And as you would avoid a prudish disposition on the one hand, so you must equally avoid a volatile, idle, and wanton disposition on the other. To facilitate which, give yourself more to thinking and less to talking, so that when you do speak, you may always speak with decency, modesty, and propriety. Always mind to speak plain and distinctly, and loud enough to be understood, with a modest smile on your face, without a rude look in your countenance.
But let your speeches be short and comprehensive; and never try to prolong a conversation, unless it be upon topics that are becoming your sex. But if the conversation should be disagreeable and unbecoming, endeavor to turn the attention to some other object, introduce some other topic, or else find an occasion of absence.
7. Remember that the bloom of your youth, your healthy and ruddy countenances, the rose on your cheeks, and the sparkling vigor of your eyes, will gain you more admirers than real lovers. Here pause for a few moments and consider! for it is the most delicate point for you to steer through and your name and reputation to remain unsullied.
How often doth the blooming and most promising youth, by one fatal misstep, stain their characters with ignominy, and blast their reputation forever.
It is much easier to avoid temptation, than to resist the deceitful arts of the tempter.
The deceitful heart of a fond admirer, out of a vain pretence of love and affection, will work upon every passion that wit can invent or lust suggest, in order to allure your affections, intrude upon your chastity, and win you over to their fond embraces, and carnal appetites.
O heed not their flatteries, neither give way to their alluring and licentious persuasions! for when they have ruined you, their flatteries will be turned into contempt, and their pretended love into downright hatred. And in the end, they will even forsake you, without regard or pity. Therefore beware of sycophants! and be not deceived by their enticing words! Even if they reproach you to your face for your rigorous treatment, yet behind your back, they will applaud your constancy.
Remember that the taste may be satiated with the sweetest fruit, where there is a full enjoyment; but let a person participate only by anticipation, and the nearer to enjoyment, the more valuable the prize will be.
8. Learn to distinguish between true, genuine love, and mere fancy. He who truly loves or respects you, will not wish to have you violate your honor or chastity, neither will he violently intrude upon the same, although he may endeavour to prove your constancy.
Therefore when you have reason to believe that any one sincerely respects you, and if you also wish to continue to be worthy of his esteem; remember that you cannot do any thing more against yourself than to give over your chastity, or go beyond rules of decency.