Religion & morality > Elegant extracts

11
ADVICE.
ADVISE not what is most pleasant, but
what is best. The chief rule to be observed
in giving advice, is to preserve it pure from all
mixture of interest or vanity ; the most un¬
pleasant thing is to reprove ; but he who en¬
deavours only the good of him whom he re¬
proves, will always have either the satisfaction
of obtaining or deserving kindness ; if he suc¬
ceeds, he benefits his friend, and if he fails, he
has at least the consciousness that he suffers
for only doing well.
2. Advice is seldom welcome, and those who
want it most, like it the least. Nothing is less
sincere than the manner of asking and giving
advice, he who asks advice of his friend, seems
to have a deference for his opinion, though
frequently he only wishes to have Ids own ap¬
proved'of; on the contrary, he who gives it,
repays the confidence reposed in him by a
seeming disinterested zeal, though perhaps he
only aims at his interest or reputation.
3. As you should never trust alone to your
reason in religion, without the assistance of
revelation ; so you should'never trust alone to
your understandings if a friend can assist you.
Advice should drop on us as dew, and not fall
on us as a hasty and Heavy shower : advice
wanls a wise reprover, and an obedient ear.
4. With some persons, nothing is received
with so much reluctance as advice ; as there¬
fore it requires so much skill to make it agree¬
able, many devices have been used to make’
this bitter potion palatable; for this purpose,-
some have conveyed their instructions in the
bast chosen words, others in the most hanno-
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