The first may be forgotten, Be discreet in your discourse, represented, as convey distinct religious, moral, or The wise, terse, and pithy proverbial PRECEPTS The BOOK OF GOOD DEVICES is offered to all who interest themselves in the welfare of youth, and who desire, by means of counsel and advice, to But more in your actions: The latter endure for ever. A wise man's heart is at his right hand; Let your example be the Son of man. protect them from the many snares and temptations In the words of Dr. Mather, who has been already serviceable things; and it would be well for us if such The Editor of "THE BOOK OF GOOD DEVICES" desires to thank SAMUEL SMILES, Esq., for permission, readily granted, to make use of passages from his admirable and valuable books for youth, "Character" and "SelfHelp;" and Messrs. STRAHAN and Co., for the like favour from Principal TULLOCH'S "Beginning Life." NOTE.-The First Edition of this Work was published under the title of "The Book of Good Devices." See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. But a fool's is at his left. Mercy and truth shall be to them A good maxim My son, if thou wilt receive my words, So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom If thou seckest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, Is never out of season. That devise good. Hear the instruction of thy father. A wise son maketh a glad father: THE BOOK OF GOOD DEVICES. SIR HENRY SIDNEY TO HIS SON. ET your first action be the lifting up of your mind to Almighty God, by hearty prayer, and feelingly digest the words you speak in prayer, with continual meditation, and thinking of Him to whom you pray, and of the matter for which you pray. And use this as an ordinary, and at an ordinary hour; whereby the time itself will put you in remembrance to do that which you are accustomed to do. In that time apply your study to such hours as your discreet master doth assign you, earnestly; and the time he will so limit, as shall be both sufficient for your learning and safe for your health. And mark the sense and the matter of that you read, as well as the words. So shall you both enrich your tongue with words, and your wit with matter; and judgment will grow as your years But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Forsake not the law of thy mother. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Be temperate in all things. groweth with you. Be humble and obedient to your master, for unless you frame yourself to obey Be courteous of gesture, and affable to all men, A blustering man is a coward. Incline thine ear unto wisdom. |