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 often he  sins,  the  less  able  he  becomes  to  withstand temptation. At last  he  is  ruined,  both  for  time  and for eternity.

Q. Which are  the  chief  sources  of sin?

''A. The  chief  sources  of  sin  are  seven: Pride, Covetousness,  Lust,  Anger, Gluttony,  Envy,  and  Sloth;  and they  are  commonly  called  capital  sins. ''

Since work  is  no  disgrace,  no  one  ought  to  be treated  with  contempt  because  he  either  does,  or formerly  did,  earn  his  bread  with  the  labor  of  his hands. One of  the  kings  of  Sweden  invited  a leading member  of  the  House  of  Commons  to  dinner,  in the  hope  of  thereby  gaining  his  vote  on  behalf  of  a project  (the  extension  of  a fortress)  that  he  had formed. Now this  man  had  formerly  been  engaged in the  shoemaking  trade,  and  when  he  took  his  seat at the  royal  table,  he  found  himself  next  to  a count, who prided  himself  on  his  rank. Presently the count, addressing  his  neighbor,  said:  “Is  it  true, sir, that  you  once  were  a shoemaker?”  “Yes,  it  is quite  true,”  was  the  reply; “ but  you,  count,  never were one? ” “ What do  you  mean  by  asking  me such  a question? ” said the  count,  flushing  with anger. The deputy,  who  was  quick  at  repartee, rejoined: “ I meant this: if  you  had  ever  been  a shoemaker,  you  would  certainly  have  remained  one to the  end  of  your  days.”  The  count  bit  his  lips.