Leaves of Life - May 21

Leaves of Life 
Daily Inspiration by Margaret Bird Steinmetz

MAY TWENTY-FIRST
Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake
As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake;
The center moved, a circle straight succeeds,
Another still, and still another spreads;
Friend, parent, neighbor, first it will embrace,
Its country next, and next, the human race.
—Alexander Pope.

A gentleman is one who understands and shows every mark of deference to the claim of self-love in others, and exacts it in return from them.

—William Hazlitt.

But he knoweth the way that I take;
When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot hath held fast to his steps;
His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
—Job 23. 10.

Lord God, teach me how secret actions make or destroy my life. Show me the deep lines made by sorrow and discontent that cannot be effaced. May I look toward the corrections of life and not on my imperfections, that my life may be a helpful influence. Amen.

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