* * * * *
"He who does not provide for his own house," St. Paul says, "is worse
than an infidel." And I think, he who provides only for his own house is
just equal with an infidel.
* * * * *
An idle reason lessens the value of the good ones you gave before.
* * * * *
When I am reading a book, whether wise or silly, it seems to me to be
alive and talking to me.
* * * * *
Very few men, properly speaking, _live_ at present, but are providing to
live another time.
* * * * *
If the men of wit and genius would resolve never to complain in their
works of critics and detractors, the next age would not know that they
ever had any.
* * * * *
As universal a practice as lying is, and as easy a one as it seems, I do
not remember to have heard three good lies in all my conversation, even
from those who were most celebrated in that faculty.
GOETHE IN HIS OLD AGE
[Sidenote: _W.M. Thackeray_]
In 1831, though he had retired from the world, Goethe would nevertheless
very kindly receive strangers. His daughter-in-law's tea-table was
always spread for us. We passed hour after hour there, and night after
night, with the pleasantest talk and music.
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