sight the events of succeeding7 7Succeeding, years, is a veil woven by the hand part, following of mercy. The best preparation for all the uncertainties of futurity, consists in a well ordered mind, a good conscience, and a cheerful submission8 to the will of heaven. Household affairs ought insensibly to slide along, and represent a still current without noise or waves.9 Clearness is the rule of speaking, as sincerity is the rule of "thinking. Too bright sallies of wit, like flashes of lightning, rather dazzle than illuminate.t Lessons and precepts ought to be gilded2 and swectened as we do pills and potions, so as to take off the disgust of the remedy; for it holds both in virtue and in health, that we love to be instructed, 3 as well as physicked with pleasure. A tree that is every year transplanted,4 will never bear fruit; and a mind that is always hurried from its proper station, will scarce ever do good in any way. Supposing men were to live forever in this world, it would be hardly possible for them to do more toward their establishments here, than they now do. 1 With a false companion, it is in order. 8 Submission, s. yielding to, obedience. 8. 9 Waves, billows at sea, inequalities, to † Muminate, . enlighten, to adorn, 2 Gilded, part. adorned with lustre. 3 Instructed, part. taught, trained up, moddled, formed. 4 Transplanted, part. plantplace. ed in a new 1 5 Establishment, s a settlement, a salary. bard to retain innocence; be, there fore, very cautious in choosing your company. Resolved to speak and act well 6 Resolve, v. in company, in opposition to those determine, to that do ili; whose vice set against thy virtue, will render it the more conspicuous and excellent. confirm. Liberality7 should have such a 7 Liberality, mixture of prudence, as not to exceed the ability of the giver. The desire of appearing to be persons of abilitys often prevents being so-Some weak people are so sensible of their weakness, as to be able to make a good use of it. The height of ability consists9 in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the geninst of the age we live in. Few men are able to know all the, ill they do. No accidents are so unlucky but the prudent may draw some advantagé from them, nor are there any so lucky, but what the imprudent may turn to their prejudice.2 Men may boast of their great actions; but they are oftener the effect of chance than design. 3 How brilliant4 soever an action may be, it ought not to pass for great, when it is not the effect of great design. bounty, gener rosity. 8 Ability, s. co pacity, genius, the power to do any thing. 9 Consists, made up of, subsists, agrees † Genius, s. ability, capacity, disposition of nature, by which any one is qual. ified for some peculiar ployment. ems 2 Prejudice, 8. prepossession, mischief, hurt. 3 Design, s. an intention, a plan, a scheme, 4 Brilliant, a sparkling, shim ing. 4 9. Our actions are like the jingle5 5 Jingle, of rhyme which every one repeats sounding, a rat in his own manner. We should often be ashamed of our best actions, if the world were witness to the motives which produces them. There is nothing of which we are so liberal as advice. There is near as much ability We may give advice, but we 2 Whatever we may pretend, interest and vanity9 are the usual sources of our afflictions. Most people as they approach† old age, show in what manner their bodies an and minds will decay. We arrive novices2 at the differentages of life, and want experience though we have had many years to gain it. We judge so superficially3 of things, that common words and ac⚫tions, spoke and done in an agreeable manner, with some knowledge of what passes in the world, often succeed beyond the greatest ability. tle. We may say of agreeableness, distinct5 from beauty, that it is a symmetry6 whose rules are unknown; it is a secret conformity of the features of one another, to the complexion, to the carriage. The ambitious deceive themselves in proposing an end to their ambition, for that end when attained7 becomes a means. The greatest ambition entirely conceals itself when it finds that what it aspired to, is unattainable.8 What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks little interests in order to gratify great ones. We pass often from love to ambition, but we seldom return from ambition to love. Those who apply themselves too much to little things, commonly become icapable of great ones. Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail of success. In every profession. every individual2 affects to appear what he would willingly be esteemed; so that we may say the world is composed of nothing but appearances. Misers mistake gold for their B3 : good, whereas it is only a mean of attaining3 it. Avarice is more opposite to economy than liberality.4 We like better to see those on whom we confer benefits, than those from whom we receive them. The rust of business is sometimes polished5 off in a camp, but never in a court. receive Civility is a desire to civility, and to be accounted well bred. The clemency6 of princes is often policy to gain the affection of their subjects. The Handsome and Deformed Leg. * Comfort, support under calamity, consolation, assist. ance. 2 Views, 1 There are two sorts of people in the world, who with equal degrees of health and wealth, and the other comforts of life, become the one happy, and the other miserable. This arises very much from the different views in which they consider things, persons, and events; and the effect of those different views2 upon their own minds. 2 In whatever situation men can 3 Conveniences s. suitable be placed, they may find conveniences, 3 and inconveniences; in things. whatever company, they may find |