Ethics and Morality

The social, friendly, honest man, Whate’er he be, ’Tis he fulfills great Nature’s plan, And none but he!

From scenes like these, old Scotia’s grandeur springs, That makes her loved at home, revered abroad: Princes and lords are but the breath of kings, “An honest man’s the noblest work of God.”

He wales a portion with judicious care; And “Let us worship God” he says, with solemn air.

I am sure this Jesus will not do Either for Englishman or Jew.

He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars; General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer: For art and science cannot exist but in minutely organized particulars.

The strongest poison ever known Came from Caesar’s laurel crown.

He who shall teach the child to doubt The rotting grave shall ne’er get out.

A truth that’s told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent.

He who shall hurt the little wren Shall never be belov’d by men.

Mock on, mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau. Mock on, mock on—’tis all in vain! You throw the sand against the wind, And the wind blows it back again.

There is a smile of love, And there is a smile of deceit, And there is a smile of smiles In which these two smiles meet.

Pity would be no more, If we did not make somebody poor; And Mercy no more could be, If all were as happy as we.

Love seeketh only self to please, To bind another to its delight, Joys in another’s loss of ease, And builds a Hell in Heaven’s despite.

Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care, But for another gives its ease, And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.

I ask’d a thief to steal me a peach: He turned up his eyes. I ask’d a lithe lady to lie her down: Holy and meek, she cries. As soon as I went An angel came. He wink’d at the thief And smil’d at the dame— And without one word said Had a peach from the tree, And still as a maid Enjoy’d the lady.

For every thing that lives is Holy.

Sooner murder an infant in its cradle than nurse unacted desires.

In limitations he first shows himself the master, And the law can only bring us freedom.

Law is mighty, mightier necessity.

Noble be man, Helpful and good! For that alone Sets him apart From every other creature On earth.

An honest man, close-button’d to the chin, Broadcloth without, and a warm heart within.

Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the poor.

For we that live to please must please to live.

Cold approbation gave the ling’ring bays, For those who durst not censure, scarce could praise.