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Rutherford, Mark, 1831-1913

"More Pages from a Journal"

It is not correct to say that a woman
is vain of her beauty.

Controversy is demoralising. Never suffer yourself to become an
advocate. Never rely on controversy to convince. Say what you have
to say and leave it. DO it if you wish to persuade.

People are often unkind, not from malignity, but from ineptitude.

It is of the greatest importance continually to bear in mind that
the violation of a law personal to myself is as immoral as the
violation of a general law, and may be more mischievous.

To die is easy when we are in perfect health. On a fine spring
morning, out of doors, on the downs, mind and body sound and
exhilarated, it would be nothing to lie down on the turf and pass
away.

What we want is wise counsel on particular occasions. Principles we
can get by the bushel anywhere. The reason why our friends are so
useless is that they will not take trouble. The selection and the
application of the principle are difficult.

It is terrible to live with a person who has a strong, narrow sense
of duty without further-reaching thought or love by which the
rigidity of duty may be softened.


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