I strove to drown my exasperated feelings towards the scrivener!

"But when this old Adam of resentment rose in me and tempted me concerning Bartleby, I grappled him and threw him.  How?  Why, simply by recalling the divine injunction: "A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another."  Yes, this it was that saved me.  Aside from higher considerations, charity often operates as a vastly wise and prudent principle--a great safeguard to its possessor.  Men have committed murder for jealousy's sake, and anger's sake, and hatred's sake, and selfishness' sake, and spiritual pride's sake; but no man that ever I heard of, ever committed a diabolical murder for sweet charity's sake.  Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings to charity and philanthropy.  At any rate, upon the occasion in question, I strove to drown my exasperated feelings towards the scrivener by benevolently construing his conduct.  Poor fellow, poor fellow! thought I, he don't mean any thing; and besides, he has seen hard times, and ought to be indulged."