Extravagance does as much harm to life as it adds to the pleasures of living. In all things take a middle course. Charity lies between two charities--one to yourself, the other to your needy fellow man. If you are too soft you will be squeezed, and if you are too dry you will be broken. He who spends and reckons not, ends in ruin and knows not. He who buys cheap meat will regret his purchase when it is served up. VICISSITUDES OF FORTUNE Man is like an ear of wheat shaken by the wind--sometimes up and sometimes down. Man is a target to the accidents of time. One day for us, and one day against us. With to-day there is to-morrow. To every Moses there is a Pharaoh. There is no day which has not its opposite. The changes of fortune show what a man is made of. There is no joy which is not followed by sorrow. When Fortune brings a great good, she follows it by a great evil. Fortune gives lavishly, and then turns round and takes away. When a man has attained his highest hope, let him expect that its downfall is near by. When a thing waxes to perfection it begins rapidly to wane. When distress reaches its utmost, relief is close at hand. What is past is dead. Every ascent has a descent, and every trouble has an end. Do not worry--between one twinkle of the eye and that which follows it things may change. I have looked far and wide, and saw nothing on the faces of men but looks of perplexity or regret. To complain of one's grief, except to God, is an humiliation. He who thinks that Fortune will always favour him is a fool. Follow the tracks of the fortunate man and you will come to fortune. PATIENCE God is with them that are patient. God loveth them that are patient (_Koran_). Patience is one-half of religious duty. There are two kinds of patience--one is for something which you desire, the other in something which you hate; and he is a strong man who can combine them both. Patience is mostly needed at the first shock. Grief is dispelled by patience. The device of a man who hath no device is patience. So long as there is a claimant, no just case is ever lost. Patience is a bitter cup, which the strong alone can drink. A misfortune is one, but it becomes two to the impatient. Patience is one of the gifts of heaven. He who is impatient to hear one word will have to listen to many words. Difficulties can be overcome only by patience. It is a good omen when your messenger is delayed. Rarely does a patient man fail in obtaining that which he seeks. Be patient--every cloud dissipates, and every evil which does not continue is a small thing. He who receives the strokes is not like him who counts them. CONTENTMENT Contentment is to refrain from coveting what others have. Contentment is a treasure which is inexhaustible. The most thankful of men is he who is contented. He who seeks riches must seek them in contentment. Give freely, and be content with little. A contented man is happy in life.