CHAP III. Moral Precepts. Mo"-ral, a. good, relating to the actions and conduct of life. 8. Sin-ce"-ri-ty, s. honesty, integrity, pureness. 9. Ma-te'-ri-al, a. important, momentous, essential. 10. Study, s. an intense or close application of the mind to books or learning. Cul-ti-va -ti-on, s. the act of improving soils, by tilling and manuring. (Figuratively, the improvement of the mind by education and study.) 11. Bane, s. ruin, destruction; poison. 12. Ac-qui-si"-ti-on, s. an obtaining; the thing obtained. 14. Ta"-lent, s. a faculty, power, or gift of nature.* (A certain weight of money.) Y. IDLENESS is the fountain of all wickedness; for it consumes and wastes the riches and virtues we have already, and disenables us to get those we have not. 2. No men are so often in the wrong as those who pretend to be always in the right. 3. It is wiser to prevent a quarrel, than to revenge it. 4. Wish not so much to live long, as to live well. Talent and Genius are both born with us, and are happy dispositions of nature, by which we are qualified for some peculiar employment; but genius seems to be more internal, and possessed of the powers of invention; talent more external, and capable of execution. Thus we have a genius for poetry and painting, but a talent for speak ing and writing. Talents considered as synonymous with qualities, differ from them in this: that qualities form the character of persons, and talents are their ornaments. The former may be used either in a good or bad sense; but we cannot apply the latter in any other than a good Our qualities render us either beloved or despised. Our talents make our company coveted. one. 5. Since thou art not sure of an hour, lose not a minute. 6. Be not concerned with that which does not concern thee. 7. It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly. 8. Sincerity and truth are the foundation of all virtues. 9. Diligence, industry, and a proper improvement of time, are material duties of the young. 10. Industry is the parent of every excellence. The finest talents would be lost in obscurity, if they were not called forth by study and cultivation. 11. Idleness is the bane of every thing: it is like the barren soil, on which all labour and cultivation are thrown away. 12. The acquisition of knowledge is one of the most honourable occupations of youth. 13. Lay things by, that they may come to use. 14. Envy no man's talent; but improve thy own, 15. Take time while time is; for time slides fast away. 16. Never put off that till to-morrow, which thou canst do to-day. 17. Do all things well, that thou mayst not have to do them twice. 18. Virtuous youth gradually brings forward accomplished and flourishing manhood. 19. By taking revenge of an injury, a man is only even with his enemy: by passing it over, he is superior. 20. A wise man will desire no more than he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and live upon contentedly. 21. A contented mind, and a good conscience, will make a man happy in all conditions. CHAP. IV. Moral Precepts, (continued.) 4. Ad-ver-sity, s. a state which is opposite to our wishes, and is the cause of sorrow. Pros-pe"-ri-ty, s. a state wherein things succeed according to our wishes, and are productive of affluence and wealth. 8. Coun'-sels, s. pl. directions, advice. Coun'-cil, s. an assembly met together to consider, examine, or deliberate. Pro"-vi-dence, s. the care of God. 12. Se-re'ne, a. tranquil, even state of mind. 13. Coun'-sel, s. prudence, deliberation. 16. Per-se-ve-rance, s. steadiness, or continuance in any purpose. 20. Ci-vi"-li-ty, s. politeness, a polite address, attended with humane and benevolent actions. Cour-te-sy, s. kindness, favour; elegance of manners. 24. Pe-remp'-to-ry, a. positive, so as to admit of no delay. 1. RELY not on another, when thou canst as well do it thyself. 2. In many things, AUDI, VIDE, TACE; that is, hear, see, and hold thy tongue. 3. Yield to reason wherever it appears; reason is a sacred thing. 4. If you wish to reap comfort in adversity, it in prosperity. SOW 5. Make God thy friend, and then it is no matter who is thy enemy. 6. Learn such things when thou art young, as will be of the greatest use to thee when thou art old. 7. If thou hast not sense enough to speak, have wit enough to hold thy tongue. 8. Propose good things, follow good counsels, and leave the rest to Providence. 9. If you intend to borrow any thing a second time, use it well the first, and speedily return it. 10. Reward a good servant well; and rather discharge a bad one, than disquiet thyself about him. 11. Truth is always consistent with itself, and needs nothing to help it out. It is always near at hand, and sits upon our lips, and is ready to drop out before we are aware: whereas, a lie is troublesome, and sets a man's invention upon the rack; and one trick needs a great many more to make it good. 12. The temperate man's pleasures are durable, because they are regular: and all his life calm and serene, because it is innocent. 13. Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action. 14. We should take a prudent care for the future, but so as to enjoy the present. It is no part of wisdom to be miserable to-day, because we may happen to be so to-morrow. 15. He who tells a lie is not sensible how great a task he undertakes; for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one. 16. Almost all difficulties are overcome by industry and perseverance. 17. In giving, consider what to give, to whom, how, where, when, and wherefore thou givest. 18. I would not have thee be idle and loitering, and deferring of time; like St. George, who is ever on horseback, but never rideth on. 19. Refuse not what thou canst not avoid; desire not what thou canst not obtain; repent not of what thou canst not amend. 20. Be not rude by over much civility, nor troublesome by excess of courtesy; it shews want of breeding, and brings contempt. 21. When thou seest a man rise into a passion, oppose him not thou canst not set him right; and by meddling mayest grow as angry as he. 22. Never talk that of others which thou wouldst not be willing they should hear of again; unless there be some great reason for it. 23. Never despise any man. Look upon thy superiors as thy fathers, upon thy equals as brothers, and inferiors as thy children. 24. If thy neighbour desire to borrow or beg any thing of thee, be not tedious in giving him an answer, but do it directly. A man is but half disappointed, when he has a quick and peremptory denial. CHAP. V. Of Generosity. 2. Mag-na-nim'-i-ty, s. greatness of soul. Self-in-ter-est, s. a regard to one's-self. Self-love. 3. A"-nec-dote, s. an article relating to a secret transaction of a per son's life; a piece of secret history. 4. Be-sieg-ed, part. beset with armed forces. 5. Fa"-mine, s. scarcity of food, |