Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-30

But, il Is 10 be remarked in answer to
all such objections, and in reference to
the subject generally, that prudence Is
that duty which every n owes peculiar
Iy to himself, that II IS not, like charity
and justice, a virtue due to our neigh
bour or TO the world, but that its opera
@,ons arc purely retrospective; that in
refusing TO listen to its voice we affect
not others but ourselves; and that, final
ly, it will indicate itself from our neglect,
sooner or later, by r%etributlon upon our
interests, our feelings, or our permanent
J welfare. 1t Is true, that in the thousand
casualties Of life, all the prudence I'M
aginabie may be rendered unavailing as
Il preventive OF evil; but it is prudence
nevertheless, which determines the
chances vastly against the effect o fthose
casualties, and comedies us even when
they occur iih the thought that We have
not been our worst enemies.
Lei us choose a few illustrations of the
injury to be Occasioned by a disregard oil
this virtue. First, az to our interests
From too great a love of pastime, from
lndolence, or some other equally bad
cause, we omit ia take a neediul step for
avoiding the loss of a debt, or perhaps
an estate, and in consequence are de-
privod Of its use forever; or, we are
careless Of a sum OF money in our pos.
session, and it is stolen or mislaid; or,
from want Of reasonable caution, our
dwelling takes fire and every thing is de-
stroycd but our lives, which are saved
with difficulty; these and Il thousand 9th
er cases that might be enumerated, and
in the ruin of ones fortune, while but a
very small regard to that sighted dame
Prudence, would have prevented the in
furious visitation.
Secondly, as to our health. A young
lady goes to a ball on a wet evening in
prunella, cambria, and gauzes: and a
young gentleman HES to the same place
sans cloak aud over shoes. Both dance
until oppressed with heat, and when tie
hour arrives for retiring, they hasten
home without rest or precaution, and are
next morning speeches. with influenza
Thus is a consumption probably engratt'
ed on the constitution, and in n fais way
offourisbing. Again c passenger in GU
streets, in too great a hurry 20 cross, il
run over and has his leg broken, or, un
willing to deviate from a straight line
passes under a scaiiold and is killed, o
wounded at least, by a falling plank, o
brick-bat. Adventurous people, too
sometimes do certain things in whic'
there is not the least temptation, excep
the very danger to life or limb that at,
tends them; and they arc punished 70,
their temerity by losing n or the other.
There are an hundred ways in which
health and even life, are jeoparded by
the want of a mere taste of prudence
Thirdly, as to reputation, W. all know
how the world is given to consciousness.
and misconstruction. In consequence
of this disposition, it requires almost n.
much circumspection to pass through
ones allotted portion Of existence with
out stain, as to walk upon ice with
glass of precious liquor in the hand; or
to adopt tho language of the poet, it i:
p%crilous-
"Astoocr walk a current earring loud
On The u~nsteadtast footing vi a spear.'
Recttudc of purpose is not alone ado
quate to this end, equiyocal appearances
situations or associates should be avoid
ed. What is likely to create
impressions on ones motives and char
actor; whatever is susceptible of misln
depreciation, ought to be cautiousl,
guarded against" Levities in conduct
harmless in themselves-trifes light a
air, Especially ifthey should be odious
ly coloured by a secret enemy are SUI
icient in some minds for building a su
perstrncture of distrust and dishonour
They afford ground whereon calumn,
may successfully work. The poet says
{ be ,hou az chasto as ice, as pure q
snow, thou shalt not 'scape calumny
and i! this be the probable fate even o
the highest virtue, the necessity of Civ
ing it no aim and no c%ountenancc by in
discreet actions is at once apparent
The %cousels Of prudence will hero, a
before, be cm;nently beneficial; an
then
happy Sllndcr,
i Whoc whisper DER the worlds diameter,
As level ~ the cannon tn his blank
Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name,