The Good Sir Thomas on Education

[arisbe]

That Vice may be uneasy & even monstrous unto thee, let iterated good Acts & long confirmed habits make Virtue almost natural, or a second nature in thee. Since virtuous superstructions have commonly generous foundations, dive into thy inclinations, & early discover what nature bids thee to be, or tells thee thou may'st be. They who thus timely descend into themselves, and cultivate the good seeds which nature hath set in them, prove not shrubs but Cedars in their generation. And to be in the form of the best of the Bad, or the worst of the Good, will be no satisfaction unto them. Christian Morals I.ix

And thanks to seraphimsigrist for constantly reminding us of this great doctor, whose words are a potent tonic in adversity.