The Equinox (Volume I, Number X)

THE EQUINOX we make of others, our rages of hurt vanity, and our ill- satisfied passions. A kindly and gentle philosophy would avoid all these evils. If we close our eyes to the defects of our neighbour, and only consider his good qualities, we shall find good and benevolence everywhere. The most perverse man has a good side to him, and softens when one knows how to take him. If you had nothing in common with the vices of men, you would not even perceive them. Friendship, and the devotions which it inspires, are found even in prisons and in convict stations. The horrible Lacenaire faithfully returned any money which had been lent to him, and frequently acted with generosity and kindness. I have no doubt that in the life of crime which Cartouche and Mandrin led there were acts of virtue fit to draw tears from the eyes. There has never been any one absolutely bad or absolutely good. ‘There is none good but God,” said the best of the Masters. That quality in ourselves which we call zeal for virtue is often nothing but a masterful secret self-love, a jealousy in disguise, and a proud instinct of contradiction. ‘When we see manifest disorders and scandalous sinners,” say mystical theologians, “let us believe that God is submitting them to greater tests than those with which He tries us, that certainly, or at least very probably, we are not as good as they are, and should do much worse in their place.” Peace! Peace! this is the supreme welfare of the soul, and it is to give us this that Christ came to the world. “Glory to God in the highest, peace upon earth, and good will toward men!” cried the Angels of Heaven at the birth of the Saviour. 278