One may not be blind to another's failings, but they may be borne with good-natured forbearance.

Of all qualities, good temper is the one that wears and works the best in married life.

Conjoined with self-control, it gives patience--the patience to bear and forbear, to listen without retort, to refrain until the angry flash has passed.

How true it is in marriage, that "the soft answer turneth away wrath!" Burns the poet, in speaking of the qualities of a good wife, divided them into ten parts.

Four of these he gave to good temper, two to good sense, one to wit, one to beauty--such as a sweet face, eloquent eyes, a fine person, a graceful carriage; and the other two parts he divided amongst the other qualities belonging to or attending on a wife--such as fortune, connections, education [20that is, of a higher standard than ordinary], family blood, &c.; but he said: "Divide those two degrees as you please, only remember that all these minor proportions must be expressed by fractions, for there is not any one of them that is entitled to the dignity of an integer." It has been said that girls are very good at making nets, but that it would be better still if they would learn to make cages.