My father can not undo what
he has done; he can not piece together and make whole the wreck he has
made of my life."
"Have you no charity?" persuasively.
The Chevalier spread his hands in negation. He was growing restive.
"Will you let me teach you?" Brother Jacques was expiating the sin of
envy.
"You may teach, but you will find me somewhat dull in learning."
"Do you know what charity is?"
"It is a fine word, covered with fine clothes, and goes about in pomp
and glitter. It builds in the abstract: telescopes for the blind,
lutes for the deaf, flowers for the starved. Bah! charity has had
little bearing on my life."
"Listen," said Brother Jacques; "of all God's gifts to men, charity is
the largest. To recognize a sin in oneself and to forgive it in
another because we possess it, that is charity. Charity has no
balances like justice; it weighs neither this nor that. Its heart has
no secret chambers; every door will open for the knocking. Mercy is
justice modified. Charity forgives where justice punishes and mercy
condones. Your bitter words were directed against philanthropy, not
charity.
Pages:
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419