A GOOD NAME
We should respect the good name of other people, and should safeguard
our own by a high sense of honor. At the close of the Civil War a
representative of an insurance company offered Robert E. Lee the
presidency of the firm at a salary of $50,000 a year. Lee replied that
while he wished to earn his living, he doubted whether his services
would be worth so large a sum. "We don't want your services," the man
interrupted; "we want your name." "That," said Lee, quietly, "is not for
sale." He accepted, instead, the presidency of a college at $1500 a
year.
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.
We should respect the good name of other people, and should safeguard
our own by a high sense of honor. At the close of the Civil War a
representative of an insurance company offered Robert E. Lee the
presidency of the firm at a salary of $50,000 a year. Lee replied that
while he wished to earn his living, he doubted whether his services
would be worth so large a sum. "We don't want your services," the man
interrupted; "we want your name." "That," said Lee, quietly, "is not for
sale." He accepted, instead, the presidency of a college at $1500 a
year.
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.
1 comment:
Couldn't understand this article completely, however can get the essence - which is good.
Post a Comment