October 17

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold. — Prov 22:1

Good name, in man or 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.
— William Shakespeare.

Keep back your tears when a soul is untrue;
“Sorrow is shallow”; and one can wade through
The mud and the marshes, and still endure
If he finds he has kept his spirit pure.

The rose near died when it fell to its lot
To break its heart for forget-me-not;
But after its heart was healed by the dew,
Right by its side a sweet violet grew!
— M.B.S.

Prayer

My Father, teach me the value of the possessions that can neither be handled nor seen; and may I not take them away from others. Help me to keep thy commandment "Thou shalt not steal," and interpret it in all its relations to life. Amen.