So in life; if, instead of a little shell or bulb, some wifeling or childling be granted you, well and good; but, if the captain call, run to the ship and leave such possessions behind you, not looking back.

But if you be an old man, take care not to go a long distance from the ship at all, lest you should be called and come too late." The metaphor is a significant one, and perhaps the following lines of Sir Walter Scott, prefixed anonymously to one of the chapters of the Waverley Novels, may help to throw light upon it: "Death finds us 'midst our playthings; snatches us, As a cross nurse might do a wayward child, From all our toys and baubles--the rough call Unlooses all our favourite ties on earth: And well if they are such as may be answered In yonder world, where all is judged of truly." [Footnote 65: Compare Cowper's _Conversation_:-- "Am I to set my life upon a throw Because a bear is rude and surly ?--No .-- A modest, sensible, and well-bred man Will not insult me, and _no other can_."] "Preserve your just relations to other men; their misconduct does not affect your duties.

Has your father done wrong, or your brother been unjust?
Still he _is_ your father, he _is_ your brother; and you must consider your relation to him, not whether he be worthy of it or no.
"Your duty towards the gods is to form just and true opinions respecting them.

Believe that they do all things well, and then you need never murmur or complain." "As rules of practice," says Epictetus, "prescribe to yourself an ideal, and then act up to it.

Be mostly silent; or, if you converse, do not let it be about vulgar and insignificant topics, such as dogs, horses, racing, or prize-fighting.