2. But examine with care, and fix not suddenly. On thy present choice depends thy future happiness.
3. If much of her time is destroyed in dress and adornment; if she is enamored with her own beauty, and delighted with her own praise; if she laugheth much, and talketh loud; if her foot abideth not in her father's house, and her eyes with boldness rove on the faces of men; though her beauty were as the sun in the firmament of heaven, turn thy face from her charms, turn thy feet from her paths, and suffer not thy soul to be ensnared by the allurements of imagination.
4. But when thou findest sensibility of heart, joined with softness of manners; and accomplished mind, with a form agreeable to thy fancy; take her home to thy house; she is worthy to be thy friend, thy companion in life, the wife of thy bosom.
5. O cherish her as a blessing sent to thee from Heaven. Let the kindness of thy behavior endear thee to her heart.
6. She is the mistress of thy house; treat her therefore with respect, that thy servants may obey her.
7. Oppose not her inclination without cause; she is the partner of thy cares, make her also the companion of thy pleasures.
8. Reprove her faults with gentleness, exact not her obedience with rigor.
9. Trust thy secrets in her breast; her counsels are sincere, thou shalt not be deceived.
10. Be faithful to her bed; for she is mother of thy children.
11. When pain and sickness assault her, let thy tenderness soothe her affliction; a look from thee of pity and love shall alleviate her grief, or instigate her pain and be of more avail than ten physicians.
12. Consider the tenderness of her sex, the delicacy of her frame; and be not severe to her weakness, but remember thine own imperfections.