SELF

Above all subjects study thine own self. For no knowledge that terminates in curiosity or speculation is comparable to that which is of use and of all useful knowledge, that is most so, which consists in the due care and just notions of ourselves. This study is a debt which every one owes himself. Let us not then be so lavish, so unjust, as not to pay this debt, by spending some part at least, if we cannot all, or most of our time and care, upon that which has the most indefeasible claim to it. Govern your passions, manage your actions with prudence, and where false steps have been made, correct them for the future. Let nothing be allowed to grow headstrong and disorderly; but bring all under discipline. Set all your faults before your eyes, and pass sentence upon yourself with the same severity as you would do upon another, for whom no partiality hath biased your judgement.
-Bernand


Of all that have tried the selfish experiment, let one come forth and say he has succeeded. He that has made gold his idol-has it satisfied him? He that has toiled in the fields of ambition-has he been repaid? He that has ransacked every theatre of sensual enjoyment-is he content? Can any answer in the affirmative? Not one. And when his conscience shall ask him, and ask it will, "Where are the hungry, whom you gave food? The thirsty, whom you gave drink? The stranger, whom you sheltered? The naked, whom you clothed? The prisoned, whom you visited? The sick, whom you ministered unto?" how will he feel when he must answer, "I have done none of these things-I thought only for myself!"




THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
25:42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food;
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink;
25:43 I was stranger and you did not take Me in,
naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.