Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/278

 In recording ome Intances of thee, we hall, if rightly undertood, afford a very ueful Leon to thoe well-dipoed Youths, who hall hereafter be our Readers: For they may here find that Goodnes of Heart, and Opennes of Temper, tho’ thee may give them great Comfort within, and adminiter to an honet Pride in their own Minds, will by no Means, alas! do their Buines in the World. Prudence and Circumpection are neceary even to the bet of Men. They are indeed as it were a Guard to Virtue, without which he can never be afe. It is not enough that your Deigns, nay that your Actions are intrinically good, you mut take Care that they hall appear o. If your Inide be never o beautiful, you mut preerve a fair Outide alo. This mut be contantly looked to, or Malice and Envy will take Care to blacken it o, that the Sagacity and Goodnes of an Allworthy will not be able to ee through it, and to dicern the Beauties within. Let this, my young Readers, be your contant Maxim, That no Man can be good enough to enable him to neglect the Rules of Prudence; nor will Virtue herelf look beautiful, unles he be bedecked with the outward Ornaments of Decency and Decorum. And this Pre-