1991 If thou doft ill, think not to excuse thy-" felf for being tempted to it, if thou hadft any ftrength to refift it.

1992 When thou readeft a book, regard it no further than it agrees to reafon, let who will be the author of it.

1993 In things neceffary, thou may'st go along with the ancient church; but in things indifferent, with the present.

1994

Sell not thy brother's credit at a low rate : it will fet the market for another to buy thine at the

fame price.

1995 Books should be chofen as friends ought to be; few, but choice ones; yet thou may'st have many acquaintance.

1996 Thou wilt be eafed of abundance of cares, distractions, and troubles, and if thou doft but well regulate thy defires and fears.

1997

Wouldest thou improve in thy knowledge, affect not a multitude of books: there are but few

worth ftudying.

1998 The fooner thou appliest thyself to it, and the more hafte thou makeft, the longer fhalt thou enjoy a rectified mind.

1999 What doth it concern thee which was the elder, Homer or Hefiod; or which was the taller, Helen or Hecuba?.

2000 Though

2000 Though thou art too much a man to be without all paffion, yet thou art not to be fo much a beaft as to be governed by it.

2001 Find out thy own mistakes and failings, in order to amend them. A difease known is half cured.

2002 It cannot be too foon to fet about thy repentance now; because thou knoweft not how foon may be too late.

it

2003 In vain dost thou endeavour to amend thyfelf, if thou continuest to cenfure and fpeak ill of others.

2004 If thou art a good man, thou wilt love thyfelf too well to lofe, and thy neighbour also, to win, an estate by gaming.

2005 When thou comeft into the world of fpirits, it will fignify nothing to thee to have been rich or great in this world.

2006 Thou may'ft as reasonably expect to be well and at eafe without health, as to be happy without holiness.

2007 If thou doft repent, thou wouldest make fatisfaction, and doft recal thy ill action as much as lieth in thy power.

2008 If thou art virtuous meerly that thou may'st be famed for it, thou art no better than a vainglorious finner.

2009 Thou

2009 Thou art no christian at all, if thou art only one outwardly, and haft not the fame mind and fpirit that was in Chrift.

2010 Whatever great thing thou propofeft to do in thy life, thou shouldest think of atchieving it by fifty years old.

2011 The business of thy life is to inform thy understanding, to refine thy fpirits, and then to regulate all thy actions.

2012 Forecast and pre-fuppofe what inconveniences and hindrances may be in thy way; fo may'st thou provide against them.

2013 If thou hopeft for an opportunity of acting thy revenge, rapine, or luft, thou watchest to do thyfelf a mischief.

2014 Thou may'st be deprived of thy honours and riches against thy will, but not of thy virtue except thou confenteft.

2015 Give no advantage in argument, nor lofe any that is offered: this is a benefit which arifes from temper.

2016 The refufing or accepting of praises handfomely, is as great a trial of thy wisdom, as the cupel is of filver.

2017 If thy foul be not adorned with modesty and folid goodness, all external accomplishments will be but mere pageantry.

2018 Great

2018 Great beauty, great strength, and great riches, are really and truly of no great use.

2019 Thou art not bound to believe any one pofitively against thy reason, which God hath given thee to be thy guide.

2020 Thou perfectly knoweft what is good, and what is evil; and may'st be as certain in morals as in mathematicks.

2021 Avoid knowing more than thou needeft. Secrets are troublesome burthens to fuch as are not interested in them.

2022 Never trouble thyself about government: the disorders of the nation belong to none but the governors of it.

2023 Affift the afflicted with something real, if thou canft. As for tears they are but water; what good can they do?

2024 There is already a great progress made in a work, if, before it be begun, thou takest all the leisure requifite to think of it.

2025 Affect not to be wife and knowing out of time learning tafteth not kindly to every palate.

2026 If thou relieft too much upon the honesty of other men, it may probably, at one time or other, undo thee.

2027 A chief thing which thou haft to study and endeavour in this world is, to make thy life comfortable.

2028 Thou wilt fhew more discretion in amending thy own faults, than wit in reprehending others' failings.

2029 Wife men say of inconvenient and illgrounded friendships, 'tis better to unftitch them, than to tear them all to pieces.

2030 If thou wouldest be a rich or a great man, thou must learn to turn every accident to some advantage.

2031 If thou carrieft in thy breast any ill will and malice against any one, it is an argument that thyself art not forgiven of God.

2032 It is altogether as commendable to deny upon a juft occafion, is to grant in due season. 2033 Keep no company with libertines or gamefters, the lofs of money and time is the leaft. thing thou haft to fear among fuch.

2034 When thou doeft a good thing, have a care that a little felf-love and vanity be not in thy way when thou dost it.

2035 It is enough to be reconciled to thy friend once or twice; but if it come to a third time, thou hadft best break friendship.

VOL. II.

C

2036 Thy