Regency Culture and Society: 10 Maxims for Conduct in Life (5)

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When we found A Treatise on Politeness, etc (1813) and decided to turn a few into Instagram Posts while sharing the others, we hoped you would enjoy (and many did!).  It has been a beat since we shared the next installment, but the next ten are below.  If you are catching up, we presented the first 10 Maxims here. And the next 11 here. And another 1o here and here.

of both 42 If you do not endeavour to arrive at perfection in something you will never be res spected 43 Great spirit and vivacity without judgment is like an unbroke horse he flies off with whoever mounts him and exposes him to the greatest danger Moderate this ardour if it be in your temper and be satisfied to pass for an old fashioned man rather than for a giddy youth who talks and acts without considering the consequences of his words and actions The passions lead to so much selfishness
and injustice that it is dangerous to be guided by them even when they seem most reasonable 45 It will be in vain for you to possess a good person and handsome face if the mind and manners do not correspond with this favourable exterior you will be compared to a bad picture in a valuable frame 46 It is not enough for a commander to be brave he must also have conduct one good head is of more use than a thousand hands and one experienced general than a thousand brave soldiers If you 47 have amassed riches without having made a good use of thern you will be compared to a lamp dimmed by too much oil
48 Learn to bear misfortunes and disgrace with patience 49 Do nothing that can injure your reputa tion 50 If you have done any real great action for the state you may be tolerably sure of reward a day will come when as with Mordecai the king will remember and reward you 51 You must forgive a multitude of little failings in your friends and relatives if you wish to be well with them or even with yourself

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