 | The Last Poems of Philip Freneau |  |
13
Salutary Maxims, Or, the Way of the World. To a Misanthrope, or Man-Hater.
Would you peace and safety find,To live in quiet with mankind,
Do not quarrel with their notions;
Let each have his own devotions;
Interfere not with their strife,
Take no part with man or wife;
Meddle not with satire's pen,
Make no friendship with mean men;
Blow not up foul discord's bellows,
Drink no liquor with rude fellows;
Fools, at best that gape and grin,
Devils, when the liquor's in.
More than all, I would advise
Always act with some disguise:
Strive to do not too much good—
Let these rules be understood,
With another we would mention
That would hinder much dissention,
Scolding hags and peevish men,
Shun them as a lion's den;
Hug and kiss the girl you love,
But hope no angels from above.
Dream not of celestial charms;
You clasp no goddess in your arms—
Goddesses are sometimes made—
Quite enough, to spoil the trade.
To command the pure good will
Of human kind, remember, still,
This is the SECRET, this is the charm—
DO THEM NEITHER—GOOD NOR HARM.
| The Last Poems of Philip Freneau | |