How different soever men's fortunes may be, there is always something or other that balances the ill and the good, and makes all even at last.

He that would be sure to have his business well done, must either do it himself, or see the doing of it.

Men of indifferent parts are apt to condemn every thing above their own capacity. He must be a very unfit judge of wit, who innocently believes, that he has himself as much as any man needs to have.

A great many people are fond of books, as they are of furniture; to dress and set off their rooms, more than to adorn and enrich their minds.

If a man cannot find ease within himself, it is to little purpose to seek it any where else.

Those are presumed to be the best counsels, which come from them that advise against their own interest.

Gentleness is the best way to make a man loved and respected in his family: he makes himself

contemptible, when he talks passionately to his servants, for no reason but to show his authority.

It is dangerous to attack a man you have deprived of means to escape.

There is nothing more to be wondered at, than that men who have lived long should wonder at any thing.

None but those we are nearly concerned for, or are to answer for, should make us solicitous about their conduct. The way to live easy is to mind our own business, and leave others to take care of theirs.

Men may give good advice; but they cannot give the sense to make a right use of it.

Advice, like physic, should be so sweetened and prepared, as to be made palatable; or nature may be apt to revolt against it.

When there are so many thousands of dangers hovering about us, what wonder is it if one comes to hit at last?

it goes a great way toward making a man faithful, to let him understand, that you think him so; and he that does but suspect that I will deceive him, gives me a kind of right to cozen him.

Those who believe all the good spoken of themselves, and all the evil spoken of others. are unhappily mistaken on both sides.

Good counsel is cast away upon the arrogant, the self-conceited, and the stupid; who are either too proud to take it, or too heavy to understand

it.

Be not diverted from your duty by any idle reflection the silly world may make upon you; for their censures are not in your power, and corsequently should not be any part of your concern.

Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of what they please.

Pitch upon that course of life which is the most excellent; and custom will render it the most delightful.

Never defer that till tomorrow, which you can do to-day. Never do that by proxy, which you can do for yourself.

Be always at leisure to do good; never make business an excuse to decline the offices of humanity.

Whatever you dislike in another person, take care to correct in yourself, by the gentle reproof of a better practice.

Hear not ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy. Believe not all you hear, nor report all you believe.

Imprint this maxim deeply in your mind, that there is nothing certain in this human and mortal state; by which means you will avoid being transported with prosperity, and being dejected in adversity.

If your means suit not with your ends, pursue those ends which suit with your means.

Make yourself agreeable as much as possible to all; for there is no person so contemptible, but

that it may be in his power to be your best friend, or worst enemy.

Defer not charities till death; he that doth so, is rather liberal of another man's, than of his

own.

Reckon upon benefits well placed, as a treasure that is laid up; and account thyself the richer for that which thou givest a worthy person.

In the morning, think what thou hast to do, and at night, ask thyself what thou hast done.

Learn the art of entertaining thyself alone, without being weary or melancholy; and then thou wilt not be much put to it for want of recreation and company.

Account it no disgrace to be censured of those men, whose favours would be no credit to thee. Thou thyself only knowest what thou art; others only guess at thee: rely not therefore on their opinions; but stick to thine own conscience.

In all the affairs of human life, let it be your care, not to hurt your mind, nor offend your judg

ment.