CONTENTMENT.
Contentment is natural wealth; luxury, artificial poverty.
True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.
There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other, a vice.
We cannot be young twice; we cannot turn upon our steps, and go back to gather the garlands we gathered ten years ago. And, therefore, with a gaze over on the cross upon the distant hills, and a remembrance always of the shadow land that lies beyond, let us endeavor to be contented with small things, and to make ourselves happy in the pleasantness of simple pleasures.
My God, give me neither poverty nor riches; but whatsoever it may be Thy will to give, give me with it a heart which knows humbly to acquiesce in what is Thy will.
Come calm content serene and sweet,
O gently guide my pilgrim feet
To find thy hermit cell.
I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.
