20. The dying Christian to his soul, 21. Epitaph on a poor and virtuous man, 23. The dangers and snares of life, 24. The Divine Being knows and sees every thing, 25. All nature attests the great Creator, TO THE ENGLISH READER PART I. PIECES IN PROSE. CHAPTER I. SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS. SECTION I. To be good is to be happy. Vice, soon or late, brings misery. We were not made for ourselves only. A good person has a tender concern for the happiness of others. Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth. Cultivate the love of truth. No confidence can be placed in those who are in the habit of lying. Neglect no opportunity of doing good. Idleness is the parent of vice and misery. Cleanliness promotes health of body and delicacy of mind. A contented mind is an inestimable treasure Boast not of the favours you bestow. Merit the approbation of the wise and good. It is a great blessing to have pious and virtuous parents. The most secret acts of goodness are seen and approved by the Almighty. SECTION II. OUR reputation, virtue, and happiness, greatly depend on the choice of our companions. Good or bad habits, formed in youth, generally go with us through life. We should be kind to all persons, even to those who are unkind to us. When we acknowledge our misconduct, and are sorry for it, generous and good persons will pity and forgive us. Our best friends are those who tell us of our faults, and teach us how to correct them. If tales were not listened to, there would be no talebearers. To take sincere pleasure in the blessings and excellences of others, is a sure mark of a good heart. We can never treat a fellow-creature ill, without offending the gracious Creator and Father of all. A kind word, nay, even a kind look, often affords com fort to the afflicted. Every desire of the heart, every secret thought, is known to him who made us. SECTION III. HE that cares only for himself, has but few pleasures; and those few are of the lowest order. We may escape the censure of others, when we do wrong privately; but we cannot avoid the reproaches of our own mind. Partiality to self often hides from us our own faults; we see very clearly the same faults in others. Never sport with pain and distress in any of your amusements; nor treat even the meanest insect with wanton cruelty. Vicious pursuits may yield a few scattered pleasures, but piety and virtue will make our whole life happy. Fancy paints pleasures at a distance, with beautiful colours; but possession often takes away their beauty. We should accustom ourselves to bear small injuries pa tiently; we shall then be better able to support great ones. When provoked by the follies of others, think of your own imperfections; be patient and humble. Without frugality none can be rich; and with it very ew would be poor. The good or bad disposition of children, often shows it self, in their behaviour to servants and inferiors; it is seen even in their treatment of dumb animals. They who ridicule the wise and good, are dangerou companions; they bring virtue itself into contempt. We cannot be good as God is good, to all persons every where, but we can rejoice that every where there is a God to do them good. SECTION IV. When blessed with health and prosperity, cultivate a humble and compassionate disposition: think of the distresses of human life; of the solitary cottage, the dying parent, and the weeping orphan. Avoid all harshness in behaviour: treat every one with that courtesy which springs from a mild and gentle heart. Be slow in forming intimate connexions; they may bring dishonour and misery. Almost all our desires are apt to wander into an improper course to direct them properly requires care; but that care will render us safe and happy through life. The days that are past are gone for ever; those that are to come, may not come to us; the present time only is ours: let us therefore improve it as much as possible. They who are moderate in their expectations, meet with few disappointments: the eager and presumptuous are continually disappointed. no Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well : but it is impossible to do any thing well without attention. Let us not expect too much pleasure in this life: situation in life is exempt from trouble. The best persons are, no doubt, the happiest; but they too have their trials and afflictions. SECTION V. · How greatly do the kind offices of a dutiful and affectionate child, gladden the heart of a parent, especially when sinking under age or infirmities. What better proof can we give of wisdom and goodness, than to be content with the station in which Providence has placed us? An honest man, (as Pope expresses himself,) is the noblest work of God. How pleasant it is, when we lie down at night, to reflect that we are at peace with all persons! that we have carefully performed the duties of the day! that the Almighty beholds and loves us! How readily should we forgive those who offend us, if we consider how much our heavenly Father has forgiven us! Who would exchange the humble peace which virtue gives, for all the honours and pleasures of a vain world? Pride (to use the emphatical words of a sacred writer) was not made for man. How can we spend our time foolishly, when we know that we must give an account hereafter, of our thoughts, words, and actions? How glorious an object is the sun! but how much more glorious is that great and good Being, who made it for our use! Behold, now rien and beautiful are the works of nature! What a bountiful provision is made for our wants and pleasures!-Surely, the author of so many blessings is worthy of our love and gratitude! SECTION VI. CYRUS, when young, being asked what was the first thing which he learned, answered; " To speak the truth." Epaminondas, the celebrated Theban general, was remarkable for his love of truth. He never told a lie, even in jest. All our moral duties are contained in these few words; "Do as you would be done by.” The following was a favourite sentiment of the wise and good Socrates: "We should eat and drink, in order to live; instead of living, as many do, to eat and drink." Artaxerxes Mnemon, king of Persia, being, upon an extraordinary occasion, reduced to eat barley-bread and dried figs, ard to drink water; "What pleasure," said he, “have I lost till now, by my delicacies and excess." When Cato drew near the close of life, he made this most benevolent declaration to his friends: "The greatest comfort of my old age, is, the pleasing remembrance of the friendly offices I have done to others. To see them easy and happy by my means, makes me truly so." |