Never allow reason weight in any thing you have resolved to be right
that is opposed to it. Reason may be useful in mathematics, to men of
genius, and to scholars; but it has little to do with every-day
existence, with the Three per Cents, the national revenue, the Stock
Exchange, or the India House.
Never get acquainted with your next-door neighbour, unless you find he
is in good pecuniary circumstances. If you meet on the highway, or touch
elbows at your respective fore-doors, look at each other like two
strange tom-cats, and pursue your way.
Commiserate the fate of a Thurtell, a Probert, or a Corder, sent
(ripened for heaven in a forty-eight hours' probation by a Newgate
chaplain) out of the world their hellish acts have so sullied; but
sympathise not with a Riego or a Canaris. Heroic vice was always
spiriting; heroic virtue is phlegmatic. John Bull's constitution is only
acted upon by strong excitement.
When you dine with the Lord Mayor, or any of the Aldermen of Brobdignag,
and they attempt to exhibit their skill at repartee, be sure decide the
wealthiest to be the wittiest. It will insure you a good dinner another
time, perhaps something more.
In choosing a wife, prefer even Bristol ugliness to beauty, especially
if there be a fortune.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60