Beatitudes for the Family

Here are a few selections from Leland Foster Wood's Beatitudes for the Family, published in 1955 by Round Table Press, and now out of print. Some good, practical wisdom for the home life.


HURTS

Happy is the family
In which unkind words are held in check;
And sharp retorts remain unspoken;

Whose members learn the art
Of healing the hurts of life,
And refrain from wounding the spirit,
As they would abhor hurting the body.



BANISHING WORRY

Happy is the family
Whose members lessen
The worries of one another,
And do not increase care
By a gloomy disposition
Nor by blaming one another
In time of misfortune.

They see the bright side of life,
And keep their spirits
Even in the midst of trials.
They divide worries
And multiply joys
By sharing them together.



BEING AGREEABLE

Happy is the family
Whose members help one another
By being agreeable and entertaining;

Who tell one another
Of pleasant and interesting things
Which they have seen or heard.

They shall be good comrades,
For each shall appreciate all things the more,
Because he can share them with the others.