Beware of the world!

(William Spague, "Letters to a Daughter")

Beware of the world! Beware of . . .
  its seductive flatteries,
  its pestilential maxims,
  its unhallowed practices.

Remember that the spirit of the world is
directly opposed to the spirit of the Gospel;
and that both cannot find a permanent
lodgement in the same bosom.

If the world attempts to seduce you with it
smiles, do not dally with the tempter for a
moment. And do not allow the world to bring
you into subjection with its frowns.

Have as little to do with the groveling and
polluted scenes of earth as you can, in
consistency with your duty. Rise above the
world and try to breathe the atmosphere of
heaven.