Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

9 As blossoms and flowers are strewed upon the earth by the hand of spring, as the kindness of summer produceth in perfection the bounties of harvest; so the smiles of pity shed blessings on the children of misfortune. He who pitieth another, recommendeth himself; but he who is without compassion, deserveth it not.

10 The butcher relenteth not at the bleating of the lamb; neither is the heart of the cruel moved with distress. But the tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew-drops, falling from roses on the bosom of the earth. Shut not thine ears, therefore, against the cries of the neither harden thy heart against the calamities of the innocent.

poor;

11 When the fatherless call upon thee, when the widow's heart is sunk, and she imploreth thy assistance with tears of sorrow; O pity her affliction, and extend thy hand to those who have none to help them. When thou seest the naked wanderer of the street shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation, let bounty open thy heart; let the wings of charity shelter him from death, that thine own soul may live.

12 Whilst the poor man groaneth on the bed of sickness, whilst the unfortunate languish in the horrors of a dungeon, or the hoary head of age lifts up a feeble eye to thee for pity; O how canst thou riot in superfluous enjoyments, regardless of their wants, unfeeling of their woes!

SECTION III.
Woman.

1 Give ear, fair daughter of love, to the instructions of Prudence, and let the precept of truth sink deep in thy heart; so shall the charms of thy mind add lustre to the elegance of thy form: and thy beauty, like the rose it resembleth, shall retain its sweetness when its bloom is withered.

2 Who is she that winneth the heart of man, that subdueth him to love, and reigneth in his breast? Lo! yonder she walketh in maiden sweetness, with innocence in her mind, and modesty on her cheek. Her hand seeketh employment; her foot delighteth not in gadding abroad. She is clothed with neatness; she is fed with temperance; humility and meekness are as a crown of glory encircling her head. Decency is in all her words; in her answers are mildness and truth.

3 Before her steps walketh prudence, and virtue attendeth at her right hand. Her eye speaketh softness and love; but discretion with a sceptre sitteth on her brow. The tongue

of the licentious is dumb in her presence; the awe of her virtue keepeth him silent. When scandal is busy, and the fame of her neighbor is tossed from tongue to tongue; if charity and good nature open not her mouth, the finger of silence resteth on her lip.

4 Her breast is the mansion of goodness; and therefore, she suspecteth no evil in others. Happy were the man that should make her his wife; happy the child that shall call her mother. She presideth in the house, and there is peace; she commandeth with judgment, and is obeyed. She ariseth in the morning; she considers her affairs; and appointeth to every one their proper business.

5 The care of her family is her whole delight; to that alone she applieth her study: and elegance with frugality is seen in her mansions. The prudence of her management is an honor to her husband, and he heareth her praise with a secret delight. She informeth the minds of her children with wisdom; she fashioneth their manners from the example of her own goodness.

6 The word of her mouth is the law of their youth: the motion of her eye commandeth her obedience. She speaketh, and her servants fly; she pointeth, and the thing is done: for the law of love is in their hearts; and her kindness addeth wings to their feet.

7 In prosperity she is not puffed up; in adversity she healeth the wounds of fortune with patience. The troubles of her husband are alleviated by her counsels, and sweetened by her endearment: he putteth his heart in her bosom, and receiveth comfort.

SECTION IV.

Duties of children to parents, and of brothers to one

another.

1 From the creatures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to the desert my son; observe the young stork of the wilderness; let him speak to thy heart; he beareth on his wings his aged sire; he lodgeth him in safety, and supplieth him with food.

2 The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices, by the western gales. Be grateful then to thy father, for he gave thee life; and to thy mother, for she sustained thee.

3 Hear the words of his mouth, for they are spoken for

thy good: give ear to his admonition, for it proceedeth from love. He hath watched for thy welfare; he hath toiled for thy ease; do honor therefore to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with irreverence.

4 Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth, and indulge the infirmities of thy aged parents; assist and support them in the decline of life. So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace; and thine own children in reverence of thy example, shall repay thy piety with filial love.

5 Ye are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother hath given you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers; that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father's house.

6 And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger before thine own blood. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him: If thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all, in your love to each other.

SECTION V.

Wise and ignorant; rich and poor; masters and servants.

1 The gifts of the understanding are the treasures of God; and he appointeth to every one his portion, in what measure seemeth good unto himself. Hath he endowed thee with wisdom? hath he enlightened thy mind with the knowledge of truth? communicate it to the ignorant, for their instruction.

2 But the wise man cultivates his mind with knowledge; the improvement of arts is his delight; and their utility to the public crowneth him with honor. Nevertheless, the attainment of virtue he accounteth as the highest learning; and the science of happiness is the study of his life.

3 The man to whom God hath given riches, and blessed with a mind to employ them aright, is peculiarly favored and highly distinguished. He looketh on his wealth with pleasure; because it affordeth him the means to do good. He protecteth the poor that are injured; he suffereth not the mighty to oppress the weak.

4 He seeketh out objects of compassion; he inquireth into their wants; he relieveth them with judgment, and without ostentation. He assisteth and rewardeth merit; he encoura geth ingenuity, and liberally promoteth every useful design.

He carrieth on great works; his country is enriched, and the laborer is employed; he formeth new schemes, and the arts receive improvement.

5 He considereth the superfluities of his table as belonging to the poor of his neighborhood, and he defraudeth them not. The benevolence of his mind is not checked by his fortune; he rejoiceth therefore in riches, and his joy is blameless.

6 But wo unto him that heapeth up wealth in abundance, and rejoiceth alone in the possession thereof. That grindeth the face of the poor, and considereth not the sweat of their brows. He thriveth on oppression without feeling; the ruin of his brother disturbeth him not. The tears of the orphan he drinketh as milk; the cries of the widow are music to his ear. 7 His heart is hardened with the love of wealth; no grief nor distress can make impression upon it. But the curse of iniquity pursueth him; he liveth in continual fear; the anxiety of his mind, and the rapacious desires of his own soul, take vengeance upon him, for the calamities he hath brought upon others.

8 0, what are the miseries of poverty in comparison with the gnawings of this man's heart! Let the poor man comfort himself, yea, rejoice, for he hath many reasons. He sitteth down to his morsel in peace; his table is not crowded with flatterers and devourers. He is not embarrassed with a train of dependents, nor teased with the clamors of solicitation.

9 Debarred from the dainties of the rich, he escapeth also their diseases. The bread that he eateth, is it not sweet to his taste? the water he drinketh, is it not pleasant to his thirst? yea, far more delicious than the richest draughts of the luxurious. His labor preserveth his health, and procureth him a repose, to which the downy bed of sloth is a stranger.

10 He limiteth his desires with humility; and the calm of contentment is sweeter to his soul than all the acquirements of wealth and grandeur. Let not the rich, therefore, presume on his riches; nor the poor in his poverty yield to despondence; for the providence of God dispenseth happiness to them both.

11 The honor of a servant is his fidelity; his highest virtues are submission and obedience. Be patient, therefore, under the reproofs of thy master; and when he rebuketh thee answer not again. The silence of thy resignation shall not be forgotten. Be studious of his interests; be diligent in his affairs; and faithful to the trust which he reposeth in thee. 12 Thy time and thy labor belong unto him. Defraud him

not therefore, for he payeth thee for them. And thou who art a master, be kind to thy servant, if thou expectest from him fidelity; and reasonable in thy commands, if thou expectest a ready obedience. The spirit of a man is in him; severity and rigor may create fear, but can never command his love. 13 Mix kindness with reproof, and reason with authority; so shall thy admonitions take place in his heart, and his duty shall become his pleasure. He shall serve thee faithfully from the motive of gratitude; he shall obey thee cheerfully from the principle of love; and fail not thou, in return, to give his diligence and fidelity their proper reward.

SECTION VI.

The social duties: benevolence, justice, charity, religion. 1 When thou considerest thy wants, when thou beholdest thy imperfections, acknowledge his goodness, O son of humanity! who honored thee with reason, endowed thee with speech, and placed thee in society to receive and confer reciprocal helps and mutual obligations.

2 Thy food, thy clothing, thy convenience of habitation, thy protection from the injuries, the enjoyment of the comforts and the pleasures of life, all these thou owest to the assistance of others; and couldst not enjoy but in the bands of society. It is thy duty therefore to be a friend to mankind, as it is thy interest that man should be friendly to thee.

3 As the rose breatheth'sweetness from its own nature, so the heart of a benevolent man produceth good works. He enjoyeth the ease and tranquillity of his own breast, and rejoiceth in the happiness and prosperity of his neighbor. He openeth not his ear unto slander; the faults and the failings of men give a pain to his heart.

4 His desire is to do good, and he searcheth out the occasion thereof; in removing the oppression of another, he relieveth himself. From the largeness of his mind he comprehendeth in his wishes the happiness of all men; and from the generosity of his heart, he endeavoreth to promote it.

5 The peace of society dependeth on justice; the happiness of individuals, on the safe enjoyment of all their possessions. Keep the desires of thy heart, therefore, within the bounds of moderation; let the hand of justice lead them aright. Cast not an evil eye on the goods of thy neighbor; let whatever is his property be sacred from thy touch.

6 In thy dealings with men be impartial and just; and do unto them as thou wouldst they should do unto thee.

« ZurückWeiter »