Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/50

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PON Æops coming again into Favour, he had the King of Ægypts Letter given him to Conider of, and Advied Labynetus to end him for Anwer, That Early the next Spring he hould have the Satisfaction he Deired. Things being in this State, JEfop took Ennus Home to him again, and o order'd the Matter, that he wanted neither Councells nor Intructions, nor any other Helps or Lights that might Dipoe him to the Leading of a Virtuous Life, as will Appear by the Following Precepts.

My Son (ays he) Worhip God with Care and Reverence, and with a Sincerity of Heart voyd of All Hypocriie or Otentation: Not as if that Divine Name and Power were only an Invention, to Fright Women and Children, but know, That God is Omnnipreent, True and Allmighty.

Have a Care even of your Mot Private Actions and Thoughts, for God ees Thorough you, and your Concience will bear Witnes againt you.

It is according to Prudence, as well as Nature, to pay that Honour to your Parents that you Expect your Children hould pay to you.

Do All the Good you can to All men, but in the Firt Place to your Nearet Relations, and do no Hurt however, where you can do no Good.

Keep a Guard upon your Words as well as upon your Actions, that there be no Impurity in Either.

Follow the Dictates of your Reaon, and you are Safe; and have a Care of Impotent Affections.

Apply your elfe to Learn More, o long as there's any Thing Left that you do not Know, and Value Good Councell before Mony.

Our Minds mut be Cultivated as well as our Plants; The Improvement of our Reaon makes us like Angells, whereas the Neglect of it turns us into Beats.

Theres no Permanent and Inviolable Good, but Widom and Virtue, though the Study of it ignifies Little without the Practice.

''Do not think it impoible to be a Wie Man, without looking Sowre upon it. Widom makes Men Severe, but not Inhumane.''

It is Virtue not to be Vicious.

''Keep Faith with All Men. Have a Care of a Lye, as you would of Sacriledge. Great Bablers have No Regard either to Honety or Truth.''