promises, since, as men’s interest changes, so will their duty and
affections likewise.
26. It is a very ancient observation, and a very true one, that
people generally despise where they flatter, and cringe to those
they design to betray; so that truth and ceremony are, and always
will be, two distinct things.
27. When you find your friend in an error, undeceive him with
secrecy and civility, and let him see his oversight first by hints
and glances; and if you cannot convince him, leave him with
respect, and lay the fault upon your own management.
28. When you are under the greatest vexations, then consider that
human life lasts but for a moment; and do not forget but that you
are like the rest of the world, and faulty yourself in many
instances; and withal, remember that anger and impatience often
prove more mischievous than the provocation.
29. Gentleness and good humour are invincible, provided they are
without hypocrisy and design; they disarm the most barbarous and
savage tempers, and make even malice ashamed of itself.
30. In all the actions of life let it be your first and principal
care to guard against anger on the one hand, and flattery on the
other, for they are both unserviceable qualities, and do a great
deal of mischief in the government of human life.
31. When a man turns knave or libertine, and gives way to fear,
jealousy, and fits of the spleen; when his mind complains of his
fortune, and he quits the station in which Providence has placed
him, he acts perfectly counter to humanity, deserts his own nature,
and, as it were, runs away from himself.
32. Be not heavy in business, disturbed in conversation, nor
impertinent in your thoughts. Let your judgment be right, your
actions friendly, and your mind contented; let them curse you,
threaten you, or despise you; let them go on; they can never injure
your reason or your virtue, and then all the rest that they can do
to you signifies nothing.
33. The only pleasure of human life is doing the business of the
creation; and which way is that to be compassed very easily? Most
certainly by the practice of general kindness, by rejecting the
importunity of our senses, by distinguishing truth from falsehood,
and by contemplating the works of the Almighty.
34. Be sure to mind that which lies before you, whether it be
thought, word, or action; and never postpone an opportunity, or
make virtue wait for you till to-morrow.
35. Whatever tends neither to the improvement of your reason nor
the benefit of society, think it below you; and when you have done
any considerable service to mankind, do not lessen it by your folly
in gaping after reputation and requital.
36. When you find yourself sleepy in a morning, rouse yourself,
and consider that you are born to business, and that in doing good
in your generation, you answer your character and act like a man;
whereas sleep and idleness do but degrade you, and sink you down to
a brute.
37. A mind that has nothing of hope, or fear, or aversion, or
desire, to weaken and disturb it, is the most impregnable security.
Hither we may with safety retire and defy our enemies; and he that
sees not this advantage must be extremely ignorant, and he that
forgets it unhappy.
38. Do not disturb yourself about the faults of other people, but
let everybody’s crimes be at their own door. Have always this
great maxim in your remembrance, that to play the knave is to rebel
against religion; all sorts of injustice being no less than high
treason against Heaven itself.
39. Do not contemn death, but meet it with a decent and religious
fortitude, and look upon it as one of those things which Providence
has ordered. If you want a cordial to make the apprehensions of
dying go down a little the more easily, consider what sort of world
and what sort of company you will part with. To conclude, do but
look seriously into the world, and there you will see multitudes of
people preparing for funerals, and mourning for their friends and