eral 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 facetiae, 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.

_Bharavi._

2.

If passion gaineth the mastery over reason, the wise will not count
thee amongst men.

_Firdausi._

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'di._

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 Khayyam._

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.