Let meekness ever o'er thy speech preside;
Be always found at Truth's unyielding side.
Let shameful acts far from thy thoughts be driv'n,
And due respect to thine own person giv'n;
With others ne'er indulge the foul desire,
But, let thy soul to purest thoughts aspire.
[1]In word, in act, be justice in thy view;
Nor ever thou a thoughtless course pursue:
And this good truth bear always in thy mind,
That once to die is destined for mankind.
[2]And while wealth fails one lasting joy to give,
[3]The gifts of Virtue shall forever live.
Of all the woes, which Fate for man designs,
Whate'er the part which heaven to thee assigns
With patience bear; nor rail at heaven's decrees;—
The good man's portion is but small of these.
And yet 'tis meet to stem fate's onward flow,
- ↑ The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. Ecclesiasticus, 34 ch., 22 ver.
- ↑ See note C, page 173.
- ↑ A good man is better than great riches; and good favour is above silver and gold. Prov., 22 ch., 1 ver. And,—"Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness. Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee." Ecclesiasticus, 5 ch., 1 and 12 ver. And, again,—Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge but justice shall deliver from death. Prov., 11 ch., 4 ver.
