The Government of the Tongue
The Government of the Tongue
by Richard Allestree
(1676)
The rare first edition of Allestree’s guide to ethical speech, Government of the Tongue, a lesson in morality with a severe regard to the faults and follies of others, and therefore, an improvement upon our own disposition. “Hold your tongue when nothing good can come from the words of criticism and condemnation of them.” It is full of moral advice and instruction about correct judgement. Among the many subjects he treats are: the manifold abuse of speech, lying, uncharitable truth, of flattery and boasting and obscene talk. He closes with ten specific “lessons” on how to proceed through one’s life while being able to commit to the positive utilization of the general rules of morality as well as their specific (and numerous) exceptions.
Allestree (1619-1681), a noted tutor, was later professor of Divinity at Oxford and provost of Eton College. As an ardent royalist, he took up arms for the king, and performed all duties of a common soldier. He was frequently seen holding a musket in one hand and a book in the other. He is noted “as a man of extensive learning, of moderate views, generous and charitable, of a solid and masculine kindness, and of a temper hot, but completely under control” (Encyclopedia Britannica, I, p. 694).
CONTENTS of Government of the Tongue
Section 1. Of the Use of Speech.
Section 2. Of the manifold Abuse of Speech.
Section 3. Of Atheistical Discourse.
Section 4. Of Detraction.
Section 5. Of Lying Defamation.
Section 6. Of Uncharitable Truth.
Section 7. Of Scoffing and Derision.
Section 8. Of Flattery.
Section 9. Of Boasting.
Section 10. Of Querulousness.
Section 11. Of Positiveness.
Section 12. Of Obscene Talk.
The Close.
Baxter Directions for a Peaceful Death is an article of 15 points on a Christian approaching his death and what he should be thinking about. This theme is good for the sick, but everybody should also meditate on these things. (Baxter is reformed).
CONTENTS of Government of the Tongue
Section 1. Of the Use of Speech.
Section 2. Of the manifold Abuse of Speech.
Section 3. Of Atheistical Discourse.
Section 4. Of Detraction.
Section 5. Of Lying Defamation.
Section 6. Of Uncharitable Truth.
Section 7. Of Scoffing and Derision.
Section 8. Of Flattery.
Section 9. Of Boasting.
Section 10. Of Querulousness.
Section 11. Of Positiveness.
Section 12. Of Obscene Talk.
The Close.
| Author: | Richard Allestree |
| Category: | Mysw-bok-a |
| Date: | February 4, 2015 |
fam26 Wise advice for youth version 2.1 is a tract for helping youth to consider the wisdom and guidance of their parents.
Excerpt: Youth is a time of much energy, strength, and activity. They “get bored” very easily because they always want to go, move, have experiences, and do things (but they do not include work in these desires as a rule). To be quiet, calm, and have patience is not normal for youth. On the other hand, the “beauty” of age is its experiences and understanding (wisdom). (They have been down life’s road before and made all these mistakes themselves, in their own life.)
Read the Tracts: fam26 advice for youth version 2.1.
