But to thee, gentle friend, I say first That in thy speech thou be circumspect. Be not too great a talker, and think aforehand What thou wouldst be saying; for never Doth the word that is spoken return,—like the arrow Which goes and returns not. He who has a goodly tongue, Little sense suffices him, if by folly he spoils it not. Be thy speech gentle; and see it be not harsh In any position of command, for thou canst not Give people any graver annoy. I advise that he should die Who displeases by harshness, for he never conquers the habit: And he who has no moderation, if he acts well, he filches that. Be not exasperating; neither be a tell-tale Of what another person has spoken in thy presence; Nor yet use contumely; nor tell any one a lie, Nor slander of any,—for in sooth there is no one Of whom one might not say something offensive offhand. Neither be so self-sufficient as that even one hard word Affecting another person should issue from thy mouth; For too much self-sufficiency is contrary to good usage. And let him who is on the highway beware of speaking folly. But thou knowest that I command thee, and put it as a strict precept, That thou honour to the utmost thy good friend On foot and on horseback: and be sure that for a small fault Thou bear no grudge—let not love fail on thy part. And have it always in mind to associate with people of honour, And from others hold aloof; so that (as with the crafts[4]) Thou mayst not acquire any vice, whereof, before thou couldst amend it, Thou shalt have scathe and shame. Therefore at all hours Hold fast to good usage; for that advances thee In credit and honour, and makes thee better, And gives fair seeming,—for a good nature Becomes the clearer and more polished if it follows good habits. But see none the less that, if thou shouldst appear tedious To such or such a company, thou venture to frequent it no more, But procure thyself some other to which thy ways are pleasing. Friend, heed this well: with one richer than thyself Seek not to associate,—for thou shalt be as their merry-maker, Or else thou wilt spend as much as they; for, if thou didst not this, Thou wouldst be mean,—and reflect always That a costly beginning demands perseverance. Therefore thou must provide, if thy means allow it, That thou do this openly. If not, then mind Not to make such expenditure as shall afterwards be reproved; But adopt such a system as to be consistent with thyself. And, if thou art a little better off [than thy comrades], do not get away, But spend on the same scale; take no advantage:— And at all times take heed, if there is in thy company A man, in thine opinion, of inferior means, That, for God’s sake, thou force him not into more than he can meet; For, if, for thy convenience, he spends his money amiss, And comes to poverty, thou wilt be blamed therefor.