Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/60



here is  a  word  which  can  not  be  said  too  often  to every  Christian  whom  God  has  destined  to  live, converse, and  labor  in  the  society  of  his  fellow-creatures: Be indulgent. Yes, be  indulgent;  it  is  necessary  for others, and  it  is  necessary  for  your  own  sake. Forget the little  troubles  that  others  may  cause  you;  keep  up no  resentment  for  the  inconsiderate  or  unfavorable words that  may  have  been  said  about  you;  excuse  the mistakes and  awkward  blunders  of  which  you  are  the victim; always  make  out  good  intentions  for  those  who have done  you  any  wrong  by  imprudent  acts  or  speeches; in a  word,  smile  at  everything,  show  a  pleasant  face  on all  occasions,  maintain  an  inexhaustible  fund  of  goodness, patience,  and  gentleness. Thus you  will  be  at peace  with  all  your  brethren;  your  love  for  them  will suffer no  alteration,  and  their  love  for  you  will  increase day by  day. But above  all,  you  will  practise  in  an excellent  manner  Christian  charity,  which  is  impossible without this  toleration  and  indulgence  at  every  instant.

— Russell,  The  Art  of  Being  Happy.

et us  take  heed  of  the  habits,  tastes,  and  even  the little hobbies  of  those  around  us,  in  order  not  to cross  them  in  anything,  especially  our  superiors  and our kinsfolk. There are  a  thousand  minute  details  of manner  and  conduct,  insignificant  in  themselves  no doubt,  but  to  which  some,  especially  old  people  and nervous people,  attach  so  much  importance  that  a slight  negligence  with  regard  to  one  of  these  little  points puts them  in  bad  humor  for  a  whole  day. There is