The philosopher's profoundest conviction is that which he is most reluctant to express, lest he mislead. When exchange of identities is possible, be careful; you may choose a person who is willing. The most intolerant advocate is he who is trying to convince himself. In the Parliament of Otumwee the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed a tax on fools. "The right honorable and generous gentleman," said a member, "forgets that we already have it in the poll tax." "Whose dead body is that?" "Credulity's." "By whom was he slain?" "Credulity." "Ah, suicide." "No, surfeit. He dined at the table of Science, and swallowed all that was set before him." Don't board with the devil if you wish to be fat. Pray do not despise your delinquent debtor; his default is no proof of poverty. Courage is the acceptance of the gambler's chance: a brave man bets against the game of the gods. "Who art thou?" "A philanthropist. And thou?" "A pauper." "Away! you have nothing to relieve my need." Youth looks forward, for nothing is behind; Age backward, for nothing is before. Think not, O man, the world has any need That thou canst truly serve by word or deed. Serve thou thy better self, nor care to know How God makes righteousness and roses grow. In spiritual matters material aids are not to be despised: by the use of an organ and a painted window an artistic emotion can be made to seem a religious ecstasy. The poor man's price of admittance to the favor of the rich is his self-respect. It assures him a seat in the gallery. One may know oneself ugly, but there is no mirror for the understanding. If the righteous thought death what they think they think it they would search less diligently for divine ordinances against suicide. Weep not for cruelty to rogues in jail: Injustice can the just alone assail. Deny compassion to the wretch who swerved, Till all who, fainting, walked aright are served. The artless woman may be known by her costume: her gown is trimmed with feathers of the white blackbird. All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusion is called a philosopher. Slang is a foul pool at which every dunce fills his bucket, and then sets up as a fountain. The present is the frontier between the desert of the past and the garden of the future. It is redrawn every moment. The virtue that is not automatic requires more attention than it is worth. At sunset our shadows reach the stars, yet we are no greater at death than at the noon of life. Experience is a revelation in the light of which we renounce the errors of youth for those of age. From childhood to youth is eternity; from youth to manhood, a season. Age comes in a night and is incredible. Avoid the disputatious. When you greet an acquaintance with "How are you?" and he replies: "On the contrary, how are _you_?" pass on.