"The youth," says Mr. Disraeli, "who does not look up will look
down; and the spirit that does not soar is destined perhaps to
grovel." George Herbert wisely writes,
"Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high,
So shall thou humble and magnanimous be.
Sink not in spirit; who aimeth at the sky
Shoots higher much than he that means a tree."
He who has a high standard of living and thinking will certainly do
better than he who has none at all. "Pluck at a gown of gold,"
says the Scotch proverb, "and you may get a sleeve o't." Whoever
tries for the highest results cannot fail to reach a point far in
advance of that from which he started; and though the end attained
may fall short of that proposed, still, the very effort to rise, of
itself cannot fail to prove permanently beneficial.
There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article
is difficult to be mistaken. Some, knowing its money value, would
assume its disguise for the purpose of imposing upon the unwary.
Colonel Charteris said to a man distinguished for his honesty, "I
would give a thousand pounds for your good name." "Why?" "Because
I could make ten thousand by it," was the knave's reply.
Integrity in word and deed is the backbone of character; and loyal
adherence to veracity its most prominent characteristic.
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