Thoughts on Life/Kindness
KINDNESS.
KINDNESS.
1. Have it not upon thy conscience that thou hast been unkind to any living soul.
2. In a nature where kindness hath a sure foot-hold we are apt to find many other lofty attributes; for kindness enricheth the soil of the heart for the growth of other virtues.
3. Be kind. It will increase thy credit with men and angels.
4. Do an act of kindness to some one every day of thy life; if possible, more than one, and to many. Be ambitious of numbers in this respect.
5. Let no harsh words fall from thy lips to add to the burden of the world's sorrow; but rather let kind words add to its joy.
6. Be tender and considerate for old age, as thou thinkest to attain to it one day thyself.
7. A day spent in caring for the comfort of others has been well spent, even though thine own affairs may have suffered in consequence.
8. Kindness proveth ever a better whip than harshness.
9. If thou be diligently occupied in seeking for virtues in others, thou wilt find the time shortened for discovering their failings.
10. Let not thine interest settle in self. Interest thyself in others, as much as possible in all humanity; and if thou canst find but little to attract thee in thy daily intercourse with men, let love supply the deficiency: and almost every man needeth thy love, having a sorrow of which thou knowest not.
11. Neglect no opportunity of doing good. The joy of helping others is infinite, and no man can deprive thee of it.
12. There is much nobility existing in natures where we little thought to find it, as the occasion often proves. In view of this fact, let us make it a rule to think the best of others until we know the worst.
13. A smile hath often dispelled a cloud which threatened an approaching storm.
14. Withhold not a word of cheer from thy toil-worn brother. It may be much to him.
15. None is so poor that he hath nothing to give.
16. Fellow-travellers through a vale of tears, let us comfort each other by the way.
17. Art thou extending the strong right hand of Christian fellowship to thy weaker brother whose feet are trembling upon the brink from which, it may be, thou hast only just been snatched thyself?
18. Think thou each morning: Whom can I befriend this day? Whose burden can I carry for a little space?
19. Assuredly is sympathy a divine gift: a word, a smile, a tear,—what power, what encouragement, what solace in these.
20. When thou art sadly interrupted in the midst of thine affairs seek to make such trial of thy patience yield some blessed fruit, that thy loss may be his gain who hath interrupted thee, and unto whom thou mayest, perhaps, be able to show some kindness, or to speak some word of cheer.
21. The needed wine of encouragement will often cause the drooping soul to revive.
22. The days are fleeting. Soon there will be no time left for tenderness and love and trust, and all the fair jewels with which we might have crowned our dear ones in life. Ah, what bitter tears we will shed at last, in realizing that such blessed possibilities exist for us no longer!
23. There is a giving that impoverisheth not, but rather enricheth the giver.
24. In solacing another's woes thou wilt often heal thine own as well.
25. Thou mayest never meet this soul again in thy walk through the world. Grant it a smile!
26. Be kind to dumb animals, who, incapable to care for and consider themselves, have been, by Providence, specially committed to man's care and consideration.
27. The time has not been lost which thou hast spent in doing good.
28. Oh, blessed mission to be kind!