'Tis of little consequence to read eternal truths, if we pray not to obtain the gift of understanding them aright. Cambray's Self-examination for a King. Charity and fine dressing are things very different; but if men give alms for the same reasons that others dress fine, only to be seen and admired, charity is then but like the vanity of fine clothes. Law's Serious Call. TRUTH.-He that would make a real progress in knowledge must dedicate his age as well as youth, the latter growth as well as the first fruits, at the altar of truth.-Berkley's Siris. CONDUCT TO INFERIORS.-He who finds himself superior to others by whatever advantage it happens, may by a gracious and courteous behaviour to them, make them content with themselves at the same time that they know themselves to be his inferiors: He may also by a contrary and haughty usage make them yet more wretched. The choice is in his power; but then he should consider, that the difference of his choice makes in himself the difference of a man of honour from a brute. Crousaz' Art of Thinking. Discourses of Morality, and reflection upon human nature, are the best means we can make use of to improve our minds, and gain a true knowledge of ourselves, and consequently to recover our souls out of the vice, ignorance, and prejudice, which naturally cleave to them.-Spec. He who increases the endearments of life, increases at the same time the terrors of death.-Dr. Young. The first consideration a wise man fixeth upon, is the great end of his creation; what it is, and wherein it consists; the next is, of the most proper means to that end.-Walker. He that maketh any thing his chiefest good, wherein virtue, reason, and humanity, do not bear a part, can never do the offices of friendship, justice, or liberality. Cicero. Wisdom allows nothing to be good, that will not be so for ever; no man to be happy, but he that needs no other happiness than what he has within. himself; no man to be great or powerful, that is not master of himself,Seneca. Every state and condition of life, if attended with virtue, is undisturbed and delightful; but when vice is intermixt, it reuders even things that appear splendid, sumptuous, and magnificent, distasteful and uneasy to the possessor.-Plutarch. Whatever can create in any intelligent being a constant flowing series or train of mental enjoyments or pleasures of the mind, is more considerable to his happiness, than that which can create to him a like constant course or train of sensual enjoyments or pleasures of the body.-E, of Shaftsbury. One of the greatest artifices the devil uscs to engage men in vice and debauchery, is to fasten names of contempt on certain virtues; and to fill weak souls with a foolish fear of passing for scrupulous, should they desire to put them in practice. M. Pascal. Virtue commands good men's respect, and all men's honour; and banishes every kind of defor mity from the person in whom it resides. It is said of SOCRATES, Whether he is teaching the rules of a strict morality, whether he is answering his corrupt judges, whether he is receiving sentence of death, or swallowing the poison, he is still the same man; that is to say, calm, quiet, undisturbed, intrepid; in a word, wise to the last. When a man has got such a great and exalted soul, as that he can look upon life and death, riches and poverty with indifference; and closely adheres to honesty in whatever shape she presents herself; then it is, that virtue appears with such a brightness, as that all the world must admire her beauties. Cicero. In human life there is a constant change of fortune; and it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate: Life itself, and all things are daily on the change.-Plutarch. We ought to think ourselves very happy, in that we know enough to make us happy. If we are not so happy as we desire, 'tis well we are not so miserable as we deserve. There is none but have received more good than they have done, and done more evil than they have suffered. Were angels, if they look into the ways of men, to give in their catalogue of worthies, how different would it be from that which any of our own species would draw up? We are dazzled with the splendour of titles, the ostentation of learning, the noise of victories: They, on the contrary, see the philosopher in the cottage, who possesses his soul in patience and thankfulness, under the pressures of what little minds call poverty and distress. The evening's walk of a wise man is more illustrious in their sight, than the march of a general at the head of a hundred thousand men. A contemplation of God's works, a generous concern for the good of mankind, and unfeigned exercise of humility, only denon inate men great and glorious.-Addison. Several who have tasted all the pleasures of sin, forsake it, and come over to virtue: but there is scarce an instance to be found of any that had been well experimented in the delights of virtue, that ever could be drawn off from it, or find in his heart to fall back to his former course. A firm faith is the best divinity, a good life the best philosophy, a clear conscience the best law, honesty the best policy, and temperance the best physic. I take it for a rule, that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion. Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding are all but subordinate qualities in society, and are of no value, but as they are subservient to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner of being or appearing equal to the rest of the company; for conversation is composed of an assembly of men, as they are men, and not as they are distinguished by fortune: therefore he who brings his quality with him into conversation, should always pay the reckoning: for he came to receive homage, and not to meet his friends.- Tatler. Sir W. Raleigh, discoursing with some friends in the Tower, of HAPPINESS, urged, that it was not only a freedom from diseases and pains of the body, but from anxiety and vexation of spirit; not only to enjoy the pleasures of sense, but peace of conscience, and inward tranquillity: And this happiness, so suitable to the immortality of our souls, and the eternal state we must live in, is only to be met with in religion. Every virtue gives a man a degree of felicity in some kind: Honesty gives a man a good report justice, estimation; prudence, respect; courtesy and liberality affection; temperance gives health; fortitude, a quiet mind, not to be moved by any adversity.-Sir Fra. Walsingham. Daughter of time, sincere posterity, Always new-born, yet no man knows thy birth, The arbitress of pure sincerity, Yet changeable (like Proteus) on the earth, Sometimes in plenty, sometimes join'd with dearth: Always to come, yet always present here, Whom all run after, none come after here. Impartial judge of all, save present state; Whom all desire, yet never one could see. From England's 'Parnassus. Since, dearest friend, 'tis your desire to see |
