Tuesday, January 13, 2009


I have been so enjoying my new book “Treasures New and Old”. In it are so many delicious and wholesome thoughts. Now the one below is a piece by Lord Bulwer Lytton, in it he is prescribing different subjects as antidotes for different maladies.
It is just fun to read; he ends with a summation and recommendation of the “Book of Books”, the cardinal medicine for all, but I want to post his prescription for sectarianism and then on to a remedy for the cry baby. I enjoy his colorful and humorous illustrations, hope you do as well.


“Then, for that vice of the mind which I call sectarianism – not in the religious sense of the word, but little, narrow prejudices, that make you hate your next-door neighbor, because he has his eggs roasted when you have yours boiled; and gossiping and prying into people’s affairs, and backbiting, and thinking heaven and earth are coming together, if some broom touch a cobweb that you have let grow over the window-sill of your brains – for this, a large and generous course of history.”

“But,” continued my father, more gravely, “when some one sorrow that is yet reparable gets hold of your mind like a monomania – when you think, because heaven has denied you this or that, on which you had set your heart, that all your life must be a blank – oh! then diet your self well on biography – that biography of good and great men. See how little a space one sorrow really makes in life. See scarce a page, perhaps, given to some grief similar to your own; and how triumphantly the life sails on beyond it! You thought the wing was broken! – Tut – tut – it was but a bruised feather! See what life leaves behind it when all is done!

Painting by Leon Augustin




8 comments:

MaryMGlynn said...

lolol now this was a person with an opinion..
Don't you love delving into a great read specially older books because writing is all they has, not the distractions as we have today. When it was hard to get a book published where today anyone can. Just go on a website and pay for it. In many ways books were better then because people were still naive and innocent. There are good and bad in both. But in books there were allot of good hardy wisdom that was meant to learn from.

MaryMGlynn said...

Specially if I read before I pressed enter, I appear like I know how to spell. lol

Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers often.

FCB said...

Hi Mary,
It is interesting to think how it must have been when the only medium they had was books. I still find them the best source of entertainment, knowledge and wisdom. Rarely a movie comes along that is powerful or inspirational, but books never fail. Hmm, speaking of movies, I say "Seven Pounds" with Wil Smith. Man, that was a powerful movie. It left me leaving considering so many things. I would recommend it as a don't miss. Great acting, heights of joy, bottom of sorrow, and a plot that defies discovery.
Love Fred.

Hi Anon,
I think of you often as well.
Good to see you pop up in the comments, miss your insights.
Fred

MaryMGlynn said...

Fred I just viewed the trailer on you-tube it looks really good. I love Will Smith so I bet it is good. I will def have to watch it!! Thanks for letting me know of it.

I agree with you 100% on older books. They are the best. Now when my kids are at school that is the only time I have to think straight so I need to get back into reading for sure. I still love reading the book you gave us when we were visiting. It is a must keep book and I just love all the stories in it! Thank you for this book it is a true treasure! So are you to me Fred!

FCB said...

Thank you Mary, you are too sweet and are a joy to me as well. God is good!
Fred

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred :)

Good books are always a source of inspiration and joy. We learn many useful lessons.

Thanks for sharing along with a lovey photo.

Best wishes :)

FCB said...

Hi Joseph,
I also really like this painting, it captures the fatigue in this man as well as little hope. Very moving as well as realistic.
God bless,
Fred