Some Things That Are Catching

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 29, 1910

Some Things That Are Catching

You know there are some diseases that are said to be “catching,” which means that one sick person can give his disease to another.

If you had measles or whooping-cough, you would not try to give your disease to any one else, would you? But there are other things that are catching, which you may give without thinking. Crossness and bad temper are catching, too. One child may give them to a whole company of others; for they spread very fast. When you feel cross and quarrelsome, it is better to stay by yourself till you feel pleasant, or make up your mind to be pleasant anyhow, than to go among others and harm them.

But good temper, sunshine, love, and joy are catching, too, and can be spread ever so far. Be careful what you give, then. Let others catch happiness, and not the sulks or bad temper, from you. — Selected.