th once forfeited
the reputation of his integrity, he is set last, and nothing will then
serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.

27. And I have often thought, that God hath, in his great wisdom, hid
from men of false and dishonest minds, the wonderful advantages of truth
and integrity to the prosperity even of our worldly affairs; these men
are so blinded by their covetousness and ambition, that they cannot look
beyond a present advantage, nor forbear to seize upon it, though by ways
never so indirect; they cannot see so far, as to the remote consequences
of a steady integrity, and the vast benefit and advantages which it will
bring a man at last.

28. Were but this sort of men wise and clear sighted enough to discern
this, they would be honest out of very knavery; not out of any love to
honesty and virtue, but with a crafty design to promote and advance more
effectually their own interests; and therefore the justice of the Divine
Providence hath hid this truest point of wisdom from their eyes, that
bad men might not be upon equal terms with the just and upright, and
serve their own wicked designs by honest and lawful means.

29. Indeed if a man were only to deal in the world for a day, and should
never have occasion to converse more with mankind, never more need their
good opinion or good word, it were then no great matter (speaking as to
the concernments of this world) if a man spent his reputation all at
once, or ventured it at one throw.

30. But if he be to continue in the world, and would have the advantage
of conversation while he is in it, let him make use of truth and
sincerity in all his words and actions; for nothing but this will last
and hold out to the end; all other arts will fail, but truth and
integrity will carry a man through, and bear him out to the last.

31. When _Aristotle_ was once asked, what a man could gain by uttering
falsehoods? he replied, "not to be credited when he shall tell the
truth."

The character of a lyar is at once so hateful and contemptible, that
even of those who have lost their virtue it might be expected, that from
the violation of truth they should be restrained by their pride. Almost
every other vice that disgraces human nature, may be kept in countenance
by applause and association.

32. The corrupter of virgin innocence sees himself envied by the men,
and at least not detested by the women: the drunkard may easily unite
with beings, devoted like himself to n