Hasty Resolutions are seldom fortunate, and it is a piece of Necessary
Prudence, for a Man, before he resolves any thing, to Consider what may
be the Consequences of it.
We are taught by the Providence of These _Frogs_, to Consider the End
of Things before we Resolve upon the Means; for when the Die is Cast,
’tis too late to Wish for Another Chance. In our Deliberations what to
do, we should Distinguish betwixt Lawful and Unlawful, Prudential and
Foolish, a Less Present Good, and a Consequence of greater Evils, that we
be not Betray’d by the Fair Appearances of Things Specious; Frauds and
Fallacies, Glittering Outsides, _&c._ into Inconveniencies and Mistakes.
When a Man wants any thing, let him look for’t in Time, and Consider Well
before-hand what Occasion he has for’t, and upon What Terms it is to be
Had; for there may be such Conditions that a Man would not Comply with,
even for the Saving, or Redeeming of his Life. There are Other Cases
where a Man must Part with More for the Getting of a Thing, then that
Thing is Worth. Some again, where a Body runs the Risque of an Absolute
Ruin, for the Gaining of a Present Supply: Wherefore there’s No Remedy
either Way, without a Strict Calculation of the Profit or Loss on Both
Sides. I want Money, but I will not make myself a Slave for’t. I want a
Friend at Court, but I will not Forfeit the Character of a Man of Honour,
or the Conscience of a Christian, and an Honest Man, to Purchase such
a Friend: I am in Prison; but I will not play the Knave to set my self
at Liberty. These are All Necessary Deliberations upon the Matter here
in Question. Let us see how we shall get _Out_ again, says the _Frog_,
before we go _In_.