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Editorial
July 12, 1957
The Prison Mirror
Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
A local obtains a 1670 book by Lingard on advice to young gentlemen, quoting the 1696 edition on qualities of true friendship, keeping secrets, and avoiding betrayal. Reflects that true friendship remains rare today, posing if the reader qualifies as a friend.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POTPOURRI
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A localite, for reasons of his own, has obtained a copy of A LETTER OF ADVICE TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY by Lingard, printed originally in Dublin in the year 1670. The Columbia University Libraries possess an original of the 1696 edition, and it is from this edition that the following quotation is taken:
"Make no man your Friend twice, except the interruption was through your own mistake, and you have done penance for it. Every Well-wisher is not capable of being made your Friend, nor every one that you think is honest and faithful; there must be a suiting your humor, and a mutual serviceableness and ability to give Advice and take it; and such a proportion of Tempers as that he shall not, through vanity, or levity, or uncertainty betray himself or you. He that is not staunch in preserving of Secrets cannot be a Friend, such is a Talkative man that uses his Mouth for a Sluce to let out all that's in him. This argues a great weakness in the Head; for a shallow understanding presently judges and passes Sentence, and is positive in it."
"Never tell any man you have a Secret, but dare not tell it. You should either go further, or not have gone so far; and press no man vehemently to keep concealed what you have committed to him, for that implies you suspect what you have done, and that you diffide in his Prudence: It discovers your value of Things, and provokes him to Incontinence and breach of trust. for there is an Itch in Mankind to be greedy of those Fruits that are most Zealously forbidden; and some Prohibitions do even excite desire."
It would appear that true friendship, then as now, is indeed rare and a matter never to be taken lightly.
Could YOU qualify as a friend!
Hummmmm
A localite, for reasons of his own, has obtained a copy of A LETTER OF ADVICE TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY by Lingard, printed originally in Dublin in the year 1670. The Columbia University Libraries possess an original of the 1696 edition, and it is from this edition that the following quotation is taken:
"Make no man your Friend twice, except the interruption was through your own mistake, and you have done penance for it. Every Well-wisher is not capable of being made your Friend, nor every one that you think is honest and faithful; there must be a suiting your humor, and a mutual serviceableness and ability to give Advice and take it; and such a proportion of Tempers as that he shall not, through vanity, or levity, or uncertainty betray himself or you. He that is not staunch in preserving of Secrets cannot be a Friend, such is a Talkative man that uses his Mouth for a Sluce to let out all that's in him. This argues a great weakness in the Head; for a shallow understanding presently judges and passes Sentence, and is positive in it."
"Never tell any man you have a Secret, but dare not tell it. You should either go further, or not have gone so far; and press no man vehemently to keep concealed what you have committed to him, for that implies you suspect what you have done, and that you diffide in his Prudence: It discovers your value of Things, and provokes him to Incontinence and breach of trust. for there is an Itch in Mankind to be greedy of those Fruits that are most Zealously forbidden; and some Prohibitions do even excite desire."
It would appear that true friendship, then as now, is indeed rare and a matter never to be taken lightly.
Could YOU qualify as a friend!
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Friendship
Secrets
Advice
Lingard
True Friends
Betrayal
What entities or persons were involved?
Lingard
Columbia University Libraries
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Advice On True Friendship And Secrecy
Stance / Tone
Reflective And Cautionary
Key Figures
Lingard
Columbia University Libraries
Key Arguments
Choose Friends Carefully Based On Compatibility, Mutual Service, And Temperament To Avoid Betrayal.
A True Friend Preserves Secrets; Talkative People Cannot Be Trusted.
Avoid Sharing Secrets Partially Or Pressuring Others To Keep Them, As It Provokes Breach Of Trust.
True Friendship Is Rare And Should Not Be Taken Lightly.