Be just in all thy actions, and if join'd With those that are not, never change thy mind. If ought obstruct thy course, yet stand not still, But wind about, till you have topp'd the hill; To the same end men sev'ral paths may tread, As many doors into one temple lead; And the same hand into a fist may close, Which, instantly a palm expanded shows. 170 Justice and faith never forsake the wise, Yet may occasion put him in disguise; Not turning like the wind; but if the state Of things must change, he is not obstinate; Things past and future with the present weighs, Nor credulous of what vain rumour says. Few things by wisdom are at first believed; An easy ear deceives, and is deceived: For many truths have often pass'd for lies, And lies as often put on truth's disguise; 180 As flattery too oft like friendship shows, So them who speak plain truth we think our foes. No quick reply to dubious questions make, Suspense and caution still prevent mistake. When any great design thou dost intend, Think on the means, the manner, and the end: All great concernments must delays endure; Rashness and haste make all things unsecure; And if uncertain thy pretensions be, Stay till fit time wear out uncertainty; 190 But if to unjust things thou dost pretend, Ere they begin let thy pretensions end. Let thy discourse be such that thou may'st give Profit to others, or from them receive: Instruct the ignorant; to those that live Under thy care, good rules and patterns give; Nor is't the least of virtues, to relieve Those whom afflictions or oppressions grieve. Commend but sparingly whom thou dost love: But less condemn whom thou dost not approve; 200 Thy friend, like flatt'ry, too much praise doth wrong, And too sharp censure shows an evil tongue: But let inviolate truth be always dear To thee; e'en before friendship, truth prefer. Than what thou mean'st to give, still promise less: Hold fast thy power thy promise to increase. Look forward what's to come, and back what's past, Thy life will be with praise and prudence graced: 208 What loss or gain may follow, thou may'st guess, Thou then wilt be secure of the success; Yet be not always on affairs intent, But let thy thoughts be easy, and unbent: When our minds' eyes are disengaged and free, They clearer, farther, and distinctly see; They quicken sloth, perplexities untie, Make roughness smooth, and hardness mollify; And though our hands from labour are released, Yet our minds find (even when we sleep) no rest. Search not to find how other men offend, But by that glass thy own offences mend; 220 Still seek to learn, yet care not much from whom, (So it be learning) or from whence it come. Of thy own actions, others' judgments learn; Often by small, great matters we discern: Youth what man's age is like to be doth show; We may our ends by our beginnings know.