Judging the Character of Others
He who thinks better of his neighbors than they deserve, cannot be a bad man; for the standard by which his judgment is formed is the goodness of his own heart. It is the base only who believe all men base, or, in other words, like themselves. Few, however, are all evil. Even Nero did a good turn to somebody, for when Rome was rejoicing over his death, some loving hand covered his grave with flowers. Public men are seldom or never fairly judged, at least while living. However pure, they cannot escape calumny; however incorrect, they are sure to find eulogists. History may do them justice, but they rarely get it while alive, either from friend or foe.