The Salt-Cellars Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ... Be a man, and not a mouse. Latimer said: "When I live in a settled and steadfast assurance about the state of my soul, methinks I am as bold as a lion. I can laugh at all trouble; no affliction daunts me. But when I am eclipsed in my comforts, I am of so fearful a spirit that I could run into a mouse-hole." Be a man, and not a clothes-horse. Be not a mere thing to hang clothes on. Though Teufelsdrockh asserts that "man's earthly interests are all hooked and buttoned together, and held up by clothes," we like something inside the clothes. "We little care for coat and vest, For trousers, hat, and all the rest. In tailor's dummy we can see Just such a man as mashers be." Be a man before your mother. Some do not seem as if they would be. The mere dandy is like his mother in this only--she will never be a man, nor will he. Be always ahead of your work. Then you will be comfortable. If you are behind-hand, you will be constantly whipped at the cart's tail of hurry. Be always as cheerful as ever you can, For few will delight in a sorrowful man. Hood, visited by a clergyman whose features, as well as language, were lugubrious, looked up at him compassionately and said, "My dear sir, I'm afraid your religion doesn't agree with you." The same remark might be made to others who seem to have just religion enough to make them miserable. They forget the precept " Eejoice in the Lord." Be always in time; too late is a crime. This is putting it rather strong; but I would talk to an unpunctual man like a Dutch uncle, and give him the rough side of my tongue. Be always valorous, but seldom venturous. We are to be ready for all that comes, but we are not to seek conflict. Face a lion if you must, but don't go down to the circus and get into a cage with him...