"LET no man despise thee." So said the apostle Paul to his son Timothy. The injunction applies equally well to us. There is no one but would like to be able to keep people from despising him; but, unfortunately, too many do not know how to do it. They try to do it by insisting on their "rights," determined not to be "run over." They call attention to their own virtues and attainments, and court applause in various ways. But all that is a hard struggle to no purpose. There is one, and only one, simple rule to keep people from despising us, and that is, not to be despicable, that is, "deserving to be despised." Improve all the means provided for forming a noble character; be sincere, honest, upright, and straightforward. When you are in the right way, walk in it boldly, and not cringingly. Be "a free man" in Christ. Walk at liberty by keeping the commandments. Call no man master; but fear God alone. Do this, and good men will love and respect you; and though evil men may hate you, they cannot in their hearts despise you.