PS 2199 .L7 Copy 1 •C LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. (hap.. Copyright No.. Shett.P5.Z l"^q — Lt UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Truths Brought Home .BY. y . Byron Langham J ^^' .* » W ' .1896. GOPVRIGMTED PRICe. - 5 CENTS fHILAULLl'HlA : UUNLAP PRINTING CO. i,(o6-8-io Filbert St. 1S96. IAN 20 1!"'"' FS'-^ \^ u PREFACE. An author, before giving his thoughts to the pulilic, alwa^'s feels anxious as to the success of his vvorlc ; especially when he thinks he has something good to offer ; but, as I Ijeheve patience, coupled with a strong desire to be useful in the world will overcome all obstacles, this feeling in me has been modified to a considerable extent. My main object in devoting this pamphlet to aphorisms is to present the truth so forcibly that those who read it may be instructed, and, at the same time, encouraged to make greater efforts to do good. If the time I have spent on this little pamphlet will accomplish such a result, then. I shall feel that I luux- been amply rewarded for the pains I have taken with it. I lay no claim to originality, because I realize " there is nothing new under the sun.'' All I have received that may seem to bear the stamp of originality has come from out of the great currents of thought from whence all inspiration Ifows. Therefore if any of my ideas seem to be similar in any way to those of other WTiters I trust the reader will not think I have been trying to plagiarize. Many an author has been accused of this who ne\'er had the slightest intention to steal from others ; for this reason I beg the reader to accept what I have written in good faith. BVKON L,'\NGH.\.M. 12-11 X. Tuclftli SlrcL-;. TRUTHS BROUGHT HOME. Evil habits are foes for brave men, but chums for cowards. Bar-room acquaintances are po\'erty's introducers. Moderation in all things is nature's path to Heaven. No man is wise who, at some time or other, has not been foolish. Our secret thoughts of ill are the only rubbers we have to fear. He who IS ashamed of Truth ought to be ashamed of Iiimself The greatest blessing a man can have is to know what a blessing is. A truthful man need not fear a liar, because a liar fears tlie truth. Never trust the morrow, for the present is your all. If you have any idols break them up or the>- will break you down. When kindness is unappreciated by men it is appreciated the most in Heaven. When fate seems to be against you let it not turn you against yourself. When trouble comes to your home sIkjw it the door and it will depart. It takes a wise man to know how foolish he is. Benevolence wrong applied Is a virtue crucified. Meditation opens more doors than one to God's kingdom. The eternal destinies of man are centered in the thoughts of the present hour. 'i'hink when you think and act when jou know how to act. Those wlio would be teachers must be scholars. There are no heights the mind cannot reach up to, nor depths it caiuiot reach down to. He who expects too much often cheats himself out of what he deserves. Those who love only those who love them know not how to love. There is a secret in knowing how to keep a secret. The pits which Error digs for Wisdom, Wisdom always buries Error in. A pledge broken without a reason is a pledge made with- out a will. There is no such thin;; as chance ; what appears to be so is the result of law. Intolerance never makes what the intolerant want. If you want to be what you ought to be, be all you are. The world owes nothing to any man who thinks the wtnld is indebted to him. Love without reason is folly without shame. The unpopular things of to-day may be the popular ones of tomorrow. The noblest heroes are those the world knows nothing of. Mourn not for the departed, your mourning makes them niouvn for you. Individual effort well directed, shapes collective effort well fur all. Enforced idleness is the mother of voluntary idleness. He who can see no good in an enemy is worthy of an ene:;:\'. An over sensitive man wrongs himself more than his enemies wrong him. Old friendships adhered to help to make new ones as good. Little things, at times, are great protectors and .should never be despised. It is dangerous to gamble with fate but well to work for her. The man who under estimates another's work over esti- mates his own judgment. A philosopher realizes that it takes conditions to make a philosopher. Those con.scious of having done wrong need no other rebuke. The sword of truth is mightier than a million .swords of .steel. Philo.sophical contentment is the strength of jnire ambi- tion. The Christ in man is free ; 'tis only tyrants that are slaves. Ever}' thing is full of beauty when the heart is full of love. A cheerful disposition makes a good disposition of things. A wrong returned Is wisdom spurned. God is honored most when pride is honored least. In all things love is the parent of civilization. A wise man's pleasure is a foolish man's pain. Sentiment is practical, only, when put in ]>ractice. He who thinks he cannot do a thing cannot as long as he thinks so. Little words in kindness spoken are the coins of heaven. Philosophical contentment is better tlian all worldly tilings combined. 8 Failure many times is the price of success. Morality is the mother of religious principles and God in man is the father. The victories we win to-day will be the crowns of to- morrow. Courtesy without sincerity, like a fallen leaf, soon turns to dust. It requires a host of sacrifices to blot out one transgres- sion. Time tests the value of things, therefore be slow to believe what you hear. There are no slaves more to be pitied than those of fashion. A true man .seeks not the world's applause nor fears its condemnation. The best kind of reform is that which begins at home. An empty purse is better than a miser's horde. Good books are good men's companions. The best cure for a drunkard is the wine of life. Those who envy others spoil their own powers. The greatest trouI)les we have are those we by anticipa- tion make. There is no righteousiiess in doing good for the sake of a reward. The strangest things are those we hear about but never see. The soul is the ego of creation. Death is the way to life in everything. Perseverance brings allies to our aid. Life is dark only when our thoughts are dark. Curiosity is, often-times, a great teacher. Contrast is the soul of beauty. \Vi.sdom begins where wonder ends. He who pities not tlie unfortunate is unfortunate himseli. Self praise no one but self admires. Flatter}- is a rogues' art. Duplicity betrays her own friends. Faith without reason is dangerous to virtue. The vine that bears well the gardener will treat well. Error is known by the mask .she wears. The fruits of the soul are the seeds of eternity. Good training is the mother of happiness. To a patriot home is the scliool-house of patriots. A benefit conferred is a benefit received. Everything is colored by the glass we look through. Silence is golden when a gossip is present. Ignorance is a poor excuse for sin. Injustice to man is bla.sphemy against God. An action well done is a thought well spoken. The beauty of truth is its brevity. Competition in trade is the mother of theft. There are no counterfeit coins in Heaven. Man fashions things after his own heart. Bubbling water is shallow. The noble men of nature are the titled men of God. Short-sighted people see only what appears to be. A good critic is a wise man's friend. An honest man's dignity is his capital. Purity is the elixir of life. It is no one's privilege to take a privilege. Pure diamonds show their beauty best in the dark. Those who want pleasure must work for it. Example by reason set is the world's instruction. Good manners aid success in life. A narrow-minded person has narrow strips of joy. lO Wliat a mail is fond of, that must he be careful of. Iwery man should make his home his chapel. 'Tis just to abhor the causes of evil but not their victims. Peace is the child of innocence. Old superstitions are coiiipaiiioiis for poor men. 'Tis better to be thought a coward than to be one. Observation makes inclination practical. Good flowers often grow among the vilest weeds. There is no policy in honesty. A lie in the end will always prove itself a lie. Imagination often makes uiiplea.sant realities. Beautiful ideas uupracticed make fierce accusers. Tho.se who would learn must learn to imdo. Negligence is a demon of destruction. Friction is the life of ])rogress. True religion is broad enough for all religions. Class distinction is virtue's extinction. The more we think tla- less we believe. Modesty is a woman's protector. The world is full of what we are full of. Patience nullifies reasons mistakes. Cupid makes strange bargains. Ingratitude cuts deeper than the sharpest knife. Beware of dark places, there's where robbers hide. There is nothing more to be feared than fear. Little indulgences open the door for greater ones. Triflers mu.st expect to l)e trifled with. Adaptation is the mother of fortune. Duty rejected is knowledge evicted. Excuses are poor things to make companions of. There is no sorrow equal to that of remorse. Mirth is the bread of the mind : be sure it is good. liim. II Nature is the Bible of God. All things manifested and luunanifested are one. Pri\-ate matters should be kept in private places. A coquettish person is more of a victim than a \ictor. Cowards often do what brave men fear to do. Wise teachers often learn from their pupils. Things hard to get are often easy to lose. Fine palaces do not always make happy homes. An evil thought often speaks before we know it. Numbers add no glorj' to truth. Temperance is the mother of peace. The tongue may lie but the eye always tells the truth. A good man's enemies time will turn to friends. Flattery is the mother of pride. Firmness in the wrong is the worst kind of weakness. Timid hearts never make good records. The hopes of folly breed despair. Extreme measures are dangerous to justice. God often assists us best when he doesn't assist us. A good thing neglected is an invitation to evil. There is no ju,stice in nature if there is no hereafter. Fanatici.sm creates unbelief. A merciful man need never despair. A glutton robs himself more than a thief can ever rob Bad companj^ is a jailkeeper's housekeeper. Labor is the creator of all values. It is a blessing to be poor for honor's sake. Wolves in sheep's clothing are bad imitators. There is an art in knowing how to appreciate art. Good diet is nature's best remedy for all diseases. Nothintr is sacred the heart has not made so. not. you. 12 'Tis a sin to look for sin. Injustice has it's origin in man-made laws. An empty stomach often makes a full head. Ivverything is a representative of thought. Man only attains what woman obtains. Tliere is nothing good foll\- has not ridiculed. Out of object lessons wise men get happiness. He who prays only in times of danger, Heaven honors The duty of every man is to find out what his duty is. Partialitj^ reveals a shallow mind. Nude work in the fine arts condemned is guilt confessed. Truth should not be \-alued bj- the source it comes from. People in high places should not look down, but up. If your conscience is clear a mud thrower cannot injure If the devil had his just dues man would have his. An oily tongue causes it's owner many a slip. The cheaper the poor live, the cheaper they mu.st live. Good intentions misunderstood hurt not the intender. He who buries his talents murders his soul. 'Tis a bad thing to over-do a good thing. Cruelty to animals is a coward's delight. Love rejected is self debased. Gold may buy a king but it cannot buy a man. Youth is the bud of wisdom and wisdom is the flower of age. The best things we can do are the noblest we can think of. Time spent by man in useless pursuits, is manhood spent. Those who make a habit of borrowing never make willing lenders. 13 The knowledge of imperfection is the cornerstone of per- fection. The greatest curse a man can have inflicted on him is the curse of cursing. The law's severe punishment of petty offences makes great ones. No man is individualized who thinks he owes nothing to others. Those who go through life smoothly know not what life's mission is. If you cannot be a great light be contented to be what 3'ou can. If men knew Christ they would know each other better. There is no triumph in a victory won for mammon's sake. All crimes are born in the fle.sh but cured in the spirit. Money marriages, in principle, are mock marriages. 'Tis as dangerous to get drunk on religion as it is on whiskey. The pas.sions that master us become good servants when we master them. The further away the things we prize are the better they seem . Past achievements will never pay for the neglected duties of tlie present. It is a poor policy to say anything for the sake of saying something. Those who take pleasure in showing their learning show^ their ignorance. It is a wise plan to make no plans without a plan to make them on. If you want others to keep their w-ord see that you keep vonr own. Our greatest foes might be our best friends if we were not foes to them. The blood hounds of fate follow evil doers where ever they go. Those who will not accept good advice must drink dry the cup folly brings to them. Nothing mars a man's plea.sure like the pleasure that mars him. If no one could do what we do no one would admire what we do. Those who sympathize with the poor don't have to die to prove it. 'Tis not so much what we want as what we need that does us good. We never know how nnich a principle is worth inilil we know how much we are worth. Devotion often makes a strong mind appear weak, and duplicity a weak one strong. Those who want peace in the spirit of peace must fight for it. The heart knows not its own interest and is, therefore, a fooli-sh guide to trust. Love is a talent and wise are they who know how to utilize it. There is a language of the soul whose beauty none can appreciate but the true at heart. When a man is wedded to principle he then is prepared to marry. Those who say one thing and mean another, seldom give anything with a meaning in it. 'Tis not what a man eats that makes the man Init what he digests. The murderer's knife is not half as dangerous as an unkind thought. 15 Success in life depends more on the opportunities we make than those that come to us. He who refuses to give to his brother a crust to eat, needs, perhaps, more than his brotlier. Call no man a hypocrite for when thou dost so, in spirit thou art killing him. While justice seems to be yielding to injustice, she, unob- served, is making injustice yield to her. A true philosopher never resents a wrong : he bears it, and by bearing it conquers it. No man or woman can appreciate liberty when bound b)- the ties of custom . A person well centered is one who gives credit to nothing based on mere suspicion or belief. The greatest .reward a man of truth can have is that which truth gives to him. Sincerity is an inspiration of the soul that sweeps every- thing with force irresistable towards perfection. Great men of the future are being made l)y little acts of kindness done to-da\'. The way to show friendship to a friend in distress is to aid him without being asked. One thing accomplished is of more \-alue than a thousand l)Ut half accomplished. What we do to be seen of men is not lasting enough to deceive the world at large. Honesty clothed in rags is better than dishonesty clothed in garments decked with diamonds. Constant attention to duty works greater wontlers than fancy has ever dreamed of. Before we can comprehend the merits of certain principles we must know the merits of principles opposed to them. i6 Those who think they are superior to others often, by thinking so, make themselves inferior. When others excell you be not envious, but be glad, for then you will be as highly blessed as they. Even though laziness seems to get what thrift deserves, thrift is sure to get all laziness desires. The saying ' ' When po\erty steps in at the door lo\-e flies out of the window," should be reversed. When you feel tempted to do wrong think of the good you have done and the pleasure it gave you. The gates of Heaven swing open when a good desire from an apparently corrupt heart touches them. When a man for the sake of show seeks to show his strength he is showing his weakness. A good way to remedy an evil is to cease recognizing it by recognizing yourself. When a man is rich in principle he is as rich as a man endowed with the wealth of kings. The best waj- to demonstrate a fact to some people is to let it demonstrate itself. It is better to be a good listener than it is to ha\'e, merely, the reputation of being a teacher. Heaven, when we are weak, often makes use of weaker instruments to use us. In the name of charity people of cnste throw their cast off garments to people off-cast. Nothing is sweet to you that is not Ijitter to some one : therefore force your sweets on no one. The most undeser\-ing of merit are usually those who tiiink themselves the most deserving. Retribution recognizes not even the forgiveness of those who have been wronged. 'Tis not always those who pal you on the back that like vou the best. .17 He will) does good for fear of being punislied is punished in so doing. A wise man listens to the advice of others and nses his judgment afterwards ; but a fool does neither. 'Tis harder to make a convert to truth of a weak mind than it is of a strong one. When the heart feels what the tongue cannot express, let the tongue be silent till the heart moves it. Folly bends only when she has to, but wisdom bends when she wants to make her enemies bend. An uncouth man of good morals is more of a gentleman than a fashionable one with nothing but fashion to recommend him. Be not disturbed over what you cannot avoid for then many things of greater consequence you will avoid. Be not over zealous in anything you want to succeed in for most all failures are due to over zealousness. Desires of fancy are like sensitive plants that bloom to-day ; When touched bj' the rude finger of fate they wither away. It is not wise to declare anything impossible, because the things we see are the effects of the things we can't see. The world is moving on, and truth beams in brighter rays Then break the fettered bounds, the chains of darker days. A word in anger spoken will blast in a second of time that which may take years to build again. I.ove when based on outward show is as easily broken as a spider's web, but when based on principle is immortal. Those who are willing to forgive when it is not asked of them are fools among fools but men among men. Every time we think evil of others we are inscribing on tablets inde.structable the record of our follv. iS When you have got a triitii, stand In' it, live for it, and it will bless yoti even though the world despises you. Never be too proud to acknowledge your waywardness, because then you will be proud enough not to be wayward again. Our best thoughts are public property, the world has a claim on them by one tie that binds all humanity. If you want to be just to others be just to yourself, and then justice trom all sources will turn her face to you. There is no virtue where there is no sin : therefore it is better to hold actions in contempt than individuals. The way to perfect happiness is covered with thorns ; and he who would travel it must l)leed. If you want to be useful find out where you stand ; and then if your heart is not at ease let some good action make it so. In order to make our highest thoughts take effect we mu.st not give them to the world for effect. When we begin to practice what we realize then we'll feel the jo>'S of Heaven in our souls working out a grander destiny in the future. The mission of a believer in inmiortality is not to con- vince men of innnortality l)Ut to prei)are them for it. Dark has been the world's night, hut brighter will be its day, When justice has dawned and ignorance has passed away, vSo bid all error fostering doubts a firm adieu. And give all things attention to find what things are true. When we congratulate ourselves upon what we have done and feel there is nothing more for us to do, then is the time thL-re is the most for us to do. In al things there is a combination of causes and as we become familiar with them, throui;h our intellectual exertions, mysticism ceases, prejudice dies and \-irlue becomes su])renie. Ti'uths Brought Home .BY. Byron Langham m i f^m jm w n ' ^ .1896. eopVFiKSHTeD PRiCe. - 5 CBNTS I'HlLAUtLPHIA : DUNLAP PRINTING CO. 1 306-8-10 Filbert St. 1896. A3-Vvr ' ;\N 20 1 V LIBHAHV Oh CONGRESS 016 117 908 5 h^