fool.
Do you love and seek the society of the wise and good? Is this your
habit? Had you rather take the lowest seat among these than the
highest seat among others? Then you have already learned to be good.
You may not make very much progress, but even a good beginning is not
to be despised.

7. SINKS OF POLLUTION.--Strive for mental excellence, and strict
integrity, and you never will be found in the sinks of pollution, and
on the benches of retailers and gamblers. Once habituate yourself to a
virtuous course, once secure a love of good society, and no punishment
would be greater than by accident to be obliged for half a day to
associate with the low and vulgar. Try to frequent the company of your
betters.

8. PROCURE NO FRIEND IN HASTE.--Nor, if once secured, in haste abandon
them. Be slow in choosing an associate, and slower to change him;
slight no man for poverty, nor esteem any one for his wealth. Good
friends should not be easily forgotten, nor used as suits of apparel,
which, when we have worn them threadbare, we cast them off, and call
for new. When once you profess yourself a friend, endeaver to be
always such. He can never have any true friends that will be often
changing them.

9. HAVE THE COURAGE TO CUT THE MOST AGREEABLE ACQUAINTANCE.--Do this
when you are convinced that he lacks principle; a friend should bear
with a friend's infirmities, but not with his vices. He that does a
base thing in zeal for his friend, burns the golden thread that ties
their hearts together.

* * * * *

SELF-CONTROL.

"Honor and profit do not always lie in the same sack."--GEORGE
HERBERT.

"The government of one's self is the only true freedom for the
individual."--FREDERICK PERTHES.

"It is length of patience, and endurance, and forbearance that so much
of what is called good in mankind and womankind is shown."--ARTHUR
HELPS.

1. ESSENCE OF CHARACTER.--Self-control is only courage under another
form. It may also be regarded as the primary essence of character. It
is in virtue of this quality that Shakespeare defines man as a being
"looking before and after." It forms the chief distinction between man
and the mere animal; and, indeed, there can be no true manhood
without it.

[Illustration: RESULT OF BAD COMPANY.]

2. ROOT OF ALL THE VIRTUES.--Self-control is at the root of all the
virtues. Let a man give the reins to his impulses and passions, and
from that moment he yields