Rashness is the peculiar vice of youth, and may be stiled the
characteristic foible of that season of life. The foundation of this
rashness is laid in a fond conceit of their own abilities, which
tempts them to undertake affairs too great for their capacities, 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 weakness 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.
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