Michael Josephson Commentary: No One Is Too Poor to Give 598.3

The church bells of innumerable sects are all chime bells today, ringing in sweet accordance throughout many lands and awaking a great joy in the heart of our common humanity.
– Edwin Hubbell Chapin, minister, social reformer (1814-1880)
It is the most human and kindly of seasons, as fully penetrated and irradiated with the feeling of human brotherhood.
– George William Curtis, writer, speaker (1824-1892)
A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
– Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father (1706-1790)
`Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart.
– Washington Irving, author, historian (1783-1859)
The optimism, good cheer, and goodwill embodied in the Christmas spirit are antidotes to selfishness and superficiality. They can help us find purpose and meaning in love, kindness, charity, gratitude, and forgiveness.
– Michael Josephson
CORRECTION
In last week’s Commentary, Sir William Temple`s quote should have read:
There cannot live a more unhappy creature than an ill-natured old man who is neither capable of receiving pleasures nor sensible of doing them to others.

Michael Josephson Commentary

We never reach our ideals, whether of mental or moral improvement, but the thought of them shows us our deficiencies and spurs us on to higher and better things.
– Tryon Edwards, theologian (1809-1894)
Good nature is the very air of a good mind, the sign of a large and generous soul, and the peculiar soil in which virtue prospers.
– Godfrey Goodman, Anglican bishop (1582-1656)
There cannot live a more happy creature than an ill-natured old man who is neither capable of receiving pleasures nor sensible of doing them to others.
– Sir William Temple, Irish statesman, essayist (1628-1699)
The mischief of children is seldom actuated by malice; that of grown-up people always is.
– Antoine de Rivarol, French writer (1753-1801)
Today, there is a rampant tendency to elevate self-indulgence over self-control. Uncontrolled rage is treated as being oneself rather than a serious character flaw.
– Michael Josephson
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Michael Josephson Commentary

Michael Josephson Commentary

Where boasting ends, there dignity begins.
– Edward Young, British poet (1681-1765)
Content thyself to be obscurely good. The post of honor is a private station.
– Joseph Addison, British essayist (1672-1719)
The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff.
– Ambrose Bierce, journalist, satirist (1842-1914)
It is my humble prayer that I may be of some use in my day and generation.
– Hosea Ballou, clergyman, writer (1771-1852)
Too often our wants overcome our moral ambitions. So we lie occasionally, cheat a little, and rationalize our moral compromises.
– Michael Josephson

Michael Josephson Commentary

You should examine yourself daily. If you find faults, you should correct them. When you find none, you should try even harder.
– Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher (303-361)
Dignity of position adds to dignity of character as well as to dignity of carriage. Give us a proud position, and we are impelled to act up to it.
– Christian Nestell Bovee, author, lawyer (1820-1904)
People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.
– Will Rogers, comedian, social commentator (1879-1935)
Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly towards an object and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there was no advantage in them, that it was a vain endeavor?
– Henry David Thoreau, author, naturalist (1817-1862)
In every profession there’s a line between those who cheat and those who don’t. You get to choose what side of the line you’re on. That choice will define you.
– Michael Josephson