He that holdeth his peace, doth not repent. By filence, we have this advantage, we observe other mens follies, and conceal our own; it is a friend that never betrays. Few men, that would cause respect and distance merely, can fay any thing by which their end will be fo effectually answered as by filence. Men are angry when others do not hear them, yet they have more reafon to be afraid when they do. To liften with attentive filence conciliates efteem, and gains refpect, more than oratory does, though nerved with the energy of a DEMOSTHENES, the } correct judgment of a QUINTILIAN, and the flowing periods of a CICERO, See COMPANY and CONVERSATION. S L A N D E R. See CENSURE, &c, SLAVERY. SLAVERY. See LIBERTY. SOBRIETY. See TEMPERANCE. SOLITUDE. See RETIREMENT. SORROW. See GRIEF. STATES AND STATESMEN. See COURTS, &c. See GOVERNMENT, &c. STU D Y. See KNOWLEDGE. See LEARNING. SUSPICION. A MAN may fo overdo a thing in looking too far before him, that he may ftumble the more for it. He that leaveth nothing to chance, will do few N things ill, but he will do very few things. Sufpicion is rather a virtue than a fault, as long as it doth like a dog that watcheth, and doth not bite. A wife man, in trufting another, must not rely upon his promise against his nature. Early fufpicion is often an injury, and late fufpicion is always a folly. A wife man will keep his fufpicions muzzled, but he will keep them awake. There can no rules be given to suspicion, no more than to love. Sufpicion taketh root, and beareth fruit, from the moment it is planted. Sufpicion feldom wanteth food to keep it up in health and vigour. It feedeth upon every thing it feeth, and is not curious in its diet. Sufpicion doth not grow up to an injury till it breaketh out. When our fufpicion of another man is once difcovered by him, there ought to be an end of all further commerce. He that is never fufpected, is either very much esteemed, or very much despised. A man's N A man's intereft is not a fufficient ground to fufpect him, if his nature doth not concur in it. A weak man hath less fufpicion than a wife one, but when he hath it, he is less eafily cured. The remedies for fufpicion as often increase the disease, as they allay it; and a fool valueth himself. upon fufpecting at a venture. T loofe. TALKATIVENESS. HE tongue is a wild beast, very diffi- We seldom repent talking too little, but very often talking too much." The foul of a wife man is repofed at the root of his tongue; but the foul of a fool is ever dancing on the tip. Some men are filent for want of matter, or af furance; but many talkative for want of sense. He can never speak well, who can never hold his tongue. It is one thing to speak much, and another to speak pertinently. The wife man, whilft he holds his tongue, fays more than the fool whilst he speaks. 'Tis hard to perfuade, that that man can act wifely who talks foolishly. It is a great misfortune, neither to have wit enough to fpeak, nor judgment enough to hold one's tongue. The The reason why fome people fpeak fo much, is, that they speak only by memory. A wife man thinks before he speaks, what is fit for him to say; but a fool speaks, and then thinks of what he has been faying. Much tongue and much judgment feldom go together, for talking and thinking are quite two dif ferent faculties; and there is commonly more depth where there is less noife. Men's fortunes are oftener made by their tongues Think to day, and speak to-morrow. you. Speak well, or fpeak nothing; fo that if others be not better by your filence, they will not be worse by your difcourfe. The Chameleon, (which is faid to feed upon nothing but air) hath of all animals the nimblest tongue. When vanity does not make us talk, we talk but very little. Openness has the mischief, though not the malice, of treachery. Be always lefs willing to speak than to hear; what N N thou hearest thou receivest, what thou speakeft thou N giveft. It is indeed more glorious to give, but it is Moft men make little other ufe of their speech, A great |