ONE morning a little girl and her mother were looking out of the window into the farmyard. There stood many cows, oxen, and horses waiting to drink. It was a cold morning. The cattle were all still and meek, till one of the cows in turning round accidentally hit its next neighbor, whereupon the neighbor kicked and hurt another. In five minutes all the cattle were furiously kicking each other. The mother said, “See what comes of kicking when you are hit.” Afterwards if the little girl or her brother were irritable mother would say, “Take care, my children: remember how the fight in the farmyard began. Never give back a kick for a hit, and remember the proverb, ‘It takes two to make a quarrel.’”
It is well, especially for young Christian people, to remember these lovely words, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Indeed, older folks might often recall with advantage this beautiful saying of the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He never sought to justify Himself when accused. It is written, “He answered nothing;” (Matt. 27:12).
How strange and sad that people, even God’s children, sometimes become angry with each other and quarrel without any good reason! They might remember the simple lines:
“There’s a knowing little proverb,
From the sunny land of Spain,
But in Northland, as in Southland,
Is its meaning clear and plain.
Lock it up within your hearts:
Neither lose nor lend it—
‘Two it takes to make a quarrel:
One can always end it,’”