Chapter 69
--_Old Magazine._
I
951
The I is worthy of aversion when it is princ.i.p.ally confined to the person who uses it.
--_Pascal._
952
What am I?
Naught! But the effluence of Thy light divine Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom too.
Yes, in my spirit doth Thy spirit s.h.i.+ne, As s.h.i.+nes the sunbeam in a drop of dew.
Naught! But I live, and on Hope's pinions fly Eager toward Thy presence; for in Thee, I live, and breathe, and dwell, aspiring high, Even to the throne of Thy divinity.
I am, O G.o.d, and surely Thou must be!
--_Sir John Bowring's translation of Derzhavin's "Ode to G.o.d."_
953
Ideas are like beards; men do not have them until they grow up.
954
A young man idle, an old man needy.
955
Labor is the divine law of our existence; repose is desertion and suicide.
956
If you want anything done, go to a busy man; Man of leisure never has time to do anything.
957
Lose this day loitering--'twill be the same story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory.
--_Goethe._
958
If any man wish to escape idleness let him fall in love.
959
Better lose your labor than your time in idleness.
--_Dutch._
960
Idleness must thank itself if it go barefoot.
--_From the German._
961
I would not waste my spring of youth In idle dalliance; I would plant rich seeds, To blossom in my manhood and bear fruit When I am old.
--_Hillhouse._
962
Never remain ignorant for the want of asking questions.
963
Ignorance is often a voluntary misfortune.
--_From the French._
964
Rather bear the ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of.
--_Shakespeare._