按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that； and； in memorable experiences； they are suddenly better than
beauty； and make that superfluous and ugly。 But they must be marked
by fine perception； the acquaintance with real beauty。 They must
always show self…control： you shall not be facile； apologetic； or
leaky； but king over your word； and every gesture and action shall
indicate power at rest。 Then they must be inspired by the good
heart。 There is no beautifier of complexion； or form； or behavior；
like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us。 'Tis good to
give a stranger a meal； or a night's lodging。 'Tis better to be
hospitable to his good meaning and thought； and give courage to a
companion。 We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture；
which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light。 Special
precepts are not to be thought of： the talent of well…doing contains
them all。 Every hour will show a duty as paramount as that of my
whim just now； and yet I will write it； that there is one topic
peremptorily forbidden to all well…bred； to all rational mortals；
namely； their distempers。 If you have not slept； or if you have
slept； or if you have headache； or sciatica； or leprosy； or
thunder…stroke； I beseech you； by all angels； to hold your peace； and
not pollute the morning； to which all the housemates bring serene and
pleasant thoughts； by corruption and groans。 Come out of the azure。
Love the day。 Do not leave the sky out of your landscape。 The
oldest and the most deserving person should come very modestly into
any newly awaked company； respecting the divine communications； out
of which all must be presumed to have newly come。 An old man who
added an elevating culture to a large experience of life； said to me；
〃When you come into the room； I think I will study how to make
humanity beautiful to you。〃
As respects the delicate question of culture； I do not think
that any other than negative rules can be laid down。 For positive
rules； for suggestion； Nature alone inspires it。 Who dare assume to
guide a youth； a maid； to perfect manners？ the golden mean is so
delicate； difficult； say frankly； unattainable。 What finest hands
would not be clumsy to sketch the genial precepts of the young girl's
demeanor？ The chances seem infinite against success； and yet success
is continually attained。 There must not be secondariness； and 'tis a
thousand to one that her air and manner will at once betray that she
is not primary； but that there is some other one or many of her
class； to whom she habitually postpones herself。 But Nature lifts
her easily； and without knowing it； over these impossibilities； and
we are continually surprised with graces and felicities not only
unteachable； but undescribable。