A COLLECTION OF SELECT APHORISMS I. AND MAXIM S, &c. T C HE first step a man makes in the world generally determines all the reft; and is the foundation of his reputation, as well as the best presage of his future fortune. From the first measures he takes, men of experience will tell you, whether he will fucceed or no; it is therefore highly important to take this step with a great deal of caution, and to fignalize his entry by fomething glorious and great. 2. There are but two things that can reasonably deferve the Care of a Wife man; the firft is the Study of Virtue which makes him honeft; the fecond the ufe of Life, which makes him content. 3. Every man has fomething good in his compofition, which may be much improved by cultivation and diligence; the generality of men force their genius, and lose the race by endeavouring to run beyond the post. 4. A certain term is required to bring great defigns to maB turity; turity; thofe that can ftay fo long, are commonly paid with intereft for their Patience. Precipitation often ruins the beft laid defigns, whereas Patience ripens the most difficult. 5. We want as much Moderation not to be corrupted with our good fortune, as Patience not to be dejected with our bad. 6. A wife Retreat is no less glorious than a courageous Attack; and it is the character of a confummate merit to be able to live in a retreat with honour, after one has lived in publick with fplendor. 7. Rambling wits ought to be indulged, because, by their conjectures on all fubjects, they have in every age farther enrich'd the world, than folider understandings: Plurality of parts, without order, has a more strong operation, because it has a feeming infinity, and fo hinders comprehenfion. 8. The best way for a man to preserve his Reputation, is ftill to bring fomething new and furprising upon the ftage, to provide fresh matter for the general admiration. A wife man should not fuffer the depth of his capacity to be founded, if he would always keep up his character; but should behave himself fo, as never to discover all he knows, that no man may be able to affign limits to his knowledge; for let a man be ever fo learned, the idea we have of him, when we know him but by halves, is much greater than that we shall have of him, when we are thoroughly acquainted with him. 9. Clearness is the rule of speaking, as fincerity is the rule rule of thinking. Too bright fallies of Wit, like flashes of lightning, rather dazzle than illuminate. 10. To a man of virtue and resolution all things are alike; he values not the changes of fortune, any more than he does the changes of the moon. 11. Leffons and precepts ought to be gilt and fweetned, as we do pills and potions, fo as to take off the disgust of the remedy; for it holds both in virtue and in health, that we love to be instructed, as well as phyfick'd with pleasure. 12. Nothing makes a deeper impression upon the minds of children, or comes more lively to their understanding, than those instructive notices, that are convey'd to them by glances, infinuations and furprize, and under the cover of fome allegory and riddle: Naked leffons and precepts have nothing the force that images and parables have upon our minds and affections. Befides, that the very ftudy to unriddle a mystery, furnishes the memory with more tokens to remember it by. 13. Nature is sometimes fo perverfe, that all the governors in the universe fhall never make this youth a compleat gentleman; others again are of fo ductile a difpofition, that they learn every perfection without a master and these are without doubt the most accomplish'd perfons. ; 14. The foundations of knowledge and virtue are laid in our childhood, and without an early care and attention, we are as good as loft in our very cradles; for the principles that we imbibe in our youth, we carry commonly to our graves, and it is the education that makes the man. To speak all in a few words, children are but blank paper, ready indifferently for any impreffion, good or bad, + (for they take all upon credit) and it is much in the power of the first comer to write faint or devil upon it, which of the two he pleafes; fo that one step out of the way in the Inftitution, is enough to poison the peace and the reputation of a whole life. 15. Good Example is an unfpeakable benefit to mankind, and has a fecret power and influence upon those with whom we converse, to form them into the fame difpofition and manners; it is a living rule, that teaches men without trouble, and lets them fee their faults without open reproof and upbraiding. Befides, that it adds great weight to a man's counfel, when we fee that he advifes nothing but what he does, nor exacts any thing from others, from which he himself defires to be excused. As, on the contrary, nothing is more cold and infignificant from a bad man, one that does not obey his own precepts, nor follow the advice which he is fo forward to give to others. 16. Nothing is of fo much moment to a Prince as Reputation, and none more than that of being a religious obferver of his word and promife; but especially of his Oaths, without which he could never be trusted by his Subjects or neighbours. 17. No condition of human life is ever perfectly secure, nor any force of greatness, or of prudence, beyond the reach of envy, and the blows of fortune. Princes, as well as private men, are often in most danger, at those times, and in those parts, they think themselves safest; as strong towers are fometimes taken on thofe fides that are thought impregnable, and fo left undefended, or little regarded. 18. A Prince 18. A Prince may be familiar with his Subjects, without derogating from his majefty, but not fupercilious without danger. 19. The infelicities of fome Princes may be occafioned only by ill timing their counfels, when to attempt and when to defist, in the justest endeavours; and the greatness of others may be preserved by unforeseen accidents, where the greatest reach of forefight and conduct might have failed. 20. When a Prince fails in point of honour and common justice, it is enough to stagger his people in their faith and allegiance. 21. Example works a great deal more than Precept; for words without practice, are but counsels without effect. When we do as we fay, 'tis a confirmation of the rule: But when our lives and doctrines do not agree, it looks as if the leffon were either too hard for us, or the advice not worth the while to follow. We fhould fee to mend our own manners, before we meddle to reform our neighbours; and not condemn others for what we do ourselves. 22. The words and actions of our Superiors have the authority and force of a Recommendation: So that it is morally impoffible to have a fober people under a mad government. For where lewdness is the way to preferment, men are wicked by intereft, as well as by inclination. 23. Nothing is of fo infectious and peftilent a nature as example; and no man does an exceeding good, or very ill thing, but it produces others of the fame kind. We imitate the good out of emulation, and the bad out of our natural corruption and malignity; which being confin’d and |