see_v in_o a_o perfect_a state_n of_o purity_n and_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o action_n be_v never_o without_o a_o mixture_n of_o error_n and_o truth_n perfection_n and_o imperfection_n vice_n and_o virtue_n he_o consider_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n corrupt_v invade_v by_o pride_n and_o self-love_n and_o encompass_v about_o with_o ill_a example_n as_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o town_n besiege_v who_o be_v in_o want_n of_o silver_n he_o make_v money_n of_o leather_n and_o pasteboard_n this_o money_n in_o shape_n and_o figure_n resemble_v the_o good_a it_o be_v put_v off_o at_o the_o same_o price_n but_o nothing_o but_o downright_a misery_n and_o necessity_n make_v it_o go_v current_a among_o the_o besiege_a after_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o generality_n of_o humane_a action_n which_o pass_v with_o the_o world_n for_o so_o many_o virtue_n oftentimes_o have_v only_o the_o bare_a image_n and_o resemblance_n of_o they_o nevertheless_o they_o do_v cease_v to_o carry_v some_o merit_n with_o they_o and_o to_o challenge_v our_o esteem_n in_o some_o measure_n it_o be_v very_o difficult_a humane_o speak_v to_o have_v any_o better_a but_o admit_v our_o author_n believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o true_o perfect_a virtue_n in_o man_n yet_o consider_v he_o in_o the_o pure_a state_n of_o nature_n he_o be_v not_o the_o first_o that_o advance_v this_o opinion_n if_o i_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o lie_v under_o the_o scandal_n of_o a_o mighty_a man_n in_o quotation_n with_o you_o i_o can_v cite_v you_o several_a author_n nay_o father_n of_o the_o church_n and_o celebrate_a saint_n who_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o self-love_n and_o pride_n be_v the_o very_a soul_n of_o the_o most_o heroical_a action_n the_o pagan_n can_v boast_v off_o i_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v not_o even_o pardon_v the_o chastity_n of_o lucretia_n who_o all_o the_o world_n believe_v to_o be_v virtuous_a till_o they_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o that_o virtue_n which_o produce_v the_o liberty_n of_o rome_n and_o have_v draw_v the_o admiration_n of_o so_o many_o age_n after_o it_o can_v you_o imagine_v sir_n that_o seneca_n himself_o who_o make_v his_o wiseman_n stand_v upon_o the_o same_o level_n with_o the_o god_n be_v true_o wise_a or_o that_o he_o be_v real_o persuade_v of_o what_o he_o endeavour_v to_o inculcate_v to_o other_o people_n with_o so_o much_o insolence_n and_o ostentation_n ibid._n nevertheless_o his_o pride_n can_v not_o hinder_v he_o from_o own_v in_o other_o tranq_fw-fr place_n that_o he_o have_v never_o behold_v in_o the_o world_n a_o example_n of_o that_o idea_n which_o he_o propose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v so_o consummate_v a_o virtue_n among_o man_n and_o that_o the_o most_o perfect_a among_o they_o be_v he_o who_o have_v the_o few_o defect_n beat._n he_o frank_o confess_v that_o one_o may_v reproach_n socrates_n with_o maintain_v some_o suspect_a correspondence_n plato_n and_o aristotle_n with_o be_v covetous_a and_o epicurus_n with_o his_o prodigality_n and_o pleasure_n and_o yet_o he_o cry_v out_o in_o a_o most_o wonderful_a passion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v but_o too_o happy_a can_v we_o arrive_v to_o copy_n and_o imitate_v their_o very_a vice_n this_o worshipful_a philosopher_n have_v be_v much_o in_o the_o right_n on_o it_o if_o he_o have_v say_v as_o much_o of_o his_o own_o vice_n for_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n a_o man_n will_v not_o have_v be_v over_o unhappy_a can_v he_o have_v be_v able_a to_o enjoy_v as_o this_o poor_a stoic_a do_v all_o manner_n of_o riches_n honour_n and_o pleasure_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o he_o make_v a_o mean_a of_o despise_v they_o to_o see_v himself_o absolute_a 14._o master_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o emperor_n nay_o and_o a_o gallant_a of_o the_o empress_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o possess_v magnificent_a palace_n delicious_a garden_n and_o thus_o full_o stretch_v at_o his_o ease_n as_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v up_o moderation_n and_o constancy_n and_o the_o lord_n know_v what_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o prodigious_a plenty_n and_o wealth_n do_v you_o believe_v sir_n that_o this_o mortify_a hypocrite_n who_o so_o well_o counterfeit_v the_o master_n of_o his_o passion_n can_v in_o conscience_n pretend_v to_o any_o virtue_n but_o that_o single_a one_o of_o conceal_v his_o vice_n and_o that_o when_o he_o order_v his_o vein_n to_o be_v open_v he_o do_v not_o repent_v he_o a_o thousand_o time_n that_o he_o leave_v his_o imperial_a pupil_n the_o power_n to_o make_v he_o die_v do_v but_o view_v this_o mighty_a pretender_n at_o a_o near_a distance_n and_o you_o will_v see_v that_o in_o make_v all_o these_o fine_a reason_n upon_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n he_o endeavour_v to_o hoodwink_v himself_o against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n he_o summon_v up_o all_o his_o force_n to_o make_v a_o solemn_a grimace_n at_o part_v he_o bite_v his_o tongue_n lest_o he_o shall_v confess_v that_o pain_n be_v a_o evil_a he_o pretend_v that_o reason_n be_v able_a to_o sen._n divest_v a_o man_n of_o all_o passion_n and_o instead_o of_o humble_v his_o pride_n he_o raise_v himself_o above_o the_o divinity_n now_o in_o my_o opinion_n he_o have_v act_v much_o more_o like_o a_o honest_a man_n if_o he_o have_v fair_o own_a the_o weakness_n and_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o not_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n to_o banter_n the_o world_n with_o his_o impracticable_a notion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o author_n of_o these_o reflection_n use_v a_o different_a conduct_n he_o lay_v open_v all_o the_o misery_n of_o man_n but_o then_o we_o must_v understand_v he_o of_o man_n as_o he_o be_v abandon_v to_o his_o own_o caprice_n and_o not_o of_o a_o christian_n he_o make_v it_o evident_o appear_v that_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o effort_n of_o his_o reason_n pride_n and_o self-love_n will_v still_o take_v sanctuary_n in_o some_o of_o the_o most_o private_a recess_n of_o his_o heart_n where_o they_o meet_v from_o time_n to_o time_n with_o sufficient_a nourishment_n to_o spread_v their_o venom_n imperceptible_o upon_o the_o great_a part_n of_o its_o movement_n the_o second_o objection_n you_o tell_v i_o of_o and_o which_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o affinity_n with_o the_o former_a be_v that_o these_o reflection_n pass_v in_o the_o world_n rather_o from_o the_o subtlety_n of_o a_o austere_a censor_n who_o put_v a_o ill_a construction_n upon_o the_o most_o indifferent_a action_n than_o for_o solid_a truth_n you_o tell_v i_o that_o some_o of_o your_o friend_n have_v assure_v you_o with_o all_o the_o imaginable_a appearance_n of_o sincerity_n that_o they_o know_v by_o their_o own_o experience_n that_o a_o man_n do_v sometime_o do_v good_a without_o have_v any_o other_o view_n or_o prospect_n than_o that_o of_o good_a nay_o sometime_o without_o any_o view_n at_o all_o either_o for_o good_a or_o evil_a but_o by_o a_o natural_a integrity_n of_o mind_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o what_o be_v good_a without_o his_o own_o think_n of_o it_o i_o wish_v it_o be_v in_o my_o power_n to_o believe_v these_o gentleman_n upon_o their_o word_n and_o that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o humane_a nature_n have_v none_o but_o reasonable_a motion_n and_o that_o all_o our_o action_n be_v natural_o virtuous_a but_o sir_n how_o shall_v we_o reconcile_v the_o testimony_n of_o your_o friend_n to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o great_a father_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v assure_v we_o that_o all_o our_o virtue_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o faith_n be_v only_a imperfection_n that_o our_o will_n be_v bear_v blind_a that_o its_o desire_n be_v blind_a its_o conduct_n still_o more_o blind_a and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o a_o man_n under_o so_o much_o blindness_n be_v in_o a_o perpetual_a state_n of_o wander_v nor_o be_v this_o all_o for_o they_o proceed_v to_o talk_v in_o a_o high_a strain_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o such_o a_o condition_n the_o prudence_n of_o man_n do_v not_o penetrate_v into_o future_a thing_n and_o appoint_v nothing_o but_o as_o it_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o pride_n that_o his_o temperance_n moderate_v no_o excess_n but_o those_o that_o his_o pride_n condemn_v before_o that_o his_o constancy_n no_o far_o support_v its_o self_n under_o the_o pressure_n of_o calamity_n than_o as_o it_o be_v encourage_v by_o his_o pride_n and_o last_o that_o all_o his_o virtue_n with_o that_o exterior_a pomp_n of_o merit_n which_o make_v they_o be_v admire_v have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o this_o admiration_n the_o love_n of_o vain_a glory_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o pride_n one_o may_v find_v almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o authority_n upon_o this_o opinion_n but_o if_o i_o shall_v once_o begin_v to_o cite_v they_o regular_o to_o you_o the_o effect_n will_v
be_v that_o i_o shall_v give_v myself_o a_o little_a more_o trouble_n by_o the_o same_o token_n that_o you_o will_v not_o receive_v more_o pleasure_n by_o it_o for_o this_o consideration_n i_o think_v the_o best_a way_n both_o for_o you_o and_o i_o will_v be_v to_o give_v you_o a_o abridgement_n of_o all_o this_o controversy_n do_v by_o a_o excellent_a poet_n of_o our_o time_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o six_o verse_n fol._n si_fw-mi le_fw-fr jour_fw-fr de_fw-fr la_fw-fr foy._n reason_n will_v blind_o wander_v in_o the_o night_n if_o active_a faith_n withdraw_v the_o cheerful_a light_n aspire_a pride_n delude_v the_o darken_a mind_n and_o turn_v to_o poison_v what_o be_v good_a design_v self-love_n invade_v each_o corner_n of_o the_o soul_n turn_v vice_n to_o virtue_n and_o corrupt_v the_o whole_a after_o all_o if_o we_o must_v right_v or_o wrong_n believe_v that_o your_o friend_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o this_o lively_a faith_n that_o suppress_v all_o the_o ill_a inclination_n of_o self-love_n if_o god_n have_v bestow_v such_o extraordinary_a favour_n upon_o they_o and_o sanctify_v they_o from_o the_o common_a impurity_n of_o the_o world_n i_o will_v with_o all_o my_o heart_n give_v my_o vote_n for_o their_o canonization_n and_o here_o free_o declare_v to_o they_o that_o the_o moral_a reflection_n do_v in_o the_o least_o concern_v they_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o person_n who_o write_v they_o ever_o design_v to_o meddle_v with_o the_o saint_n for_o as_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o his_o business_n be_v only_o with_o man_n as_o he_o be_v corrupt_v he_o maintain_v that_o he_o general_o commit_v evil_a when_o his_o self-love_n flatter_v he_o that_o he_o be_v do_v good_a and_o that_o he_o often_o deceive_v himself_o when_o he_o will_v judge_v of_o himself_o because_o nature_n do_v not_o sincere_o explain_v to_o he_o the_o real_a motive_n that_o make_v he_o act._n in_o this_o wretched_a state_n where_o pride_n be_v the_o original_n of_o all_o his_o action_n the_o saint_n be_v the_o first_o that_o declare_v war_n against_o he_o and_o treat_v he_o infinite_o worse_o than_o the_o author_n of_o the_o reflection_n do_v if_o you_o shall_v have_v a_o desire_n at_o any_o time_n to_o consult_v those_o passage_n which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o their_o write_n upon_o this_o article_n you_o will_v soon_o be_v persuade_v that_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n but_o i_o request_v you_o to_o satisfy_v yourself_o for_o the_o present_a with_o these_o verse_n which_o will_v in_o part_n explain_v to_o you_o what_o other_o think_v about_o this_o matter_n fol._n le_fw-fr desir_fw-fr des_fw-fr honneurs_fw-fr the_o lust_n of_o honour_n riches_n and_o delight_n produce_v vice_n and_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o right_n blind_a interest_n the_o waver_a heart_n over_o sway_v and_o to_o fresh_a error_n the_o vain_a slave_n betray_v nay_o remedy_n produce_v a_o sharp_a pain_n one_o ill_o suppress_v another_o strait_n do_v reign_v while_o here_o this_o tyrant_n do_v triumphant_a ride_v one_o sin_n be_v by_o a_o second_o sin_n destroy_v montagne_n who_o i_o can_v without_o some_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n quote_v to_o you_o after_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n say_v happy_o enough_o upon_o the_o same_o subject_n that_o his_o soul_n have_v two_o different_a face_n that_o in_o vain_a she_o endeavour_v to_o look_v back_o upon_o herself_o for_o she_o only_o perceive_v that_o which_o self-love_n have_v disguise_v while_o the_o other_o be_v perceive_v by_o those_o who_o be_v not_o concern_v in_o the_o masquerade_n if_o i_o dare_v build_v upon_o so_o bold_a a_o metaphor_n i_o will_v say_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o man_n corrupt_v be_v make_v like_o those_o medal_n which_o represent_v the_o figure_n of_o a_o saint_n and_o that_o of_o a_o devil_n in_o one_o face_n and_o by_o the_o same_o stroke_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o different_a situation_n of_o those_o that_o look_v upon_o it_o that_o change_v the_o object_n one_o man_n see_v a_o saint_n and_o the_o other_o see_v a_o devil_n these_o comparison_n may_v serve_v to_o instruct_v we_o that_o when_o self-love_n have_v once_o get_v possession_n of_o the_o heart_n pride_n do_v so_o effectual_o blind_v the_o reason_n and_o spread_v so_o vast_a a_o obscurity_n over_o all_o its_o faculty_n that_o it_o can_v form_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o the_o least_o of_o our_o motion_n nor_o of_o itself_o give_v we_o any_o certain_a rule_n for_o our_o conduct_n man_n say_v 3._o horace_n here_o upon_o the_o stage_n of_o this_o world_n be_v like_o a_o company_n of_o traveller_n who_o night_n have_v surprise_v as_o they_o be_v pass_v through_o a_o foreit_n they_o march_v on_o rely_v upon_o the_o honesty_n of_o the_o guide_n who_o immediate_o put_v they_o out_o of_o their_o way_n either_o through_o malice_n or_o ignorance_n all_o of_o they_o use_v what_o care_n they_o can_v to_o find_v the_o beat_a path_n again_o every_o one_o take_v a_o different_a way_n and_o be_v in_o good_a hope_n his_o be_v the_o best_a the_o more_o they_o fill_v themselves_o with_o these_o vain_a imagination_n the_o far_o they_o wander_v but_o though_o they_o all_o wander_v a_o different_a way_n yet_o it_o proceed_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o cause_n it_o be_v the_o guide_n that_o deceive_v they_o and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o night_n hinder_v they_o from_o recove_a the_o right_a road._n be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o paint_v out_o in_o lively_a colour_n the_o blindness_n and_o perpetual_a inquietude_n of_o man_n abandon_v to_o his_o own_o foolish_a conduct_n who_o listen_v to_o nothing_o but_o the_o whisper_n of_o his_o pride_n who_o think_v he_o go_v natural_o right_a to_o what_o be_v good_a and_o who_o always_o believe_v that_o the_o last_o he_o find_v be_v the_o best_a be_v it_o not_o certain_a that_o at_o the_o very_a moment_n when_o he_o flatter_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v do_v some_o good_a action_n it_o be_v then_o that_o the_o wander_a of_o his_o heart_n be_v most_o dangerous_a and_o fatal_a to_o he_o there_o be_v such_o a_o prodigious_a number_n of_o wheel_n that_o compose_v the_o movement_n of_o this_o clock_n and_o the_o first_o spring_n of_o it_o so_o hard_a to_o be_v discover_v that_o though_o we_o plain_o see_v what_o hour_n the_o day_n it_o be_v by_o the_o dial_n yet_o we_o can_v tell_v which_o be_v the_o prime_a motion_n that_o conduct_n the_o hand_n upon_o all_o the_o space_n in_o the_o plate_n the_o three_o objection_n which_o lie_v upon_o i_o to_o answer_v be_v that_o abundance_n of_o people_n complain_v of_o the_o great_a obscurity_n in_o the_o sense_n as_o also_o in_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o reflection_n you_o need_v not_o be_v inform_v sir_n that_o obscurity_n be_v not_o always_o the_o author_n fault_n reflection_n or_o if_o you_o please_v maxim_n and_o sentence_n as_o the_o world_n have_v be_v please_v to_o call_v these_o aught_o to_o be_v write_v in_o a_o succinet_fw-la close_a style_n that_o hinder_v a_o man_n from_o give_v that_o perspicuity_n in_o his_o write_n which_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v they_o be_v like_o the_o first_o schetche_n of_o a_o picture_n where_o a_o ingenious_a eye_n will_v easy_o remark_n all_o the_o perfection_n of_o art_n and_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o painter_n design_n but_o then_o this_o beauty_n be_v not_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o world_n and_o although_o the_o lineament_n be_v not_o set_v out_o in_o their_o proper_a colour_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o they_o discover_v a_o masterly_a hand_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o reader_n ought_v to_o penetrate_v into_o the_o sense_n and_o force_v of_o the_o word_n the_o mind_n ought_v to_o run_v over_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o their_o signification_n before_o it_o sit_v down_o and_o proceed_v to_o judgement_n the_o four_o objection_n unless_o i_o be_o mistake_v be_v this_o that_o the_o maxim_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v too_o general_n you_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o injustice_n to_o fix_v the_o defect_n of_o particular_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a race_n beside_o the_o account_n i_o have_v receive_v from_o you_o of_o the_o different_a opinion_n you_o have_v hear_v upon_o this_o subject_a i_o know_v what_o use_v to_o be_v general_o object_v to_o those_o person_n who_o discover_v and_o condemn_v vice_n their_o censure_n be_v call_v the_o portraiture_n of_o a_o painter_n it_o be_v urge_v against_o they_o that_o they_o resemble_v people_n that_o be_v trouble_v with_o the_o yellow_a jaundice_n who_o see_v every_o thing_n yellow_a because_o they_o be_v so_o themselves_o now_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o man_n can_v censure_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o heart_n in_o general_n without_o find_v more_o of_o it_o in_o himself_o than_o another_o do_v we_o ought_v then_o to_o
virtue_n ought_v to_o be_v more_o sacred_a and_o close_a than_o those_o of_o blood_n for_o one_o good_a man_n be_v near_o of_o kin_n to_o another_o by_o the_o resemblance_n of_o their_o manner_n than_o father_n and_o son_n be_v by_o the_o resemblance_n of_o face_n xxxi_o one_o great_a reason_n why_o we_o meet_v with_o so_o few_o agreeable_a person_n and_o that_o converse_v like_o man_n of_o sense_n be_v that_o almost_o every_o body_n be_v more_o intent_n upon_o what_o himself_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o say_v than_o upon_o make_v pertinent_a reply_v to_o what_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o company_n say_v to_o he_o those_o that_o be_v most_o complaisant_a go_v no_o far_o than_o pretend_v to_o hearken_v attentive_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o man_n may_v plain_o see_v that_o both_o their_o eye_n and_o their_o mind_n be_v rove_a from_o what_o be_v say_v to_o they_o and_o post_v back_o again_o to_o what_o they_o long_o to_o be_v at_o themselves_o whereas_o we_o ought_v to_o know_v that_o to_o seek_v one_o own_o pleasure_n so_o very_o passionate_o can_v never_o be_v the_o way_n to_o please_v the_o company_n and_o that_o diligent_a attention_n and_o proper_a repartee_n be_v a_o much_o great_a accomplishment_n than_o discourse_v never_o so_o well_o when_o this_o be_v do_v without_o ever_o attend_v or_o answer_v to_o the_o matter_n then_o in_o hand_n xxxii_o good_a fortune_n almost_o always_o alter_v the_o proceed_n and_o the_o air_n of_o a_o man_n and_o make_v he_o quite_o another_o thing_n in_o all_o his_o behaviour_n and_o conversation_n this_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o trick_n and_o set_v one_o self_n off_o with_o what_o be_v not_o our_o own_o if_o virtue_n be_v esteem_v above_o all_o other_o thing_n no_o favour_n no_o advancement_n will_v be_v able_a to_o change_v man_n either_o in_o their_o temper_n or_o their_o countenance_n xxxiii_o we_o shall_v use_v ourselves_o to_o other_o people_n folly_n and_o not_o take_v offence_n at_o every_o impertinence_n that_o pass_v in_o our_o company_n xxxiv_o a_o great_a soul_n take_v whatever_o happen_v and_o there_o be_v as_o much_o wisdom_n in_o bear_v with_o other_o people_n defect_n as_o in_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o good_a quality_n xxxv_o it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a judgement_n when_o a_o man_n be_v able_a to_o discover_v what_o be_v in_o another_o breast_n and_o to_o conceal_v what_o be_v in_o his_o own_o xxxvi_o talk_v all_o be_v so_o great_a a_o fault_n that_o in_o business_n and_o conversation_n if_o what_o be_v good_a be_v short_a it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n double_o good_a and_o a_o man_n gain_v that_o by_o brevity_n which_o will_v often_o be_v lose_v by_o be_v tedious_a xxxvii_o we_o general_o gain_v a_o ascendant_n and_o be_v master_n over_o those_o we_o be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o because_o the_o man_n that_o be_v perfect_o know_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n subject_v to_o the_o person_n that_o know_v he_o xxxviii_o study_n and_o the_o enquiry_n after_o truth_n have_v very_o often_o only_o this_o effect_n that_o it_o make_v we_o know_v experimental_o how_o ignorant_a we_o be_v by_o nature_n thirty-nine_o man_n be_v most_o esteem_v when_o the_o world_n do_v not_o know_v the_o utmost_a of_o their_o ability_n for_o thing_n that_o be_v understand_v but_o by_o half_n be_v always_o presume_v great_a than_o real_o they_o be_v xl._o the_o desire_n of_o be_v think_v a_o wise_a man_n very_o often_o hinder_v one_o from_o be_v so_o for_o such_o a_o one_o be_v more_o solicitous_a to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v what_o knowledge_n he_o have_v than_o to_o learn_v that_o which_o he_o want_v xli_o littleness_n of_o soul_n and_o ignorance_n and_o presumption_n make_v people_n obstinate_a in_o their_o opinion_n for_o opinionative_n man_n will_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o can_v comprehend_v and_o there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v xlii_o to_o disow_v our_o fault_n when_o we_o be_v tell_v of_o they_o be_v but_o to_o make_v they_o more_o and_o great_a xliii_o we_o shall_v not_o regard_v how_o much_o good_a a_o friend_n have_v do_v we_o so_o much_o as_o how_o much_o he_o desire_v and_o endeavour_v to_o do_v we_o xliv_o though_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o love_v our_o friend_n only_o for_o the_o good_a they_o do_v we_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a case_n they_o love_v not_o we_o if_o they_o do_v not_o do_v we_o good_a when_o they_o have_v it_o in_o their_o power_n xlv_o it_o be_v neither_o any_o great_a reflection_n nor_o commendation_n to_o say_v a_o man_n wit_n be_v or_o be_v not_o in_o the_o fashion_n for_o if_o it_o be_v what_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v at_o any_o time_n it_o continue_v to_o be_v so_o at_o all_o time_n xlvi_o the_o love_n of_o a_o man_n self_n be_v general_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o our_o friendship_n to_o other_o it_o supersede_v all_o duty_n and_o obligation_n where_o interest_n be_v concern_v and_o lay_v down_o all_o resentment_n against_o our_o enemy_n how_o just_a soever_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o be_v when_o they_o be_v considerable_a enough_o to_o promote_v our_o honour_n or_o our_o fortune_n xlvii_o it_o be_v but_o a_o idle_a and_o useless_a trouble_n to_o make_v great_a inquiry_n what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n except_o all_o this_o tend_v to_o the_o reform_v of_o one_o self_n xlviii_o circumstance_n and_o outward_a appearance_n procure_v a_o man_n frequent_o more_o respect_n than_o real_a worth_n and_o a_o good_a bottom_n a_o ungraceful_a fashion_n spoil_v all_o even_o justice_n and_o reason_n itself_o the_o best_a part_n of_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o how_o and_o the_o air_n we_o give_v they_o gild_v accommodates_n and_o sweeten_v the_o most_o ungrateful_a matter_n all_o this_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o weakness_n and_o the_o prepossession_n of_o man_n judgement_n xlix_o we_o shall_v make_v the_o folly_n of_o other_o rather_o a_o warn_v and_o instruction_n to_o ourselves_o than_o a_o subject_a of_o mirth_n and_o mockery_n of_o those_o that_o commit_v they_o l._n the_o conversation_n of_o man_n that_o be_v of_o a_o dogmatical_a and_o govern_v spirit_n be_v the_o troublesome_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v we_o shall_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o receive_v it_o ready_o let_v it_o come_v from_o what_o hand_n it_o will_n li._n a_o man_n may_v learn_v as_o much_o by_o other_o people_n fault_n as_o by_o their_o instruction_n the_o example_n of_o imperfection_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n as_o useful_a towards_o the_o make_n a_o man_n perfect_a as_o those_o of_o wisdom_n and_o perfection_n lii_o we_o be_v better_o please_v with_o those_o that_o strive_v to_o imitate_v we_o than_o with_o those_o that_o endeavour_v to_o equal_a we_o for_o imitation_n argue_v esteem_n but_o a_o desire_n of_o equality_n argue_v envy_n liii_o it_o be_v a_o very_a commendable_a piece_n of_o 〈◊〉_d to_o make_v a_o denial_n go_v down_o well_o 〈◊〉_d soft_a and_o civil_a expression_n and_o 〈…〉_z supply_v the_o kindness_n we_o can_v grant_n liv._o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o person_n that_o say_v no_o so_o very_o natural_o that_o their_o no_o always_o usher_v in_o whatever_o they_o be_v about_o to_o say_v this_o make_v they_o so_o disagreeable_a that_o though_o they_o be_v prevail_v upon_o with_o much_o importunity_n to_o grant_v any_o request_n yet_o all_o the_o grace_n and_o the_o commendation_n of_o such_o grant_n be_v utter_o lose_v by_o so_o very_o untoward_a a_o beginning_n lv._o all_o thing_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v grant_v nor_o all_o man_n to_o be_v gratify_v it_o be_v altogether_o as_o commendable_a to_o deny_v upon_o a_o just_a occasion_n as_o to_o give_v in_o due_a season_n this_o make_v some_o people_n no_o better_o receive_v than_o other_o people_n yes_o a_o denial_n when_o manage_v with_o good_a nature_n and_o soften_v with_o civility_n give_v more_o satisfaction_n to_o a_o man_n of_o understanding_n than_o a_o favour_n cold_o and_o rude_o grant_v lvi_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wisdom_n require_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o good_a council_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o be_v able_a to_o advise_v one_o own_o self_n man_n of_o the_o best_a judgement_n be_v always_o most_o ready_a to_o consult_v the_o opinion_n of_o other_o and_o it_o be_v one_o eminent_a instance_n of_o wisdom_n to_o submit_v one_o self_n to_o the_o good_a conduct_n of_o a_o friend_n lvii_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o the_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v general_o represent_v to_o we_o according_a to_o the_o temper_n and_o complexion_n of_o our_o teacher_n some_o out_o of_o a_o exceed_a tenderness_n and_o good_a nature_n and_o other_o from_o a_o sour_a and_o rugged_a disposition_n
they_o out_o of_o any_o other_o motive_n than_o that_o of_o interest_n disguise_v of_o pride_n and_o self-love_n the_o best_a way_n the_o reader_n can_v take_v in_o my_o opinion_n be_v to_o satisfy_v himself_o that_o none_o of_o these_o maxim_n concern_v he_o in_o particular_a and_o that_o he_o alone_o be_v except_v from_o they_o although_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v general_n after_o he_o have_v do_v this_o i_o dare_v answer_n for_o he_o that_o he_o will_v be_v the_o first_o man_n that_o shall_v subscribe_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o what_o be_v more_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v of_o mighty_a benefit_n to_o the_o world_n in_o discover_v all_o the_o weakness_n and_o foible_n of_o mankind_n as_o for_o what_o regard_v the_o order_n of_o these_o reflection_n the_o reader_n will_v at_o first_o view_n discover_v that_o as_o they_o be_v all_o upon_o different_a matter_n it_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n impossible_a to_o place_v they_o in_o a_o exact_a method_n and_o though_o there_o be_v several_a upon_o the_o same_o subject_a it_o be_v not_o judge_v à _fw-fr propos_fw-fr to_o place_v they_o always_o one_o after_o another_o for_o fear_n of_o digust_v the_o reader_n who_o be_v general_o best_a entertain_v with_o a_o agreeable_a variety_n a_o discourse_n upon_o the_o reflection_n or_o sentence_n and_o moral_a maxim_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n sir_n i_o be_o not_o able_a positive_o to_o tell_v you_o whether_o the_o moral_a reflection_n be_v write_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr although_o the_o style_n and_o manner_n of_o they_o seem_v to_o resemble_v he_o but_o give_v i_o leave_v sir_n to_o tell_v you_o that_o upon_o these_o occasion_n i_o general_o disengage_v myself_o from_o popular_a report_n and_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v i_o believe_v that_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o because_o the_o public_a opinion_n have_v father_v they_o upon_o he_o thus_o i_o have_v fair_o and_o ingenuous_o answer_v your_o first_o question_n and_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n if_o you_o have_v not_o a_o absolute_a authority_n over_o i_o which_o i_o must_v never_o dispute_v i_o shall_v wave_v a_o far_a examination_n of_o they_o for_o a_o man_n so_o high_o prepossess_v as_o i_o be_o in_o his_o esteem_n for_o this_o work_n have_v not_o that_o liberty_n to_o judge_v true_o of_o it_o as_o be_v requisite_a nevertheless_o since_o you_o have_v be_v please_v to_o order_v it_o so_o i_o will_v frank_o give_v you_o my_o opinion_n without_o any_o design_n to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o maker_n of_o dissertation_n or_o concern_v myself_o with_o the_o person_n who_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v write_v this_o book_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o discover_v at_o first_o sight_n that_o it_o be_v never_o design_v to_o visit_v the_o world_n but_o only_o write_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o person_n who_o in_o my_o opinion_n do_v not_o aspire_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o be_v a_o author_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v happen_v to_o belong_v to_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr i_o can_v assure_v you_o that_o his_o reputation_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o world_n by_o so_o many_o better_a title_n that_o he_o will_v be_v no_o less_o disturb_v to_o hear_v that_o these_o reflection_n be_v make_v public_a than_o he_o be_v when_o the_o memoir_n that_o be_v attribute_v to_o he_o be_v print_v but_o sir_n you_o need_v not_o be_v inform_v what_o a_o propensity_n there_o be_v in_o this_o age_n to_o publish_v all_o manner_n of_o novelty_n and_o especial_o those_o that_o go_v under_o any_o celebrate_a name_n which_o of_o itself_o be_v sufficient_a to_o recommend_v they_o to_o the_o world_n this_o you_o know_v be_v a_o undoubted_a truth_n name_n alone_o set_v a_o price_n upon_o thing_n with_o those_o people_n that_o be_v not_o in_o a_o capacity_n of_o find_v out_o their_o intrinsic_n value_n the_o true_a merit_n of_o these_o reflection_n be_v understand_v but_o by_o a_o very_a few_o people_n though_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o abundance_n of_o presume_v wou'd-be-wit_n pretend_v to_o give_v you_o their_o opinion_n of_o they_o as_o for_o myself_o i_o do_v pretend_v to_o have_v delicacy_n and_o penetration_n enough_o to_o form_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o they_o i_o say_v delicacy_n and_o penetration_n because_o to_o qualify_v a_o man_n for_o such_o a_o province_n he_o must_v be_v master_n both_o of_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o i_o to_o flatter_v myself_o that_o i_o possess_v both_o these_o quality_n i_o be_o incline_v to_o believe_v that_o i_o shall_v find_v but_o very_o few_o passage_n in_o these_o reflection_n to_o amend_v i_o can_v there_o discover_v nothing_o but_o a_o happy_a force_n and_o spirit_n thought_n true_o elevate_v and_o bold_a a_o noble_a turn_n of_o expression_n accompany_v with_o a_o certain_a air_n of_o quality_n that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o all_o that_o have_v vanity_n enough_o to_o set_v up_o for_o author_n i_o own_o indeed_o there_o be_v not_o that_o order_n and_o art_n in_o they_o which_o one_o will_v desire_v and_o that_o a_o learned_a man_n who_o enjoy_v a_o great_a share_n of_o leisure_n than_o our_o author_n affair_n seem_v to_o allow_v he_o will_v have_v throw_v they_o into_o a_o better_a method_n but_o a_o man_n who_o pure_o write_v for_o himself_o and_o to_o divert_v his_o mind_n after_o the_o fatigue_n of_o other_o business_n who_o set_v down_o his_o thought_n just_a as_o they_o come_v into_o his_o head_n do_v not_o so_o religious_o observe_v the_o nicety_n of_o rule_n as_o they_o who_o make_v a_o profession_n and_o business_n of_o write_v and_o hope_v to_o get_v reputation_n by_o their_o pen_n nevertheless_o this_o irregularity_n have_v its_o peculiar_a grace_n and_o such_o grace_n too_o as_o art_n can_v never_o imitate_v i_o do_v know_v whether_o you_o will_v agree_v with_o i_o in_o this_o point_n but_o though_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o incur_v the_o indignation_n of_o the_o critic_n by_o what_o i_o be_o go_v to_o say_v yet_o i_o can_v forbear_v to_o affirm_v to_o you_o that_o as_o long_o as_o i_o live_v i_o shall_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o prefert_fw-la the_o easy_a negligent_a stile_n of_o person_n of_o condition_n which_o have_v wit_n and_o spirit_n in_o it_o to_o the_o slavish_a regularity_n of_o a_o doctor_n that_o never_o converse_v with_o any_o thing_n but_o his_o book_n 16._o the_o more_o easy_a and_o negligent_a he_o appear_v in_o whatever_o he_o say_v or_o do_v the_o more_o agreeable_o be_v it_o receive_v for_o its_o natural_a and_o simple_a air._n i_o borrow_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o tacitus_n and_o have_v set_v down_o the_o latin_a in_o the_o margin_n that_o if_o you_o be_v so_o mind_v you_o may_v read_v it_o and_o though_o i_o be_o sensible_a how_o great_a a_o master_n you_o be_v of_o that_o language_n yet_o since_o this_o discourse_n may_v possible_o reach_v other_o hand_n that_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o it_o i_o shall_v follow_v the_o same_o conduct_n when_o ever_o i_o have_v any_o occasion_n to_o make_v citation_n now_o sir_n be_v it_o not_o a_o unquestionable_a truth_n that_o this_o justness_n and_o affectation_n which_o be_v seek_v after_o with_o so_o much_o study_n always_o carry_v a_o certain_a stiffness_n and_o constraint_n that_o displease_v we_o and_o that_o these_o gentleman_n who_o be_v such_o slave_n to_o rule_n have_v none_o of_o those_o beauty_n where_o art_n disguise_v itself_o under_o the_o appearance_n of_o nature_n that_o happy_a talon_n of_o write_v easy_o and_o noble_o or_o in_o fine_a that_o which_o 17._o tasso_n say_v of_o the_o palace_n of_o armida_n stimi_fw-la si_fw-la misto_fw-la il_fw-fr culto_fw-la é_fw-fr col_fw-fr negletto_fw-it sol_fw-la naturali_fw-la gli_fw-la ornamenti_fw-la e_fw-it i_fw-it siti_fw-la dii_fw-la natura_fw-la arte_fw-la par_fw-fr che_fw-it per_fw-la diletto_n l'_fw-mi imitatrice_fw-it sua_fw-la scherzando_fw-la imiti_fw-la in_o english_a it_o run_v thus_o be_v in_o this_o beauteous_a pile_n can_v claim_v no_o praise_n nature_n alone_o do_v the_o fair_a fabric_n raise_v but_o so_o well_o have_v she_o copy_v her_o design_n that_o cheat_v by_o a_o object_n so_o divine_a we_o think_v that_o art_n have_v follow_v nature_n line_n thus_o i_o have_v brief_o acquaint_v you_o with_o my_o sentiment_n of_o this_o work_n in_o general_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_o sensible_a that_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o satisfy_v you_o since_o you_o request_v i_o to_o answer_v all_o those_o objection_n more_o particular_o which_o you_o tell_v i_o have_v be_v urge_v against_o it_o as_o i_o remember_v the_o first_o be_v as_o follow_v viz._n that_o these_o reflection_n destroy_v all_o the_o virtue_n to_o which_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o our_o author_n be_v far_o from_o entertain_v the_o least_o inclination_n to_o destroy_v they_o he_o only_o pretend_v to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v seldom_o to_o be_v