Great Throughts Treasury

"God sends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the race - to enlarge our hearts, to make us unselfish, and full of kindly sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims, and to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; to bring round our fireside bright faces and happy smiles, and loving, tender hearts. My soul blesses the Great Father every day, that He has gladdened the earth with little children."

"He is happiest who hath the power to gather wisdom from a flower."

"For visions come not to polluted eyes."

"And now dear little children, who may this story read, to idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed: unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye, and take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly."

"Yes, in the poor man's garden grow far more than herbs and flowers?Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, and joy for weary hours."

"Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; will you rest upon my little bed? said the Spider to the Fly. There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, and if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in! Oh no, no, said the little Fly, for I've often heard it said, they never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"