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Show Tlio OnvNtliin AsUlnc ITub It-Like It-Like most other things, curiosity mny be either a virtue or u vice. With its proper use we have no present concern. We are only to consider one of its most disagreeable manifestations. The English have uu old proverb to the effect tiiat those who ask no questions will he Lold no lies. . It would bo well to bear this Hiirly old proverb ever In mind when tempted to make Idle inquiries. There are bo many rejisous why reticence Is wise and right, and tho knowledge of the truth might, be harmful, that the teniptatiou to evade or deny the truth is very strong to Lhose whose politeness makes it difficult for them to l efusetoauswer even an impertinent imper-tinent question. We may have 110 bad motives when asking ask-ing .Mrs. A. how she became acquainted with Mrs. Ii.; we may not, hi fact, care much about the matter; but it has occurred occur-red to us to wonder how, why and where a lady of such elegance and fashion as Mrs, A. should havu become so intimate with the humble and unattractive. Mrs. B. that the one cun rarely bo met without the other. So fur no harm has been done. As we have asked no questions, 110 mischievous surmises have been set afloat, and no rudeness rude-ness has been committed. It may he that neither woman would object to making kuown the origin of their friendship; hut it may also be Unit to tell it would be to unfold it loug story of sorrow or misfor- tune. Every one detests the scandal monger, but- his occupation would be gone without the aid of the questioner. The laser's motives may bo iuuoceut, but the results i of his vulgar impertinence are often disastrous. disas-trous. Every one who feels in himself, a ' rising inquiry hi regard to the private affairs af-fairs of others should crush it. Parents should use every effort to divert the natural natu-ral curiosity of their children into useful and elevating channels. Harper's Bazar. |
