human
I am afraid I am no student of character, but I should say it would have a genial, developing effect.
gpt
Yes, one thinks so at the first blush, and that continued failure would dwarf the faculties. One can hardly lay down a rule where exceptions are so numerous; and of course success and failure are never accidents.
human
I think they seem to be so very often.
gpt
No, Page shook his head.
human
Everything is the result of law.
gpt
Then the character that dominates and commands success must grow by what it feeds upon, and expand in its own sunlight. I was right.
human
Yes; but the flowers and fruits of a tropical sun are heavy in scent and often coarse of flavor: while the flower that struggles for life and develops in meagre warmth is like the New England arbutus, both strong and delicate.
gpt
People have such varying standards by which they measure success and failure, said Clover.
human
That sort of scanty, hard-won success which might be typified by the arbutus would scarcely be counted success by many.
gpt
True, said Page, nodding his head at her thoughtfully.
human
There ought to be some reliable touchstone which we could apply to every case.
gpt
Surely there is,
human
You mean we should judge according to our best education in right and wrong?
gpt
It amounts to that. It seems to me that all that comes to us is important only according to its effect on character.
human
Are your beliefs simply ethical, he asked,
gpt
I suppose I understand you, she replied.
human
I think if I could not say that I am religious I should not be here to say anything. I have stood in places where ethical culture and humanitarianism would not have saved me.
gpt
Such testimony interests me very much, he answered,