134 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



in doubt as to whether the offense were intended or not, 

 go straight up to him, state the case, and ask the meaning 

 of the intention. Never let imaginary offenses, slights, 

 or cuts find a place in your breast — they sour the dis- 

 position. Ask to have them explained at once, and in 

 asking be always polite — never show temper. 



"The rule in the navy is to treat everybody as a 

 gentleman until he proves himself otherwise. It is a 

 good rule — observe it well. You will sometimes hear 

 the opinion expressed that it is necessary for a young 

 ofhcer to establish his courage by fighting. Now believe 

 me, my young friend, that the courage to stand up and 

 be shot at is the poorest sort of courage. He only is 

 truly brave who has the courage to do right. This is 

 the highest quality of bravery that a military, or any 

 other man can possess. 



"The doing right, the acting up to the principle, may 

 sometimes seem to you to be inexpedient, or it may have 

 the appearance of making you unpopular — but this 

 principle of conduct will build up a character founded on 

 the rock which nothing can shake ; and let me assure you 

 that it is unwise and always wrong for a man to have 

 enmity in his breast between himself and his conscience. 

 When principle is involved, be deaf to expediency. It is 

 a dangerous word to all classes of men. I would, if I 

 could, teach you almost to hate it." 



Now, a man who could attract and hold friends as 

 Maury did would naturally be one whose family life 

 was a happy one. This, indeed, was true in his case. 

 He was a faithful son who made his home that of his 

 parents in their old age, a thoughtful and considerate 

 brother to his sisters and brothers, even sharing his 

 home for a time with his brother's widow and her chil- 



