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inaction, will be indifferent to every laudable purſuit, and incapable of every manly and generous exertion. A mere blank in the creation, he will drag on a tedious exiſtence, without benefit to the world, without credit or affection among his acquaintance, and even without perſonal enjoyment. But it may be much apprehended that the conſequence will be ſtill worſe. There is in the human mind ſuch a powerful ſpring of activity, that it cannot long remain wholly unoccupied. If it be not engaged in ſome useful employments, it will be ready to liſten to every ſolicitation of appetite or fancy.
Be always busy for some purpose either of profit, of usefulness, or at leaſt of innocent amusement. Never think of finding any gratification in doing nothing. The ſenure by which we hold our exiſtence is, that we ſhould be induſtrious. Labour is the price we muſt pay for riches, fame, knowledge, virtue and happineſs. Think, then, for what ends you were created; think what you owe to yourſelf, to your friends, and to your country; "think that time has golden minutes, if diſcreetly ſeized," and let them not be laviſhed away in unproductive idleneſs.
The laſt caution which I ſhall offer you is, Avoid bad company. This caution is perhaps of more extenſive meaning, and of
