Receive, coldly and dispassionately, every attention, till you have ascertained and duly considered the worth of the aspirant; and let your affections be consequent upon approbation alone.

First study; then approve; then love.
Let your eyes be blind to all external attractions, your ears deaf to all the fascinations of flattery and light discourse .-- These are nothing--and worse than nothing--snares and wiles of the tempter, to lure the thoughtless to their own destruction.

Principle is the first thing, after all; and next to that, good sense, respectability, and moderate wealth.

If you should marry the handsomest, and most accomplished and superficially agreeable man in the world, you little know the misery that would overwhelm you if, after all, you should find him to be a worthless reprobate, or even an impracticable fool.' 'But what are all the poor fools and reprobates to do, aunt?
If everybody followed your advice, the world would soon come to an end.' 'Never fear, my dear! the male fools and reprobates will never want for partners, while there are so many of the other sex to match them; but do you follow my advice.

And this is no subject for jesting, Helen--I am sorry to see you treat the matter in that light way.