When your neighbour's house is on fire, it is time to look to your own. When you hear your neighbour traduced, and his character blackened, you will defend him even from a regard to yourself, as you may expect the same liberty to be taken with yours, when you shall be absent. Turn the mischances of others to your own benefit; that is, learn from the failure and misfortunes of others, to attend to your own concerns, that you may not suffer the same disgrace.

I will paint you in your proper colours, that is, I will describe you as you are, that your friends may see with what sort of man they have to do: with us, the expression is always used in a bad sense.

It is disgraceful to be silent. When a man is conscious that he is capable of instructing his fellow-citizens, or those with whom he is connected, in any art that might be beneficial to them, it is disgraceful, or perhaps criminal, to withhold it.

«Be niggards of advice on no pretence,
For the worst avarice is that of sense».

It may also be said by any one, who should find others not so well qualified as himself, acquiring honour by the practice of any art or profession, I must now exert myself, and shew these men, that it was not through incapacity, that I have hitherto abstained, «It would be disgraceful to be any longer silent», and to a circumstance of this kind, the adage is said to have owed its origin.

May be said to any one pretending an intimate acquaintance with the private concerns of another; and I will tell you the subject of your last night's dream.