THE INSTITUTES OF MENU. 
99 
moral feelings, nor as sanctioned by the spirit of their 
religion. Those Brahmins, who are really learned, 
and such are by no means uncommon, have a nice 
perception of moral influence. They teach the doc- 
trines of a refined practical philosophy, contending for 
inward purity and integrity of heart as well as for 
external decorum of conduct, and there are many 
among them of very rare mental endowments. We 
find, moreover, many axioms of a high morality 
among their religious and philosophical writings. I 
take one at random from the Institutes of Menu. 
“ Let not a man be querulous even though in pain ; 
let him not injure another in deed or in thought ; let 
him not even utter a word by which his fellow-crea- 
ture may suffer uneasiness ; since that will obstruct 
his own progress to future beatitude.” * There is a 
beautiful maxim quoted by Sir William Jones, and 
written upwards of three hundred years before the 
Christian era, which would do honour to any religious 
community— it pronounces the duty of a good man, 
even in the moment of destruction, to consist, “ not 
only in forgiving but even in a desire to benefit, his 
destroyer, as the sandal-tree, in the instant of its 
overthrow, sheds perfume on the axe that fells it.” 
These are the suggestions of no common minds, and 
whoever, in seeking to ascertain the Hindoo character, 
shall judge of it from those with whom he may 
happen to come in contact, in passing rapidly through 
any part of their country, will be sure to look at it 
through a false medium and consequently not appre- 
ciate it justly. If there be much to despise, there is 
* Institutes of Menu, chap. 2, on Education. 
