The Economy of Human Life Author:Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield, John Hill, Robert Dodsley Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: by; If thou bearest slight provocations with patience, it shall be imputed unlp thee for wisdom ; and if thou wipest them from thy -remembrance, thy heart sha... more »ll feel rest, and thy mind shall not reproach thee. Seest thou not that the angry man los- eth his understanding? Whilst thou art et in thy senses, let the wrath of another e a lesson to thyself. Do nothing in a passion. Why wilt thou put to sea in the violence of a storm ? If it be difficult to rule thine anger, it is wise to prevent it ; avoid therefore all occasions of falling into wrath, or guard thyself against them whenever they occur. A fool is provoked with insolent speeches, but a wise man laugheth them to scorn. Harbour not revenge in thy breast; it will torment thy heart, and discolour its best inclinations. Be always more ready to forgive than to return an injury : He that watches for an opportunity of revenge, lieth in wait against himself, and draweth down mischief on his own head. A mild answer to an angry man, like water cast upon the fire, abateth his heat, and from an enemy he shall become thy friend. Consider how few things are worthy of anger, and thou wilt wonder that any but fools should be wrath. In folly or weakness it always beginneth ; but remember, and be well assured, it sel- -dom concludeth without repentance. " On the heels of folly treadeth shame ; at the back of anger standeth remorse. CHAP. IV. PITY. 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. The butcher relenteth not at ...« less