Finally, if man be the index or epitome of the world, as philosophers tell us, we have only to read ourselves well to be learned in it.  But because there is nothing we less regard than the characters of the Power that made us, which are so clearly written upon us and the world He has given us, and can best tell us what we are and should be, we are even strangers to our own genius; the glass in which we should see that true instructing and agreeable variety, which is to be observed in nature, to the admiration of that wisdom and adoration of that Power which made us all.

FRUGALITY OR BOUNTY

Frugality is good, if liberality be joined with it.  The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last bestowing them to the benefit of others that need.  The first without the last begins covetousness; the last without the first begins prodigality.  Both together make an excellent temper.  Happy the place wherever that is found.

Were it universal, we should be cured of two extremes, want and excess:  and the one would supply the other, and so bring both nearer to a mean; the just degree of earthly happiness.

It is a reproach to religion and government to suffer so much poverty and excess.

Were the superfluities of a nation valued, and made a perpetual tax on benevolence, there were be more alms-houses than poor, schools than scholars; and enough to spare for government besides.

INDUSTRY

Love labour; for if thou dost not want it for food thou mayest for physick.  It is wholesome for thy body, and good for thy mind.  It prevents the fruits of idleness, which many times come of having nothing to do, and lead too many to do what is worse than nothing.

A garden, an elaboratory, a work-house, improvements and breeding, are pleasant and profitable diversions to the idle and ingenious; for here they miss ill company, and converse with nature and art; whose variety are equally grateful and instructing; and preserve a good constitution of body and mind.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is the treature, but judgment the treasurer of a wise man.

He that has more knowledge than judgment is made for another man’s use more than his own.

It cannot be a good constitution, where the appetite is great and the digestion is weak.

There are some men like dictionaries; to be looked into upon occasions, but have no connection, and are little entertaining.

Less knowledge than judgment will always have the advantage over the injudicious knowing man.

A wise man makes what he learns his own, t’other shows he’s but a copy, or a collection at most.

ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THOUGHTS

Man being made a reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the publick and his own present and future benefit in all respects.