A Generous Spirit Is As Eloquent In

A Sincere Acquaintance With Ourselves Teaches Us Humility; And From Humility Springs That Benevolence Which Compassionates The Transgressors We Condemn, And Prevents The Punishments We Inflict From Themselves Partaking Of Crime, In Being Rather The Wreakings Of Revenge Than The Chastisements Of Virtue.

We Value The Devotedness Of Friendship Rather As An Oblation To Vanity Than As A Free Interchange Of Hearts; An Endearing Contract Of Sympathy, Mutual Forbearance, And Respect!

The Doubts Of Love Are Never To Be Wholly Overcome; They Grow With Its Various Anxieties, Timidities, And Tenderness, And Are The Very Fruits Of The Reverence In Which The Admired Object Is Beheld.

He That Easily Believes Rumors Has The Principle Within Him To Augment Rumors. It Is Strange To See The Ravenous Appetite With Which Some Devourers Of Character And Happiness Fix Upon The Sides Of The Innocent And Unfortunate.

Any Base Heart Can Devise Means Of Vileness, And Affix The Ugly Shapings Of Its Own Fancy To The Actions Of Those Around Him; But It Requires Loftiness Of Mind, And The Heaven-born Spirit Of Virtue, To Imagine Greatness Where It Is Not, And To Deck The Sordid Objects Of Nature In The Beautiful Robes Of Loveliness And Light.