The Instructor/Advice to Servants

Advice to Servants.

INDULGE not unseemly things in thy master's children, nor refuse them what is fitting; for one is the highest unfaithfulness, and the other indiscretion as well as disrespect.

Do thine own work honestly and cheerfully; and when that is done help thy fellow, that so another time he may help thee.

If thou wilt be a good servant thou must be true; and thou canst not be true if thou defraudest thy master.

A master may be defrauded many ways by a servant, as in time, care, pains, money, trust.

He who neglects his work robes his master; since he is fed and paid as if he did his best: and he who is not as diligent in the absence, in the presence of his master, cannot be a true servant.

Nor is he a true servant, who buys dear to share in the profit with the seller.

Nor yet he who tells tales without doors, or deals basely in his master's name with other people, or connives at others loiterings, wastings, or dishonourable reflections.

But a true servant is the contrary of all this: he is diligent, careful, trusty. He tells no tales, he reveals no secrets, refuses no pains, is not to be tempted by gain, or awed by fear, to unfaithfulness. Such a servant deserves well, and, if modest under his merit, should be liberally rewarded.

Such a servant serves God in serving his master, and may expect double wages for his work here and hereafter.