55G ON THE EOUCATION'OF YOUTH. stances in the world ; and what my various relations to mankind round about me ; what are my constant and what my occasional duties ; what are the inward or outward advantages that attend me, or the disadvantages under which I labour. A wise and just survey of all these things, and keeping them always in mind, will be of unspeakable use to us in the conduct of life, that we may set our chief guard- upon our weak side, and where our greatest dangers lie; that we may employ our talents aright, and seize all advantages to improve them for the best purpose, and proceed in the shortest way to piety, usefulness and peace. 2. The knowledge of mankind is also necessary to acquire prudence. And here young persons should not only be taught what is the general nature and capacity, the virtues and the. vices, and the follies of mankind ; but they should be informed also, or at least should be taught to observe more particularly, what are the peculiar tempers, appetites, passions, powers, good and evil qualities of the persons with whom they have most to do in the world; that they may learn to behave wisely with regard to others, and that they make a proper improvement of all the brighter and darker characters which they observe amongst men, both for their own advantage and for the benefit of their fellow- creatures. This may have a happy influence to lead them to avoid the vice's and follies which have plunged others into mis- chief, to imitate the virtues, of those who have behaved well in life, and to secure themselves from any dangers and miseries, as well as to pity the weaknesses and sorrows of mankind, and afford them a willing and a cheerful relief. 3. The knowledge of the things of the world, and the vari- ous affairs of human life, must be included as one of the chief foundations of prudence. It would be endless to run over par= ticulars of this kind ; but in a special manlier young persons should apply themselves to know those things which most nearly concern them, and which have the most immediate relation tp their own business and duty, to their own interest and welfare ; and it is a valuable part of wisdom to neglect other things, and not to waste our time and spirits in them, when they stand in any competition with our proper and most important work, whether we consider ourselves as men or as christians. Solomon tells us ; Eécl. iii. 1, 17. and viii. $, 6. There is both time and judgment for every work, and for evez;y purpose under the heaven; and that a wise man's heart discernetti both time and judgment, that is, he judgeth well concerning what is to be done, and the time when to do it ; and therefore the misery of man is great upon him, because' he knows not this time and judgment, he doth neither discern what is proper to be done, nor the proper season of doing it. Prudence consists in judging well what is to be said, and what is to be done, on every new occa-
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