PREFACE. THE greatest ornament of an accomplished gentleman, is a perfect knowledge of things, and a deep inspection into the principles and characters of men He that aims at this knowledge, says the learned Gracian, must make a collection of good thoughts from books; of apothegms, heroical expressions, wise men's axioms and observations, &c. Now, the collecting together of these necessary materials as a foundation of knowledge, is the work of the following sheets: but the superstructure must be the reader's part, and can only be perfected by himself; that is, by application and practice. Precepts, when contracted into sentences, strike the affections, and are more easily retained; and a few useful ones at hand, according to Seneca, do more towards a happy life, than whole volumes of cautions, that we know not where to find. Of the variety of books of this nature that are published, few answer the design; most of them are filled with low and trivial matter, and afford little instruction or improvement. Yet as some good things are interspersed among them, we have collected and inserted such as we think may serve to enrich the work. But the major part is extracted from the writings of the most eminent Philosophers, Divines, and Moralists, and other approved Authors, who have written in the sententious way. Our endeavor has been, to follow nature, and keep close to truth. What seemed to be abstruse, is made clear; and what prolix, is contracted in as few words as possible, not to lose their strength and beauty. It cannot be expected, that every sentence should have the authority of a maxim. Stars differ in brightness: yet those that shine the least, may have their influences. It was neither practicable, nor did we think it necessary, to clog every line or sentence with citation; for what is good, will stand so, without any great name to support it. But as some are curious of knowing who speaks, as well as of what is said, we have to several passages mentioned from whence they were taken. The whole is a picture of human life, wherein the passions, follies, and foibles of mankind are delineated, and expressed in their proper colors: virtue is set forth in the most amiable light; and vice exposed in its natural deformity. A compendium of moral institutes and counsels drawn from the best writers, will be always entertaining to ingenious minds. And to make the reading the more agreeable, the greatest part is digested under proper heads; the rest are miscellaneous : every page containing such variety of useful reflections, as to yield at once both profit and pleasure. THE RULE OF LIFE: EDUCATION, GENIUS, PRECEPT, AND EXAMPLE, THE great business of man is, to improve his mind, and govern his manners. M. Aurel. The educator's care, above all things, should be, first to lay in his charge the foundation of religion and virtue. Walker. What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul. The philosopher, the saint, and the hero; the wise, the good, or the great man very often lie hid and concealed in a plebeian; which a proper education might have disinterred, and have brought to light. Spectator. If we inquire why it is that men grow every day more loose in their principles, and vicious in their practices, it will appear, that in the education of persons of all ranks, there is no book taught that has any relation to the sacred writings. Benson. Parents are commonly more careful to bestow wit on their children than virtue; the art of speaking well, rather than doing well: but their manners ought to be the great concern. Dr Fuller. That man must have a strange value for words, who can think it worth his while to hazard the innocence and virtue of his son, for a little Greek |