occupy so large a space in the mind of the world is that influence of their religion, which imposed upon them love of God, love of truth, of charity in all its senses, and an earnest striving after doing some good as the mission of life, and which embraced their morality of life in pure thought, word and deed. May they always continue to follow in these paths! -DADABHAI NAOROJI. 166. MISCELLANEOUS. ADVICE. What is the largest room in the world? Never despise counsels, from whatever quarter they reach you. Remember that the pearl is keenly sought for, in spite of the coarse shell which envelopes it. -ARABIC PROVERB. We ask advice, but we mean approbation. -COLTON. Good physic is bitter. -JAPANESE PROVERB. not how to use them, who benefits not man Good advice to one who will not accept it, arms in the hands of one who knows and gold in the possession of one kind, are things wasted and lost. -"JAVIDAN-KHIRAD. "* He who will not listen to counsel may expect to hear reproach. -SADI'S GULISTÂN. † • From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, by D. J. Medhora. † Translated by Platts. He who takes advice is secure from falling; but whoso is obstinate in his own opinion falleth into the pit of destruction. -"JAVIDAN-KHIRAD."* Why is advice like a policeman? Because though continually met with when not wanted, when it is really wanted it can seldom be found. Too many cooks spoil the broth. -PROVERB. He who builds according to every man's advice, will have a crooked house. The worst advice is that which comes after (the occasion for it has elapsed). -ARABIC PROVERB. There is nothing of which we are so liberal as advice. -ROCHEFOUCAULD. Anger and haste hinder good counsel. -MAXIM. Advise not what is most pleasant, but what is most useful. The saying that "there is more pleasure in giving than receiving" is supposed to refer chiefly to 1. kicks 2. medicine 3. advice. * From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, by D. J. Medhora. What do we often drop, but never stoop to take up? Ans. A hint. MAXIMS AND ADMONITIONS. A good maxim is never out of season. --PROVERB, Thou whom chance may hither lead, Be thou deckt in silken stole, Grave these maxims on thy soul. The following contains all the letters of the English Alphabet : "Keep ever brave, courageous, and on the alert, showing zeal with fidelity, mixed with prudence and sincerity, and you need never quail nor fear the judgment of any man. Think well before you give your opinion. Boast not yourself or your pessessions. Always protect the weak. Neither believe nor repeat an ill-report. Never impute bad motives to others. In youth and health lay up for old age and sickness. Imagination is the best exciter, Reason the best calculator; what the first throws in, the second weighs and appreciates.‡ *From One Thousand Answers. † From Chambers's Infant Education. From William Danby's Ideas and Realities. I have often wondered how it comes to pass that every body should love themselves best, and yet value their neighbour's opinion about themselves more than their own. We stand more in awe of our neighbour's judgments than our own. -MARCUS AURELIUS. Deliberate with caution, but act with decision, and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness. -COLTON. Look ere thou leap, see ere thou go. -TUSSER. Look before you leap and behind after you have leapt. Say what is true, speak not agreeable falsehood, Be never angry; blessings give for curses.* -MANU. At all times and under all circumstances speak the truth, avoid all slander, idle or impure remarks or tales, tale-bearing and mischief-making. -MORAL MAXIM. Cast no dirt in the well that gives you water. Conquer a man who never gives by gifts; -"MAHABHARATA," * From Indian Wisdom bg Monier Williams. |