We all of us wish better to ourselves than to others. Though a friend is said to be another self, yet what affects our own safety, is doubtless to be attended to before the concerns of any other person, for "proximus egomet mihi," I am my own nearest relation; and "Charity begins at home." "Tunica pallio propior est." "Near is my shirt," we say, "but nearer is my skin." To the same purport, and nearly in the same words are, "Ma chemise m'est plus proche que ma robe." Fr. "Tocca piu la camisa ch'il gippone." It. "Mas cerca esta la camisa, que el sayo," tha is, my shirt is nearer than my coat.

A companion for all hours or seasons. This may be said of persons of versatile and easy dispositions, who can accomodate themselves to all circumstances, whether of festivity or of trouble; who with the grave can be serious, with the gay cheerful; and who are equally fit to conduct matters of business or of pleasure: such a man, we are told, was the philosopher Aristippus. "Omnis Aristippum decuit color." Every thing became him, by which enviable qualities, he was always a favoured guest at all tables and in all companies.