How many there are who roll through life performing no higher functions than the swine at the trough! They exercise not their God-given power of will to restrain, to decide, to determine. Round and fat they are; sleek and comely they are; good eaters they are; good drinkers they are; good sleepers they are; and good diers they are—for when they are dead they are out of the way.
They are born with a cry; then they eat and drink and sleep; then they die with a wheeze—that is all. And how much are they worth? What are they good for? They are fine as the world goes. Yet my asparagus-bed brings forth as good men as they are. I would as lief have fat vegetables as these men of no firmness, of no decision of character, these men of shambles.—BEECHER.
