This is the story of young Lieutenant Wildberg and the heavy price he paid for succumbing to the subtle temptation of worldly logic. Though at first his “indiscretion” seemed to accomplish a great and noble good, it eventually brought grief and harm to those he loved. He learned that “even the most trivial lie is an evil seed.” (The second story in this volume is as powerful as The Lost Ruby.)
Johann Nepomuk Christoph Friedrich von Schmid was a writer of children's stories, educator, and Roman Catholic priest. His stories were very popular and translated into many languages. His best-known work in the English-speaking world is The Basket of Flowers (Das Blumenkörbchen).
This book was almost deserving of 5 stars...I'd say 4.9. There was just one thing about it that disturbed me, it made a comment that God does not use evil to accomplish his purposes and I disagree. Because, God does not condone evil but he uses it to accomplish his greater purpose.
"Let our hearts be filled with true, sterling honesty, genuine good will, true virtue, and fear of God; for these are more precious than rubies. .... buy the truth and sell it not, for truth and honour are worth more than all the jewels in the world."