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whilst your mistress extols your gratitude, the world laughs at your folly
Giving presents to a woman to secure her love, is as vain as endeavouring to fill a seive with water: for you may continue giving the one, and pouring into the other, till the last trumpet sound, ere you find the one faster or the other the fuller.
The gratitude of a mercenary woman lies only in her tail; with it she dissolves all obligations, and will still be a gainer, even when the debt is paid.
Whosoever blames a woman for her ingratitude, is equally eulpable for trusting her with the power to prove so; for love with moderation keep a close heart, and a wary hand, and her ingratitude can never hurt you.
To a woman you love behave yourself boldly, and with freedom, though justly and respectfully, for a manly earriage will awe her to be grateful, when cringing fondness may occasion her to presume on your good nature.
