One day in the middle of an important examination in high school, the point of my lead pencil broke. In those days we used pocket knives to sharpen our pencils. I had forgotten my penknife and turned to ask a neighbor for his. The teacher saw this he accused me of cheating. When I tried to explain, he gave me a tongue-lashing for lying worse, he forbade me to play on the basketball team in the upcoming game. I could see that the more I protested the angrier he seemed to become. But again and again I stubbornly told what had happened. Even when the coach pleaded my cause, the teacher refused to budge. The disgrace was almost more than I could bear. Then, just minutes before the game, he had a change of heart and I was permitted to play. But there was no joy in it. We lost the game and though that hurt, by far the deeper pain was being branded a cheat and a liar. Looking back. I know that lesson was God-sent. Character is shaped in just such crucibles. My parents believed me they were understanding and encouraging. Supported by them and a clear conscience, I began to realize that when you are at peace with your Maker you can, if not ignore human criticism, at least rise above it. And I learned something else - the importance of avoiding even the appearance of evil. Though I was innocent, circumstance made me look guilty. Since this could so easily be true in many of life's situations, I made a resolution to keep even the appearance of my actions above question, as far as possible. And it struck me, too, that if this injustice happened to me, it could happen to others, and I must not judge their actions simply on appearances.
More Quotes from Ezra Taft Benson:
Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible, but in that order.Ezra Taft Benson
Be a light unto the world, a standard to others. You can live in the world and not partake of the sins of the world. You can live life joyously, beautifully, unmarred by the ugliness of sin. This is our confidence in you.
Ezra Taft Benson
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, adjusting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives.
Ezra Taft Benson
And so today, the undermining of the home and family is on the increase, with the devil anxiously working to displace the father as the head of the home and create rebellion among the children. Isaiah describes the condition when he states, 'As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.' and then these words followand consider these words seriously when you think of those political leaders who are promoting birth control and abortion 'O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.' Isaiah 312
Ezra Taft Benson
If a man does not control his temper, it is a sad admission that he is not in control of his thoughts. He then becomes a victim of his own passions and emotions, which lead him to actions that are totally unfit for civilized behavior, let alone behavior for a priesthood holder.
Ezra Taft Benson
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Based on Topics: Appearances Quotes, Basketball Quotes, Change Quotes, Characters Quotes, Conscience Quotes, Criticism Quotes, Education Quotes, Good & Evil Quotes, Pain Quotes, Teachers Quotes, War & Peace QuotesBased on Keywords: angrier, branded, budge, crucibles, forbade, god-sent, pencils, pleaded, protested, sharpen, stubbornly, upcoming
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