Page:Rules of Life, Johan Amos Comenius.djvu/20

16 3. Whatever you are able to do to-day defer not till tomorrow. They who are prepared, are always injured by delay; the raven word cras, cras (to-morrow, to-morrow) is the manifest ruin of business.

4. To whomsoever you can do good, rejoice to do it, even though it were to the whole world. It has justly been stated that it is the property of excellent natures to minister and do good; therefore, if you can, imitate God, who ministers to all, or an angel who ministers to many. Regard as among abominable things, the being torpid or useless.

5. No day without a line. You see how rapidly the machine of the world moves, whilst we act slowly; therefore, be not thou sluggish in business: yet I do not wish you to be precipitate; consider what is necessary to be done, and having considered the matter, speedily engage in it, that no sun may ever shine on you in vain. Enquiry will be made how all the time granted to us has been expended.

 

It sometimes happens that the active are overwhelmed with business, still activity of life must not on that account be abandoned; for compendious means are available, by which distressing cares may be alleviated. That you may know such, remember these rules:—

1. Put value on time, so that you permit no portion of it to escape uselessly—so, more ample spaces of time of acting will be to you, than to another who knows not how to seize occasions.

2. He by whom many things must be done, must express himself in few words. Understand this both actively and passively—that is, both he himself, when he must speak,