“Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it.” Ali bin Abi Talib (7th century)
Quoted by Sir William Jones (18th century) from Persian poet Saadi (13th century)
The falling Sandal-Tree sheds fragrance round,
Perfumes the axe that fells it to the ground;
Some through their tortured trunks a balm supply,
And to give life to their destroyer—die;
A Rose Geranium Sings – Sophia May Eckley (19th century)
You may crush us and break us at will,
But forgiveness may hide in a grief;
Forgiveness! sweet unction of fragrance,
Bruised from a geranium leaf.
Marjorie Kelting 