Teachings of Life by a Mother

While leafing through the pages in the Charlotte Mason Digital Archives, I chanced upon this letter from A MOTHER. She shares this insightful list of aphorisms (pithy observations that contain general truths). It made me wonder what her "long period of suffering" was. 

This one is my favorite - 

"When portions of life are stormy, and buffet you, remember the shore is sweetest where tides run ; you have no right to claim always half-tide."

It reminded me of this quote by Charlotte Mason which Marcia shared in last nights' Living Education Lessons. 

"Sometimes the springs swell in the hills, the rivers overflow, and there is a flood; but this is not always a misfortune in the end, because much that is rotten and unclean is swept away, and lands washed by a flood are very fertile afterwards." Vol. 4, p. 7

Which one of her aphorisms below strike you? 

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DEAR EDITOR,—I venture to send you a few aphorisms which have

come to me during a long period of suffering, with its intervals of solitude. They may be interesting to other mothers, who will perhaps, in their turn, be induced to send you for publication some of the teachings of life that have come to them also in times of weariness and distress.

                                                                       A MOTHER.

Live all the hours you can in the sunlight.

Work by rule ; with exceptions.

Let good habits bear sway; not as tyrants, but as friends.

Let unimportant things be.

Don't tell everybody everything.

Reserve your strength ; others have shoulders too.

Give deliberation beforehand, and the right rate of speed to the action.

" Do the nexte thinge " by all means, and know you are going to do it, but do not always betray your intention.

" Trye before you truste," and have faith rather in acts than words.

Blame the right person only and to the right amount only, but give

encouragement to wash it down.

Remain alone and at peace, if you have a right to solitude ; but emerge the better for it.

When you know what rests you, REST for others' sakes.

If sleep flits, mercy looks down the long day through.

Believe in yourself up to the point you would believe in another,

otherwise you are unjust.

Mental prayer needs no " style." If it did could you better the

Psalmist's ?

Make a museum of your mind, and let conversation be the well-oiled key.

In an important interview, weigh your first words ; after that trust to opportunity, instinct and the spirit.

When portions of life are stormy, and buffet you, remember the shore is sweetest where tides run ; you have no right to claim always half-tide.

Torrents and whirlwinds have their glory, and great souls bow down and worship ; so only do they hear the still small voice."

Who is the welcome humourist ? He that takes off, not the individual, but the race.

Judge people as they mean to be, not as they appear; but judge their works, not as they appear, but as they are.

Wholesome " chaff" leaves grain behind; but in domestic life sarcasm is a file which may wear down a fine edge.

If we could but fathom each other's methods of work and play, how

much greater would the aggregate be.

(From the "P.R." Letter Bag, p. 131, Vol. 8, 1897)