217. WHATSOEVER thy origin, said the wise man, endeavour to acquire moral education, for all is valueless without it.

218. He further observed, The fickle-minded has no friend, nor the slave fidelity, nor the covetous rest, nor the avaricious self-respect, nor the impetuous sociability.

219. Who is most certain of success? He who abandons superfluity and follows the shortest road.

220. Good conduct is acquired by experience; moral instruction by the instability of time, and polite manners by those acknowledged as intelligent.

221. The intelligent will never render his presence troublesome, nor intrude upon those who are unwilling to listen to him.

222. The intelligent will not persist in an unwelcome visit; but the fool is insensible to insult.

223. Experience is an unbounded field whereby the wisdom of the intelligent is increased.

224. Cease to address him who turns a deaf ear to thy words.

225. Deign not to address him who interrupts thy discourse, for he lacks good manners.

226. He who cannot control his will, dare not complain if his words are unheeded.

227. He who is deaf to instruction, is doomed to trouble, and ultimately to perish.

228. Instruction, whilst on the one hand it guards from confusion and doubt, will on the other increase the perplexity of the simple-minded, like the day, that lends brightness to sound eyes and blindness to the bat.

229. Never, said the sage, did I occupy a seat that I feared to be required to relinquish for another.

230. A rank too eminent is often the road to degradation.

231. Instruction removes folly, and discretion supports its adherents.

232. Man should adopt the following four principals,—1st, To utter words of kindness; 2nd, To devote attention to those with whom he converses; 3rd, To be friendly to his fellow-creatures; and 4th, To accustom himself to correct expression: and the following four should be studiously avoided,—1st, To converse with a fool; 2nd. to dispute with the stubborn; 3rd, To natter the undeserving; and 4th, To associate with the corrupt.

233. Impart not thy food to the undeserving, viz., converse not with him who is disinclined to listen.

234. Too much gaiety lessens respect.

235. When is it advisable to withhold, rather than to impart instruction? When, replied the sage, it tends rather to enfeeble than to strengthen the intellect, and engenders disrespect towards those who attempt to augment knowledge.

236. A fool is more endurable than half a fool.

237. The Indian sages used to say, Seek not a friend devoid of faith; futurity without good actions; female affection without morality; nor thine own advantage to the injury of others.

238. The most reserved thought cannot escape him who listens with attention, and weighs well the words he chances to hear.

239. Self-denial will command the respect of the intellectual.

240. Confide in the discreet and generous; associate—but with caution—with the erudite, though avaricious, that thou mayest reap the advantage of his learning; court the philanthropist, though unlearned, and reciprocate his generosity by thy knowledge;¹ but shun the sordid fool.

footnotes: ¹ Or, that a reciprocal benefit may result.