but constancy should be brought to its perfection, that you may be entirely accomplished, without any defect.

but let him be fully persuaded of the lawfulness of what he asks: for he that is diffident about that, is like the waves that fluctuate with the wind.

Don't delusively content your selves with being of the audience, but put what you hear in practice:

whereas, he that attentively considers the perfect law of liberty, and is attach'd thereto, he is not a forgetful hearer, but reduces it to practice, and his conduct is crown'd with hapiness.

but you, who despise the poor, are not you oppress'd by the rich? is it not they who drag you to their tribunals?

but partiality is iniquity; and the law will convict the offender of transgression.

for he that violates but one precept of the whole law, is as obnoxious to punishment, as if he had broke thro' all the rest.

it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith.

you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble."

so the tongue is but a small part of the body, yet how grand are its pretensions. a spark of fire! what quantities of timber will it blow into a flame?

the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze.

but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint.

but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth:

such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal.

but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy.

you quarrel and go to war, but without success, because you don't petition for it: and if you did,

on the contrary, he heaps his favours upon you. wherefore 'tis said, "God defeats the proud, but is gracious to the humble."

there is but one legislator, and judge, he that has the power of life and death: who art thou, to pass sentence upon another?

you triumph in your vain projects, but your presumption is vicious.

Above all things, my brethren, don't swear, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor use any other oath; but let your affirmation, or negation, be sincere, lest you fall under condemnation.