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to let thy works be seen in embrio, but learn of nature not to expose them to the world till they

are mature.

2536 If thou canft so prepare for thy latter end, and arrive to that pass, that no affection to any earthly thing detains thee in this world, thy confidence and confolation at the hour of death will be unfpeakable.

2537 When thou relateft any thing, avoid many and long harrangues, by which the narration is broken, and the hearer retarded and put out of his way; as by hedges and ditches in the road of a traveller, that would pass to his journey's end.

2538 Sometimes thou wilt find, that by the mere prepounding a difficulty to another, thou fhalt presently be able to refolve that which feemed too hard for thee, whilft thou revolvedst it only in in thy own breast.

2539 If thou wouldest be truly great, and be loved and respected, thou must be equally removed from fervility on the one hand, and pride on the other; thou muft fcorn to trample upon a worm, or sneak to an emperor.

2540 Be not negligent concerning circumftances and outward appearances; for they frequently

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quently procure a man more. respect than real worth; and a good bottom to an ungraceful fashion fpoils all.

2541 Thou shouldest always prefer thy duty and a good confcience before all the world; because it is in truth more valuable, fince thy foul is immortal, and will furvive in another world.

2542 In reading, carry an indifferent affection along with thee, and never engage thy inclination fo firmly to what thou meetest with in an author, as to leave no place for the truth; or a greater probability thou may'st find in another.

2543 Fancy not that thou canst be happy in the world and become rich of thyself. There must be dependencies in commerce, without which it is generally impoffible to have ever what is most neceffary.

2544 If thou forbeareft an action fit and reasonable, merely upon the account of cenfure that thou art likely to undergo for it (either from the vulgar, or great ones,) thou wilt often find it very hard to be honest and juft.

2545 Never defame or accuse any, except thou art fure and certain of the fact, and canft fpeak home to the purpofe; for undoubtful accufations

leave a ftain behind them, and after prove indelible injuries to the party accused.

2546 Look well to thyfelf, as to the little and common things of life. Praife is fooner obtained in fmaller things than in great; for as much as the former may be frequently reiterated, and the latter acted but feldom.

2547 All the things in the world being but the fervants of the body, and the body of the foul, how abjectly base art thou, if abandoning thy own authority, thou becomest the servant of thy fervant's fervant.

2548 Bear thyself gently and kindly towards men in mifery: fuch are apt to suspect every thing for a contumely and derifion; and their minds being fore, every new displeasure gives them a new fmart.

2549 That learning which thou getteft by thy own obfervation and experience, is far beyond that which thou gettest by precept; as the knowledge of a traveller exceeds that which is got by

a map.

2550 The best judgment thou canst make of a man is from the acquaintance he keeps company with for friends and enemies are both partial; whereas

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whereas these fee him trueft, because calmeft, and are no way engaged to lie for him.

2551 Demean thyfelf more warily in thy study than in the street: if thy public actions have a hundred witneffes, thy private have a thousand. The multitude looks but upon thy actions; thy conscience looks into them.

2552 If thou keepest company too much with others, I fear me, thou wilt not converse enough with thyself; and then, for want of being acquainted with thy own bosom, thou wilt be mistaken, and prefent a fool to the people which thou tookest to be a wife man.

2553 Thou must reap fingular benefits from obloquies, if thou ftudieft to improve them to their richest advantage. The venom of a viperous tongue may be converted into treacle.

2554 Refolve upon nothing of moment, but by the advice and permiffion of right reason: and when thou hast once resolved, let nothing be able to divert the execution, but a countermand from the fame authority.

2555 When thou fhewest respect to any one, fee that thy fubmiffions be proportionable to the homage thou owest him. There is stupidity and

pride in doing too little; but in over acting of it, there is abjection and hypocrify.

2556 Enjoy as much content and happiness as thou canft this very present moment, and put it not off to a time to come, no body knows when ; as though that time should be of another make than this that is already come.

2557 In writing, endeavour to make thy language and style fo continued every where, and so like itself, that the reader may well perceive thou haft no where stretched thy own notion and meaning, to make way for another man's fancy or expreffion.

2558 Closeness and direct reservedness is very ill taken in company; for it implies thou either despisest them or fufpecteft them, or haft a defign upon them; or else, perhaps, that thou thyself hast. nothing in thee.

2559 If thou admittest every one into the number of thy friends, thou prostituteft thy life to all comers. If thou joineft with none, thou wanteft one of the greatest comforts and helps thou canst here enjoy. No man is happy without a friend.

2560 Thou wilt generally find courtefies thrown away upon perfons that are very proud or cove tous; the one being of that fondness as to think F 5.

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