BMJ - Resolutions when I come to be old

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BMJ No 7115 Volume 315
Saturday 25 October 1997

Resolutions when I come to be old

Not to marry a young Woman
Not to keep young Company
Not to be peevish, or morose, or suspicious.
Not to scorn present Ways, or Wits, or Fashions, or Men, or War, &c.
Not to be fond of Children.
Not to tell the same Story over and over to the same People.
Not to be covetous.
Not to neglect decency, or cleanliness, for fear of falling into Nastiness.
Not to be over severe with young People, but to give allowances for their youthful follys and weaknesses.
Not to be influenced by, or give ear to knavish tattling servants, or others.
Not to be too free of advice, not trouble any but those that desire it.
To desire some good Friends to inform me which of these Resolutions I break, or neglect, & wherein; and reform accordingly.
Not to talk much, nor of myself.
Not to boast of my former beauty, or strength, or favour with ladies, &c.
Not to hearken to Flatteries, nor conceive I can be beloved by a young woman, et eos qui hoereditatem captant, odisse ac vitare.
Not to be positive or opiniative.
Not to set up for observing all these Rules, for fear that I should observe none.
Jonathan Swift
1667-1745

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