¶21. There are among men many sorts of reasonings, good and bad;
¶22. Admire them not too easily, nor reject them.
¶23. But if falsehoods be advanced, hear them with mildness, and arm thyself with patience.
¶24. Observe well, on every occasion, what I am going to tell thee:—
¶25. Let no man either by his words, or by his deeds, ever seduce thee.
¶26. Nor entice thee to say or to do what is not profitable for thyself.
¶27. Consult and deliberate before thou act, that thou mayest not commit foolish actions.
¶28. For it is the part of a miserable man to speak and to act without reflection.
¶29. But do that which will not afflict thee afterwards, nor oblige thee to repentance.
¶30. Never do anything which thou dost not understand.
¶31. But learn all thou ought'st to know, and by that means thou wilt lead a very pleasant life.
¶32. in no wise neglect the health of thy body;
¶33. But give it drink and meat in due measure, and also the exercise of which it has need.
¶34. Now by measure I mean what will not incommode thee.
¶35. Accustom thyself to a way of living that is neat and decent without luxury.
¶36. Avoid all things that will occasion envy.
¶37. And be not prodigal out of season, like one who knows not what is decent and honourable.
¶38. Neither be covetous nor niggardly; a due measure is excellent in these things.
¶39. Do only the things that cannot hurt thee, and deliberate before thou dost them.
¶40. Never suffer sleep to close thy eyelids, after thy going to bed,
¶41. Till thou hast examined by thy reason all thy actions of the day.
¶42. Wherein have I done amiss? What have I done? What have I omitted that I ought to have done?
¶43. If in this examination thou find that thou hast done amiss, reprimand thyself severely for it;
¶44. And if thou hast done any good, rejoice.
¶45. Practise thoroughly all these things; meditate on them well; thou oughtest to love them with all thy heart.
¶46. 'Tis they that will put thee in the way of divine virtue.
¶47. I swear it by him who has transmitted into our souls the Sacred Quaternion, the source of nature, whose cause is eternal.
¶48. But never begin to set thy hand to any work, till thou hast first prayed the gods to accomplish what thou art going to begin.
¶49. When thou hast made this habit familiar to thee,