honour_n perhaps_o of_o health_n of_o fortune_n and_o estate_n and_o it_o show_v the_o safe_a and_o the_o honourable_a road_n of_o virtue_n and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o very_a important_a and_o necessary_a thing_n to_o be_v teach_v these_o matter_n before_o we_o launch_v into_o the_o world_n without_o this_o we_o shall_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o learn_v the_o shelf_n in_o this_o dangerous_a sea_n by_o run_v aground_o there_o and_o the_o rock_n by_o split_v upon_o they_o without_o a_o previous_a admonition_n and_o instruction_n about_o what_o we_o be_v to_o avoid_v and_o what_o to_o choose_v we_o shall_v learn_v the_o world_n only_o to_o imitate_v it_o we_o shall_v learn_v and_o comply_v and_o endeavour_v to_o be_v as_o like_v it_o as_o we_o can_v we_o shall_v be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o follow_v a_o multitude_n to_o do_v evil._n we_o be_v natural_o prone_a to_o imitate_v what_o we_o see_v do_v by_o other_o and_o more_o prone_a to_o imitate_v evil_a than_o good_a and_o we_o shall_v common_o meet_v with_o more_o ill_a example_n than_o good_a one_o by_o consequence_n we_o shall_v be_v in_o great_a likelihood_n of_o learning_n and_o follow_v vice_n than_o virtue_n if_o we_o be_v not_o fence_v against_o it_o by_o good_a instruction_n before_o we_o venture_v into_o the_o world_n let_v i_o add_v it_o be_v of_o very_o great_a importance_n to_o you_o to_o be_v as_o early_o as_o be_v possible_a acquaint_v with_o these_o thing_n to_o learn_v betimes_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o virtue_n for_o as_o much_o as_o habit_n of_o good_a or_o ill_n be_v continual_o grow_v in_o we_o but_o especial_o in_o our_o young_a and_o tender_a year_n our_o action_n in_o those_o year_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o seed_n or_o foundation_n of_o future_a habit_n which_o we_o contract_v when_o we_o be_v young_a and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o leave_v when_o we_o be_v old_a but_o if_o we_o can_v right_o discern_v good_a from_o evil_a we_o shall_v become_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a before_o we_o know_v what_o it_o be_v and_o if_o once_o we_o be_v arrive_v as_o this_o it_o will_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o as_o much_o difficulty_n to_o cure_v ourselves_o as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o ethiopian_a to_o change_v his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n this_o increase_v the_o difficulty_n of_o convince_a we_o of_o our_o fault_n we_o shall_v be_v loath_a to_o own_o that_o we_o have_v be_v in_o a_o error_n this_o will_v engage_v we_o to_o justify_v our_o fault_n rather_o than_o acknowledge_v they_o that_o we_o may_v let_v ourselves_o go_v on_o without_o shame_n or_o remorse_n and_o beside_o if_o we_o be_v convince_v of_o a_o fault_n after_o that_o difficulty_n be_v over_o there_o be_v more_o remain_v and_o it_o be_v yet_o a_o very_a large_a task_n to_o conquer_v and_o forsake_v it_o when_o it_o be_v become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o second_o nature_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o correct_v and_o form_v young_a and_o tender_a inclination_n to_o evil._n but_o when_o several_a year_n be_v go_v over_o they_o and_o they_o be_v become_v confirm_v habit_n they_o be_v then_o not_o easy_o subdue_v we_o must_v then_o know_v virtue_n and_o vice_n betimes_o and_o know_v they_o in_o their_o least_o beginning_n and_o low_a degree_n that_o we_o may_v practise_v the_o one_o and_o abstain_v from_o the_o other_o and_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o begin_v betimes_o to_o practise_v virtue_n and_o to_o resist_v and_o avoid_v vice_n that_o we_o may_v be_v enure_v and_o accustom_v to_o do_v so_o then_o will_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v virtuous_a all_o our_o day_n and_o we_o must_v put_v a_o violence_n and_o constraint_n upon_o ourselves_o if_o we_o will_v comply_v with_o the_o solicitation_n of_o any_o vice_n whereas_o without_o this_o we_o shall_v fall_v into_o that_o unhappy_a state_n that_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o we_o only_o to_o be_v vicious_a and_o we_o must_v put_v a_o constraint_n upon_o ourselves_o when_o we_o be_v to_o do_v that_o which_o will_v become_v we_o and_o will_v be_v for_o our_o interest_n or_o our_o honour_n beside_o it_o be_v our_o wisdom_n and_o happiness_n to_o have_v as_o little_a occasion_n for_o repentance_n as_o be_v possible_a and_o therefore_o to_o begin_v a_o course_n of_o virtue_n betimes_o and_o it_o be_v our_o honour_n to_o have_v attain_v a_o great_a and_o eminent_a degree_n of_o virtue_n but_o the_o soon_o we_o begin_v to_o endeavour_v this_o the_o more_o likely_a we_o be_v to_o attain_v it_o virtue_n in_o youth_n settle_v a_o good_a constitution_n and_o confirm_v health_n in_o the_o strong_a body_n and_o support_v a_o tender_a and_o weak_a constitution_n which_o vice_n will_v quick_o destroy_v virtue_n in_o youth_n make_v the_o best_a provision_n of_o worldly_a enjoyment_n and_o comfortable_a thought_n for_o old_a age._n it_o defer_v the_o infirmity_n of_o old_a age_n and_o make_v that_o common_o the_o free_a from_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v usual_o grievous_a to_o it_o to_o young_a person_n then_o i_o will_v particular_o recommend_v the_o use_n of_o this_o book_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o virtue_n among_o they_o to_o conclude_v the_o woman_n have_v here_o a_o excellent_a mirror_n wherein_o they_o may_v see_v themselves_o and_o all_o the_o world_n they_o may_v discover_v whatever_o spot_n or_o deformity_n be_v upon_o themselves_o or_o other_o this_o be_v a_o glass_n that_o will_v certain_o show_v you_o what_o do_v best_a become_v and_o most_o adorn_v you_o dress_v by_o this_o you_o must_v needs_o like_v yourselves_o and_o may_v do_v so_o with_o good_a reason_n and_o without_o flatter_v yourselves_o and_o you_o will_v also_o approve_v yourselves_o to_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a angel_n and_o to_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a among_o mankind_n i_o must_v only_o desire_v you_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o further_a that_o i_o do_v not_o apply_v the_o great_a character_n i_o have_v give_v of_o this_o book_n to_o what_o you_o now_o see_v of_o it_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a that_o which_o be_v here_o be_v at_o most_o but_o half_a worthy_a of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v but_o half_a the_o intend_a design_n the_o other_o half_o be_v actual_o under_o hand_n and_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v speedy_o present_v to_o you_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v appear_v worthy_a of_o your_o esteem_n and_o of_o my_o recommendation_n and_o high_o useful_a to_o promote_v your_o honour_n and_o happiness_n the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v a_o table_n of_o the_o subject_n treat_v on_o in_o this_o book_n chap._n 1._o of_o read_v with_o some_o remark_n upon_o that_o of_o this_o book_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o of_o conversation_n page_n 31_o chap._n 3._o of_o the_o cheerful_a humour_n and_o the_o melancholy_n page_n 51_o chap._n 4._o of_o reputation_n page_n 70_o chap._n 5._o of_o the_o inclination_n to_o virtue_n and_o of_o devotion_n page_n 82_o chap._n 6._o of_o chastity_n and_o of_o complaisance_n page_n 91_o chap._n 7._o of_o courage_n page_n 102_o chap._n 8._o of_o constancy_n page_n 112_o chap._n 9_o of_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n page_n 123_o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o learned_a woman_n page_n 131_o chap._n 11._o of_o habit_n or_o ornament_n page_n 141_o chap._n 12._o of_o beauty_n page_n 148_o chap._n 13._o of_o curiosity_n and_o slander_n page_n 156_o chap._n 14._o of_o the_o cruel_a and_o the_o compassionate_a page_n 163_o chap._n 15._o of_o a_o good_a grace_n page_n 170_o chap._n 16._o the_o debauch_a or_o lewd_a woman_n page_n 176_o chap._n 17._o of_o jealousy_n page_n 183_o chap._n 18._o of_o friendship_n and_o the_o love_n of_o inclination_n and_o that_o of_o election_n page_n 196_o chap._n 19_o of_o the_o complaisant_a or_o please_a humour_n page_n 216_o chap._n 20._o of_o birth_n or_o nature_n and_o education_n page_n 252_o chap._n 21._o of_o a_o equal_a mind_n under_o good_a and_o bad_a fortune_n page_n 279_o errata_fw-la page_n 8._o line_n 5._o for_o least_o read_v last_o p._n 18._o l._n 6._o for_o west_n r._n waist_n p._n 20._o l._n 8._o for_o jammuz_n r._n tammuz_o p_o 57_o l._n 28._o for_o void_a r._n avoid_v p._n 121._o l._n 18._o for_o wickedness_n r._n wickedness_n p._n 134._o l._n 15._o for_o real_o r._n rare_o p._n 180._o l._n 20._o for_o impudence_n r._n imprudence_n p._n 272._o l._n 2._o for_o be_v r._n be_v not_o of_o read_v with_o some_o remark_n upon_o that_o of_o this_o book_n there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o true_a than_o that_o read_n conversation_n and_o contemplation_n be_v three_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a and_o most_o charm_a employment_n in_o the_o world_n by_o read_v we_o enjoy_v the_o dead_a by_o conversation_n the_o live_n and_o by_o contemplation_n ourselves_o read_v enrich_v the_o memory_n conversation_n polish_v the_o wit_n
and_o contemplation_n improve_v the_o judgement_n but_o among_o these_o noble_a occupation_n of_o the_o soul_n if_o we_o will_v determine_v which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o read_n furnish_v both_o the_o other_o and_o without_o that_o our_o contemplation_n will_v be_v of_o no_o advantage_n and_o our_o conversation_n without_o pleasure_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o lady_n of_o great_a wit_n as_o well_o as_o to_o those_o of_o the_o mean_a in_o that_o it_o give_v to_o the_o former_a much_o the_o great_a lustre_n as_o it_o mend_v the_o imperfection_n and_o defect_n of_o the_o latter_a it_o render_v these_o tolerable_a and_o make_v they_o admirable_a and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n read_v show_v we_o many_o thing_n which_o our_o own_o reason_n can_v never_o discover_v it_o add_v solidity_n to_o our_o thought_n and_o a_o charm_a sweetness_n to_o our_o discourse_n it_o finish_v and_o complete_v that_o which_o nature_n have_v but_o only_o begin_v nor_o be_v it_o strange_a that_o we_o shall_v receive_v so_o great_a advantage_n from_o this_o since_o the_o best_a invention_n in_o the_o world_n have_v owe_v their_o original_a to_o read_v join_v with_o judicious_a think_v and_o the_o one_o be_v as_o the_o father_n the_o other_o a_o mother_n to_o the_o sine_a thought_n and_o because_o neither_o of_o these_o separately_z can_v produce_v any_o thing_n of_o perfection_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o comprehend_v why_o they_o who_o have_v no_o love_n for_o book_n can_v speak_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v trivial_a and_o their_o conversation_n be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o persecution_n of_o their_o company_n that_o a_o good_a wit_n may_v set_v off_o its_o self_n well_o enough_o without_o any_o thing_n of_o study_n as_o they_o say_v a_o good_a face_n need_v no_o ornament_n be_v what_o i_o can_v without_o dissimulation_n allow_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o must_v be_v say_v that_o as_o the_o stomach_n which_o have_v great_a heat_n have_v need_n of_o most_o food_n to_o keep_v the_o body_n in_o good_a plight_n and_o maintain_v life_n so_o the_o bright_a wit_n have_v most_o need_v of_o read_v to_o acquire_v thereby_o politeness_n and_o fullness_n and_o especial_o to_o moderate_v that_o vigour_n which_o can_v succeed_v but_o by_o chance_n when_o it_o be_v altogether_o alone_o it_o be_v then_o in_o this_o incomparable_a school_n they_o must_v learn_v what_o be_v excellent_a to_o entertain_v the_o company_n that_o be_v good_a and_o to_o be_v a_o remedy_n against_o the_o bad_a here_o the_o lady_n must_v receive_v antidote_n against_o the_o persecution_n of_o those_o who_o discourse_n be_v all_o idle_a and_o impertinent_a it_o be_v read_v that_o render_v conversation_n most_o grateful_a and_o solitude_n least_o tedious_a there_o be_v other_o nevertheless_o of_o another_o opinion_n and_o such_o as_o think_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o learn_v the_o best_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o enjoy_v the_o conversation_n of_o good_a wit_n without_o put_v one_o self_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o turn_v over_o book_n but_o though_o i_o grant_v that_o the_o conversation_n of_o worthy_a person_n be_v very_o necessary_a and_o may_v as_o a_o live_a school_n influence_n we_o most_o powerful_o while_o we_o see_v the_o rule_n and_o a_o excellent_a example_n together_o yet_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o they_o who_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o company_n of_o those_o that_o know_v much_o may_v become_v more_o complete_a by_o read_v their_o work_n it_o be_v my_o opinion_n that_o if_o conversation_n give_v readiness_n read_v afford_v abundance_n that_o the_o former_a distribute_v only_o what_o this_o latter_a acquire_v and_o be_v liberal_a of_o the_o riches_n which_o read_v heap_n together_o moreover_o since_o man_n take_v more_o pain_n about_o what_o they_o write_v than_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o no_o man_n employ_v so_o much_o care_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o endure_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n as_o in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o endure_v for_o ever_o it_o must_v be_v own_a that_o we_o may_v rather_o expect_v to_o find_v excellent_a thing_n in_o the_o write_n of_o great_a person_n than_o in_o their_o discourse_n for_o while_o they_o let_v nothing_o pass_v in_o their_o book_n that_o be_v not_o finish_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a but_o many_o thing_n imperfect_a will_v slip_v from_o they_o in_o discourse_n and_o conversation_n beside_o there_o need_v no_o more_o but_o a_o agreeable_a voice_n or_o with_o some_o a_o great_a noise_n a_o sweet_a accent_n or_o a_o good_a grace_n to_o charm_v those_o that_o hear_v but_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o abuse_v or_o impose_v upon_o they_o that_o read_v it_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o deceive_v the_o ear_n than_o the_o eye_n discourse_n pass_v on_o with_o but_o a_o superficial_a notice_n take_v of_o they_o and_o hardly_o have_v we_o the_o leisure_n to_o observe_v their_o defect_n but_o write_n remain_v steady_o expose_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o those_o that_o judge_n and_o the_o fault_n of_o they_o be_v never_o pardon_v herein_o there_o lie_v as_o i_o think_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n for_o the_o read_n of_o good_a book_n that_o the_o great_a wit_n have_v in_o they_o leave_v we_o their_o best_a performance_n and_o they_o have_v employ_v their_o watch_n and_o study_n more_o to_o the_o write_v than_o speak_v well_o however_o if_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o to_o join_v experience_n with_o reason_n what_o can_v any_o desire_n for_o the_o ornament_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o may_v not_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o book_n we_o may_v find_v there_o instruction_n of_o every_o make_v we_o may_v see_v virtue_n under_o every_o sort_n of_o visage_n we_o may_v there_o discover_v truth_n in_o every_o representation_n of_o it_o we_o can_v desire_v we_o may_v see_v she_o with_o all_o her_o strength_n among_o the_o philosopher_n with_o all_o her_o purity_n among_o the_o historian_n and_o with_o all_o her_o beauty_n posture_n and_o sine_fw-la disguise_n in_o the_o orator_n and_o poet_n and_o from_o this_o so_o agreeable_a variety_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o all_o sort_n of_o humour_n and_o condition_n to_o find_v content_a and_o instruction_n it_o be_v here_o that_o truth_n be_v not_o disorder_v by_o passion_n that_o she_o speak_v without_o fear_n as_o well_o as_o without_o design_n and_o dread_v not_o to_o enter_v the_o palace_n nor_o even_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o great_a monarch_n for_o this_o reason_n too_o be_v read_v extreme_o requisite_a to_o the_o lady_n for_o since_o they_o want_v mute_a instructor_n as_o well_o as_o prince_n and_o as_o well_o beauty_n as_o royalty_n do_v not_o so_o easy_o find_v teacher_n as_o flatter_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o for_o the_o apprehend_v their_o defect_n they_o shall_v learn_v sometime_o from_o the_o admonition_n of_o the_o dead_a that_o which_o the_o live_n dare_v not_o say_v to_o they_o it_o be_v in_o book_n alone_o that_o they_o can_v remark_n the_o imperfection_n of_o their_o mind_n as_o in_o their_o mirror_n they_o discern_v those_o of_o their_o face_n it_o be_v there_o they_o will_v find_v judge_n that_o can_v be_v corrupt_v either_o by_o their_o love_n or_o hatred_n it_o be_v there_o that_o the_o most_o fair_a as_o well_o as_o the_o least_o so_o be_v equal_o treat_v have_v to_o do_v with_o arbitrator_n that_o use_v the_o eye_n they_o have_v only_o to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n but_o however_o since_o all_o book_n be_v not_o excellent_a and_o there_o be_v many_o which_o true_o deserve_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o no_o light_n but_o by_o the_o fire_n the_o print_n of_o which_o shall_v rather_o have_v be_v hinder_v than_o the_o read_v they_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v no_o less_o difficulty_n in_o choose_v good_a book_n to_o employ_v we_o when_o we_o be_v alone_o than_o to_o choose_v good_a wit_n for_o our_o entertainment_n in_o company_n so_o that_o if_o any_o find_v they_o must_v not_o rely_v upon_o themselves_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o the_o make_n of_o a_o good_a choice_n they_o ought_v at_o least_o to_o follow_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o most_o know_a and_o most_o virtuous_a for_o fear_v that_o in_o read_v they_o may_v happen_v to_o infect_v the_o mind_n or_o debauch_v the_o conscience_n i_o can_v forbear_v in_o this_o place_n to_o reprehend_v the_o tyranny_n of_o certain_a wit_n who_o form_n among_o themselves_o a_o kind_n of_o cabal_n for_o the_o censure_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o think_v the_o approbation_n of_o their_o cabal_n must_v be_v first_o obtain_v before_o a_o thing_n can_v deserve_v to_o be_v approve_v by_o other_o as_o the_o value_n of_o money_n derive_v itself_o from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o prince_n so_o must_v the_o value_n of_o book_n and_o the_o purity_n of_o language_n depend_v upon_o
the_o opinion_n of_o these_o imaginary_a king_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o avoid_v their_o sharp_a censure_n if_o we_o do_v not_o submit_v to_o their_o judgement_n both_o the_o use_n and_o the_o approbation_n be_v at_o their_o dispose_n the_o credit_n they_o give_v be_v necessary_a to_o success_n and_o there_o be_v no_o glory_n but_o what_o they_o distribute_v and_o although_o the_o most_o able_a person_n disappoint_v this_o small_a traffic_n and_o these_o ridiculous_a intrigue_n there_o be_v nevertheless_o some_o weak_a spirit_n that_o commit_v themselves_o to_o their_o conduct_n and_o by_o this_o mistake_v it_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o very_o good_a book_n be_v not_o relish_v at_o first_o while_o these_o petty_a impostor_n decry_v they_o and_o hinder_v their_o excellency_n from_o be_v know_v they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o when_o they_o have_v find_v great_a fault_n with_o the_o write_n of_o other_o we_o shall_v read_v none_o but_o they_o and_o that_o the_o lady_n 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confound_v on_o the_o other_o side_n as_o they_o who_o eat_v incessant_o contract_v but_o a_o mass_n of_o ill_a humour_n so_o they_o that_o read_v too_o much_o be_v ordinary_o incommode_v by_o the_o confusion_n of_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o discourse_n and_o as_o excess_n of_o food_n weaken_v the_o natural_a heat_n of_o the_o body_n so_o a_o excess_n of_o read_v at_o length_n dim_v the_o light_n and_o abate_v the_o vigour_n of_o the_o spirit_n it_o be_v not_o then_o at_o all_o necessary_a to_o read_v a_o multitude_n of_o book_n but_o to_o read_v only_o those_o that_o be_v good_a and_o above_o all_o to_o avoid_v the_o desire_n of_o those_o with_o which_o we_o can_v become_v acquaint_v without_o the_o danger_n of_o become_v vicious_a it_o be_v necessary_a that_o in_o this_o place_n i_o encounter_v two_o grand_a error_n and_o that_o i_o attack_z too_o much_o fear_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o next_o too_o much_o confidence_n in_o this_o matter_n on_o the_o other_o for_o there_o 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by_o the_o captive_a woman_n who_o they_o marry_v who_o nail_n they_o first_o pare_v and_o shave_v off_o their_o hair_n i_o mean_v that_o in_o read_v these_o ancient_a author_n we_o shall_v retrench_v what_o be_v superfluous_a and_o whatever_o contradict_v our_o belief_n but_o i_o all_o this_o while_n be_o in_o the_o wrong_n when_o i_o speak_v thus_o of_o the_o ancient_n for_o we_o do_v not_o derive_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o heathen_n when_o we_o take_v whatever_o be_v excellent_a and_o good_a in_o their_o book_n this_o be_v the_o very_a wealth_n which_o they_o have_v steal_v from_o our_o father_n this_o be_v that_o sublime_a philosophy_n of_o egypt_n which_o they_o transport_v to_o athens_n whatever_o their_o poet_n or_o their_o sophister_n have_v of_o good_a in_o they_o they_o drain_v our_o prophet_n for_o it_o this_o be_v the_o learning_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n too_o though_o they_o have_v give_v it_o another_o form_n and_o veil_v it_o under_o certain_a riddle_n that_o they_o 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