按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
least check to those excellent qualities。 This is an easy task； if you will
but suppose everything you do to be your last； and if you can keep your
passions and appetites from crossing your reason。 Stand clear of
rashness； and have nothing of insincerity or self…love to infect you。
3。 Manage all your thoughts and actions with such prudence and
circumspection as if you were sensible you were just going to step into the
grave。 A little thinking will show a man the vanity and uncertainty of all
sublunary things； and enable him to examine maturely the manner of
dying； which； if duly abstracted from the terror of the idea； will appear
nothing more than an unavoidable appendix of life itself； and a pure
natural action。
4。 Consider that ill…usage from some sort of people is in a manner
necessary； and therefore do not be disquieted about it； but rather conclude
that you and your enemy are both marching off the stage together； and that
in a little time your very memories will be extinguished。
5。 Among your principal observations upon human life； let it be
always one to take notice what a great deal both of time and ease that man
gains who is not troubled with the spirit of curiosity； who lets his
neighbours' affairs alone； and confines his inspections to himself； and only
18
… Page 19…
DICKORY CRONKE
takes care of honesty and a good conscience。
6。 If you would live at your ease； and as much as possible be free
from the incumbrances of life； manage but a few things at once； and let
those； too； be such as are absolutely necessary。 By this rule you will
draw the bulk of your business into a narrow compass； and have the
double pleasure of making your actions good； and few into the bargain。
7。 He that torments himself because things do not happen just as he
would have them； is but a sort of ulcer in the world； and he that is selfish；
narrow…souled； and sets up for a separate interest； is a kind of voluntary
outlaw； and disincorporates himself from mankind。
8。 Never think anything below you which reason and your own
circumstances require； and never suffer yourself to be deterred by the ill…
grounded notions of censure and reproach； but when honesty and
conscience prompt you to say or do anything； do it boldly； never balk your
resolution or start at the consequence。
9。 If a man does me an injury； what is that to me？ It is his own
action； and let him account for it。 As for me； I am in my proper station；
and only doing the business that Providence has allotted； and withal； I
ought to consider that the best way to revenge； is not to imitate the injury。
10。 When you happen to be ruffled and put out of humour by any
cross accident； retire immediately into your reason； and do not suffer your
passion to overrule you a moment； for the sooner you recover yourself
now； the better you will be able to guard yourself for the future。
11。 Do not be like those ill…natured people that； though they do not
love to give a good word to their contemporaries； yet are mighty fond of
their own commendations。 This argues a perverse and unjust temper； and
often exposes the authors to scorn and contempt。
12。 If any one convinces you of an error； change your opinion and
thank him for it： truth and information are your business； and can never
hurt anybody。 On the contrary； he that is proud and stubborn； and
wilfully continues in a mistake； it is he that receives the mischief。
13。 Because you see a thing difficult； do not instantly conclude it to
be impossible to master it。 Diligence and industry are seldom defeated。
Look； therefore； narrowly into the thing itself； and what you observe
19
… Page 20…
DICKORY CRONKE
proper and practicable in another； conclude likewise within your own
power。
14。 The principal business of human life is run through within the
short compass of twenty…four hours； and when you have taken a deliberate
view of the present age； you have seen as much as if you had begun with
the world； the rest being nothing else but an endless round of the same
thing over and over again。
15。 Bring your will to your fate； and suit your mind to your
circumstances。 Love your friends and forgive your enemies； and do
justice to all mankind； and you will be secure to make your passage easy；
and enjoy most of the comforts human life is capable to afford you。
16。 When you have a mind to entertain yourself in your retirements；
let it be with the good qualifications of your friends and acquaintance。
Think with pleasure and satisfaction upon the honour and bravery of one；
the modesty of another； the generosity of a third； and so on； there being
nothing more pleasant and diverting than the lively images and the
advantages of those we love and converse with。
17。 As nothing can deprive you of the privileges of your nature； or
compel you to act counter to your reason； so nothing can happen to you
but what comes from Providence； and consists with the interest of the
universe。
18。 Let people's tongues and actions be what they will； your business
is to have honour and honesty in your view。 Let them rail； revile； censure；
and condemn； or make you the subject of their scorn and ridicule； what
does it all signify？ You have one certain remedy against all their malice
and folly； and that is； to live so that nobody shall believe them。
19。 Alas； poor mortals！ did we rightly consider our own state and
condition； we should find it would not be long before we have forgot all
the world； and to be even； that all the world will have forgot us likewise。
20。 He that would recommend himself to the public； let him do it by
the candour and modesty of his behaviour； and by a generous indifference
to external advantages。 Let him love mankind； and resign to Providence；
and then his works will follow him； and his good actions will praise him in
the gate。