The Mother to Her Son: My Son...

In this world, you cannot but make your way by yourself, and to do so you must have friends.

To make friends, you must be truthful; and to keep your friends, you must be steady and upright...

Remember always, my son, that faithful friends expect to take from you as much as they give you; and to forget a kindness they have done you, or to be ungrateful, is a crime — not merely a fault or a sin, but a real crime — and those who commit it are not long in receiving their due.

... And in your personal conduct, be courteous, but without servility; and know with assurance that no man will respect you more than you respect yourself...

Avoid quarreling so far as you can find a way to it, but beware of keeping silent under a wrong that touches your dignity.

... Wound the feelings of no creature, whoever he may be... And beware of surrendering to the storm of your anger; if you wish to express your true feeling, or to defend your honor, do it calmly and with composure; and if your anger is fierce, wait a moment — perhaps the storm of your anger will subside — before you say what you wish to say.

This is my counsel to you, my son; remember it always, as you approach the threshold of the great, clamorous life.