Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/81

 gion there  is  no  one  thing  which  enters  more deeply into  the  warp  and  woof  of  our  character than  the  books  we  read. One of  the greatest blessings  that  can  come  to  any  life is the  love  of  books. The practice  of  keeping, especially before  the  young  growing  mind, beautiful and  uplifting  images  and  bright, cheerful, healthy  thoughts  from  books,  is  of inestimable  value. Next to  the  actual  society of a  noble,  high-minded  author  is  the  benefit to be  gained  by  reading  his  books. The mind is brought  into  harmony  with  the  hopes,  the aspirations, the  ideals  of  the  writer,  so  that  it is  impossible  afterward  to  be  satisfied  with low or  ignoble  things. The horizon  of  the reader broadens,  his  point  of  view  changes, his ideals  are  higher  and  nobler,  his  outlook on life  is  more  elevated.

"The importance  of  having  great  models, high  ideals,  held  constantly  before  the  mind when  it  is  in  a  plastic  condition  can  not  be  overestimated. The  books  we  read  in  youth make  or  mar  our  lives.  Many  a  man  has attributed  his  first  start  and  all  his  after  success in  life  to  the  books  read  in  his  youth. They  opened  up  to  him  his  possibilities,  indicated his  taste,  and  helped  him  to  find  his place  in  life.

Seekest thou  for  bliss? Lo! here it  is  — In quiet  nook, With well-loved  book.