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receiver cannot destroy the self…approbation which recompenses the
giver； and we may scatter the seeds of courtesy and kindliness
around us at so little expense。 Some of them will inevitably fall
on good ground； and grow up into benevolence in the minds of
others； and all of them will bear fruit of happiness in the bosom
whence they spring。 Once blest are all the virtues always； twice
blest sometimes。〃 （4）
The poet Rogers used to tell a story of a little girl； a great
favourite with every one who knew her。 Some one said to her； 〃Why
does everybody love you so much？〃 She answered； 〃I think it is
because I love everybody so much。〃 This little story is capable
of a very wide application； for our happiness as human beings；
generally speaking； will be found to be very much in proportion to
the number of things we love； and the number of things that love
us。 And the greatest worldly success； however honestly achieved；
will contribute comparatively little to happiness； unless it be
accompanied by a lively benevolence towards every human being。
Kindness is indeed a great power in the world。 Leigh Hunt has
truly said that 〃Power itself hath not one half the might of
gentleness。〃 Men are always best governed through their
affections。 There is a French proverb which says that； 〃LES
HOMMES SE PRENNENT PAR LA DOUCEUR；〃 and a coarser English one； to
the effect that 〃More wasps are caught by honey than by vinegar。〃
〃Every act of kindness；〃 says Bentham； 〃is in fact an exercise of
power； and a stock of friendship laid up； and why should not power
exercise itself in the production of pleasure as of pain？〃
Kindness does not consist in gifts； but in gentleness and
generosity of spirit。 Men may give their money which comes from
the purse； and withhold their kindness which comes from the heart。
The kindness that displays itself in giving money； does not amount
to much； and often does quite as much harm as good； but the
kindness of true sympathy； of thoughtful help； is never without
beneficent results。
The good temper that displays itself in kindness must not be
confounded with softness or silliness。 In its best form； it is
not a merely passive but an active condition of being。 It is not
by any means indifferent； but largely sympathetic。 It does not
characterise the lowest and most gelatinous forms of human life；
but those that are the most highly organized。 True kindness
cherishes and actively promotes all reasonable instrumentalities
for doing practical good in its own time； and； looking into
futurity； sees the same spirit working on for the eventual
elevation and happiness of the race。
It is the kindly…dispositioned men who are the active men of the
world； while the selfish and the sceptical； who have no love but
for themselves； are its idlers。 Buffon used to say； that he would
give nothing for a young man who did not begin life with an
enthusiasm of some sort。 It showed that at least he had faith in
something good； lofty； and generous； even if unattainable。
Egotism； scepticism； and selfishness are always miserable
companions in life； and they are especially unnatural in youth。
The egotist is next…door to a fanatic。 Constantly occupied with
self； he has no thought to spare for others。 He refers to himself
in all things； thinks of himself； and studies himself； until his
own little self becomes his own little god。
Worst of all are the grumblers and growlers at fortunewho find
that 〃whatever is is wrong；〃 and will do nothing to set matters
rightwho declare all to be barren 〃from Dan even to Beersheba。〃
These grumblers are invariably found the least efficient helpers
in the school of life。 As the worst workmen are usually the
readiest to 〃strike；〃 so the least industrious members of society
are the readiest to complain。 The worst wheel of all is the
one that creaks。
There is such a thing as the cherishing of discontent until the
feeling becomes morbid。 The jaundiced see everything about them
yellow。 The ill…conditioned think all things awry； and the whole
world out…of…joint。 All is vanity and vexation of spirit。 The
little girl in PUNCH； who found her doll stuffed with bran； and
forthwith declared everything to be hollow and wanted to 〃go into
a nunnery；〃 had her counterpart in real life。 Many full…grown
people are quite as morbidly unreasonable。 There are those who
may be said to 〃enjoy bad health；〃 they regard it as a sort of
property。 They can speak of 〃MY headache〃〃MY backache；〃 and so
forth； until in course of time it becomes their most cherished
possession。 But perhaps it is the source to them of much coveted
sympathy； without which they might find themselves of
comparatively little importance in the world。
We have to be on our guard against small troubles； which； by
encouraging； we are apt to magnify into great ones。 Indeed； the
chief source of worry in the world is not real but imaginary evil
small vexations and trivial afflictions。 In the presence of a
great sorrow； all petty troubles disappear； but we are too ready
to take some cherished misery to our bosom； and to pet it there。
Very often it is the child of our fancy； and； forgetful of the
many means of happiness which lie within our reach； we indulge
this spoilt child of ours until it masters us。 We shut the door
against cheerfulness； and surround ourselves with gloom。 The
habit gives a colouring to our life。 We grow querulous； moody；
and unsympathetic。 Our conversation becomes full of regrets。 We
are harsh in our judgment of others。 We are unsociable； and think
everybody else is so。 We make our breast a storehouse of pain；
which we inflict upon ourselves as well as upon others。
This disposition is encouraged by selfishness： indeed； it is for
the most part selfishness unmingled； without any admixture of
sympathy or consideration for the feelings of those about us。 It
is simply wilfulness in the wrong direction。 It is wilful；
because it might be avoided。 Let the necessitarians argue as they
may； freedom of will and action is the possession of every man and
woman。 It is sometimes our glory； and very often it is our shame：
all depends upon the manner in which it is used。 We can choose to
look at the bright side of things； or at the dark。 We can follow
good and eschew evil thoughts。 We can be wrongheaded and
wronghearted； or the reverse； as we ourselves determine。 The
world will be to each one of us very much what we make it。
The cheerful are its real possessors； for the world belongs
to those who enjoy it。
It must； however； be admitted that there are cases beyond the
reach of the moralist。 Once； when a miserable…looking dyspeptic
called upon a leading physician and laid his case before him；
〃Oh！〃 said the doctor； 〃you only want a good hearty laugh：
go and see Grimaldi。〃 〃Alas！〃 said the miserable patient；
〃I am Grimaldi！〃 So； when Smollett； oppressed by disease；
travelled