Great thoughts make great men. Without these no heraldry nor blood will avail. The blood circulates to the feet and hands, but the thought never descends from the head. * * * * * The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not Friendship divine in this? I have myself to respect, but to myself I am not amiable; but my friend is my amiableness personified. And yet we walk the stage indifferent actors, not thinking what a sublime drama we might enact if we would be joint workers and a mutual material. Why go to the woods to cut timber to display our art upon, when here are men as trees walking? The world has never learned what men can build each other up to be, when both master and pupil work in love. He that comes as a stranger to my house will have to stay as a stranger. He has made his own reception. But persevering love was never yet refused. "The vicious count their years, virtuous their acts." JONSON. The former consider the length of their service, the latter its quality. Wait not till I invite thee, but observe I'm glad to see thee when thou com'st.[211] The most ardent lover holds yet a private court, and his love can never be so strong or ethereal that there will not be danger that judgment may be rendered against the beloved. * * * * * I would have men make a _greater_ use of me.[212] Now I must belittle myself to have dealings with them. My friend will show such a noble confidence that I shall aspire to the society of his good opinion. Never presume men less that you may make them more. So far as we respond to our ideal estimate of each other do we have profitable intercourse. * * * * * A brave man always knows the way, no matter how intricate the roads. _Feb. 8._ All we have experienced is so much gone within us, and there lies. It is the company we keep. One day, in health or sickness, it will come out and be remembered. Neither body nor soul forgets anything. The twig always remembers the wind that shook it, and the stone the cuff it received. Ask the old tree and the sand. * * * * * To be of most service to my brother I must meet him on the most equal and even ground, the platform on which our lives are passing. But how often does politeness permit this? * * * * * I seek a man who will appeal to me when I am in fault. We will treat as gods settling the affairs of men. In his intercourse I shall be always a god to-day, who was a man yesterday. He will never confound me with my guilt, but let me be immaculate and hold up my skirts. Differences he will make haste to clear up, but leave agreements unsettled the while. * * * * *