Class assumptions, huh? There's this quote by Michel de Montaigne which I've always liked. I've got it written down somewhere. Here it is (from 1588):

“The laws of conscience, which we pretend to be derived from nature, proceed from custom; every one, having an inward veneration for the opinions and manners approved and received among his own people, cannot, without very great reluctance, depart from them, nor apply himself to them without applause.”

Not bad. But maybe it was the next one I originally had in mind, which is also a pearler. It's old Arthur Schopenhauer:

“The average individual, who thinks his conscience such an imposing structure, would be surprised to see of what it actually exists: about one-fifth fear of men, one-fifth fear of idols, one-fifth prejudice, one-fifth vanity and one-fifth sheer habit, which makes him basically no better than a certain Englishman who flatly stated that he could not afford to have a conscience.”

Fear of idols: more pagan superstition!

Who was that certain Englishman? That's interesting. It looks like William Paley. Yep. It was uttered, perhaps rashly, on his refusal to sign the clerical petition to the House of Commons in 1772, which would have provided some sort of relief from subscribing to the 39 articles of religion (though he agreed with the principle behind the petition).

But I'm avoiding writing a wedding speech, and it's already turned into the day of the wedding. I have a moral obligation.

Other duties could be to resite a poem for those you'd like to have a little "in memory of", or to straighten out your dress when turning. I think the poem idea is the best. I'm getting married this weekend, and my niece is saying the poem for me. Here is the one I'm using in memory of my mother and other realtives lost.

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I Thought…

I thought I saw your face today,
in the sparkle of the morning sun.
And then I heard the angel say,
"Their work on earth is done."

I thought I heard your voice today,
then laugh your hearty laugh.
And then I heard the angel say,
"There's peace dear one at last."

I thought I felt your touch today,
in the breeze that rustled by.
And then I heard the angel say,
"The spirit never dies."

I thought I saw my broken heart,
in the crescent of the moon.
And then I heard the angel say,
"The Lord is coming soon."

I thought that you had left me,
for the stars so far above.
And then I heard the angel say,
"They left you with their love."

I thought that I would miss you so,
and never find my way.
And then I heard the angel say,
"They're with you every day."
"The sun, the wind, the moon, the stars,
will forever be around,
reminding you of the love you shared,
and the peace they've finally found.

In Memory of: