_Manu._ 308. We cannot too soon convince ourselves how easily we may be dispensed with in the world. What important personages we imagine ourselves to be! We think that we alone are the life of the circle in which we move; in our absence, we fancy that life, existence, breath will come to a general pause, and, alas, the gap which we leave is scarcely perceptible, so quickly is it filled again; nay, it is often the place, if not of something better, at least for something more agreeable. _Goethe._ 309. The friendships formed between good and evil men differ. The friendship of the good, at first faint like the morning light, continually increases; the friendship of the evil at the very beginning is like the light of midday, and dies away like the light of evening.[13] _Bhartrihari._ [13] In many parts of the East there is practically no twilight. 310. A hundred long leagues is no distance for him who would quench the thirst of covetousness; but a contented mind has no solicitude for grasping wealth. _Hitopadesa._ 311. The noble-minded dedicate themselves to the promotion of the happiness of others—even of those who injure them. True happiness consists in making happy. _Bhāravi._ 312. A benefit given to the good is like characters engraven on a stone; a benefit given to the evil is like a line drawn on water. _Buddhist._ 313. The undertaking of a careless man succeeds not, though he use the right expedients: a clever hunter, though well placed in ambush, kills not his quarry if he falls asleep. _Bhāravi._ 314. All love, at first, like generous wine, Ferments and frets until ’tis fine; But when ’tis settled on the lee, And from th’ impurer matter free, Becomes the richer still the older, And proves the pleasanter the colder. _Butler._ 315. Safe in thy breast close lock up thy intents, For he that knows thy purpose best prevents. _Randolph._ 316. Frugality should ever be practised, but not excessive parsimony. _Hitopadesa._ 317. He who receives a favour must retain a recollection of it for all time to come; but he who confers should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid and ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred on him, and to talk of it, is little different from a reproach. _Demosthenes._ 318.