"Good Reader, I suspect I may have written some Things twice; if not the same in Words, yet in Sense, which I desire you to pass by favourably; forasmuch as you may well think, it was as difficult and dull a Thing for me, in so great a Number of independent Sentences, to find out the Repetitions, as it would be in a vast Heap of different Coins and Medals, confusedly thrown together, to pick out here and there one that bore the same and like Inscription, with some other among them. Besides the Pains, such a Search would cost me more Time, than I can afford it; for my Glass of Life running now low, I must not suffer one Sand to fall in waste, nor spend one Minute in picking of Straws. And moreover, my aged Eyes being grown weak and dim, I fear they will become quite dark, by much perusing and poring; or at least so far, so as to render me unable to perfect several Papers now lying by me, which I would willingly make a Present of to you."

"1772. Let thy Vices die before thee."

"1800. Make not a Jest of another Man's Infirmity. Remember thy own."

"1814. Always tell the Truth : where it is not loved, it is respected and feared."

"1817. Keep thy eyes wide open before Marriage ; and half shut afterward."

"1887. Think thyself happy if thou hast one true Friend; never think of finding another."

"1943. If thou canst not find Tranquility in thyself; 'twill be to little Purpose to seek it anywhere else."

"1953. Learn the art of Silence; the wise Man that holds his Tongue, says more than the Fool who speaks."

"1964. If thou wilt have no Difference with thy Friends; sell them not Horses, nor Goods; and buy nothing of them."

"1978. If thou art wise, thou knowest thy own Ignorance; and thou art ignorant if thou knowest not thy self."

"2001. Find out thy own Mistakes, and Failings, in order to amend them. A Disease known is half cured."

"2021. Avoid knowing more than thou needest: Secrets are troublesome Burthens to such as are not interested in them."

"2023. Assist the afflicted with something real, if thou canst; As for Tears they are but Water, what good can they do?"

"2043. He that advised thee not to let the Sun set in thine anger, did not command thee to trust a deceiving Enemy next Morning."

"2048. Report not an ill Thing that thou thy self knowest not, but by the Report of a Man, who may lie or aggravate the Matter."

"2057. Drive away and never endure Tale-bearers : Whoever entertains thee with the Faults of others, designs to serve thee in the same Kind."

"2168. 'Tis better for thee to be wise and not seem so, than to seem wise and not be so: Yet Men, for the most Part, desire and endeavor the contrary."

"2320. Trust not an Enemy, because thou hast done him good Offices: for Men are naturally more prone to revenge Injuries, than to requite Kindnesses."

"2325. Squander not away thy life in Pastimes: There’s but little need to drive away Time, which is ever flying away so swiftly of itself; and when once gone is gone for ever."

"2330. Live not to thyself alone; but have it in Mind, that we are all Members of one Body: and it is as natural to help one another, as for the Hands to help the Feet; and the Eyes the Hands."

"2446. The Word Friend is a common Name, and appropriated by most People ; but believe me, thou wilt scarce ever find a Man that gives solid Proof of a true, unfeigned, and uninterested Friendship."

"2454. If any one giveth thee excessive Praises more than can handsomely belong to thee, thou art to think of him, that he taketh thee for vain and credulous, and easy to be deceived, and effectually a Fool."

"2462. Thou canst scarcely be truly wise till thou hast been deceived. Thy own Errors will teach thee more Prudence, than the grave Precepts, and even Examples of others."

"2463. If thou canst but live free from Debt and Want, 'tis not absolutely necessary to care for more : for all the rest, truly speaking, is but Vanity, and for the most part Vexation too."

"2489. Thou art not Master of what thou hast spoken, but mayest dispose of what thou hast not spoken as thou pleasest, and canst say it, or not say it, as thou wilt."

"2545. Never defame or accuse any, except thou beest sure and certain of the Fact, and canst speak home to the Purpose : for undoubtful Accusations leave a Stain behind them ; and after prove indelible Injuries to the party accused."

"2555. When thou shewest Respect to any one, see that thy Submissions be proportionable to the Homage thou owest him. There is Stupidity and Pride in doing too little ; but in over acting of it, there is Abjection and Hypocrisy."

"2579. If thou findest thou canst not suffer the Impertinencies, Follies, and ill Usages of the World, withdraw from it ; but first be sure thou canst bear with thyself."

"2591. If I leave thee a moderate Fortune, as my Father left me, and thou provest wise and virtuous, it will be sufficient. It's none of the least of God's Favours, that Wealth comes not trolling in upon us ; for many of us should have been worse, if our Estates had been better."

"2593. A prudent and discreet Silence will be sometimes more to thy Advantage, than the most witty expression, or even the best contrived Sincerity. A Man often repents that he has spoken, but seldom that he has held his Tongue."

"2597. Keep thy Judgment to thyself. Why should others know what thou art? or paraphrase upon thy Opinion? Herein thou hast the Advantage of changing thy Mind when thou art mistaken, and yet continue ( for ought others know ) in the same Mind."

"2609. Never think that the Things thou wantest will cure thee of thy Discontents ; for they will enlarge thy Desires, and make the Wounds wider. The Way to think we have enough, is not to desire to have too much."

"2683. Have a Care of him that is slow to anger, for like as green Wood which is long in kindling, continueth hot longer than the dry, if it have once taken Fire : So that Man, who is not easily moved is more hard to be pacify'd, than he that is quickly provoked."

"2732. Thou knowest not thy own Strength for want of trying it, and upon that Account thinkest thyself really unable to do many Things which Experience would convince thee, thou hast more Ability to effect, than thou hast Will to attempt."

"3162. Learning makes a good Man better, and an ill Man worse."