Proverbial Philosophy / The First and Second Series

by Unknown

And that warm sun will thaw the heart case-hardened by long frost.

Treat men gently, trust them strongly, if thou wish their weal;

Or cautious doubt and bitter thoughts will tempt the best to foil thee.

Believe the well in sanguine hope, and thou shall reap the better;

But if thou deal with men so ill, thy dealings make them worse;

Despair not of some gleams of good still lingering in the darkest,

And among veterans in crime, plead thou as with their children:

So, astonied at humanities, the bad heart long estranged,

Shall even weep to feel himself so little worth thy love;

In wholesome sorrow will he bless thee; yea, and in that spirit may repent;