“ On the most favourable supposition which can be made, it must be expected that a young man to whom indolence is so far become habitual, that he finds a pleasure in idle sauntering or total inaction, will be indifferent to every laudable pursuit, and incapable of every manly and generous exertion. A mere blank in the creation, he will drag on a tedious existence, without benefit to the world, without credit or affection among his acquaintance, and even without personal enjoyment. ”

“ Assure yourself, my dear son, your only safety from such dangerous enemies lies in flight. If you think it of any importance to preserve your innocence, and to secure your peace of mind, your credit and prosperity in the world, and your happiness through every period of your existence, avoid—I do not say, all intercourse with bad men, for this could scarcely be done in the most solitary retirement———but certainly all intimacy and particular friendship with them: for "evil communications," naturally, and almost inevitably, "corrupt good manners." ”

“ Do not imagine that such base compliances can be justified or excused, on the plea of civility and good breeding. The principles which your reason and judgement approve, avow them boldly, and adhere to them stedfastly; nor let any false notions of honour, or pitiful ambition of shining, ever-entice you to forsake them. Do what you judge to be right, whatever others may think of you; and learn to despise alike, the praise and the censure of bad men. ”

“ Generosity is in young persons so natural, and to own the truth, so amiable a quality, that I would be very careful not to discourage it. Within the limits of honesty and discretion, let it have free scope. But the transition from generosity to carelessness of expence, and from this to downright extravagance, is so easy, especially with the young, that the caution I now give you is by no means unnecessary. Many a young person, by indulging this habit, has wasted an ample patrimony, and plunged himself into inextricable difficulties ”

“ But in an age, when riches attract such universal attention, when so much value is placed upon the decorations which they procure, and when they are rendered in such a variety of ways subservient to amusement and pleasure; it cannot appear surprising, if even young persons are frequently infected with a sordid thirst of gain, and early learn to sacrifice their tender affections, and even their generous virtues, on the altar of wealth. ”

“ Launching forth, as you are, into the wide ocean of the world, where you must rely for safety upon your own judgement, prudence, and firmness, much more than upon the wisdom or kindness of others; where every thing will depend upon your judging rightly and acting well: you should now make it your first business to fix upon such a plan of conduct, as you may pursue with security and advantage through the remainder of your life.
Education and example have already taught you to love virtue; habit has inclined you to revere her authority and obey her laws ”

“ Love to your parents, to your brothers and sisters, and to other near kindred, are affections which have already taken deep root in your heart and which have been gathering strengh through every advancing year of infancy childhood, and youth; still cherish these tender and generous feelings; they will be the source of the purest pleasures in the immediate exercise; and they will become a stock, upon which may be grafted every noble and disinterested sentiment of friendship, patriotism, and philanthropy. ”

“ Believe me, my son, or rather believe the testimony of universal experience, when you are assured, that the fair promises of licentious pleasure are sallacious, and that every expectation you may entertain of happiness beyond the boundary of virtue, will inevitably disappoint you. ”

“ It is an established law of nature, that men should depend upon each other for subsistence and happiness. A human being in a state perfectly solitary and insulated, would be destitute, forlorn, and wretched. Not only will you be necessarily dependent upon others for the accommodations of life, and therefore bound in equity to contribute in your turn to their comfortable existence; but one very essential part of your personal enjoyment must arise from the exercise of the social affections. The heart which has no object on which to exercise its benevolent feelings ”

“ Raise the edifice of your virtue and happiness upon the fire foundation of religion. Think it not sufficient that, in consequence of early education and subsequent enquiry, you admit the doctrines of the existence, providence, and moral government of Almighty God as articles of belief; but by frequently recollecting them as truths in which every rational being is deeply interested, deduce from them practical principles, to guide you in the conduct of life. ”

“ In your choice both of companions and associates, next to moral character, which ought unquestionably to be the first object, pay attention to intellectual accomplishments. When you go into company, carry with you, as your constant attendants, Honesty and Civility: Honesty to preserve you from offering any violence to your own principles, and Civility to preserve you from unnecessarily offending others. In all companies, respect yourself so far as to preserve consistency of character ”

“ In order to convince yourself of this, without making the dangerous experiment, you need only recollect this plain maxim, that where there is, on the whole, more pain than pleasure, there can be no happiness. By observing what is passing in the world, inform yourself whether it be not too certain to admit of dispute, that licentious and criminal pleasure is naturally productive of infamy, disease. ”

“ And of innocent amusements, those are to be preferred which, at the same time that they answer the purpose of relaxation from severer pursuits, afford some advantageous exercise of the understanding, the imagination, or the moral feelings.
It is an object of great moment, that young persons should early accustom themselves to fill up a considerable portion of their leisure with reading. Cultivate, my son, a taste for reading, and you will find it an inexhaustible fund of elegant amusement, and improving occupation. ”

“ On this point, let it be your first care never to engage in any plan of business, or undertake any concern, however profitable, which your heart condemns as oppressive, injurious, or in any other respect dishonourable. Remember, my dear son, the world itself cannot offer you a prize which would not be too dearly purchased at the expence of your honour and integrity. ”

“ Notwithstanding that natural vigour and activity, which so peculiarly distinguishes the period of youth, that it might almost seem to supercede the necessity of this caution, it is found in fact, that many young persons, either through some mismanagement in their education, or through a natural sluggishness of disposition, fall into an invincible habit of indolence. ”

“ In order to render your reading productive of these advantages, be careful in your choice of books, that your feelings be not debased, nor your heart corrupted, by a kind of "evil communication," not less dangerous than bad company; and that your time be not wasted upon those insignificant and trifling productions, which convey no information, afford no liberal exercise for the imagination, and excite no manly, generous, and virtuous sentiments. ”

“ An obliging address, and graceful manners, have doubtless a considerable effect in winning the attention, and engaging the affections of men, and therefore ought by no means to be neglected; but after all, the world is commonly too wise, at least where interest is concerned, to be imposed upon by mere external show, and nothing will fix and secure their favour, but that solid merit on which they can safely rely. Make yourself thoroughly master of your employment ”

“ There is, moreover, an excusable vanity, common among young people, which under proper management may be turned to good account. At your entrance on the world, does your bosom glow with the desire and hope of distinction? ”

“ In cases the most favourable, this disposition prevents more advantageous applications of wealth, and obstructs the useful and meritorious exercise of generosity in offices of humanity.
On the contrary, let me caution you—for in the present times there is some necessity for cautioning even the young, not to indulge an avaricious temper. Avarice is indeed commonly considered as the peculiar vice of old age: and perhaps the love of money, as such, is seldom found to take possession of the heart in early life. ”

“ In one word, never forget that you are born not for yourself alone, but for your family, your neighbourhood, your country, and the world; and on every occasion which calls for the exercise of humane and generous feelings say, "I am a man, and nothing interesting to human nature is indifferent to me." ”

“ Beware of despising those who may be inferior to you in some accomplishments; they may perhaps be much your superiors in other respects; if not, they may have many just claims to esteem, or at least are entitled to the common expressons of civility. Lastly, make conversation, as much as possible, a school for improvement. Take pains to gather up and carry away from every company some useful information, or some good sentiment: or if this cannot ways be done, let every company, however, afford some exercise to your good affections, and furnish you with some matter of useful reflection. ”

“ The first caution which I shall give you is this: Be not easily persuaded to abandon your principles. It is not my intention by this caution to discourage you in the free inquiry after truth; principles which will not bear examining, are not worth retaining. It is the indispensable duty, as well as the unalienable right of every rational being, to "prove all things," that he may, in the result, "hold fast that which is good." Review, as accurately as you have opportunity, the grounds of those religious and moral principles in which you have been educated ”

“ Be it your next care, my son, to learn and exercise self-command. the difference between one man and another, both with respect to wisdom and happiness, chiefly consists in the different degrees in which reason, or passion, predominates in their characters. Blindly to follow the impulse of appetite and instinct, would be to degenerate into a state perfectly brutal. He who does not learn to govern his passions, will inevitably become their slave. ”

“ There is in the human mind such a powerful spring of activity, that it cannot long remain wholly unoccupied. If it be not engaged in some useful employments, it will be ready to listen to every solicitation of appetite or fancy. ”

“ My next advice, with respect to business is, Trust for success more in your skill, industry, honesty, and punctuality, than in any arts of address, or any ingenious management, which may promise to give you an advantage over your rivals. ”

“ As every man has, or ought to have, some occupation in life, by which he may benefit himself and his immediate connections, and be useful to society, the choice of an employment, and the manner in which its offices are to be executed, every young man ought to consider as matters of great importance. ”

“ To these Counsels of Caution, respecting things which it will be your wisdom and duty to avoid, allow me, my dear son, to add certain Hints of Advice, respecting the means by which you may attain intellectual and moral excellence, and secure true and lasting felicitv.
And here, my first advice—a due attention to which will prepare the way for every wise purpose, and manly exertion—is, Be ambitious of excelling. There is a natural ardour in young minds, which needs only to be well directed in order to produce the happiest effects. ”

“ And the fond dreams which are produced in his own deluded imagination, are too often fostered by the artful sophistry of libertine deceivers; who endeavour to presuade him, that the limitations prescribed is the indulgence of appetite, by the laws of God, or the institutions of society, are severe and unnecessary restraints, and that he is the wisest and happiest man, who soonest emancipates himself from the prejudices of education, and gives the freest scope to his inclinations. ”

“ In your amusements, my advice to you is, to be select and temperate; select, that they may not seduce you into any pursuits unworthy of a well instructed mind; and temperate, that they may not interfere with your more important labours, and your higher duties. Those amussements alone are eligible, which by affording an easy and pleasant exertion of the bodily or mental powers, exhilarate the spirits without depraving the taste, or corrupting the heart. ”

“ By bad company I understand all such persons as would either be likely to corrupt your morals, or in any other way to injure your reputation, or hinder your improvement. Vicious company, however, is that which above all other, you should be careful to avoid. Whatever confidence you may be inclined to place in your own good habits and fixed resolutions, be assured, it will scarcely be possible that you should often associate with the profligate without being infected by their corrupt principles and licentious manners. ”

“ The youthful heart is commonly open to the impressions of friendship, and ready to attach itself with ardour to some kindred soul, with which it may participate all the satisfactions of mutual confidence. ”