One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no efficacy.
Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.
A dwarf is small even if he stands on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even if he stands in a well.
Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.
The wicked are always surprised to find ability in the good.
They are able because they think they are able.
ABSENCE
(See also Memory)
Wives in their husbands’ absences grow subtler,
And daughters sometimes run off with the butler.
Where’er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee;
Still to my brother turns, with ceaseless pain,
And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.
In the hope to meet
Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.
Ever absent, ever near;
Still I see thee, still I hear;
Yet I cannot reach thee, dear!
What shall I do with all the days and hours
That must be counted ere I see thy face?
How shall I charm the interval that lowers
Between this time and that sweet time of grace?
cito transit a mente.
But when he (man) shall have been taken from sight, he quickly goes also out of mind.
sometimes (not to speak it profanely) to be present with the Lord.
Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
Oft in the tranquil hour of night,
When stars illume the sky,
I gaze upon each orb of light,
And wish that thou wert by.
Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream,
And I seek thee in vain by the meadow and stream.
For there’s nae luck about the house;
There’s nae luck at aw;
There’s little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa.
