(10) Not to be influenced by, or give ear to, knavish tattling servants, or others.
(11) Not to be too free of advice, or trouble any but those who desire it.
(12) To desire some good friend to inform me which of these resolutions I break or neglect, and wherein, and reform accordingly.
(13) Not to talk too much, nor of myself.
(14) Not to boast of my former beauty, or strength, or favour with ladies, etc.
(15) Not to hearken to flatteries, nor conceive I can be beloved by a young woman.
(16) Not to be positive or opinionative.
(17) Not too set for observing all these rules, for fear I should observe none.
Swift died at the age of seventy-eight; so far as I can find out, he lived up to these resolutions with commendable consistency, except one: his friend, Dr. Sheridan, was sufficiently indiscreet to remind him that he was becoming too parsimonious. Swift resented this criticism, and it spoiled their friendship.
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