2–8 June 1834

The lower tone you take, the more flexible your voice is.

What perpetual working and counterworking in us, so that many good actions spring from bad motives, and many bad "actions from good mo- tives. Verily. Then how slovenly and despite ourselves we are continually jostled into know- ledge of truth. D. P. commends peace to the boys, the boys debate the matter and give such cogent reasons to the contrary, that D. P. in anger and fear to be put down, wades out be- yond his depth in the other direction, and gets unawares a knowledge of the infinite reason of love. Highest praise and happiness is it to go forward one step of our own seeing and find our- selves in a position whose advantages we foresaw.

The solitary bird that sung in the pine tree reminded me of one talker who has nothing to say alone, but when friends come, and the con- versation grows loud, is forthwith set into in- tense activity, mechanically echoing and strength- ening everything that is said, without any regard to the subject or to truth.