| The Beauty of Self Control |
Chapter 4 |
Page 4 |
The auctioneer began to call for bids. But the responses came slowly. Then there came into the room a stranger, an Italian. He pressed his way to the side of the auctioneer to see the violin. He took it into his own hands, examined it carefully, held it to his ear as if it had some secret to whisper to him, and then laid it gently on his breast and began to play upon it, and marvelous music at once filled the room. The people were strangely affected. Some smiled, some wept; every heart was stirred. It was Paganini, the great master, whose fingers were on the strings. When he laid the instrument down, the bidding began again, and there was no trouble now in selling it. In the hands of the first player, the qualities of the violin were not brought out, and men did not know what a treasure was being offered to them. But in the hands of the great master its marvelous powers were discovered and brought out.
Our lives are like violins. In the right hands they will give forth wonderful music. But in unskillful hands their powers are not discovered. It is strange with what want of thought and care many people entrust their lives into the hands of those who cannot bring out the best that is in them, ofttimes of those who only do them harm. This is seen in the recklessness which many young people show in choosing their friends. Indeed, they do not choose their friends at all, but let themselves drift into association and intimacy with any who come their way. The influence of friendship is almost irresistible. The admission of a new companion into our life is the beginning of a new epoch in our course. If the friendship is pure, inspiring, and elevating, if the friend is one who in his own character will set before us new visions of beautiful life, and in all his influence over us will prove inspiring, the day of his coming to us will ever be a day to be remembered. But if the new friend is unworthy, or if his hands are unskillful, nothing good can come from his friendship. His coming into our life is a tragedy.
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