The mirror., 1916-01-13
Be Just and Reasonable
Strive be Fair in all Actions. And do unto others
as You Would Have Them do Unto You.


1t is that makes men, yet vain thing
to find truly reasonable because sefove usually leads
astray from drawing nsensby into thousand small
yet dangerous nusces and which like the little foxes
spoken of the Cantcles spoil the for because they
little take notice of them but because they many
number they fail not to do much harm.
These things about which about to speak, are they
not unjust and unreasonable We condemn every little thing
in neghbo and ourselves things that great
want sell dear and buy very cheap that
justice be exercised in another house, mercy
convenience in would have everything TAX
in good part but sensitive and touchy about what
others would have neghbor sell his prop
ery at the price ofer but not reasonable that he
should keep his goods and leave money! We take i'll
that he will accommodate u.s. but has he
be offended that should desire to incommode him9
If we love particular exercise despse all others;
and set ourselves against everything that according
taste If there be of interiors who has not apre
possessing or to whom we have taken adske what
he does take ill., notify him. and
find fault with all he does One make certain promise
but which he unable fulfill causing to make
cusaton and remarks and nl bitter feeling toward
him. On the contrary has agreeable which
peases he can do nothing which not willing to
There virtuou people whom scarcely
bear because of bodily mperecton and there
others who vicious but because of grace
they avores On all prefer the rich the
poor atho neither of the better condition. virtuous
prefer people because they better Clad We exact
dues strictly but would have others enent demanding
would have others humble and condescendg find fault
with neighbor, but must find fault with what
do for others always great but what others do for
nothing In word like the patriges in
Paphaagonia, which have two hearts, for have heart
kind gracious and toward ourselves and another
hard and exactng toward neghbor We have two
weights weigh advantage and the other weigh
to the detrment of our neighbor.
Be fair and just in all your actons put yourself always
your neighbours place. and him and will
Judge rightly imagine yourself the seller when buying
and the buyer when selling and will sell and buy
justly These nustces rfng and do not require to
make restitution much they consist in taking rigorous
advantage of the conditions favor bound to
amend them for they great defects and charity
and little better than cheating Believe loses nothing
by being generous noble and courteous with heart loyal just
and reasonable Therefore, remember frequently to examine
whether your heart is such towards your neghbor
would have his be towards in his places for this
is the touchstone of true Taan being blamed by his
condants making the imperial majesty they thought
accessible sad Ought not then to be such
towards private would desire to be to-
wards me, myself private man."
''When the fair fame of friend foe
The shadow of disgrace shall fall; instead
OF words of balm, proof of thus and So
Let something good be said.
Forget that felow-being yet
May fall so low but love may lift his head
Even the cheek of shame with tears is wet,
If something good be said.
No generous heart may vainy aside
In ways of sympathy; soul so dead
But may awaken strong and glorifed,
If something good be said
And so l charge ye, by the thorny crown,
And by the which the Savior bed,
And by your souls hope of fair
Let something good be said."
James Whitcomb Riley
The Earliest Fiction Extant