XXX.—GOOD COUNSEL.
1. Never speak anything for a truth, which you know or believe to be false. Lying is a great sin against God, who gave us a tongue to speak the truth, and not falsehood. It is a great offense against humanity[253]itself; for, where there is no regard to truth, there can be no safe society between man and man.
2. And it is an injury to the speaker; for, beside thedisgrace which it brings upon him, it occasions so much baseness of mind, that he can scarcely tell the truth, or avoid lying, even when he has no color of necessity for it; and, in time, he comes to such a pass, that as other people can not believe he speaks the truth, so he himself scarcely knows when he tells a falsehood.
3. You must not equivocate[254]nor speak anything positively for which you have no authority, but report, or conjecture, or opinion.
4. Let your words be few, especially, when your superiors or strangers are present, lest you betray your own weakness, and rob yourselves of the opportunity which you might, otherwise, have had to gain knowledge, wisdom, and experience by hearing those whom you silence by your impertinent talking.
5. Be not too earnest, loud, or violent in your conversation. Silence your opponent with reason, not with noise.
6. Be careful not to interrupt another when he is speaking; hear him out, and you will understand him the better and be able to give him the better answer.
7. Consider before you speak, especially, when the business is of moment; weigh the sense of what you mean to utter, and the expressions you intend to use, that they may be significant, pertinent, and inoffensive. Inconsiderate persons do not think till they speak; or they speak, and then think.
8. Some people excel in husbandry, some in gardening, some in mathematics. In conversation, learn, as near as you can, where the skill or excellence of any person lies; put him upon talking on that subject, observe what he says, keep it in your memory, or commit it to writing. By this means, you will glean the worth andknowledge of every body you converse with; and, at an easy rate, acquire what may be of use to you on many occasions.
9. When you are in company with light, vain, impertinent persons, let the observing of their failings make you the more cautious, both in conversation with them and in your general behavior, that you may avoid their errors.
10. If any one whom you do not know to be a person of truth, sobriety, and weight, relates strange stories, be not too ready to believe or report them; and yet unless he is one of your familiar acquaintances, be not too forward to contradict him.
11. If the occasion requires you to declare your opinion, do it modestly and gently, not bluntly nor coarsely; by this means, you will avoid giving offense, or being abused for too much credulity.
[253]Hu-manˊ-i-ty, mankind.[254]E-quivˊ-o-cate, speak purposely so as to convey a false impression.
[253]Hu-manˊ-i-ty, mankind.
[253]Hu-manˊ-i-ty, mankind.
[254]E-quivˊ-o-cate, speak purposely so as to convey a false impression.
[254]E-quivˊ-o-cate, speak purposely so as to convey a false impression.