8 FABLES. 



time has given you strength and experience enough 

 to swim without them. 



APPLICATION. 



RASHNESS is the peculiar vice of youth, and may 

 be styled the characteristic foible of that season of 

 life. The foundation of this rashness is laid in a 

 fond conceit of their own abilities, w T hich tempts 

 them to undertake affairs too great for their capaci- 

 ties, and to venture out of their depths, or to suffer 

 themselves to be hurried into the most precipitate 

 and dangerous measures, before they find out their 

 own \veakness and inability. It therefore behoves 

 inexperienced young men to keep a cautious guard 

 over their passions, to check the irregularities of 

 their disposition, and to listen to the wholesome 

 advice and good council of those whose judgments 

 are matured by age and experience: for few are 

 above the need of advice, nor are we ever too old to 

 learn any thing for which we may be the better. 

 But young men, above all, should not disdain to 

 open their eyes to good example, and their ears to 

 admonition: neither should they be ashamed to 

 borrow rules for their behaviour in the world, until 

 they are enabled from their own knowledge of men 

 and things, to stem its crooked tides and currents 

 with ease and honour to themselves. 



Consult your elders, use their sense alone, 

 Till age and practice have confirm'd your own. 



