Little acts of kindness are stowed away in the heart, like bags of lavender in a drawer, to sweeten every object around them.
A good man that has done a kindness never proclaims it, but does another as soon as he can; much like the vine which is satisfied by being fruitful in its kind, and bears a bunch of grapes without expecting thanks for it.
There's no dearth of kindness In this world of ours; Only in our blindness We gather thorns for flowers.
Money can be repaid-- Not kindness such as yours.
_Returned Kindness._--When the country near Albany was newly settled, an Indian came to the inn at Lichfield, and asked for a night's shelter, at the same time confessing that from failure in hunting he had nothing to pay. The hostess drove him away with reproachful epithets, and as the Indian was retiring sorrowfully,--there being no other inn for many a weary mile,--a man who was sitting by directed the hostess to supply his wants, and promised to pay her. As soon as his supper was ended, the Indian thanked his benefactor, and said he would some day repay him. Several years thereafter the settler was taken a prisoner by a hostile tribe, and carried off to Canada. However, his life was spared, though he himself was detained in slavery. But one day an Indian came to him, and giving him a musket, bade the captive follow him. The Indian never told where they were going, nor what was his object; but day after day the captive followed his mysterious guide, till one afternoon they came suddenly on a beautiful expanse of cultivated fields, with many houses rising amongst them. "Do you know that place?" asked the Indian. "Ah, yes--it is Lichfield!" and whilst the astonished exile had not recovered his surprise and amazement, the Indian exclaimed--"And I am the starving Indian on whom at this very place you took pity. And now that I have paid for my supper, I pray you go home!"
Let them enjoy their little day, Their humble bliss receive; Oh, do not lightly take away The life thou canst not give.
Getting money is not all a man's business: to cultivate kindness, is a valuable part of the business of life.
A more glorious victory cannot be gained over another man than this: that when the injury began on his part, the kindness shall begin on ours.