* * * * *

    The poem hangs on the berry-bush
      When comes the poet’s eye,
    And the whole street is a masquerade
      When Shakespeare passes by.

* * * * *

This same Shakespeare, whose mere passing causes all this commotion, is the one who put into the mouth of one of his creations the words:  “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”  And again he gave us a great truth when he said: 

                    “Our doubts are traitors,
    And make us lose the good we oft might win
    By fearing to attempt.”

There is probably no agent that brings us more undesirable conditions than fear.  We should live in fear of nothing, nor will we when we come fully to know ourselves.  An old French proverb runs: 

    “Some of your griefs you have cured,
      And the sharpest you still have survived;
    But what torments of pain you endured
      From evils that never arrived.”

Fear and lack of faith go hand in hand.  The one is born of the other.  Tell me how much one is given to fear, and I will tell you how much he lacks in faith.  Fear is a most expensive guest to entertain, the same as worry is:  so expensive are they that no one can afford to entertain them.  We invite what we fear, the same as, by a different attitude of mind, we invite and attract the influences and conditions we desire.

* * * * *

To remain in nature always sweet and simple and humble, and therefore strong.

    “Whatever the weather may be,” says he,
    “Whatever the weather may be,
    It’s the songs ye sing, an’ the smiles ye wear,
    That’s a-makin’ the sun shine everywhere.”

    James Whitcomb Riley

* * * * *

Sweetness of nature, simplicity in manners and conduct, humility without self-abasement, give the truly kingly quality to men, the queenly to women, the winning to children, whatever the rank or the station may be.  The life dominated by this characteristic, or rather these closely allied characteristics, is a natural well-spring of joy to itself and sheds a continual benediction upon all who come within the scope of its influence.  It makes for a life of great beauty in itself, and it imparts courage and hope and buoyancy to all others.

* * * * *

    There is no thing we cannot overcome;
        Say not thy evil instinct is inherited,
        Or that some trait inborn makes thy whole life forlorn;
    And calls down punishment that is not merited.

    Back of thy parents and grandparents lies
        The Great Eternal Will!  That too is thine
        Inheritance,—­strong, beautiful, divine,
    Sure lever of success for one who tries.