gardefous, wherever they go, to hinder them from breaking their necks. This drunkenness of youth is not only tolerated, but even pleases, if kept within certain bounds of discretion and decency. Those bounds are the point which it is difficult for the drunken man himself to find out; and there it is that the experience of a friend may not only serve but save him.
Carry with you, and welcome, into company, all the gaiety and spirits, but as little of the giddiness, of youth as you can. The former will charm; but the latter will often, though innocently, implacably offend. Inform yourself of the characters and situations of the company, before you give way to what your imagination may prompt you to say. There are, in all companies, more wrong heads than right ones, and many more who deserve than who like censure. [Oct. 29, 1748.]
Egotism.—Cautiously avoid talking of either
your own or other people's domestic affairs.[1] Yours
are nothing to them, but tedious; theirs are nothing
to you. The subject is a tender one; and it is odds
but you touch somebody or other's sore place; for,
in this case, there is no trusting to specious appearances;
which may be, and often are, so contrary to
- ↑ The author, as he says, often repeats himself; see ante, p. 180.
