Cap. XVII.
Æſop's Letters of Morality to his son Ennus.
UPON Æſop's coming again into Favour, he had the King of Ægypt's Letter given him to Conſider of, and Adviſed Labynetus to ſend him for Anſwer, That Early the next Spring he ſhould have the Satisfaction he Deſired. Things being in this State, JEfop took Ennus Home to him again, and ſo order'd the Matter, that he wanted neither Councells nor Inſtructions, nor any other Helps or Lights that might Diſpoſe him to the Leading of a Virtuous Life, as will Appear by the Following Precepts.
My Son (ſays he) Worſhip God with Care and Reverence, and with a Sincerity of Heart voyd of All Hypocriſie or Oſtentation: Not as if that Divine Name and Power were only an Invention, to Fright Women and Children, but know, That God is Omnnipreſent, True and Allmighty.
Have a Care even of your Moſt Private Actions and Thoughts, for God ſees Thorough you, and your Conſcience will bear Witneſs againſt you.
It is according to Prudence, as well as Nature, to pay that Honour to your Parents that you Expect your Children ſhould pay to you.
Do All the Good you can to All men, but in the Firſt Place to your Neareſt Relations, and do no Hurt however, where you can do no Good.
Keep a Guard upon your Words as well as upon your Actions, that there be no Impurity in Either.
Follow the Dictates of your Reaſon, and you are Safe; and have a Care of Impotent Affections.
Apply your ſelfe to Learn More, ſo long as there's any Thing Left that you do not Know, and Value Good Councell before Mony.
Our Minds muſt be Cultivated as well as our Plants; The Improvement of our Reaſon makes us like Angells, whereas the Neglect of it turns us into Beaſts.
Theres no Permanent and Inviolable Good, but Wiſdom and Virtue, though the Study of it ſignifies Little without the Practice.
Do not think it impoſſible to be a Wiſe Man, without looking Sowre upon it. Wiſdom makes Men Severe, but not Inhumane.
It is Virtue not to be Vicious.
Keep Faith with All Men. Have a Care of a Lye, as you would of Sacriledge. Great Bablers have No Regard either to Honeſty or Truth.
