Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.

How much pains have those evils cost us which never happened!

Take things always by their smooth handle.

When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.

Hear as little as possible spoken against others; and believe nothing of the kind, until you are absolutely forced to believe it.

Always believe that if you heard what may be said on the other side of the question, a very different account of the matter might be given.

Do to others what you would have them do to you.

LESSON XXXVII.

How to be Happy.—­CHILD AT HOME.

1.  Every child must have observed how much happier and more beloved some children are than others.  There are some children whom you always love to be with.  They are happy themselves, and they make you happy.

2.  There are others, whose society you always avoid.  The very expression of their countenances produces unpleasant feelings.  They seem to have no friends.

3.  No person can be happy without friends.  The heart is formed for love, and cannot be happy without the opportunity of giving and receiving affection.

4.  But you cannot receive affection, unless you will also give it.  You cannot find others to love you, unless you will also love them.  Love is only to be obtained by giving love in return.  Hence the importance of cultivating a cheerful and obliging disposition.  You cannot be happy without it.

5.  I have sometimes heard a girl say, “I know that I am very unpopular at school.”  Now, this is a plain confession that she is very disobliging and unamiable in her disposition.

6.  If your companions do not love you, it is your own fault.  They cannot help loving you, if you will be kind and friendly.  If you are not loved, it is a good evidence that you do not deserve to be loved.  It is true, that a sense of duty may, at times, render it necessary for you to do that which will be displeasing to your companions.

7.  But, if it is seen that you have a noble spirit, that you are above selfishness, that you are willing to make sacrifices of your own personal convenience to promote the happiness of your associates, you will never be in want of friends.

8.  You must not regard it as your misfortune that others do not love you, but your fault.  It is not beauty, it is not wealth, that will give you friends.  Your heart must glow with kindness, if you would attract to yourself the esteem and affection of those by whom you are surrounded.

9.  You are little aware how much the happiness of your whole life depends upon the cultivation of an affectionate and obliging disposition.  If you will adopt the resolution that you will confer favors whenever you have an opportunity, you will certainly be surrounded by ardent friends.