The whole secret of health, happiness and longevity lies then in this
simple observance, if it can only be fully understood, appreciated in
all its importance, and carried out in all the smallest details of life.
As such perfection is rare, and somewhat difficult to attain--the trials
and temptations of life being so great--so are none of the results here
enumerated often arrived at; but that is no reason why man should not
endeavour to reach as near perfection as possible, and enjoy as much
health and happiness as he can. One of the most common and one of the
greatest errors is to suppose that happiness is to be obtained by the
pursuit of pleasure and excitement. The temporary enjoyment created by
such is inevitably followed by reaction--lassitude and weariness--and
human nature is palled by the surfeit of amusement as much as it is by
the luxuries of the table. There cannot be a more humiliating spectacle
than that of the man of the world, as he is called, or the woman of
fashion or pleasure. Blasé is too considerate an expression. Such
persons are worn-out prematurely in body, mind and intellect--they are
soulless and unsympathetic--the wrecks of the noble creatures God
created as man and woman in all the simplicity of their nature.

It is surely worth while, then, considering whether the enjoyment of
health and happiness is not worth a little study and a little sacrifice
of the vain and imaginary pleasures of the world. There is no doubt that
some amount of restraint and some power of self-control are requisite to
ensure moderation. But the disdain of many pleasures is a chief part of
what is commonly called wisdom.

It is with waking and sleeping, with talking and walking, with eating
and drinking, with toil and labour, with all the acts of life, that
moderation or obedience to the laws of Nature requires some little
sacrifice in their observance; but it is quite certain that without this