...such loss of faith is ever one of the saddest results of sin. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Benevolence is the twin of pride.

Would not the earth, quickened to an evil purpose by the sympathy of his eye, greet him with poisonous shrubs... Would he not suddenly sink into the earth, leaving a barren and blasted spot, where, in due course of time, would be seen deadly nightshade, dogwood, henbane, and whatever else of vegetable wickedness the climate could produce, all flourishing with hideous luxuriance?

It is perilous to make a chasm in human affections; not that they gape so long and wide—but so quickly close again!