ForourSelveswillalwaysdoprettywellifwedon’tpaythemtoomuchattention。OurSelvesarelikesomelittlechildrenwhowillbehappyenoughsolongastheyarelefttotheirowngames，butwhenwebegintointerferewiththem，andmakethempresentsoftooniceplaythings，ortoomanysweetthings，theybeginatoncetofretandspoil。
“Why，Diamond，child！“saidhismotheratlast，“you’reasgoodtoyourmotherasifyouwereagirl——nursingthebaby，andtoastingthebread，andsweepingupthehearth！Ideclareabodywouldthinkyouhadbeenamongthefairies。”
CouldDiamondhavehadgreaterpraiseorgreaterpleasure？
YouseewhenheforgothisSelfhismothertookcareofhisSelf，andlovedandpraisedhisSelf。OurownpraisespoisonourSelves，andpuffandswellthemup，tilltheyloseallshapeandbeauty，andbecomelikegreattoadstools。ButthepraisesoffatherormotherdoourSelvesgood，andcomfortthemandmakethembeautiful。
Theyneverdothemanyharm。Iftheydoanyharm，itcomesofourmixingsomeofourownpraiseswiththem，andthatturnsthemnastyandslimyandpoisonous。