of
everything; so as not merely to enjoy what we read, but to be
improved by it. And we shall do that, by reading the histories of
good and great men, which will, in our minds, produce an emulation
and eagerness, which may stir us up to imitation. We may be pleased
with the work of a man's hands, and yet set little store by the
workman. Perfumes and fine colours we may like well enough: but
that will not make us wish to be perfumers, or painters: but
goodness, which is the work, not of a man's hands, but of his soul,
makes us not only admire what is done, but long to do the like. And
therefore,' he says, he thought it good to write the lives 'of
famous and good men, and to set their examples before his
countrymen. And having begun to do this,' he says in another place,
'for the sake of others, he found himself going on, and liking his
labour, for his own sake: for the virtues of those great men served
him as a looking-glass, in which he might see how, more or less, to
order and adorn his own life. Indeed, it could be compared,' he
says, 'to nothing less than living with the great souls who were
dead and gone, and choosing out of their actions all that was
noblest and worthiest to know. What greater pleasure could there be
than that,' he asks, 'or what better means to improve his soul? By
filling his mind with pictures of the best and worthiest characters,
he was able to free himself from any low, malicious, mean thoughts,
which he might catch from bad company. If he was forced to mix at
times with base men, he could wash out the stains of their bad
thoughts and words, by training himself in a calm and happy temper
to view those noble examples.' So says the wise heathen. Was not
he happier, wiser, better, a thousand times, thus keeping himself
humble by looking upwards, than if he had been feeding his petty
pride by looking down, and saying, 'God, I thank thee that I am not
as other men are?'

If you wish, then, to be truly high-minded, by being truly humble,
read of, and think of, better men, wiser men, braver men, more
useful men than you are. Above all, if you be Christians, think of
Christ himself. That good old heathen took the best patterns which
he could find: but after all, they were but imperfect, sinful men:
but you have an example such as he never dreamed of; a perfect man,
and perfect God in one. Let the thought of Christ keep you always
humble: and yet let it lift you up to the highest,