Caution just means rational fear, and had some of the vaunted sons of valour exercised a little more prudence at the commencement of their speculations or enterprises, they would have had less cause for apprehension at the close. Solomon has said, “Blessed is the man that feareth always.” Strange as it may seem, this blessedness is in a remarkable degree the possession of woman, and hence her timidity produces fortitude. It is told of Coleridge, that he was accustomed on important emergencies, to consult a female friend, placing implicit confidence in her first instinctive suggestions. The most eminent men have found it great advantage to have advice from this quarter. How many a husband would have been saved from commercial ruin, if he had only sought or attended to the prudent advice of his wife. How many a son would have been saved from an early grave if he had listened to the warning of his mother. We shall furnish one example out of a million that might be given. “Mother,” said a young farmer who was a free liver, “I am going to be inoculated.” “Dick,” exclaimed his mother, emphatically, “if thou dost, thou wilt die.” Cautious ever are a mother’s counsels, but he disregarded them, and in a few days was in his grave.
SYMPATHY.
The term sympathy is one of very wide application. It comprehends the whole of the kindly relational feelings, and invests even inanimate nature with the attributes of life. Dr. Lieber, in his “Political Ethics,” defines it to be “a feeling for the pains and feelings of others, though unconnected with any interest of our own, and standing in no direct connection with us, even in the way of fear for our own future protection.” Sympathy is peculiarly expansive. It fixes upon the essentials of humanity, and disregards the accidents. Tenderness of affection is indeed a noble quality. There is much sound philosophy in the following lines:—
“How oft the sterner virtues show
Determined justice, truth severe,
Firmness and strength to strike the blow,
Courage to face the peril near,—
Yet wanting hearts that feel the glow
Of love, or for the rising tear
Responsive sympathy ere know,