SUSPICION

Lord Halifax, a former foreign secretary of Great Britain, once shared a railway compartment with two prim-looking spinsters. A few moments before reaching his destination the train passed through a tunnel. In the utter darkness Halifax kissed the back of his hand noisily several times. When the train drew into the station, he rose, lifted his hat, and in a gentlemanly way said: "May I thank whichever one of you two ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel." He then beat a hasty retreat, leaving the two ladies glaring at each other.

Bits & Pieces, May 27, 1993, p. 22.

And from secular history comes the example of Constantine, whom historian Will Durant rates as generally an efficient and good ruler. Yet after he secured the position of Roman Emperor, Constantine became envious and cruel. In A.D. 326 he was so troubled by the success of his son Crispus, so disturbed by the popularity of his wife Fausta, and so suspicious of his talented nephew Licenianus, that he had all three of them executed.

Our Daily Bread.