12. Family Intercourse.
Family intimacy should never make brothers and sisters forget to be polite and sympathizing to each other. Those who contract thoughtless and rude habits towards members of their own families will be rude and thoughtless towards all the world. But let the family intercourse be true, tender, and affectionate, and the manners of all uniformly gentle and considerate, and the members of a family thus trained will carry into the world and society the habits of their childhood. They will require in their associates similar habits.—Silvio Pellico.
13. The Drum and the Vase of Sweet Herbs.
A drum was once boasting to a vase of sweet herbs in this way: “Listen to me! My voice is loud and can be heard far off. I stir the hearts of men so that when they hear my bold rearing they march out bravely to battle.”
The vase spoke no words, but gave out a fine, sweet perfume that filled the air, and seemed to say: I cannot speak, and it is not well to be proud, but I am full of good things that are hidden within me, and that gladly come forth to give cheer and comfort. But you, you have nothing in you but noise, and you must be struck to make you give that out. I would not boast if I were you.—Æsop.
14. Love.
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies