ose, such as
taking things you wish to know for granted: this will, perhaps, lead
some officious person to set you right. So again, by saying, you have
heard so and so, and sometimes seeming to know more than you do, you
will often get an information, which you would lose by direct questions,
as these would put people upon their guard, and frequently defeat the
very end you aim at.

65. Make it a rule never to reflect on any body of people, for by this
means you will create a number of enemies. There are good and bad of all
professions, lawyers, soldiers, parsons or citizens. They are all men,
subject to the same passions, differing only in their manner according
to the way they have been bred up in. For this reason, it is unjust, as
well as indiscreet, to attack them as a _corps_ collectively. Many a
young man has thought himself extremely clever in abusing the clergy.
What are the clergy more than other men? Can you suppose a black gown
can make any alteration in his nature? Fie, fie, think seriously, and I
am convinced you will never do it.

66. But above all, let no example, no fashion, no witticism, no foolish
desire of rising above what knaves call prejudices, tempt you to excuse,
extenuate or ridicule the least breach of morality, but upon every
occasion shew the greatest abhorrence of such proceedings, and hold
virtue and religion in the highest veneration.

It is a great piece of ill-manners to interrupt any one while speaking,
by speaking yourself, or calling off the attention of the company to any
foreign matter. But this every child knows.

67. The last thing I shall mention, is that of concealing your learning,
except on particular occasions. Reserve this for learned men, and let
them rather extort it from you, than you be too willing to display it.
Hence you will be thought modest, and to have more knowledge than you
really have. Never seem more wise or learned than the company you are
in. He who affects to shew his learning, will be frequently questioned;
and if found superficial, will be sneered at; if otherwise, he will be
deemed a pedant. Real merit will always shew itself, and nothing can
lessen it in the opinion of the world, but a man's exhibiting it
himself.

For God's sake, revolve all these things seriously in your mind, before
you go abroad into life. Recollect the observations you have yourself
occasionally made upon men and things; compare them with my
instructions, and act wisely and co