'We ought not, therefore, to restrain the prattle of girls, in
the same manner as we should that of boys, with that severe
question; To what purpose are you talking? but by another,
which is no less difficult to answer, How will your discourse
be received? In infancy, while they are as yet incapable to
discern good from evil, they ought to observe it, as a law, never
to say any thing disagreeable to those whom they are speaking to:
what will render the practice of this rule also the more
difficult, is, that it must ever be subordinate to the former, of
never speaking falsely or telling an untruth.' To govern the
tongue in this manner must require great address indeed; and it
is too much practised both by men and women. -- Out of the abundance of the heart how few speak! So
few, that I, who love simplicity, would gladly give up politeness
for a quarter of the virtue that has been sacrificed to an
equivocal quality which at best should only be the polish of
virtue.
