12. Worthy of Cultivation.—While, therefore, grace of manner, politeness of behavior, elegance of demeanor, and all the arts that contribute to make life pleasant and beautiful, are worthy of cultivation, it must not be at the expense of the more solid and enduring qualities of honesty, sincerity, and truthfulness. The fountain of beauty must be in the heart more than in the eye, and if it does not tend to produce beautiful life and noble practice, it will prove of comparatively little avail. Politeness of manner is not worth much, unless it is accompanied by polite actions.
Influence of Good Character.
"Unless above himself he can
Erect himself, how poor a thing is man!
—DANIEL.
"Character is moral order seen through the medium of an individual nature—Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong." —EMERSON.
The purest treasure mortal times afford,