58 SELFISHNESS.

Dr. Watts says,—
‘* Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so ;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For ’tis their nature too.”’

But children have a different nature, and
a different rule of conduct. Instead of biting
and fighting, they are required to be kind
and gentle to one another, and to all mankind.

Instead of being selfish, like the dog, they
are commanded to be just and charitable ; by
which I mean, that they should always give
to others what is their due, and also give to
others, if they can, what they stand in need of.

If a child snatches from another what is
not his, he is selfish and wicked. If a child
tries in any way to get what belongs to an-
other, he is selfish, and is in his heart a thief
or a robber. Selfishness is caring only for
one’s self. It is a very bad thing, and every
one should avoid it. A selfish person is
never truly good, or truly happy, or truly
beloved, when his character is known.

How miserable should we all be, if every
person was to care only for himself! Sup-
pose children and grown-up people, were all
to be as selfish as cats and dogs; what
constant fighting there would be among them.