But there is a strong inducement to engage in a virtuous course, because it is the surest road to wealth and honor.  The thief and robber were never rich, nor nor could they be happy if they were.  An excellent writer, observes—­the importance of a good character in the commerce of life, seems to be universally acknowledged.  To those who are to make their own way either to wealth or honors, a good character is as necessary as address and ability.  Though human nature is often degenerate, and corrupts itself by many inventions, yet it usually retains to the last an esteem for excellence.  But even if we arrive at such an extreme degree of depravity as to have lost our native reverence for virtue, yet a regard to our own interest and safety will lead us to apply for aid, in all important transactions, to men whose integrity is unimpeached.  When we choose an assistant or a partner, our first inquiry is concerning his character.  When we have occasion for a counsellor, an attorney, or a physician, whatever we may be ourselves, we always choose to trust our property and lives to men of the best character.  When we fix on the tradesman, who is to supply us with necessaries, we are we are influenced by fair reputation and honorable dealing.  Young men, therefore, whose characters are yet unfixed, and who consequently may render them just such as they wish, ought to pay great attention to the first steps they take on entrance into life.  They are usually careless and inattentive to this object.  They pursue their own plans with ardor, and neglect the opinions which others entertain of them.  By some thoughtless action or expression, they suffer a mark to be impressed upon them, which no subsequent merit can entirely erase.  Every man will find some persons who, though they are not professed enemies, yet view him with an eye of envy, and who would gladly revive any tale to which truth has given the slightest foundation.

Though a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and is the surest road to wealth, yet there are thousands, who pay but little attention to possess themselves of so valuable a treasure.  They turn a deaf ear to that hallowed voice, which pleads with them in behalf of their dearest interest, and take the downward road to dissipation and vice, and, by their wretched example, lead other thousands to the dark abodes of sorrow, grief and pain.  Enchanted by the siren voice of false and fleeting pleasure, they hurry to the tremendous precipice, where reputation and fortune lie in broken ruins.  There they drag out a wretched existence in disappointed hope, satiety and disgust.  They pay their devotions at the shrine of ignominy, where the dark and stagnant waters of guilt and condemnation roll.  There the sweet voice of heaven-born peace was never heard, and the beauteous feet of religion never trod.  There dwells the family of pain—­there is the hell we are cautioned to avoid.  This is not an illusion of fancy—­it is no reverie of the brain, but a reality too visible in the pathway of human life.