The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

REFLECTION.

There is nothing more lovely than to love to
oblige others; nevertheless, it is the duty of a pru-
dent and discreet man not to be so far overcome by
his obliging humour, as to promise any thing that is
desired of him, without considering whether he can
or ought to grant it. Too great a desire of being
kind to others, or too great timidity, which does
not permit to refuse any thing, may make a man ex-
cessive in his promises,which will render his zeal in-
discreet, and his timidity shameful. If my promises
are not suited to my power, I shall expose myself to
the contempt of men; because my weakness will be
better known to them. If I promise out of bashful-
ness what I cannot perform, I shall blush much more,
when it will appear I am not in a capacity of per-
forming what I have promised. If my duty be not
the rule of my promises, I shall do myself as much
prejudice, by reason of the ill opinion which others
will entertain of me, as I have been willing to oblige
them by my promises. I ought not to be ashamed
to refuse to do an unjust thing; be who requires it
from me, should rather be ashamed; the only thing
that should make me ashamed, is, that perhaps I
have given occasion to think that I was unreasonable
enough to make such a promise, and to perform it.-
I do inviolably keep my word, when I can, when I
have reason to believe, that if I keep it, I shall not
wrong the person to whom I gave it, and that it will
not be more prejudicial to me than beneficial to him.
The performance of ones promise may be attended
with an inconveniency, which could not be foreseen ;
and it is not likely that he, who makes such a' pro-
mise, was willing to suffer by it.-If I do not pro-
mise so much as I am desired, I am willing to do
more than is expected from me. For I think our
deeds should always exceed our promises.