"This field is so spacious, that it were easy for a man to lose himself in it: and if "This worthy work in which of good examples are so many, This orchard of Alcinous, in which there wants not any Herb, tree, or fruit that may man's use for health or pleasure serve; This plenteous horn of Acheloy, which justly doth deserve My faults, where art or eloquence on my behalf doth fail. GOLDING. ACCUMULATION-Vice of. There is not a vice which more effectually contracts and deadens the feelings, which more completely makes a man's affections centre in himself, and excludes all others from partaking in them, than the desire of accumulating possessions When the desire has once gotten hold of the heart, it shuts out all other considerations but such as may promote its views. In its zeal for the attainment of its end, it is not delicate in the choice of means. As it closes the heart, so also it clouds the understanding. It cannot discern between right and wrong it takes evil for good, and good for evil: it calls darkness light, and light darkness. Beware, then, of the beginnings of covetousness, for you know not where it will end. Bishop Mant. ACCUSATION. ACCUSATION-Affording Proof of. Give me good proofs of what you have alleged : Shakspeare. ACHIEVEMENT. ACQUAINTANCE-Annoyances of. If we engage into a large acquaintance and various familiarities, we set open our gates to the invaders of most of our time; we expose our life to a quotidian ague of frigid impertinences, which would make a wise man tremble to think of. Now, as for being known much by sight, and pointed at, I cannot comprehend the honour that lies in that. Whatsoever it be, every mountebank has it more than the best doctor. Cowley. ACQUAINTANCE-Caution in forming. ACTION. ACTION-Eloquence of. Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant more learned than their ears. Shakspeare. ACTION-Importance of. The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but if he sees you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it before he Franklin. can receive it in a lump. ACTION-Intent of. Of every noble action, the intent ACTION-Lawfulness of. Wouldst thou know the lawfulness of the action which thou desirest, to undertake, let thy devotion recommend it to Divine blessing: if it be lawful thou shalt perceive thy heart encouraged by thy prayer; if unlawful, thou shalt find thy prayer discouraged by thy heart. That action is not warrantable which either blushes to beg a blessing, or, having succeeded, dares not present a thanksgiving. Quarles. ACTION-Man designed for. The end of man is an action, and not a thought, though it were the noblest. Carlyle. ACTION-Motives to. I will suppose that you have no friends to share or rejoice in your success in life,—that you cannot look back to those to whom you owe gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection; but it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of duty for your active exertions are due not only to society, but in humble gratitude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers to serve yourself and others. Sir Walter Scott. ACTION-Necessity for. Id ers cannot even find time to be idle, or the industrious to be at leisure. We must Zimmerman. be always doing or suffering. ACTION-the perfection of Man's Nature. Action is the highest perfection and drawing forth of the utmost power, vigour, and activity of man's nature. God is pleased to vouchsafe the best that He can give, only to the best that we can do. The properest and most |
