Essays Moral and Literary, Band 2

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Charles Dilly, in the Poultry, 1779
 

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Seite 380 - Modish, animated with the conscious merit of the largest or smallest buckles in the room, according to the temporary ton, would have laughed Pompey the Great out of countenance. Oh, Cicero, had you lived in...
Seite 384 - Those instructions are contained in my book of Offices ; a book which has ever been cited by the world as a proof to what a height the morality of the heathens was advanced without the light of revelation. I own I feel a conscious pride in it; not on account of the ability which it may display, but for the principles it teaches, and the good, I flatter myself, it has diffused. You did not indeed intend your instructions for the world ; but as you gave them to a son...
Seite 382 - That the great Cicero should know so little of the world, really surprises me. A little libertinism, my dear, that's all ; how can one be a gentleman without a little libertinism ? Cic.
Seite 385 - ... true wisdom, and withheld them only because they were contrary to the professions of the unenlightened. They have been generally read, and tend to introduce the manners, vices, and frivolous habits of the nation you admired — to your own manly nation, who, of all others, once approached most nearly to the noble simplicity of the Romans.
Seite 66 - They knew that even their best friends, in the common intercourse of life, were in some degree actuated by interested motives in displaying their affection; that many of their followers applauded them in hopes of reward; and that the giddy multitude, however zealous, were not always judicious...
Seite 313 - ... nature. It is then a natural queftion, In what does this fuperiority confift? It arifes not from learning, for the moft illiterate claim it, and are indulged in the claim ; it arifes not from virtue, for the moft vicious are not excluded. Wealth, beauty, birth, and elegance, are not the only qualifications for it, becaufe many enjoy it who have no juft pretenfion to either.
Seite 74 - The contempt in which domestic pleasures have in modern times been held, is a mark of profligacy. It is also a proof of a prevailing ignorance of real enjoyment. It argues a defect in taste and judgment as well as in morals. For the general voice of the experienced has in all ages declared, that the truest happiness is to be found at home.
Seite 64 - ... emotions of every kind in animated language. The dependent writes unnaturally to a superior, in the style of familiarity. The suppliant writes unnaturally, if he rejects the figures dictated by distress. Conversation admits of every style but the poetic; and what are letters but written conversation ? The great rule is, to follow nature, and to avoid an affected manner.
Seite 128 - To omit a single social duty for the cultivation of a polyanthus, were ridiculous as well as criminal; but to pass by the beauties lavished before us, without observing them, is no less ingratitude than stupidity.

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