He That Begins To Live,

Be Very Vigilant Over Thy Child In The April Of His Understanding, Lest The Frost Of May Nip His Blossoms. While He Is A Tender Twig, Straighten Him; Whilst He Is A New Vessel, Season Him; Such As Thou Makest Him, Such Commonly Shall Thou Find Him. Let His First Lesson Be Obedience And His Second Shall Be What Thou Wilt.

Read Not Books Alone, But Men, And Amongst Them Chiefly Thyself. If Thou Find Anything Questionable There, Use The Commentary Of A Severe Friend, Rather Than The Gloss Of A Sweet-lipped Flatterer There Is More Profit In A Distasteful Truth Than In Deceitful Sweetness.

If Thy Words Be Too Luxuriant, Confine Them, Lest They Confine Thee; He That Thinks He Never Can Speak Enough May Easily Speak Too Much. A Full Tongue And An Empty Brain Are Seldom Parted.

Before Thy Undertaking Of Any Design, Weigh The Glory Of Thy Action With The Danger Of The Attempt; If The Glory Outweigh The Danger, It Is Cowardice To Neglect It; If The Danger Exceed The Glory, It Is Rashness To Attempt It; If The Balances Stand Poised, Let Thy Own Genius Cast Them.

If Thou Seest Anything In Thyself Which May Make Thee Proud, Look A Little Further And Thou Shalt Find Enough To Humble Thee; If Thou Be Wise, View The Peacock's Feathers With His Feet, And Weigh Thy Best Parts With Thy Imperfections.