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FROM THE HOLY PROPHET < ~. 7% 6. Beware of irresolution in the intent of thy actions; beware of instability in the execution; so shalt thou triumph over two great failings of thy nature. 7 What reproacheth reason more than to act contrarieties? What can suppress the tendencies to these, but firmness of mind? & The inconsiant fceicth that be changeth, but be knoweth why; he seeth that he escapeth from himself, he perceiveth not how. Be thou incapable of change, in that which is right, and men will rely thee. 9. Establish unto thyself principles of action, and see that thou ever act according to them. 10. So shall thy passions have no rule over thee; so shall thy con- stancy ensure unto thee the good thou possesseth, and drive from thy ‘door misfortune. Anxiety and disappointment shall be strangers to thy tes. , ee 11. Suspect not evil in anyone until thou seest it; when thou seest, forget it not. . 12. Who so hath been an enemy, cannet be a friend; for man mend- eth not his faults. 13. How should his actions be right, who hath no rule of his life? Nothing can be just which proceedeth not from reason. 14. The inconstant hath no peace in his soul; neither can be at ease whom he concerneth himself with. ro 15. His life is unequal; his motives are irregular; his soul changeth , with the weather. ; 16. Today he loveth thee, tomorrow thou art detested $y"him ; and why? Himself knoweth not wherefrom he now hateth ~" 17. Today he is the tyrant, tomorrow thy servant is less humble; and why? He who is arrogant without power, will be servile where there is not subjection, : 18. Today he is profuse, tomorrow he grudgeth unto his mouth = ° that which it should eat. Thus it is with him who knoweth not modera- x * tion. 51 19. Who shall say of the camelion: “He is black,” when, the moment _-.>° after the verdure of the grass, overspreadeth him? 20. Who shall say of the inconstant: “He is joyful,” when his next breath shall be spent in sighing? 21, What is the life of such a man, but the phantom of a dream? In the morning he riseth happy, at noon he is on the rack; this hour he is a god, the next below a worm; one moment he laugheth, the next he weepeth; he now willeth, in an instant he willeth not, and in another ; he knoweth not whether he willeth or not. . . _ 22. Yet neither ease nor pain have fixed themselves on bim; neither is he waxed greater, or become less; neither hath he had cause for laugh- ter, or reason for his sorrow; therefore shall none of them abide with m. , 23. The happiness of the inconstant is as a palace built on the sur- c face of the sand: the blowing of the wind carrieth away its foundation; What : wer ae ee : -" "24 But what exalted form is this, that hitherward directs its even, “ I _ its uninterrupted course—whose foot is on earth, whose head is above «enc re ee the clouds? -