From Monroe's Fourth Reader (see previous post):
Benjamin Franklin, when a young man, visited Dr.Cotton Mather. When the interview was ended, the doctor showed him out of the house by a back way. As they proceeded along a narrow passage, the doctor said to the lad, "Stoop! Stoop!"Posted by Alexandra at August 22, 2005 11:13 AMNot at once understanding the meaning of the advice, Franklin took another step, and brought his head pretty sharply against a beam that projected over the passage.
"My lad," said the divine, "you are young, and the world is before you; learn to stoop as you go through it, and you will save yourself many a hard thump."
Yet it is not an easy lesson to learn, --the art of stooping gracefully, and at the right time.
When a young man stands before you in a passion, fuming and foaming, although you know he is both unreasonable and wrong, it is folly to stand as straight, and stamp as hard, and talk as loud, as he does. This places two temporary madmen face to face. Stoop, as you would if a tornado were passing.
It is no disgrace to stoop before a heavy wind. It is just as sensible to echo back the bellowings of a mad bull, as to answer in the same tone the ravings of a madman. Stoop gracefully, and, amid the pauses of the wind, throw in the "soft words that turn away wrath."
When reproved for an error you have committed, for a wrong you have done, for a neglect chargeable against you, stoop! Do not try to justify or excuse a palpable fault. This only increases the wrong. This only excites greater wrath. Stoop!
If you say mildly, "I know I was wrong; forgive me," you have stolen away all your complainant's thunder. I have seen this tried with the happiest effect.
A friend came to me once with a face black with frowns, and with fury bottled up ready for an explosion because I had failed to fulfill a promise. I foresaw the storm, and took both his hands in mine as he approached, simply saying, "I am very sorry; I forgot. Pardon me this time." What could the man say? He kept the cork in the bottle and I escaped a terrible blast.
How much more easily and pleasantly we should get through life, if we knew how and when to stoop!
But when tempted to do a mean thing or a wrong thing, --when solicited to evil by companions or circumstances, --then don't stoop! You may give up your own personal rights if you will, you may give "coat and cloak" to an unjust demand, --sometimes even this is necessary, --to stoop in silence to an injustice. It may be done without disgrace or guilt. But never stoop to a meanness, to a base deed. Never stoop to pick up a forbidden object, the possession of which righteously exposes you to scorn or censure.