When an entire stranger, or any one of whom we have no reason to
entertain a good opinion, obtrudes upon us an offer of his services,
we ought to look to our own safety, and shew a shyness and coldness
towards him. But there are also many men with whom it is dangerous to
have the least connection, and with whom any commerce or correspondence
will certainly be to our detriment. From these we should, therefore,
resolve not to accept even favours, but carefully avoid being under
any obligation to them: for in the end, their apparent kindness will
shew itself to be a real injury; and there is no method of guarding so
effectually against such people, as that of entirely avoiding their
society, or shutting our doors against them, as we would do against a
thief.
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