Book of Wise Sayings | Page 2

by extracts from Arabic and Persian writers (among the great poets of Persia are, Firdausí, Sa'dí, Háfiz, Nizámí, Omar Khayyám, Jámí); while the proverbial wisdom of the Chinese and the didactic writings of the sages of Burmah are also occasionally cited.
The ordinary reader will probably be somewhat surprised to discover in the aphorisms of the ancient Greeks and Hindus several close parallels to the doctrines of the Old and New Testaments, and he will have reasoned justly if he conclude that the so-called "heathens" could have derived their spiritual light only from the same Source as that which inspired the Hebrew prophets and the Christian apostles.
Among English writers of aphorisms Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, is pre-eminent, but none of his pithy sentences find place here, because they are procurable in many inexpensive forms, (e.g., Counsels from my Lord Bacon, 1892), and must be familiar to what is termed "the average general reader." The Enchiridion of Frances Quarles and the Resolves of Owen Feltham are, however, laid under contribution, as also Robert Chamberlain, an author who is probably unknown to many pluming themselves on their thorough acquaintance with English literature, some of whose aphorisms (published in 1638, under the title of Nocturnal Lucubrations) I have deemed worthy of reproduction.
In more modern times, with the sole exception of William Hazlitt, our country has produced no very successful writer of aphorisms. Colton's Lacon; or, Many Things in Few Words, Addressed to Those who Think, went through several editions soon after its first publication in 1820; it is described by Mr. John Morley--and not unfairly--as being "so vapid, so wordy, so futile as to have a place among those books which dispense with parody"; it is "an awful example to anyone who is tempted to try his hand at an aphorism." Mr. Morley is hardly less severe in speaking of the "Thoughts" in Theophrastus Such: "the most insufferable of all deadly-lively prosing in our sublunary world." However this may be, assuredly other works of the author of Adam Bede will be found to furnish many examples of admirable apothegms.
It only remains to add that, bearing in mind that a great collection of gravities commonly proves quite as wearisome reading as a large compilation of gaieties, or faceti?, I have confined my selection of "sayings of the wise" within the limits of a pocket-volume.
W. A. C.

BOOK OF WISE SAYINGS.
1.
The enemies which rise within the body, hard to be overcome--thy evil passions--should manfully be fought: he who conquers these is equal to the conquerors of worlds.
Bháravi.
2.
If passion gaineth the mastery over reason, the wise will not count thee amongst men.
Firdausí.
3.
Knowledge is destroyed by associating with the base; with equals equality is gained, and with the distinguished, distinction.
Hitopadesa.
4.
Dost thou desire that thine own heart should not suffer, redeem thou the sufferer from the bonds of misery.
Sa'dí.
5.
To friends and eke to foes true kindness show; No kindly heart unkindly deeds will do; Harshness will alienate a bosom friend. And kindness reconcile a deadly foe.
Omar Khayyám.
6.
There is no greater grief in misery than to turn our thoughts back to happier times.[1]
Dante.
[1] Cf. Goldsmith:
O Memory! thou fond deceiver, Still importunate and vain; To former joys recurring ever, And turning all the past to pain.
7.
We in reality only know when we doubt a little. With knowledge comes doubt.
Goethe.
8.
In the hour of adversity be not without hope, for crystal rain falls from black clouds.
Nizámí.
9.
One common origin unites us all, but every sort of wood does not give the perfume of the lignum aloes.
Arabic.
10.
I asked an experienced elder who had profited by his knowledge of the world, "What course should I pursue to obtain prosperity?" He replied, "Contentment--if you are able, practise contentment."
Selman.
11.
Every moment that a man may be in want of employment, than such I hold him to be far better who is forced to labour for nothing.
Afghan.
12.
The foolish undertake a trifling act, and soon desist, discouraged; wise men engage in mighty works, and persevere.
Mágha.
13.
Those who wish well towards their friends disdain to please them with words which are not true.
Bháravi.
14.
Reason is captive in the hands of the passions, as a weak man in the hands of an artful woman.
Sa'dí.
15.
Like an earthen pot, a bad man is easily broken, and cannot readily be restored to his former situation; but a virtuous man, like a vase of gold, is broken with difficulty, and easily repaired.
Hitopadesa.
16.
The son who delights his father by his good actions; the wife who seeks only her husband's good; the friend who is the same in prosperity and adversity--these three things are the reward of virtue.
Bhartrihari.
17.
Let us not overstrain our abilities, or we shall do nothing with grace. A clown, whatever he may do, will never pass for a gentleman.
La Fontaine.
18.
To abstain from speaking is regarded as very difficult. It is not possible to say much that is valuable and