If the young man forgets his God, the old one will seldom find him in old age; if in the pride and flush of health, we omit to call on the name of him from whom we possess the vigour of life, in the hour of sickness what comfort can we have in approaching his divine majesty ? And if in the full enjoyment of every species of worldly prosperity, we neglect to pause in the midst of our enjoyment to acknowledge the giver of all good gifts, with what heart can we in the hour of adversity fly for protection to divine goodness ?
Look not thou on beauty's charming, Sit thou still when kings' are arming, Taste not when the wine-cup glistens, Speak not when the people listens, Stop thine ear against the singer, From the red gold keep thy finger, Vacant heart, and hand, and eye, Easy live, and quiet die.
Walter Scott.
The loquacious exultation of anticipated success is often a powerful obstacle to its attainment.
Bissett.
Lighter than air, Hope's summer visions fly,
If but a fleeting doud obscure the sky,
If but a beam of sober reason play,
Lo ! fancy's fairy frostwork me
