Page:Counsels to young men (3).pdf/7

 dangerous experiment, you need only recollect this plain maxim, that where there is, on the whole more pain than pleaſure, there can be no happineſs By obſerving what is paſſing in the world, inform yourſelf whether it be not too certain to admit of diſpute, that licentious and criminal pleaſure is naturally productive of infamy, diſeaſe, poverty, and remorſe to the immediate tranſgreſſors; that it tends to the entire annihilation of all the domeſtic affections; and that it introduces endleſs diſorder and confuſion into evil ſociety. If you find all this to be true, and you need not look far abroad to convince you that it is ſoyou will acknowledge that moraliſts and preceptors have ſome reaſon for inveighing againſt licentious pleaſure, and you will be ſenſible that parents who love their children have ſome occaſion for ſolicitude, that they may be preſerved from ſo dangerous a ſnare. Remember the maxim of a ancient ſage; "The love of pleaſure is a temporary madneſs."

Another caution, of leſs conſequence in deed than the preceding, but by no means unworthy of your attention is Beware of prodigality. Generoſity is in young perſons ſo natural, and to own the truth, ſo amiable a quality that I would be very careful not to diſcourage it. Within the limits of honeſty and diſcretion, let it have free ſcope,