Page:Rules of Life, Johan Amos Comenius.djvu/11

 

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To be wise is proper for man, who is the image of God. Do you therefore, if you be wise; nay, that you may be wise—

1. Whatsoever you are doing and whatsoever you may do, look forward to the end, and consider the means to that end, and learn accurate modes of using the appointed means, lest you with your means, fail; as very often happens, when means supplied by Divine benevolence, perish through human stupidity, and fail of their object. In every matter consider those three things and all things appertaining thereto.

2. Remember, however, that the ends of things, the means, and the modes of things depend, on your part, not on idle speculation, but on use. Truly to have power of or to understand any thing is vain, unless you use it.

Therefore,

(a.) Whatever you know to be good, to that, as to your main object, direct your attention. 