Characters of the virtues & vices of the age, or, Moral reflections, maxims, and thoughts upon men and manners translated from the most refined French wits ... and extracted from the most celebrated English writers ... : digested alphabetically under proper titles / by A. Boyer, Gent.

CHARACTERS OF THE Virtues & Vices of the AGE.

Advice, Counsel.

I. MEN give nothing so liberally as Counsel.

II. Nothing in the World is so unsincere, as the asking and receiving of Advice. He that asks it, seems to yield a respectful deference to the Opinion of his Friend, and all the while only designs to have his own approv'd, and shelter his own Actions under the Authority of another: On the other side, he that gives it, returns, as one would think, the Confidence of others with an ardent and impartial Zeal, and yet has generally no other aim, but his own Honour or Interest.

III. There goes as much Wisdom and Ability in the improving of a Friend's Advice, as in the advising and conducting one's self.

IV. 'Tis no difficult matter to give good Ad∣vice, but 'tis a hard one to make a Man improve it.

V. It is harder to keep ones self from being managed, than to manage and govern others.

VI. There is need of as much Discretion to give Advice, as Compliance to follow it. Nothing is so dreadful as a Friend that takes the advantage of his own Experience; that proposes all his Counsels as Laws, and with the Air of a Ma∣ster, that takes from us the privilege of exami∣ning what he says, and would force the Mind by Authority, rather than win it by Discourse.

VII. Yet a great Weakness in receiving Advice, is no less blameable, than a great Roughness in gi∣ving it: It is our Interest to surmount the one, and to sweeten the other.

VIII. It is not proper always to reject evil Counsels, for fear of disheartning those that are capable of administring good ones.

* IX. Some People are not to be dealt withal, but by a Train of Mystery and Circum¦locution; a downright Admonition looks liker the Reproach of an Enemy, than the Advice of a Friend, or at best it is but the good Office of a Man that has an ill Opinion of us; and we do not naturally love to be told of our Faults, by the Witnesses of our Failings.

* X. 'Tis easie to give Counsel to another, which in the same Circumstances we are far from practising our selves; then we can be full

of Wisdom and grave Morals; but when it comes home, all our Philosophy vanishes; there re∣mains nothing to be seen, but a meer sensitive Animal, without Virtue or Patience.

Admiration.

I. WE love all those that Admire us, but very few of those we Admire.

II. Admiration betrays a narrow Wit; and your great Admirers are for the most part very silly People.

* III. Excessive Commendations of any Art or Science whatsoever, as also of the Learning of any particular Men or Nations, only prove that the Persons who give such Characters, never heard of any Thing or Person, that was more excellent in that way; and therefore Admira∣tion may be as well supposed to proceed from their own Ignorance, as from the real Excel∣lency of the Persons or Things, unless their re∣spective Abilities are otherwise known.

Ambition.

I. WHen great Men suffer themselves to be cast down by the weight of their Mis∣fortunes, it plainly discovers it was not the Greatness of their Soul, but of their Ambition, that kept up their Spirits so long; and that Va∣nity and Pride excepted, an Hero is much like another Man.

II. An Ambitious Man does not appear to be so in the least, when he meets with an impossi∣bility of gaining his Ends.

III. Generosity is very often a disguis'd Ambition, that slights mean Interests, only to pursue greater.

IV. Moderation can never have the honour of contending with Ambition, and subduing it; because they never meet together: Moderation is the Weakness and Sloath of the Soul, whereas Ambition is the Ardour and Activity of it.

V. Ambitious Men abuse themselves, when they pretend to limit their Ambition; for their very Ends when they are gain'd, are but con∣verted into means, subservient to farther Pur∣suits.

VI. It seldom happens that a Man may say, I have been Ambitious; for he that is once so, is so always.

VII. The Pursuits of Ambition, though not so general, yet are as endless as those of Riches, and as extravagant too, since none ever yet thought he had power or empire enough: For what Prince soever seems to be so great, as to live and reign without any further Desires or Fea••s, falls into the Life of a private Man, and enjoys but those Pleasures and Entertainments, which a great many several degrees of private For∣tune will allow, and as much indeed as hu∣mane Nature is capable of enjoying.

VIII. Ambitious Men and Misers, seem to acquire their mighty stock of Glory and Riches for no other end, than to make themselv••s mor•• sensible of the torment of being neither able to quit nor to keep them.

IX. All Passions tyrannize over us; yet Am∣bition suspends all the other Passions, and gives us for a while the appearances of all the Virtues. This Man who has all manner of Vices, I took him to be Sober, Chast, Humble, Liberal and even Devout; nay, undoubtedly he would be so still if he had not made his Fortune.

* X. The Ambitious are content to pay so great a price as their own slavery, to get the Dominion over others.

XI. Slaves have but one Master; but the Ambitious have as many as there are Men that can be instrumental to their Fortune.

* XII. Ambition is like Choler, which is an Hu∣mour that makes Men Active, Earnest, full of Alacrity and Stirring, if it be not stopp'd; but if it cannot have its way, it becomes adult, and thereby malign and venomous: So Ambitious Men, if they find their way open to their Ri∣sing, and still get forward, they are rather busie than dangerous; but if they be checkt in their Desires, they become secretly discontent, and look upon Men and Masters with an evil Eye, and are best pleas'd when Things go back∣ward, which is the worst Property in a Ser∣vant of a Prince or State. Therefore it is good for Princes, if they be obliged to make use of Ambitious Men, to handle 'em so, as they be still Progressive, and not Retrogade.

Afflictions.

I. UNder what disguise soever we conceal our Afflictions, they seldom proceed, but either from Vanity or Interest.

II. There are in our Afflictions several kinds of Hypocrisy. Sometimes we weep for our selves under colour of Weeping for our Friends, we lament the loss of the good Opinion they had of us; We bewail the diminution of our Ad∣vantages, Pleasures and Credit. Thus the Dead have the honour of those Tears, which indeed are shed for the Living. I call this a sort of Hypocrisy, because in these Afflictions People im∣pose upon themselves. There is another kind not so harmless as this, because it imposes up∣on all the World; I mean, the Affliction of those who have the vanity of valuing them∣selves upon a deep and desperate Sorrow: When Time, the great Physician of Sorrows, has worn off their real grief, they do not leave off being obstinate, in Crying, Sobbing, Groaning and Lamenting; and with a mourn••ul and melan∣choly Countenance endeavour to make the World believe, that nothing but Death will end their Affliction. This dismal and troublesome Vanity is most prevailing with Ambitious Wo∣men; for their Sex rendring them unable to advance themselves by eminent Virtues, they strive to signalize their Reputation by the Pa∣geantry of an inconsolable Sorrow. There is still another sort of Tears, which flowing from shallow Springs, will run and dry up very ea∣sily:

Men weep sometimes to gain the Repu∣tation of Good-Nature and Tenderness, some∣times to be pity'd and lamented by others, and sometimes to avoid the shame of being account∣ed insensible.

III. Some Men are more miss'd than lamented; and others again are very much lamented, and very little miss'd.

IV. Our Affliction for a Dead Friend is great or small, not according to his Merit, but the O∣pinion we think he had of our deserts.

V. A pretty House, a fine Horse, a Dog, a Watch, any thing that comes to our share, is enough sometimes to soften a great Grief, and lessen the sense of a great Loss.

VI. The Duties of Interment are called the last Duties; for beyond the Funeral, all that is giv∣en to the Dead is taken away from the Living-Lamentations that are too long, not only pre∣judice Nature, but Society likewise; they render us incapable of the Duties of a Civil Life; and one may say, that out of Complaisance to those Friends we have lost, they make us want∣ing to those we still enjoy.

VII. A skilful Co••••orter must begin by the Ag∣gravation of Evils, to obtain a free admittance to the Mind of the Afflicted, and to surprise their Belief.

* VIII. To Mourn without measure is Folly; nor to Mourn at all Insensibility: The best Tem∣per is betwixt Piety and Reason; to be sensi∣ble▪ but neither to be transported nor cast down.

* IX. Most People shew in their Afflictions more Ambition than Piety; for when any body is

within hearing, what Groans and Outcries do they make? but when they are alone and in private all is hush and quiet: So soon as any body comes in, they are at it again, but their Sorrow goes off with the Company.

* X. The most desperate Mourners are they who care least for their Friends; for they think to redeem their Credit for want of Kind∣ness to the Living, by extravagant Ravings af∣ter the Dead.

* XI. To weep excessively for the Dead, is a kind of an Affront to the Living.

Ages of Life.

I. OUr Life being nothing else but a per∣petual Change and Revolution, we come altogether fresh and raw into the several Periods of it, and want often Experience in∣stead of Gray-Hairs.

II. Young People change their Taste and In∣clinations, by the Mettle and heat of Blood; and Old ones keep to theirs by the Sullenness of Ha∣bit and Custom.

III. Youth is a perpetual Debauchery, and the very Fever of Reason.

IV. The Lukewarmness of Old-Age is as great a Foil to a Man's Salvation, as the Heat and Pas∣sions of Youth.

V. Young Men that come first upon the Stage of the World, ought to be either very Modest or very Brisk; for a sober, grave and composed Temper commonly turns to Impertinence.

VI. Old People love mightily to give good Ad∣vice, to comfort themselves of their Incapa∣city of setting ill Examples.

VII. Both Wisdom and Folly grow still pro∣portionably with Age.

VIII. Most Men shew upon the turning of their Age, where their Mind and Body will begin to decay.

IX. Nothing is more ridiculous in Old People that have been Handsom formerly, than to forget that they are so no more.

X. 'Tis a hard Lesson to learn how to be Old.

XI. Old Age is a Tyrant, that forbids us all the Pleasures of Youth, upon the severest Penal∣ties.

XII. There is no part of our Life wherein we ought to study our own Humour with more Ap∣plication than in Old-Age, for it is never so dif∣ficult to be discover'd as then. An impetuous Young Fellow has a hundred returns when he is dissatisfied with his Extravagances; but Old People devote themselves to their Humour, as if it were a Virtue, and take pleasure in their own Defects, because they carry a false Resemblance of Commendable Qualities: They are perpetually crying up the Time-past, and enviously con∣demning the Present: They rail at Pleasures when they are past them, or censure Diversi∣ons, whose only Fault is their own Incapacity: A serious Air passes with them for Iudgment, Phlegm for Wisdom, and hence proceeds that imperious Authority they allow themselves to censure every thing.

XIII. We see nothing more ordinary for Old Men, than to desire a Retirement; and nothing so rare with them, as not to repent of it when they are once retired: Their Souls that are in too great a Subjection to their Humours, are disgusted with the World for being tiresome; But scarce can they quit this false Object of their Misfortune, but they are as angry with Solitude, as they were with the World, disquiet∣ing themselves where nothing but themselves can give them any disquiet.

XIV. Scarce do we begin to grow Old, but we begin to be displeased with some distaste, which we secretly frame in our selves. Then our Soul free from Self love, is easily fill'd with that which is suggested to us, and what would have pleas'd us before but indifferently, charms us at present, and enslaves us to our own Weak∣ness. By this, Mistresses dispose of their old Lovers to their own fancy, and Wives of their old Husbands.

* XV. 'Tis with our Lives as with our E∣states, a good Husband makes a little go a great way: Whereas let the Revenue of a Prince fall into the Hands of a Prodigal, 'tis vanisht in a Moment. So that the Time allotted us, if it were well employ'd, were abundantly enough, to answer all the Ends and Purposes of Man∣kind.

XVI. A neglected Dress in Old People, mul∣tiplies their Wrinkles, and exposes their Infir∣mities: An affected Curiosity of Apparel has the same Effect.

Avarice, Riches.

I. WHat a Man squanders away, he takes away from his Heir; what he lays up by sordid Avarice, he takes away from himself. The Medium is to do one's self Justice, and others.

II. Children would, perhaps, be dearer to their Fathers, and again Fathers to their Chil∣dren, but for the name of Heir.

III. All Men by their several Places, Titles and Successions, look upon themselves as Heirs one of another, and by that Interest entertain all along a secret desire of their Neighbour's death. The most fortunate Man in each parti∣cular Condition, is he that has most to lose, and leave to his Successor.

* IV. It is not for acquiring Wealth, but for misemploying it when he has acquir'd it, that Man ought to be blamed.

* V. I cannot call Riches better than the Bag∣gage of Virtue; for as the Baggage is to an Army, so is Riches to Virtue.

* VI. Of great Riches there is no real Use, except it be in the Distribution; the rest is but Conceit.

* VII. Covetousness is enough to make the Master of the World, as Poor as he that has just nothing; for a Man may be brought to a Morsel of Bread, by Griping as well as by Profuseness. 'Tis a madness for a Man that has enough already, to hazard all for the get∣ting of more, and then upon the Miscarriage to leave himself nothing.

VIII. Avarice is in many Cases more opposite to a Man's Interest, than Liberality.

IX. Some Men despise Mony, but not one of a Thousand knows how to part with it.

X. Avarice is often the Cause of contrary Effects: There are a World of People, that Sa∣crifice all their present Possessions to remote and uncertain Hopes; and others again slight great Advantages to come, for some mean Interest in present.

XI. Riches do by no means teach us to be less fond of Riches: The possessing of abun∣dance is very far from giving us the quiet that there is in not desiring them.

XII. Nothing is so hard to perswade Men to, as the contempt of Riches, except ones Argu∣ments be drawn from the Stores of Christian Religion; and therefore the Wise Men among the Ancients were in truth very foolish, who without any light of Faith, or Expectation of a better State, despised Riches and Pleasures: They endeavour'd to distinguish themselves by uncommon and unnatural Notions, and so to triumph over the rest of Mankind, by an ima∣ginary Elevation of Soul. Those that were the Wisest among them were satisfied with talking of these things in Publick, but beha∣ved themselves after another rate in Private.

XIII. 'Tis the Infatuation of Misers to take Gold and Silver for things really good, whereas they are only some of the means by which good Things are procured.

XIV. A Covetous Man renders himself the most miserable of Men, wrongs many, and ob∣liges none but when he dyes.

XV. The Condition of a Miser is so wretch∣ed, that the greatest Curses a Man can give him, is, That he may Live long.

XVI. That Man is Rich who receives more than he lays out; and on the contrary, that Man is to be accounted Poor whose Expence exceeds his Revenue.

XVII. Nothing maintains it self so long as a moderate Fortune; and nothing so soon dwin∣dles away as a great one.

XVIII. Great Riches are generally the near∣est occasion of Poverty.

XIX. A Covetous Man lays up for Old Age when Young; and for Death when Old. A Prodigal Heir makes him a fine Funeral, and devours the rest of his Wealth.

XX. The Covetous Man spends more in one Day when Dead, than he did in Ten Years when Alive.

* XXI. There are two sorts of Avarice, a True and a Bastard.—True Covetousness is a restless and insatiable desire of Riches, not for any further end or use, but only to hoard and preserve, and perpetually increase them. This is the greatest Evidence of a base ungenerous Mind, and at the same time the highest Injustice in the World. For what can be more unreason∣able, than for a Man to ingross to himself all that which is for the Common Support and Conveniency of Mankind; and to propagate his Crime by locking up his beloved Treasures, and thereby robbing continually the Publick, of what he has once gotten from private Per∣sons.—The Bastard kind of Avarice is

the rapacious Appetite of Gain, not for the Mony's own sake, but for the pleasure of Re∣funding it immediately through all the Chan∣nels of Pride and Luxury. That Man who i•• guilty of this, is in a manner excusable, sinc•• by his Prosuseness he makes a kind of Restituti¦on.

* XXII. 'Tis said of a Virtuous and Wise Man, that having nothing, he had all; when a Miser having all things, yet has nothing.

* XXIII. There is not a greater Argumen•• of a narrow wretched Soul, than to dote upon Mony; nothing more reasonable than to de∣spise it when we have it not, and nothing more honourable than to employ it generously, and do good with it when we have it.

* XXIV. The Patriarchs before the Flood who lived Nine Hundred Years, scarcely pro∣vided for a few Days; and we, who live but a few days, provide at least for Nine Hundred Years.

* XXV. As Riches at first make a Gentle∣man, so the want of them degrades him.

* XXVI. As Riches go off from a Man, they expose to the World his Weakness, that lay un∣discovered before.

* XXVII. There is one kind of Affliction which never leaves us, and that is, which pro∣ceeds from the loss of our Fortunes. Time, which softens and allays all other Griefs, does but ex∣asperate and increase this; and the Sense of it•• renews even as often as we feel the pinch o•• pre••••ing Necessities.

Beauty, Homeliness.

I. IF we consider Agreeableness distinct from Beauty, we may call it a sort of Symmetry or Proportion, the Rules of which no body can positively define; or a secret Relation and Af∣finity of the Features one to another, and of all these together to the Complexion, Looks and Air of the Person.

II. Few Women's Worth out lives their Beauty.

III. Gracefulness is to the Body, what good Sense is to the Mind.

IV. There is nothing so natural to Persons of the Fair-Sex, as to take a pleasure in their own Beauty. They please themselves as much as 'tis possible for others to please them, and are the first that discover their own Charms, and fall in Love with them.

V. A Beautiful Woman is more concern'd to preserve her Beauty than her Lover, and shews less Tenderness for a Heart already vanquish'd, than she expresses Vanity and Ostentation in extending her Conquests: Not but that she may very well be sensible for her Gallant, but in all probability she will sooner resolve to suffer the loss of what she loves, than to lose what, causes her to be belov'd.

VI. As long as a Woman is in full Possession of her Beauty, no Misfortune can befall her, which she cannot in some measure alleviate: But when once that Blessing has left her, all the

other advantages of Fortune will never be able to give her any tolerable Satisfaction.

VII. The last Tears that Beautiful Eyes reserve, are spent in bewailing themselves after they are defac'd out of all Hearts. The only Person that still laments a lost Beauty is the miserable Possessor.

VIII. 'Tis a great wonder to see how Wo∣men that are so mightily fond of their Beauty, can use so much Art to anticipate its ruin.

* IX. Beauty is so necessary to the Young, that those who are without it, seem to be to no other purpose, than to wait on the Triumph of the Fair.

* X. Some Women set up for Beauty, as much in spite of Nature, as some Men do for Wit.

* XI. Ill favour'd Women are never so nauseous, as when they would be Beauties; adding to their Natural Deformity, the Artificial Ugliness of Affectation.

* XII. Homely Women are as malicious to the Fair, as Blockheads are to Witty Men; for they look upon other Womens Accomplishments as the upbraiding of their Deformities.

XIII. The Contempt of Beauty in the Ill∣favour'd, is as false as the Contempt of Riches in some Philosophers.

XIV. Agreeableness is arbitrary, but Beauty is something more real and independent upon the Palate and Opinion.

* XV. Whosoever has any thing contempti∣ble in his Person, has also a perpetual Spur upon him to rescue and deliver himself from Scorn. Therefore all Deformed Persons are extream bold,

First, In their own defence, as being expos'd to Scorn; but in process of Time, by a gene∣ral Habit. Besides, it stirreth them up to Indu∣stry, to watch and observe the Weakness of o∣thers, that they may have somewhat to repay.

Benefits, Gratitude, Ingratitude.

I. SOme Men are not only apt to forget both kind Turns, and Injuries that have been done them, but even to hate their very Benefa∣ctors, and to lay aside their Resentments against their Perrfecutors. The Application of acquitting Obligations aud revenging of Wrongs, appears to them a kind of slavery, which they are loath to undergo.

II. Gratitude in most Men is nothing else but a secret desire to hook in greater Benefits.

III. The generality of Men take a delight to acquit small Obligations; a great many pay their Acknowledgments for moderate ones; but there is scarce any Body but is unthankful for such as are Extraordinary.

IV. It is with Gratitude among Friends, as with Honesty among Traders, it keeps up Business and Commerce: Most Men don't quit Scores be∣cause it is just to pay Debts, but to secure their Credit, and so be trusted again the easier.

V. The common Mistake in the Computations of Men, when they expect Returns for Favours, proceeds from the Pride, both of the Giver and Receiver, which cannot agree upon the Esti∣mate of the Benefit.

VI. To be uneasie, and make too much haste to return an Obligation, is one sort of Ingratitude.

VII. There is a sort of free and generous Gra∣titude, whereby a Man not only acquits a past Obligation, but lays a new one still upon his Bene∣factor.

VIII. The Error of the Giver does oftentimes excuse the Ingratitude of the Receiver.

IX. The good Turns that we have receiv'd from a Man, ought to make us Reverence his Malice.

X. We meet with little or no Ingratitude, as long as we are able to oblige.

XI. We should not regard how much Good a Friend has done us, so much, as how much he desired and endeavour'd to do us.

XII. Men are often more desirous to seem forward and busie to serve others, than to be successful in it; and had rather have it in their power to upbraid their Friends with an Obliga∣tion, than really to oblige them.

XIII. In the matter of Benefits Pride is un∣willing to own the Obligation, and Self-Love to acquit it.

XIV. 'Tis as great an Ingratitude to publish the Favours of a Mistress, as to conceal those of a Friend.

XV. 'Tis a kind of Ingratitude for a Man to be too inquis••itive into the Motives of a Benefit he receives.

XVI. The great Cautions of some People a∣gainst Ingratitude, denote less of Hatred for that, than Aversion for Generosity.

XVII. There are not so many Ungrateful Men, as there are thought to be; because there are not so many Generous Men as we imagine. He that in silence suppresses a Favour receiv'd, is an unthankful Fellow, that deserv'd it not: But he that publishes one that he has done, turns it to an Injury, shewing, to your disgrace, the ne∣cessity you had of him.

XVIII. Court-Acknowledgements have not so much respect to the Past, as design upon the Future. They acknowledge Obligations to all that are in any Post to oblige, and by an affe∣cted Gratitude for Favours never done, insinuate themselves into those in whose power it is to do 'em.

XIX. The great Ones in requital have a Trick as artificial to excuse themselves from doing Kindnesses, as the Courtiers have to engage 'em to it. They reproach Men with Services never done, and complain of Ingratitude, though they have hardly oblig'd any one to draw from hence a specious Pretence to oblige no body.

XX. 'Tis much better to expose one's self to Ingratitude, than be wanting to the relief of the Needy.

XXI. There is not any thing where Excess may be more commendable than in Gratitude.

* XXII. There's no living in this World with∣out an exchange of Civil Offices, and the need we have one of another, goes a great way to∣ward the making of us love one another: Now this Amity and Communication is to be enter∣tain'd by the Commerce of Giving and Receiv∣ing; and without good Nature and Gratitude

Men had as good live in a Wilderness, as in a Civil Society.

* XXIII. Ingratitude is of all Crimes that which we account the most venial in our selves, and the most unpardonable in others.

* XXIV. Good Offices depend much upon Construction; some take themselves to be ob∣lig'd when they are not, others will not believe it when they are; and some again take Obliga∣tions and Injuries the one for the other.

* XXV. It is a Court Humour to keep People upon the Tenters; their Injuries are quick and sudden, but their Benefits are flow. Great Mi∣nisters love to wrack Men with attendance; and account it an Oftentation of their Power to hold their Suitors in hand, and to have many Witnesses of their Interst.

* XXVI. He that gives to be seen, would ne∣ver relieve a Man in the dark.

* XXVII. 'Tis a kind of incumbrance upon the freedom of a generous Mind, to be in debt to an ill Man, even upon any score whatsoever, that does but carry the face of Good-Will, or Respect; for 'tis a Debt that a Man's both a∣sham'd and weary of till 'tis paid off. And there's something mo••e in't yet too, which is, that when all common Scores are made even, the Morality of the Obligation still remains; for there's no cancelling the Bonds of Honour and Justice. Kindnesses are to be paid in Specie as well as Mony, that is to say, there must be Af∣fection in the return as well as Justice. Now as there can be no true Friendship betwixt a Good Man and a Wicked, there should be no inter∣course

betwixt them that looks like Friendship, and therefore the less Commerce the better.

* XXVIII. We have the Common Saying ready at our Tongues end, That 'tis the Man on∣ly that we consider, and not the Estate: This is a handsom ••lourish; but where is the Man yet that does not more willingly bestow his time and his pains upon the Service of a powerful and wealth∣thy Person, than in the Support and Protection of the best Poor Man that ever was born? For we are naturally inclin'd to lay out our Services, where we may reasonably hope for the speediest and the most certain return.

* XXIX. It is customary for great Men to over-value the Services they do their King and Country; and for Princes, when they cannot du∣ly reward an eminent Performance, to turn their Gratitude into Hatred.

* XXX. Those you have obliged most, will certainly avoid you when you can oblige them no longer; and they take your visits like so ma∣ny Duns.

* XXXI. Mistresses, as well as Friends, are sometimes avoided for Obligations past.

* XXXII. When ill Men take up a fit of Kindness all on a sudden, and appear to be bet∣ter natur'd than usual, 'tis good Discretion to suspect Fraud, and to lay their Words and their Practices together; for there are no Snares so dangerous as those that are laid for us under the name of Good Offices.

* XXXIII. Most People seek out their own Interest under colour of obliging others, and are kind to their Neighbours for their own sakes.

Cheats.

I. OUR own Distrust justifies the Cheating of other People.

II. It is as easie a matter to deceive a Man's self, and not be sensible of it, as it is hard to impose upon others, and yet for them not to be sensible of it.

III. An honest Intention of imposing upon no body, lays us open to the Cheating of other People.

IV. The most effectual way to be bubbled, is to fancy one's self wiser than one's Neighbours.

V. The being a Blockhead is sometimes the best security against being impos'd upon by a Man of Sense.

VI. He that fancies such a sufficiency in him∣self, that he can live without all the World, is mightily mistaken; but he that imagines him∣self so necessary, that other People cannot live without him, is so a great deal more.

VII. Affected Simplicity and Plainness, is but a nicer and more laboured Cheat.

VIII. Men would never live so long together in Society and good Correspondence, if they did not mutually make Fools of one another.

IX. The common way of some to do their Business, and rise in the World, is to use all possible means of perswading People that their Business is done already.

X. We are so used to dissemble with others, that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with our selves.

XI. It is sometimes of great Use for a Man to pretend he is deceiv'd; for when we let a sub∣tile Fellow see that we are sensible of his Tricks, it gives him occasion to be more refin'd.

XII. It is a hard task upon Knaves to be per petually employ'd in concealing their own want of Sincerity, and making amends for the Breach∣es of their Promise.

XIII. Honesty and Plain dealing puts Knaves out of their Byaf••s; it breaks all their Measures by which they hop'd to compass their Ends: for Knaves commonly think that nothing can be done but by Tricks and Artifice.

* XIV. All Frauds are covered and gilded over with specious Pretences and Men are every jot as easily impos'd upon, as Birds, Beasts or Fi∣shes; while the eagerness of our Appetites suspends the Exercise of our Reason. A Treat, a Wo∣man or a Bottle, is the same thing to us, that a Worm, a Gudgeon, a grain of Corn, or a piece of Flesh is to those Animals: We snap at the Bait without ever dreaming of the Hook, the Trap, or the Snare, that goes along with it.

XV. Men never can bear to be over-reach'd by their Enemies, or betray'd by their Friends; and yet, they are often contented to be both cheated and betray'd by their own selves.

XVI. He is an unhappy Man that lives in the World without being deceiv'd.

XVII. The Pleasure of Deceit goes sometimes so far, that the greatest of your Enemies makes himself agreeable when he imposes upon you; and the best of your Friends seldom undeceives you, but you are offended at it.

Clemency, Good-Nature.

I. THE Clemency of Princes is very often lit∣tle else but a State Trick to gain upon the Affection of their Subjects.

II. That Clemency which is so mightily cry'd up in the World for a Virtue, is often practis'd out of Pride; sometimes out of Sloth and Neglect, sometimes out of Fear, and general∣ly out of a Mixture of all these Motives to••ther.

* III. No Virtue is so often in fault, as Cle∣mency.

* IV. Good Nature is a great Misfortune when it is not manag'd with Prudence.

* V. A bare Easiness of Pardoning has often the force of a Temptation to offend again.

* VI. 'Tis a great Errour to take Facility for Good Nature: Tenderness without Discretion is no better than a more pardonable Folly.

Confidence, Secrets.

I. THE Confidence we have in our selves creates a great part of that Trust which we have in others

II. The greatest part of our Confidences pro∣ceed from a desire either to be pitied or admi∣red.

III. Confidence goes farther in Company than Wit.

IV. We often dare not disclose our Hearts to our Friends, not so much out of any distrust we have of'em, as that we have of our selves.

V. There is seldom any thing but a Noble Birth, or good Education, that can make a Man capable of being Secret.

VI. All manner of Confidence, which is not absolute and intire, is dangerous: There are few occasions, but where a Man ought ei∣ther say all, or conceal all; and how little so∣ever you have reveal'd your Secret to a Friend, you have already said too much, if you think it not safe to make him privy to all the Particulars.

* VII. 'Tis ill trusting a Reconcil'd Enemy: but 'tis worse yet, to proceed at one step from Clemency and Tenderness, to Confidence; Especially where there are so many Memorials in sight, for Hatred and Revenge to work upon.

* VIII. A Supine, Credulous Facility, expo∣ses a Man to be both a Prey and a Laughing∣stock at once; and the Imposture can hardly miscarry, where there is a full Confidence on the one side, and a plausible Address and Dispo∣sition on the other.

Conversation, Society, Civility.

I. CIvility is a desire to be civilly used, and to be commended for an accomplisht well-bred Man.

II. We are generally weary of those Men most, whom we ought never to be weary of at all.

III. We can bear sometimes to be plagued with Impertinents, but we cannot endure to be accounted so by others.

IV. One Reason why we find so very few Men of Sense and agreeable Conversation, is, that almost every Bodies Mind is more intent upon what he himself has a mind to say, than upon making Pertinent Replies to what the rest of the Company say to him. The more Ingenious and Complaisant sort go no farther than pretend∣ing to harken attentively, when at the same time a Man may plainly see that both their Eyes and their Mind are roving from what is said to them, and posting back again to what they long to be at themselves; not considering that to seek one's own Pleasure so very passion∣ately, can never be the way either to please or perswade others; and that diligent Attention, and proper Repartees are the two Perf••ctions, that ac∣complish a Man for Company.

V. In Conversation, he seldom pleases who is over-confident of Pleasing.

VI. The Art of Pleasing in Company, is, not to explain things to Particulars; to express on∣ly one half and leave your Hearers to make out the rest: This argues you have a good O∣pinion of the Persons you converse with; for nothing is more agreeable to Mens love of themselves.

VII. It is very hard to hit a certain Temper and Mediocrity of Freedom with Persons above

us, so to be easie and plain with them, as to become an Instrument of their Diversion and Entertainment, without being any way offen∣sive, or breaking in upon the Honour and Re∣spect due to their Quality.

VIII. We often brag of never being weary of any Body's Company, and are so vain as not to own, that we can ever meet with any bad.

IX. A Man is generally troublesom when he thinks most he cannot be so.

X. To fly from Company, is to act against the Intention of Nature; to live always in Solitude, one must be something more than Man, or less than a Brute.

XI. Formal Civilities and Ceremonies are a kind of Tyranny, which render Men unsocia∣ble, even in Society it self.

XII. It is with Men's Wit, as it is with Coun∣tries; for as the most fruitful of these are not always the pleasantest to walk in, so the most fertile Wits are not always the most agreeable to converse with.

XIII. 'Tis the part of a Blockhead to be trou∣blesom; a Man of Wit and Sense is sensible whether his Company is agreeable or no; and disappears a Moment before the time, that his Visit might be accounted tedious.

XIV. The greatest Skill and Perfection in Conversation is not so much to shew a Man's own Wit, as to give other People the Opportunity of exerting theirs: He that parts from you pleased and satisfied with himself, is perfectly so with you. Men do not live to ad∣mire; they have a mind to please, and seek less

to be instructed or diverted, than relish'd and applauded.

XV. 'Tis a great Misfortune for a Man either to want Wit to speak well, or Discretion to hold his Tongue. This is the Spring of all Imperti∣nence.

XVI. The Pleasure of Society and Conversation betwixt Friends, is entertain'd by a Similitude of Manners, and a little difference of Opinions in the Sciences By this it is that a Man either confirms and pleases himself in his own Senti∣ments; or exercises and instructs himself by the Dispute.

* XVII. We meet with many dangerous Civi∣lities in the World, wherein 'tis a hard matter for a Man to save both his Skin and his Credit. 'Tis a difficult Point to hit the true Medium, be∣twixt Trusting too much and too little, for fear of incurring a Danger on the one hand, or giving a Scandal on the other. Complements are only words of Course; and though one external Civility may be current Payment for another, yet a Man would be loath to venture his All upon a Figure of Speech, where the meaning is so nicely divided betwixt Jest and Earnest. 'Tis a base thing to suspect a Friend, or an Honest Man: Nay, 'tis a base thing to suspect any man that looks like one, so as to wound him; that is, either in Word or in Thought. But then 'tis Death perhaps to be impos'd upon by an Hy∣pocrite under that Masque: So that the Cha∣racter of a Wise Man lies at stake upon matter of Judgment one way, and of a Good-natur'd Man the other. The middle Course is to hide

our Distrust where we are doubtful, and to be free and open where we may be secure. There is no living without trusting some body or other, in some Cases, or at some time or other; but then if People be not Cautious whom, when or wherein they Trust, the Mi∣stake may be Mortal; for there must be some∣what of a Trust to make way for a Treachery, since no Man can be betray'd, that does not either believe, or seem to believe.

Court-Favourites.

I. THE Contempt of Favourites is nothing else but the love of Favour: The vexa∣tion we resent for our being excluded, is in some measure softned and allay'd, by underva∣luing those that are in Possession. And we de∣ny to pay them our Respects, not being able to take that away from them, which makes them respected by all the World besides.

II. The Court is the Imperial Seat of Ambition; all other Passions, even Love it self, and all Laws truckle under her; and there are no sorts of Unions, but she can both knit together or sepe∣rate.

III. There are few Courtiers, but what suffer a Change in their Reputation twice a Year, ei∣ther by the sickleness and instability of other Men's Opinions, or the diversity of their own Conduct.

IV. A Favourite will sooner find an Adorer, than a true Friend.

V. There are few Favourites, that keep in Fa∣vour to the last; either because Princes grow weary of their Favourites when they have no∣thing more to bestow on them: Or that Favou∣rites themselves grow weary of the Court when they expect nothing more from it.

VI. Courts would soon be turned into Desarts, and Kings left by themselves, if Men were once rid of Vanity and Interest; but most People are contented to be Slaves at Court, so they may domineer elsewhere.

VII. There is no other study, but how to please in the Court of Princes, because there a Man makes his Fortune by rendring himself a∣greeable. Hence it comes that Courtiers are so po∣lisht: On the contrary, in Towns and Republics, where Men manage their Affairs by Labour, the last of their Cares is to please, and 'tis that which renders them so Clownish.

VIII. The Wheels, the Springs, the Move∣ments, all is hidden in a Watch, and nothing to be seen except the Needle, which insensibly goes round. This is the Image of a Courtier, and so much the truer, that after many fair steps; he often returns to the same point from whence he first set out.

VIII. If Favour places a Man above his E∣quals, his Fall places him below them.

IX. That Man that has seen the Court, has seen the fairest and beautifullest part of the World; and if he can despise the Court af∣ter

he has seen it, he can as well despise all the World.

X. The Town makes a Man nauseate the Country; the Court creates a disgust for the Town. The Court it self puts a Wise Man out of conceit with it, and gives him a hankering after Privacy and Retirement.

XI. A Favourite has no Retinue; he is without Engagements, without Ties: He may be sur∣rounded with a crowd of Relations and Creatures, but he is contiguous to nothing, he stands by himself.

XII. An old Courtier of good Sense and Me∣mory, is a Treasure of an inestimable value. He is full of Transactions and Maxims; in him we find the History of the Times adorned with ma∣ny curious Circumstances, not to be found any where else; and of him we may learn Rules for the Conduct of our Affairs and Manners, which are so much the surer, as they are grounded on Experience.

XIII. It is as hard to define the Court, as to give a true Name to changeable Colours.

XIV. The Country is the Place from whence the Court, as in its true distance, appears a thing full of Charms, and worth our Admiration. But if a Man come near it, its Perfections decrease, just as those of a fine Landskip, when you behold it at a close view.

XV. The Court does neither make a Man happy, nor suffer him to be so elsewhere.

XVI. As it is good for a Gentleman to Travel, so it is to see the C••urt. When he first comes to it, he discovers there, as it were, a new World, where Vice and Politeness have an equal sway, and where a Man advantageously improves both good and bad Qualities.

XVII. The Court is like a stately Edi••ice of Marble, I mean, because those that compose it are very hard, but very well polisht.

XVIII. Nothing so deforms certain Courtiers, as the Presence of the Prince; it so alters their Air, and debases their Looks, that a Man can scarce know them by their Faces. Proud info∣lent Men are the most disfigur'd, for they lose most of their own; but a modest Man keeps his natural Countenance; he has nothing to reform.

XIX. It is oftentimes as dangerous to make the first steps at Court, as it is not to make them.

XX. You are a Good Man, you neither Court the Favour nor the Resentments of Favourites: You mind your own Business, and wholly apply your self to your Prince and Duty—Mark my Prophecy, You are Undone.

XXI. As difficult as it is to get a considerable Place at Court, it is much harder yet to make one's self worthy of it.

XXII. It is hard to determine which of the two is the greater shame, either to be deny'd a Place we deserve, or granted one we deserve not.

* XXIII. Courtiers generally pay Services with Smoak and fair Words, and use a world of unprofitable Ceremony to morti••ie an honest Man.

Courage, Valour, Cowardise.

I. THE Love of Honour and Glory, the Fear of Shame, the design of promoting an Interest, the desire of making Life easie and com∣fortable, and the longing of pulling down o∣thers, are oftentimes the causes of that Valour, so much extoll'd in the World.

II. Valour in private Soldiers is a hazardous Trade, to which they have bound themselves to get a Livelihood.

III. Perfect Valour and absolute Cowardise are Extreams that few Men fall into. The vast mid∣dle space contains all the other kinds and degrees of Courage, which differ no less from one another than Mens Faces or their Humours. Some Men are Valiant even to Temerity, in the beginning of the Action, that are easily disheartned and de∣jected, if it continue: Some satisfie themselves with having done what was necessary to main∣tain their Honour and Reputation, and will hardly be prevail'd upon to do any thing besides: Some have the command of their Fears, and Master them only by intervals: Others are sometimes carry'd away by general Terrors: Others throw themselves into the Action, not daring to main∣tain their own Post: The Courage of some has been inur'd and harden'd against great Dangers, by their habit and familiarity with small ones: Some are Valiant with a Sword, that fear a M••••ket-Shot; and others are unconcern'd at the discharge of a Musket, and frighted at the sight of a naked

Sword. All these different sorts of Courage agree in this, that Night, as it encreases the Fear, so it conceals both brave and base Actions, and gives every body opportunity of saving himself. There is still another more general Tenderness of a Man's self, for you meet with no body, that does as much as he would be capable to do, if he was but sure to come off safe: So that it is very plain, that let a Man be never so Stout, yet the fear of Death does certainly give some damp to his Courage.

IV. True Valour consists in doing without Witnesses, what a Man is capable to do before all the World.

V. Intrepid••ty is an extraordinary Strength of Mind, which raises us above the Troubles and Perturbations which the Prospect of Dangers is ••pt to produce: And by this Strength it is, that Heroes remain undisturbed, and preserve the free use of their Reason, amidst the most amazing and terrible Accidents.

VI. Intrepidity is requisite to buoy up the Mind in Plots and Conspiracies; but Valour is alone suffi∣cient to give a Man Constancy of Mind in ho∣nourable Actions, and the hazards of War.

VII. Most Men expose themselves enough in an Engagement to secure their Honour; but very few are willing to expose themselves so far, as the Design they go upon requires, to render it suc∣cessful.

VIII. Men are as ••ond of their Lives, as desi∣rous of getting Honour; which is the reason why Men of Gallantry use as many dextrous Shi••ts and Stratagems to decline Death, as your

Litigious Knaves do to secure their Estates.

IX. He cannot answer for his own Courage, who was never in any danger.

X. Cowardise is a dangerous Failing to tell those of, that we would reclaim from.

XI. Valour was assign'd to Men, and Chastity to Women, as their principal Virtues, because they are the hardest to practise: When these Virtues are not sustain'd and kept up, either by Constitution or Divine Grace, they soon grow faint, and fall presently a Sacr••fice to the Love of Life and Pleasure.

XII. If a Man would define Victory, he must be tempted to call her with the Poets, The Daugh∣ter of Heaven; since her O••iginal is not to be found upon Earth: And indeed it is the effect of a thousand Actions, which instead of aiming at it, have no other Prospect than the particular Interest of each Combatant. For all those that make up an Army seeking their own Honour and Preferment, procure so great and so universal a Good.

XIII. Cowards can never be ••it for great Un∣dertakings; Their easie belief of Dangers sup∣presses their best form'd Designs, and so con∣founds their Judgments, that imaginary Suspici∣ons pass with them for real Obstacles.

XIV. Of all Enemies those of a Cowardly Temper are most to be feared; their want of Courage makes them use private Revenges and Treacheries, when a Valiant Man attacks you openly, and gives you warning that you may stand upon your Guard.

XV. Cowards are of all Men the most distrust∣ful, credulous and cruel▪ Their fearful Consti∣tution makes them apprehensive of imaginary Dangers, and Enemies; and puts them upon re∣venging Plots and Conspiracies, which have of∣tentimes no reality, but in there wounded Fancy.

* XVI. Courage, without the Softness of Hu∣mane Courtesie and Candor, is but a savage and outrageous Brutality.

* XVII. Let the Numbers be what they will, that Army is ever beaten where the fright first enters.

* XVIII. Natural Infirmities are well high in∣superable; and Men that are Cowards by Com∣plexion, are hardly to be made Valiant by Dis∣course: But they are conscious yet of the Scan∣dal of that Weakness, and may make a shift, per∣haps, to reason themselves now and then into a kind of temporary Resolution, which they have not the power afterwards to go thorough with.

Constancy, Inconstancy.

I. COnstancy in Love is generally a perpetual Inconstancy, which ••ixes our Hearts to all the Accomplishments of the Party beloved suc∣cessively; sometime•• admiring one, sometime•• another: So that this Constancy is no better than a ••ickle Humor settled, if I may so speak, and con∣••in'd within the compass of one Person.

II. Constancy in Love, is of two sorts: One proceeds from the discovery of new Perfection in those we Love; the other from a point of

Honour, and a taking a pride in being Constant.

III. There is an Inconstancy that proceeds from an unsettled Iudgment, a natural Levity and Weakness that Espouses all Opinions as they come, and thinks as other People think; and there is another much more excusable, that ari∣ses from a dislike and disapproving of the things themselves.

IV. The Violence some Men use upon them∣selves to be Constant to what they Love, is little better than Inconstancy.

V. There is no reason to reproach Inconstancy, as a great Crime; it is no more in the power of certain Persons to love, or not to love, than to be in health or out of order. All that one can reasonably demand from sickle Persons, is inge∣nuously to acknowledge their Levity, and not to add Treachery to Inconstancy.

VI. It is ordinary withsome to exclaim against Inconstancy, and to decry those that desert them; when at the same time they are glad to have an Example of Change: For it happens but too of∣ten, that the best establisht Friendships, the most strict Confidences insensibly slacken; then we seek a Quarrel, we seem to be angry, to the end of finding some Pretence to set our selves at liberty.

Constancy, Resolution.

I. THE Constancy of Philosophers is often no∣thing else but the knack of concealing their secret Resentments and Perturbations.

II. We often fancy to be Constant and Patient in our Misfortunes, when we are truly dejected and cast down: We suffer without daring to hold up our Heads, just as Cowards let themselves be knockt o'th' Head, because they have not Courage enough to strike again.

III. No Man can be truly good and sweet Na∣tur'd without Constancy and Resolution; They that seem to be so, have commonly an Easiness that quickly turns pievish and sowre.

IV. Constancy, or Resistance in Misfortunes, is only dwelling longer upon our Miseries; it ap∣pears the most amiable Virtue to those who are under no Afflictions, but is truly a new load to such as are.

Crimes, Ills, Harm.

I. SOme Crimes not only pass for innocent, but also get Honour and Renown by being com∣mitted, with more ••omp by a greater Number, and in a higher degree of Wickedness than others. Thus publick Robberies and Plunderings are styl'd Noble Atchievements; and the Usurping whole Countries, is dignified with the glorious Title of gaining Conquests.

II. We easily forget our Faults, when no body takes notice of them.

III. Some Men are so good, that one cannot fairly believe any thing ill of them without the Demonstration of seeing it our selves: But ne∣ver any were so good, that we should be astonish•• when we do see it.

IV. Those that find no Disposition in them∣selves to be guilty of great Faults, are not apt upon slight Grounds to suspect others of them.

V. Our Repentances are generally not so much a Concern and Remorse for the ills we have done; as a dread of those we are in danger of suffering.

VI. Innocence does not ••ind near so much Pro∣tection as Guilt.

VII. The Ill we do never brings so much Ha∣tred and Persecution upon us, as our good Qua∣lities.

VIII. Men frequently do good, only to get an opportunity of doing ill with greater security.

IX. It is safer to do some Men Hurt, than to do them too much good.

X. No Man can be truly Good, but such as are in a Station that gives them the Power of re∣venging the Wrongs that are done them.

* XI. Reason and Conscience are so Sacred, that the greatest Villanies are still countenanced under that Cloak and Colour.

XII. Quarrels would never last long, were the Wrong only of one side.

XIII. Some Heroes have been accounted so for being greatly Ill, no less than others for being greatly Good.

XIV. We often forgive those that have injur'd us, but we can never pardon those we have injur'd.

XV. There are but few Men wise enough to know all the Mischief they do.

XVI. The Violences we commit upon our selves, are oftentimes more painful, than those which other People use toward us.

XVII. There are some mischievous Men in

the World, that would not be able to do half so much hurt, if they had no Goodness at all.

XVIII. Nothing more discredits the Violence of Wicked Men, than the Moderation of the Good; and Perfecutors never become more o∣dious, than by the Wisdom of those whom they persecute.

* XIX. Innocence is no Protection against the Arbitrary Cruelty of a Tyrannical Power; for, accusing is proving, where Malice and Force are join'd in the Prosecution: Arguments then are but foolish Things, nay the very Merits, Virtues and good Offices of the Person accus'd, are im∣proved to his Condemnation.

Custom.

* I. CUstom is the Plague of Wise Men, and the Idol of Fools.

II. There is no Life so regular, where particu∣lar Actions don't sometimes exceed the general habit and conduct.

* III. Mens Thoughts are much according to their Inclinations; their Discourse and Speeches according to their Learning and in••used Opini∣ons; but their Deeds are after, as they have been accustomed.

Cunning, Tricks, Shifts, Treachery.

I. THe subtlest Fetch and Dissimulation, is to pretend being caught; for a Man is ne∣ver so easily over-reach'd, as when he is thinking to over-reach others.

II. The most cunning Men pretend to blame Tricking; that they may use it with more securi∣ty themselves, upon some great Occasion or In∣terest.

III. Frequent Cunnings and Fetches, argue a shallow little Wit; and it generally falls out, that he that conceals himself in one Instance, betrays himself as much by it in another.

IV. Those that have been over-reach'd by some of our Tricks, do not seem near so fool∣ish and ridiculous to us, as we our selves are in our own Opinion, when they have been too cunning for us.

V. It is very hard to determine whether an U∣niversal Goodness, shew'd to all the world, with∣out distinction, be the effect of Good-Nature, or great Cunning and Address.

VI. Lies, Arti••ices and Tricks, are as sure Marks of a low and poor Spirit, as false Mony is of a poor and low Purse.

* VII. There is not a greater Pest in Humane Society, than a Perverse Craft, under the Mask of Simplicity.

* VIII. The main Business of the World is no∣thing but Sharping and putting Tricks upon one another by turns.

* IX. 'Tis a good Discretion, when a Body has to do with an Adversary, that is either too crafty, or too strong for him, to turn him off to his Match; but it would be a cleverer way yet, to encounter the Stratagem, and to defeat one Sham with another.

X. 'Tis a fair step in Cunning and Subtilty, the possessing of other People with the belief that we are but indifferently so.

XI. Cunning is neither a very good nor a very bad Quality; it floats, if I may so speak, betwixt Virtue and Vice: And upon all occasions it may, nay perhaps it ought to be improved by Prudence.

XII. Cunning is the near occasion of Cheat; from one to the other, there is but one step, and a slippery one too, I mean a Lye; if a Man adds this to Cunning, he makes it an Imposture.

XIII. With those, who out of Cunning hear∣ken all, and speak l••ttle, the best Method is ei∣ther to speak little, or to speak very much, and say little.

* XIV. There is nothing looks sillier than a Craf••ty Knave out-witted, and beaten at his own play.

* XV. There is no trusting to the fair Words of those that have both an Interest and an Incli∣nation to destroy us; especially when the Design is carried on under the Mask of a friendly Office. It is but reasonable to oppose Art to Art, and where we suspect false play, to encounter one Trick with another; provided always that it be manag'd without breach of Faith, and within the compass of Honour, Honesty and good Manners.

* XVI. Of all scandalous and lewd Offices, Treachery is certainly the ba••est; 'tis a Sin against common Faith, Honour and Society; a Villany in short, that's never to be approv'd, how con∣venient soever it is in some Cases to be made use of.

* XVII. All Traytors are Mercenaries; and whoever betrays one Master for Advantage, will betray another for a better Price.

Detraction, Slander, Tale-Bearers.

I. 'TIs a pitiful sneaking sort of Life, that of a Back-biter; always to be pecking at, and feeding upon the Imperfections of others.

II. Generally speaking, it were a good Bargain, to renounce all that good Men can say of us, up∣on condition they would say no ill.

III. Too tender a Sense of what other People say ill of us, does but entertain the Malice of the World, which desires no more than that it may disturb us.

IV. The absolute want of such a Sense, so as to be moved at nothing they say, is a contrary Extream, that produces the same effect. This is such a sort of Contempt as the World is concern∣ed to Revenge it self upon.

V. There is a middle State and Temper to be found between these two Extreams; which in∣clines the World to make Allowances for some Actions in one Man, which yet they condemn without any Mercy in others. This makes the mighty difference between Ladies, that yet have taken the same liberties; so that some are ••un down, and it is scandalous to be seen in their Company; and others are esteem'd as Chast as Nuns, and no Reflections cast upon them.

VI. We speak ill of other People, generally not so much out of Malice as Pride.

VII. I hear so very ill a Character of such a Man, and I find him so very good, that I am apt to think that he has some troublesome M••rit, that drowns that of other People.

VIII. A Wise Man ought not to be concern'd at what is said against him; for if what they say of us be true, it is our business rather to correct our selves, than for others to contain themselves. If what is said of us be false, so soon as we shall shew a concern at it, we make it suspected for Truth. The contempt of such Discourses dis∣credits them, and takes away the Pleasure from those that make them.

* IX. There is hardly such another Pest in a Common-wealth, as a Consort of Parasites, that feed Governours with false Representations and Reports of Men and of Things: They first be∣tray their Masters to Dishonour and Ruine, and then when they find the Vessel sinking, save themselves in the Long-Boat.

* X. Busie Bodies and Intermedlers, are a dangerous sort of People to have to do withal; for there's no Mischief that may not be wrought by the craft and manage of a Double Tongue, with a foolish Credulity to work upon. There's hardly a greater Pest to Government, Conversa∣tion, the Peace of Societies, Relations and Fa∣milies, than officious Tale-bearers, Whisperers, and busie Intermedlers: These Pick-thanks are enough to set Mankind together by the Ears; they live upon Calumny and Slander, and cover themselves too under the Seal of Secrecy and Friendship. The Sin of Traducing is Diabolical,

according to the very Letter; and if the Office be artificially manag'd, 'tis enough to put the whole World into a Flame, and no body the wi∣ser which way it came. The Mischief may be promoted by Misrepresenting, Misunderstand∣ing, or Misinterpreting our Neighbors Thoughts, Words and Deeds; and no Wound so mortal as that where the Poyson works under a pretence of Kindness: Nay, there are ways of Commen∣dation and Insinuation, of Affection and E∣steem, that kill a Man as sure as a Gun. This Practice is the Bane of all Trust, and it is as fre∣quent in the Intrigues of Courts and States, as in the most ordinary Accidents of Life. 'Tis enough to break the neck of all Honest Purposes, to sup∣press all generous and publick spirited Motions, and to stiste all honourable Inclinations in the very Conception. But next to the Practice of these lewd Offices, deliver all Honest Men from, lying at the Mercy of those that encourage and entertain them.

Designs, Undertakings, Success,

I. HE that minds and busies himself about small Interests, becomes usually unfit for great Undertakings.

II. Though an Action appear never so bright and glorious in it self, it is not to be accounted great, if it be not the effect of Wisdom and Design.

III. Great Men's Honour ought always to be rated by the Methods they employ'd to carry on and accomplish their Designs.

IV. A Wise Man should order his Designs, and set all his Interests in their proper Places. This Order is often disturb'd by a foolish Greediness, which while it puts us upon pursuing several things at once, makes us eager for matters of less Con∣sideration; and we let the Main go, while we grasp at the Accessories.

V. There must be a true Proportion of the Acti∣ons, to the Designs, without which it is impossi∣ble for a Man to gain his Ends.

VI. There are a World of Proceedings, that ap∣pear odd and ridiculous, which yet are ground∣ed upon secret Reasons, that are very solid and substantial.

VII. It is hard to determine, whether a clear, open and honourable Proceeding, be the result of good Principles, or subtile Craft and Address.

VIII. It is with some Affairs, as it is with most Diseases; they are rather sowr'd and exaspera∣ted, than allay'd by untimely Remedies: And the height of Skill and Wisdom, is to know when they can bear the handling.

IX. There are but very few things impossible in their own Nature; and we want not Means; to conquer Difficulties, so much as Application and Resolution in the use of Means.

X. The dislike we commonly have of Nego∣tiators (or Arbitrators) arises from their being generally apt to sacrifice all the Interest of their Friends, for the advancing and bringing about their Negotiation, which they make their own

••nterest, by the Credit of having succeeded in their Undertakings.

XI. It is generally in Matters of no great mo∣ment, where we venture not to believe Probabili∣ties.

XII. We should desire very few things passion∣ately, if we did but perfectly know the Nature of the thing we desire.

XIII. In great Undertakings, the improving of Opportunities goes a greater way than the start∣ing of them.

XIV. No Commendations are thought too great for Prudence: And yet the highest pitch of it cannot ensure a Man the most inconsiderable Event.

XV. We should often blush for our best Ac••i∣ons, if the World did but see all the Motives up∣on which they were grounded.

XVI. Good Success is often owing to want of Judgment; for a nice Discretion keeps a Man from venturing upon several Attempts, which mere want of Consideration makes frequently turn to good account.

XVII. Our Actions are like the last Syllables of Words, which every Man makes Rhime to what he thinks fit.

XVIII. We execute slo••ly, what we resolve upon unwillingly.

XIX. Any thing that is extraordinary looks great, if the Success be favourable; as every thing that's great looks foolish, if the Success be contrary.

XX. There is a critical Point in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of all States, where their Ruin would be una∣voidable, if one knew how 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it were to de∣stroy

them; but for want of fore-sight clear e∣nough, or a sufficient Courage, Men are con∣tent with a little, when they might do more, making either the Meanness of Spirit, or the want of Greatness in the Soul, pass for Prudence.

XXI. Whatever we undertake, we must pro∣pose to our Thoughts some great and extraordi∣nary aim, and even such as is above our reach: For we could hardly be perswaded to begin our Journey, if we were sure to go no farther than we really shall.

* XXII. There is not any thing so small, b•• there goes Art and Application toward the ac∣quiring of it.

* XXIII. 'Tis of mighty Use to Men in any great and daring Attempt, to have their Follow∣ers and others think, there is Destiny in their be∣half; that they are God's Instruments, only ac∣complishing what he has long design'd they should; this renders them both most violent in their Motions, and incurable either by any Ad∣monitions, or even almost by any Unsuccessful∣ness or Discouragements.

* XXIV. Any thing is a good Reason for a Way to him, who before-hand is resolv'd to take it; he blames or commends, condemns or justi∣fies, as a Corrupt Party, not as an equal Iudge•• Self-Love s••eers all its Determinations; and fol∣lowing all its Windings, it is never true to the reality of the thing, but to its own conce•••• therein; which being differently affected by any ways, at different Times, it accordingly either applauds or decrys them, and has a Judg∣ment of them when they are in our own Case,

and another, when they are in our Neighbour's.

* XXV. Experience makes many a Wise Man of a Fool; and Security makes many a Fool of a Wise Man.

* XXVI. There's no forcing Nature against her Biass, or inverting the Methods of Provi∣dence. Irregular Desires and unreasonable Undertakings must expect to meet with Disap∣pointments: There is a proper Time for all Things, and nothing succeeds well, but what's done in Season.

* XXVII. Hasty Resolutions are seldom For∣tunate, and it is a piece of necessary Prudence for a Man, before he resolves any thing, to con∣sider what may be the Consequences of it.

* XXVIII. 'Tis matter of Skill and Address, when a Man cannot honestly compass what he would be at, to appear easie and indifferent up∣on all Repulses and Disappointments. Beside, it improves all our Disappointments into Provi∣dences, when we can let fall the vain desire of any thing, without feeling the loss of it.

* XXIX. Improbability and Impossibility, are two frightful Words to weaker Minds, but by dili∣gent and wise Men, they are generally found to be only the Excuses of Idleness and Ignorance. For the most part, they lie not in the things themselves, but in Mens false Opinions concern∣ing them; they are raised by Opinions, but are soon abolisht by Works. Many things that were at first improbable to the Minds of Men, are not so to their Eyes; many that seem'd unpra∣cticable to their Thoughts, are quite otherwise to their Hands: Many that are too difficult for

their naked Hands, may be soon perform'd by the same Hands if they are strengthen'd by Instruments, and guided by Methods: Many that are unmanageable by a few Hands, and a few Instruments, are easie to the joint Force of a Multitude: Many that fail in one Age, may succeed by the renew'd Endeavours of another▪ It is not therefore the conceit or ••ancy of Men alone, that is of sufficient Authority to condemn the most unlikely things for impossible; unless they have been tempted in vain, by many Eyes, many Hands, many Instruments, and many Ages.

* XXX. The E••rors of Young Men are the ruine of Business; but the Errors of Aged Men amount but to this, that more might have been done, or sooner. Young Men, in the Conduct and Management of Affairs, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they can quier; ••ly to the end without Consideration of the Means and Degrees; pursue some few Princi∣ples, which they have chanc'd upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown Inconveniences; Use extream Remedies at first, and that which doubles all Errors, will not ac∣knowledge or retract them. Men of Age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive Business home to the full period, but content themselves with a Mediocrity of Success. Therefore it is good to compound Employments of both; fo•• that will be good for the Present, because the Virtues of either Age may correct the Defects of both; and good for Succession, that Young Men may be Learners, while Old Men are Actors.

Devotion, Religion, Hypocrisy.

I. THE Devotion of some Ladies, on the turning of their Years, is no better than a kind of Decency taken up to shelter them∣selves from the Shame and the Jest of an anti∣quate Beauty; and to secure in every Change something that may sti••l recommend them to the World.

II. The Professors of strict Devotion, who with∣out absolute Necessity engage themselves in the Business and Commerce of the World, give us great cause to suspect the reality of their Devotion.

III. All Devotion which is not grounded upon Christian Humility, and the Love of one's Neigh∣bour, is no better than Form and Pretence. 'Tis generally the Pride and Pievishness of Philosophy; which thinks by despising the World, to revenge it self upon all the Contempt and Dissatis••action Men have met with from it.

IV. True Devotion is a Temper of Mind pure∣ly Spiritual, and de••ives it self from God; con∣sequently it is a very nice Thing, and ought to be observed very narrowly, and with exceeding Caution, by those that would keep themselves from being deceived in it.

V. The Doctrines of Christianity, which ought to be derived from the T••uths contain'd in the Gospel, are generally deliver'd to us, according to the Temper and Complexion of our Teacher••. Some, out of an exceeding Tende••ness and Good-Nature, and others from a sowre and

rugged Disposition, form and employ different∣ly the Mercy and Justice of God.

VI. There is always under the greatest Devo∣tion, a Proportion of Self-Love; great enough to set Bounds to our Charity.

VII. To consider purely the Repose of this Life, it would be well if Religion had more or less influence upon Mankind. It compels, and does not subject enough; like some Politicks, that take away the Sweetness of Liberty, without bringing the Advantages of Subjection.

VIII. Nothing can be more fickle than the Judgment of Men, as to the Religion of others; they treat as impious Persons those who forsake the World for God's sake; and those as weak and decay'd in their Understanding, that sacri∣fice Fortune to Religion.

IX. I question a little the Perswasion of those Preachers, who offering us the Kingdom of Hea∣ven in Publick, Sollicit in particular a small Be∣nefice with the utmost importunity.

* X. There's no such Masque for the greatest of Impieties, as a Veil of Religion.

* XI. Most People, Clergy as well as Laity, accommodate their Religion to their Profit; and reckon that to be the best Church there's most to be got by.

* XII. Men talk as if they believ'd in God; but they Live as if they thought there were none: For their very Prayers are often down∣right Mockeries, and their Vows and Promises are no more than Words of Course, which they ••ever intend to make good.

* XIII. 'Tis a fault which is very incident to Men of Devotion, to strive to make themselves and their own Opinions ador'd, while they only seem zealous for the Honour of God. For whe•• they have once form'd in themselves a perfect Model of the Will of God, and have long con∣firm'd their Minds by continual thinking upon it, they are apt to contemn all others that agree not with them in some Particulars.

* XIV. Presumption leads People to Infideli∣ty in a Trice; and so by insensible degrees to Atheism: For when Men have once cast off a Reverence for Religion, they are come within one step of laughing at it.

* XV. There never was an Hypocrite so dis∣guis'd, but he had some Mark or other yet to be known by.

* XVI. A Religious Hypocrite is only a De∣vil dress'd up with a Ray about him, and trans∣form'd into an Angel of Light. Take him in the very Raptures of his Devotions, and do but throw a parcel of Church-Lands in his way, he shall leap at the Sacrilege from the very Throne of his Glory, and Pick your Pocket, as a French Poet says of a Iesuit, in the middle of his Paternoster.

* XVII. A Man that reposes and assures him∣self upon Divine Protection and Favour, gathers a Force and Faith, which Humane Nature in it self could not obtain. Therefore, as Atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this; that it deprives Humane Nature of the means to exalt it self a∣bove Humane Frailty.

* XVIII. It were better to have no Opinion

of God at all, than such an one as is unworthy of him: For the one is Unbelief, and the other Contumely.

Education.

I. THE B••eeding we give Young People, is oftentimes but an additional Self-Love, by which we make them have a better Conceit of themselves.

* II. Lessons and Precepts ought to be gilt and sweetned, as we do Pills and Potions, so as to take off the disgust of the Remedy; for it holds both in V••rtue and in Health, that we love to be instructed, as well as Phy••sick'd with Pleasure.

* III. Nothing makes a deeper Impression upon the Minds of Children, or comes more lively to their Understanding, than those instructive No∣tices, that are convey'd to them by Glances, Insinuations and Surpize; and under the Cover of some Allegory and Riddle; naked Lessons and Precepts have nothing the force that Ima∣ges and Parables have upon our Minds and Af∣fections. Besi••e, that the very study to unriddle a Mystery, fu••nishes the Memory with more Tokens to remember it by.

* IV. The ••oundations of Knowledge and Virtue are laid in our Childhood, and without an ea••ly Care and Attention▪ we are as good as lost in our very Cradles; for the Principles that we imbibe in our Youth, we carry commonly to our Graves; and it is the the Education that

makes the Man. To speak all in a few words, Children are but Blank Paper, ready indifferently for any Impression, good or bad, (for they take all upon credit) and it is much in the power of the first comer to write Saint or Devil upon't, which of the two he pleases; so that one step out of the way in the I••stitution, is enough to poyson the Peace and the Reputation of a whole Life.

* V. All the Extravagances of the lewdest Life are nothing else but the more consummated Follies and Disorders, of either a Mis••taught or a neglected Youth: Nay, all the publick Out∣rages of a destroying Tyranny and Oppression, are but Childish Appetites let alone till they are ungovernable. Wherefore Children should be moulded while their Tempers are yet pliant and ductile; for it is infinitely easier to prevent ill Habits, than to Master them; as the choaking of the Fountain is the surest way to cut off the Course of the River: It should be consider'd too that we have the Seeds of Virtue in us, as well as of Vice; and whenever we take a wrong Biass, 'tis not out of a moral Incapacity to do better, but for want of a careful Manage and Discipline to set us right at first.

* VI. It is not for every Twatling Gossip, or some empty Pedant to undertake so difficult a Province as the Education of Youth; for it re∣quires a critical Nicety both of Wit and Judg∣ment, to find out the Genius or the Pr••pensions of a Child, and to divide so accurately betwixt the Good and the Evil, the Gracious and Per∣verse, as to hit the precise Medium of encourag∣ing

the one, without discouraging the other. And this Faculty of discerning is not enough neither, without a watchful Assiduity of Appli∣cation. The just Season of doing things must be nick'd, and all Accidents observ'd and im∣prov'd; for weak Minds are to be as narrowly attended as Sick Bodies. To say nothing of the infinite Curiosity of the Operation, in the form∣ing of our Lives and Manners; and that not one Man of Ten Thousand is competently qualified for the Office. Upon the whole Matter, there must be an Awe maintain'd on the one Hand, and at the same time, a Love and Reverence preserv'd on the other. And all this must be order'd too, with so gentile a Softness of Ad∣dress, that we may not hazard, either the sti∣fling or the quenching of generous Inclinations, by bearing too hard upon them, or the Licenti∣ating of any thing that is Course and Vulgar, out of a foolish Facility, or a mistaken Pity.

Elevation, Dignities, Authority.

I. THere is a kind of Elevation independent upon Fortune: 'Tis a certain Air of Authority, that seems to lay us out for great Things; 'tis a value we insensibly set upon our selves, an imperious Challenger of the Respects of other People; and a prevailing Quality that raises us more above them, than either Birth or Honours, or even Desert it self.

II. There is Worth sometimes without Eleva∣tion or Preferment; But very few Men arrive to Honours and Dignities without some Merit or other.

III. Dignities and Honours set off Merit, as good Dressing does handsome Persons.

IV. The generality of Men seem ••itter for those Employments they have not, than for those they stand already possest of.

V. When a Man leaps into a great Prefer∣ment, to which he is neither advanced by de∣grees, nor raised before by his own Hopes; it is scarce possible for him to maintain his Post with Honour, and make the World think he de∣serves his Character.

VI. We may seem great in an Employment be∣low our desert; but we generally look very little in one above it.

VII. Good Fortune almost always alters the Proceedings and the Air of a Man, and makes him quite another thing in all his Behaviour and Conversation. This is a great Weakness to trick and set one's self off with what is not our own. If Virtue were esteem'd above all other things, no Favour, no Advancement, would be able to change Men either in their Temper or Countenance.

VIII. It is a common thing to imagine we love a Man of great Interest and Fortune, with a very sincere Passion; But this is what we cannot be sure of till he be stripp'd of all the Advantages of Power and Greatness. Then one quickly dis∣cerns what it was that engag'd our Affection; if Interest were at the bottom of it, Honour may keep it up for some time, yet it quickly grows weary, and lets it fall to the ground.

IX. False Greatness is wild and untractable; for knowing her own weak side, she either hides her self, or never shews her self more than she thinks necessary to impose upon the World, and pre∣vent being taken for what she really is, I mean, true Littlenes••. True Greatness, on the contrary, is free, courteous, and popular; she is contented to be seen and handled, and loses nothing by be∣ing examin'd at close view. The more a Man knows her, the more he admires her: She bends out of Humanity to her Inferiours, and returns back to her natural Size without straining her self; sometimes she neglects her self▪ and re∣••its some of her Prerogatives, because, she knows, she can resume them again at pleasure. She laughs, she plays, but still with Dignity. A Man approaches her with no less freedom than Cir∣cumspection; her Character is to be Noble and E••sy; she inspires Men with Respect and Confi∣dence, and makes some Princes appear great, with∣out making us sensible that we are little.

X. Of all the Methods of making one's For∣tune in the World, the readi••••t and most effectu∣a••, is to make other People find their Interest in doing us good.

XI. There are but two general Methods whereby Men raise themselves in the World, that is, either by a Man's own Industry, or the Imbe∣cillity of others.

XII. We make a good Composition with our Friends, if being preferr'd to a considerable Post, they will count us among their Acquaintance.

XIII. It is not so difficult to raise one's self to a Place of great Trust, as to maintain one's self in it.

XIV. We see oftentimes Men fall from a high Fortune, by the same defaults that had raised them to it.

* XV. To scorn the Pomp and Greatness of the World before a Man knows them, does pro∣ceed rather from ill Manners, than Magnanimity.

* XVI. Might and Right are inseparable in the Opinion of the World; and he that has the longer Sword, shall never want either Lawyers or Divines to defend his Claim.

* XVII. People should have Care how they engage themselves in Partnerships with Men, that are too mighty for them, whether it be in Mony, Pleasure, or Business; for in unequal Alliances, the Poor and the Weak lie at the Mer∣cy of the Rich and the Powerful, and no reme∣dy but Patience and Resignation. Men in Power plunge their Clients into the Mud, with a Ring a∣bout their Necks; so that let them bring up what they will, nothing goes down with them that they shall be ever the better for: And when they come in conclusion to cast up the Profit and Loss of the Purchase, or the Project; what betwixt Force, Interest, and good Manners, the Adven∣turer scapes well if he can but get off at last with his Labour for his Pains.

* XVIII. There are some malicious spiteful People, that take so much Pleasure in the design of hurting others, as not to feel and understand that they only hurt themselves. This is the Case of those that will be trying Masteries with their Su∣periours, and biting of that which is too hard for their Teeth; but this is no better than down∣right Madness, to strike where we have no

Power to hurt, and to contend where we are sure to be worsted.

* XIX. Men in great Place are thrice Ser∣vants; Servants of the Sovereign or State; Ser∣vants of Fame; and Servants of Business. So as they have no Freedom either in their Persons, in their Actions, or in their Times.

XX. It is a strange desire to seek Power and to lose Liberty; or to seek Power over others, and to lose Power over a Man's own self.

XXI. The Advantages of the Great Ones over other People are in some respects extraordinary. I can yield them their Choice Dishes, their Rich Furniture, their ••ine Liveries, their Dogs, Hor∣ses, Jesters and Flatterers; but I cannot but en∣vy their Happiness, of having in their Service those that are equal, nay sometimes Superiour to them in Wit and noble Inclinations.

XXII. It costs the Great Ones so little to be ge∣nerous in Words; and their Quality so much dis∣penses with them, for not performing what they Promise; that I look upon it as a great piece of Modesty, their not being more free of their Promises.

XXIII. We get a great deal more by forsaking the great Ones, than by complaining of them.

XXIV. A Coldness in those that are above us, a neglect in not returning a Civility, makes us perfectly hate them; but a Salute or a Smile, brings 'em back to our Reconciliation.

XXV. There are a sort of haughty proud Men, that are humbl'd and tam'd, If I may use the Expression, by the Preferment of their Compe∣titors. This Misfortune sometimes prevails upon them so far, as to make them return you a Sa∣lute:

But Time, the great Waster of all Things, insensibly softens their Grief, and puts them at last into their natural byass.

XXVI. 'Tis mere Hypocrisy for a Man in an Eminent Station, not to take at first the place which is due to his Quality, and which no body disputes with him: It is an easie matter for him to be Modest; for if he throws himself into a Crowd, every body presently shrinks back to make way for him; or if he sits below his Rank, all the r••st of the Company presently forces him to sit higher. Modesty is of much harder di∣gestion to Men of an inferiour Condition; for if they chance to be in a Crowd, they run the hazard of being squeez'd to death; or if they chuse to sit in an uneasie Place, they are sure to be left to the free Enjoyment of it.

XXVII. The Great Ones have no reason to love the First Times; they are not favourable to them in the least: 'Tis a kind of Mortification for them to see that we all come from Brothers and Sisters, and that all Men compose but one Family, whose several Members only differ as to the degrees of Kindred.

XXVIII. If the Great Ones have the Opportuni∣ties of doing us good, they have seldom the good will to do it; and if they have a mind to do us harm, they do not always ••ind the Occasions; so that a Man may be extreamly mistaken in the kind and degree of Worship he pays them, upon the account of the good or ill he expects from them: We ought to honour and respect them, because they are great and we are little, and because there are others less than we that respect us.

XXIX. We ought to be very much reserv'd upon the Great Ones: There is generally a great deal of Flattery in the Praises we give them; and it is as dangerous to speak ill of them when they are alive, as 'tis base when they are out of the way.

* XXX. It is a common thing for Men to hate the Authors of their Preferments, as the Witnesses of their mean Original.

* XXXI. A Man that enters the World must be Industrious, but not affected in disclosing his Abilities: The best way is to observe a Gradati on, for the lowest steps to Greatness are the most secure; but swift Rises are often attended with precipitate Falls; and what is soonest got, is generally short in the Possession.

* XXXII. A Man rais'd to Grandeurs, that makes others find their Fortunes in his, joins a great Merit to a great Happiness: He is not the more happy by the Wealth which he enjoys, than by that which he knows how to give.

* XXXIII. 'Tis a Consolation for Inferiour Persons to find their Infirmities in those that have the Authority to govern them; and a great de∣light to those that are distinguished by Power, to be made, like others, for Pleasures.

* XXXIV. He that is asham'd of a mean Con∣dition, would be proud of a Splendid one.

* XXXV. Great Men had need borrow o∣ther Mens Opinions, to think themselves happy; for if they judge by their own Fee••ing, they cannot find it.

* XXXVI. In Place there is License to do Good and Evil, whereof the latter is a Cur••e;

for in Evil the best Condition is not to Will, the second not to Can; but power to do good is the true and lawful end of Aspiring; for good Thoughts, tho God accept them, yet towards Men are little better than good Dreams, except they be put in use, and that cannot be without Power and Place.

* XXXVII. A Place shews the Man; some for the better, and some for the worse.

* XXXVIII. It is an assured sign of a worthy and generous Spirit, whom Honour mends; for Honour is, or should be, the place of Virtue: And as in Nature things move violently to their Place, and calmly in their Place: So Virtue in Ambi∣tion is violent, in Authority settled and calm.

* XXXIX. Ostentation and Pride, upon the account of Honours and Preferments, is much more offensive, than upon any personal Qualifi∣cations. It argues Men do not deserve great Places, when they can value themselves upon them; if a Man would be truly valued, the way to it is to be illustriously Good. For even the greatest Men are more respected for the Emi∣nence of their Parts and Virtue, than for that of their Fortune.

* XL. Great Offices and great Honours are most truly said to be great Burdens; the slavery of them is but so much the greater, because it con∣cerns the Service of the Publick, who of all Ma∣sters is the hardest to be pleas'd.

XLI. 'Tis no small Misfortune for Great Men to have but few things to with or hope for, and to have thousands to lose.

Envy.

I. MEN are often so foolish as to boast and value themselves upon their Passions, even those that are most vicious. But Envy is so ungenerous and shameful a Passion, that no bo∣dy ever had the Confidence to own it.

II. There is something to be said for Iealousie, because it only designs the Preservation of some good, which we either have, or think we have a right to. But Envy is a raging Madness that cannot be satisfied with the good of any body.

III. The Applause we give to Men that are just setting up for Reputation in the World, is of∣ten from a Spirit of Envy, and a secret way of detracting from others, that have established a good Reputation to themselves already.

IV. Our Envy out lives generally the Pro∣sperity of those we Envy.

V. There are fewer Men free from E••vy, than void of Interest.

VI. If we look nicely into the several Effects of Envy, it will be found to carry a Man farther from his Duty, than Interest does.

VII. The surest sign of a great and noble Soul, is to be free from Envy.

VIII. Envy is less capable of Reconciliation, than Hatred.

IX. That Man that complains of being born to Misfortunes and Crosses, might in a great measure become happy by the Prosperity of his

Friends and Relations, but Envy bereaves•• him of this last Shift.

X. Envy pretends to no other Happiness than what it derives from the Misery of other Peo∣ple, and will rather eat nothing it self, than not starve those that would. There is in this Malevolence somewhat of the Punishment, as well as the Spite of the Damn'd: They take delight in other Peoples Miseries, and at the same time are their own Tormentors.

* XI. A Man that has no Vertue in himself, ever envies Virtue in others. For Men's Minds will either feed upon their own Good, or upon others Evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and who is so out of hope to attain to anothers Virtue, will seek to come at even hand by depressing anothers For∣tune.

* XII. Men of Noble Birth are noted to be Envious towards new Nobility when they rise: For the distance is alter'd; and it is like a deceit of the Eye, that when others come on, they think themselves go back.

* XIII. They that desire to excel in too many Matters, out of Levity and Vain Glory, are ever Envious; for they cannot want work, it being impossible but many in some one of those things should surpass them.

Examples, Imitation.

I. NOthing is of so infectious and pestilent a Nature as Example; and no Man does any exceeding good, or very ill thing, but it produces others of the same kind. We imi∣tate the Good out of Emulation, and the bad out of our natural Corruption and Malignity; which being confin'd and kept up close by Shame, is unlockt and let loose by Example.

II. Imitation always succeeds ill; and what∣ever is counterfeit and affected, grows nauseous and disgraceful, with those things, which when Natural, are most graceful and charming.

III. We are better pleas'd with those that strive to imitate us, than with those that endea∣vour to equal us. For Imitation argues Esteem; but a desire of Equality argues Envy.

* IV. Authority in Sin is an incentive to it; and it is at least an Excuse, if not a Warrant, to transgress after great Examples.

* V. 'Tis as much as a Man's Life, Fortune and Reputation are worth, to keep good Com∣pany, (over and above the Contagion of lewd Examples) for as Birds of a Feather will flock to∣gether; so if the good and the bad be taken to¦gether, they must expect to go the way of all Flesh together.

* VI. People that live by Example should do well to look very narrowly into the Force and Authority of the Precedent, without saying or doing things at a venture; for that may be∣come

one Man, which would be absolutely intolerable in another, under differing Circum∣stances.

* VII. He that follows Nature is never out of his way; and that which is best for every Man, is fittest for him too: He does it with ease and success, whereas all Imitation is putid and servile.

Failings, Defects.

I. EVery Man generally finds those Faults in others, which others find in him.

II. If we had no Failings of our own, we should not be half so much delighted, as we are, at the discovery of those of other People.

III. Men are not so unacquainted with their own Failings, as we are apt to imagine; for they are seldom in the wrong, when we hear them talk of their Conduct. The same Self-Love that blinds them at other times, guides them on these occasions, with so quick and pe∣netrating a Light, as to make them either sup∣press, or disguise the least matters that are liable to be condemned.

IV. Our bad Qualities generally take better in the intercourse of familiar Conversation, than our good ones.

V. The defects of the Mind, like the Wrinkles and Blemishes of the Face, grow still proporti∣onably with Age.

VI. Men make themselves ridiculous, not so

much by the Qualities they have, as by the Af∣fectation of those they have not.

VII. As some Men displease with Merit, so on the other hand, some are pleasant and agree∣able with Failings.

VIII. We confess our Faults by that Sincerity, to make amends for the injury they have done us in the Esteem of others.

IX. 'Tis only for great Men, to have great Failings.

X. The Defects of the Mind are like Wounds in the Body; which never can be so well heal'd up, but there remains still a Scar, which is in a continual Danger to break out again.

XI. We own our small Failings, with a design, to make People believe that we have no great ones.

XII. There are some Failings, which when ingeniously manag'd and improv'd, make a brighter shew than Virtue it self.

XIII. We have not the Confidence to say in general Terms, that our selves have no ill Qua∣lities, and that our Enemies have no good ones; but when we talk of Particulars, we are pretty near thinking so.

XIV. The greatest part of our Faults are more excusable, than the Methods we com∣monly use to conceal them.

XV. We value our selves and take a pride in the Faults most distant from our own; when we are fickle and irresolute, we brag of being obstinate and peremptory.

XVI. We easily forgive our Friends those Faults, that are not contrary to our Interests.

XVII. Most Men attempt to vindicate and take a pride in those Faults they have no design to mend.

XVIII. A great many Men, as if they had not Faults enough, are still perpetually adding to the number of them, by the Affectation of some particular Qualities, which they cherish and cultivate so carefully, that they come at last to be natural, and past their power to mend, though they would.

XIX. Most Men are asham'd of their Self∣conceit, when they come to know their Failings.

XX. Gravity is a mysterious Behaviour of the Body, to conceal the Defects of the Mind.

XXI. Prosperous Persons seldom mend their Faults; they always think themselves in the right, so long as Fortune Countenances their ill Conduct.

XXII. The Counterfeit Honest Man disgui∣ses his Faults to others and himself; the true un∣affected Honest Man knows his own Failings perfectly, and confesses them ingenuously.

XXIII. The grace of Novelty, and the length of Custom, though never so opposite to each other, yet do both alike disguise to us the Fail∣ings of our Friends.

XXIV. There are no good Copies, except such as expose the Ridicule and Folly of the Original.

XXV. Few Men fear to be despis'd, except those who really deserve to be so.

XXVI. It argues a great Mind, the free and sincere confessing both of our Faults and Perfe∣ctions.

XXVII. Did Men but take as much care to

mend, as they do to conceal their Failings; they would both spare themselves that trouble which Dissimulation puts them to; and gain over and above the Commendations they aspire to by their seeming Virtues.

* XXVIII. When a Man has any notable Defect or Infirmity about him, whether by Na∣ture or by Chance, 'tis the best of his play, to try the Humour, if he can turn it into a Fashion.

XXIX. To deny our Faults when others are acquainted with them, serves but to make us the more ridiculous, by adding Arrogance to our first Error.

XXX. We may learn as much by other Peo∣ple's Faults, as by their Instructions.

XXXI. It is an ordinary Failing with most Men, never to be contented with their Fortune, or dissatisfied with their Wit.

XXXII. As Perfumes affect more strongly o∣ther People, than those that carry 'em; so the Failings of others offend us much sooner than our own. The continual Commerce we have with our Inclinations, disguises them to us. Nothing is new in our selves, but every thing appears so in others. Our Reason contracts a kind of Fa∣miliarity and Friendship with our Defaults, when at the same time it weighs, examines and con∣demns those of our Neighbours with the utmost Severities.

XXXIII. There is ne'er a Man so perfect and necessary to his Friends, but he has some Defect or other, that Counterbalances in some measure his good Qualities, and renders his loss less sen∣sible to those that out-live him.

XXXIV. Men are not so much asham'd of their Crimes, as they are of their Weakness and Vanity. He that is openly Unjust, Violent, Per∣sidious and a Slanderer, conceals his Love or his Ambition, with no other design, than to conceal it only.

* XXXV. Men labour under many Imper∣fections, that no body would take notice of, if themselves were not over-sollicitous to conceal them.

Families, Masters, Servants.

I. MOst Masters cry out upon all Servants, that they are Rogues, and the Plagues of a Family; and if Servants ever come to be Masters, they will say just the same thing. The Reason is, because generally it is not the Qualities, but the Fortunes of Men, that make the difference between them.

II. Families are often inwardly torn and divi∣ded, by Distrusts, Jealousies and Antipathies; while a contented, cheerful and smiling Out side imposes upon the World, and makes us imagine, that there is nothing but Peace and Quietness Within: There are few Houses that get any thing by being too nicely look'd into; and Visits ge∣nerally suspend a Domestick Quarrel, which will begin afresh as soon as the Company goes off.

* III. No Men are so strict Exacters of Mo∣desty in a Servant, as those that are most prodi∣gal of their own.

* IV. Age is well-nigh sufficient to deface with some Masters every Letter and Action in the History of a Meritorious Life; and old Ser∣vices are generally bury'd under the Ruins of an old Carcass.

* V. 'Tis a common thing for a Master to sa∣crifice a Servant to his own Ease and Interest; but there's no medling with Men of that In∣hospitable Humour, where the Domesticks, how faithful soever, can never be secure.

* VI. It is a barbarous Inhumanity in Great Men to their Servants, to make their small Fail∣ings to be a Crime, without allowing their past Services to have been a Virtue; and this is found with Masters and Mistresses, as well in Courts as in private Families; where one s••um∣ble is oftentimes enough to deface the Character of an honourable Life.

Fidelity, Insidelity.

I. SMall Infidelities, whereby our selves are Sufferers, lessen the Committers of them in our Esteem, more than great ones committed against other People.

II. Fidelity in most Men, is nothing else but a Contrivance of Self-Love, to make our selves trusted. It is a Trick to raise our selves above other People, and get the most important Mat∣ters deposited in our hands.

Flattery, Praise.

I. FLattery is a False Coyn, which our own Vanity has made Current.

II. Men never would enjoy much Pleasure, if they never flatter'd themselves.

III. If we did not flatter our selves, the Flat∣teries of others could never hurt us.

IV. No body loves to be upon the Commend∣ing Strain; and indeed we seldom touch upon it without some By-End. Praise is a more ingeni∣ous, conceal'd, and nicer kind of a Flattery, which humours and affects severally, both the Giver and Receiver; the one accepts it as a Reward due to his Merit; the other gives it, that he may be lookt upon as a just and discreet Person.

V. We extol and value the Excellencies of other People, rather out of the Esteem of our own Opinions, than of their Worth; and when we pretend to commend other Men's Virtues, 'tis but a Side-wind to put other Men upon com∣mending ours.

VI. We often choose to make use of Com∣mendations, that carry a Sting in the Tail; and by taking Men at the rebound, as it were, lay open some Defects in the Persons so commend∣ed, which we dare not venture to expose any other way.

VII. Few Men are so wife as to prefer useful Reproofs to treacherous Praise.

VIII. As there are commending Reproofs, so there are abusive Praises.

IX. He that declines Praise the first time it is offer'd, does it from a desire of being prais'd over again.

X. The desire of being worthy the Com∣mendations of the World, is a great assistance and strengthning to our Virtues; and the ex∣tolling of Men's Wit, Courage, or Beauty, goes a great way towards the encrease of them.

XI. We generally pull down one Man's Re∣putation to set up anothers; and sometimes Men would not enlarge so much upon the Praise of the Prince of Conde, and Mareschal Turenne, if it were not out of a design to lessen them both.

XII. We seldom commend any body in Goodness, except those as admire us.

XIII. To commend Princes for Virtues they have not, is no better than a safe way to abuse them.

XIV. Nothing so much lessens the Merit of those that have deserv'd great Praises, than the trouble they are eternally at, to make themselves valued by Trifles.

XV. When we commend good and noble Actions, we make them in some measure our own.

XVI. Nothing ought in Reason to mortifie our Self-Satisfaction, more than our applaud∣ing and crying up at one time, what we blame and run down at another.

XVII. Former Times are sometimes cry'd up, only to run down the present, and we va∣lue what is now no more, that we may slight that which is.

XVIII. Men fancy sometimes they have an Aversion to Flattery, when it is only to the man∣ner of being flatter'd: And that Modesty that would seem to decline Praise, is at the bottom only a desire of having it better exprest.

* XIX. There is a kind of Insinuation and Compliance, that is far from any servile Baseness, or sordid Flattery, and may be term'd Dis∣cretion rather than Adulation.

* XX. Whosoever is vext at a Reproach, would be Proud if he were commended.

* XXI. 'Tis difficult to write justly in any thing, but almost impossible in Praise.

XXII. There are some Men greedy of Ho∣nour, that love Praise even from the mean∣est sort, and are less satisfied to be commend∣ed by a few Judicious Persons, than to be admired by an ignorant Multitude.

XXIII. To commend the Great Ones, is a nice Phrase in its Original, and signifies un∣doubtedly, to commend one's Self, by publish∣ing all the good a Man rais'd in Honours has done us, or that he ever design'd to do us.

XXIV. We generally commend the Great Ones, to acquaint others that we approach them, and very seldom out of Esteem or Gra∣titude: Nay, sometimes we commend those we never saw in our Lives; and which is yet more strange, there are Occasions where our Vanity prevails against our Resentments, and makes us commend those, of whom we have reason to complain.

XXV. All the Fortune of a Prince, is too little to recompense a base Flatterer, if he designs to make him amends for what he forfeits of his own, (I mean, his Honour and Reputa∣tion:) But on the other hand, all the Power of a Prince is not too great to punish him, if he will make his Revenge proportionable to the Wrong he suffers by being flatter'd.

XXVI. A Flatterer has neither good Opinion of himself, nor others.

XXVII. 'Twould be a kind of Fierceness and Brutality, for a Man to reject all man∣ner of Praises: We may be sensible to those of the Good, because they commend in us nothing but what really deserves to be commended.

* XXVIII. There's hardly any Man living, that may not be wrought upon more or less, by Flattery: For we do all of us naturally over-wean in our own Favour; but when it comes to be apply'd once to a vain Fool, it makes him forty times an Arranter Sot, than he was before.

* XXIX. Flattery will never be out of Cre∣dit, so long as there are Knaves to give it, and Fools to take it.

* XXX. Flattery is never more Pernicious, than in the Courts of Princes, because a good deal of it looks like Duty; as in private Cases it carries a face of Friendship. The way to rise, is to please, and whatsoever is gotten by it, comes by Treachery.

* XXXI. The only benefit or good of Flat∣tery is this; that by hearing what we are not, we may be instructed what we ought to be.

Fortune, Chance.

I. HOw different soever Men's Fortunes seem to be, there is still in all a Mix∣ture of Ill and Good, that renders them much alike.

II. All the Advantages and ••ndowments of Nature, cannot make a Hero without the help of Fortune.

III. Though Men are apt to flatter and va∣lue themselves upon their great Actions and Atchievements; yet these are seldom the Ef∣fects of Design and Industry, but generally of a lucky Chance.

IV. Fortune turns and converts every thing to the advantage of her Darlings.

V. Our Happiness and Misery depends as much upon our own Humour, as upon For∣tune.

VI. Our Actions seem to be influenc'd by lucky and unlucky Stars, to which they owe the greatest part of the Praise or Blame, which is given to the Actions themselves.

VII. No Man can tell what he will do, except he can answer what Fortune he shall have.

VIII. Fortune mends many Faults in us, which could not have been mended by Reason and Iudgment.

IX. In the midst of all the various and un∣certain Accidents in the World; there is still to be observ'd a secret Order and Concate∣nation

of Things, directed and over-ruled by Providence; which makes every one move in its Rank, and follow the Course of its Ap∣pointment.

X. The making of a Great Man depends upon the improving all Accidents to some Ad∣vantage.

XI. Opportunities make us known to others, but much more to our selves.

XII. Men appear Vicious or Honest, more or less, according to the Station they are in; so that Fortune is to Virtues and Vices, what Light is to the Objects of the Sight.

XIII. No body thinks Fortune so blind, as those she has been cross to.

XIV. We should manage our selves with our Fortune, as we do with our Health; enjoy it when Good; bear it patiently, when Ill; and never use desperate Remedies, but upon despe∣rate Occasions.

XV. Fortune oftentimes makes a Man's Fail∣ings the means of his rise; and there are some troublesom impertinent Coxcombs, who deserve to be rewarded so far, as to have their Absence purchased by Preferment at a Di∣stance.

XVI. Men's Merit is generally judg'd of by the Vogue of the Fortune they are in.

XVII. There is an Excess both in good and ill Fortune, which is beyond our Sensibility.

XVIII. Greater Virtues are required to bear a good, than ill Fortune.

XIX. Fortune has as great an Influence upon our Wisdom, as upon our Possessions.

XX. The generality of Men are like Plants, whose Virtues and unheeded Properties are sound out by Chance.

XXI. Fortune gives out the Parts Men are to play upon this Stage of the World blindly, and just according to her unaccountable Hu∣mour; this is the reason why there is so much ill Acting; because Men very seldom hit upon those Characters that are fit for them. Or to speak in a more Christian Style, what we call Fortune, is no other than the Providence of God, which permits these disorders, for Reasons which we are not able to dive into.

XXII. Great Politicians, manage and com∣mand Fortune, as great Captains do their Sol∣diers.

XXIII. As much as Men rail at Fortune up∣on the Account of her Blindness and Whimsies, yet it must be confest, that there is no Pru∣dence like hers. Her designs are so well con∣triv'd, and carried on with such a Dexterity, that it is past our fore-sight to prevent them; and in spite of our own Conduct, she never fails to bring about her Undertakings.

XXIV. Fortune makes Crimes pass for Frolicks in her Favourites; and Frolicks for Crimes in those she's averse to.

XXV. The Caprices of Fortune are observa∣ble in Men's Opinions, as well as in their Pos∣sessions. Some Years ago the Pope was Infal∣lible at Paris no less than at Rome: But now he is accounted liable to Errors in France, while he remains still Infallible in Italy.

* XXVI. When things go ill, each Cox∣comb sets up for a States-man, and thinks himself the wisest if he chances to be more happy than his Neighbours.

* XXVII. There are certain Moments of our Lives, wherein Fate delights to mock our Wit and Prudence, to baf••le our strict Caution, and ridicule all our Conduct, that we may learn the Lesson of Resignation, and not trust too much to our selves.

* XXVIII. Fortune is like the Market, where many times, if you can stay a little, the Price will fall. And again, it is sometimes like Sy∣billa's offer, which at first offers the Commo∣dity at full, then consumes part and part, and still holds up the Price.

Friendship.

I. WHat we call Friendship is no more than an Intercourse of Society; 'tis only a mutual Care and Management of In∣terests, and an exchange of good Turns and Services. In a Word, it is only a sort of Traffick, in which Self-Love has always Profit in Prospect.

II. That which makes Men so unsteady and fickle in Friendship, is both the difficulty of knowing the Qualities and Dispositions of the Soul, and the Facility of knowing those of the Wit.

III. It is impossible for Men to love any thing without some respect to their private Interests: And we only follow our own Incli∣nation and Pleasure, when we prefer our Friends before our selves; and yet this Prefer∣ence is the only thing that can render Friendship perfect and sincere.

IV. The Reconciliation of Enemies, is com∣monly Men's desire to better their Condition; a Weariness of Acts of Hostility, and a fear of some ill Accident, which they are willing to prevent.

V. 'Tis more disgraceful for a Man to distrust his Friends, than to be cozen'd by them.

VI. We oftentimes fancy that we love Per∣sons in Authority, when it is nothing but In∣terest that makes us fond of them. And all our Applications and Attendances are not so much upon the account of any good we desire to do them, as for what we expect and hope they may do us.

VII. It shews that our Affection is but small, when we are not sensible of our Friends Cold∣ness and Indifference.

VIII. Most Friends create a disgust for Friend∣ship, and most Religious Hypocrites for Religion.

IX. We often complain of our Friends Fickle∣ness, only to justifie before-hand our own In∣constancy.

X. We are but little concern'd for our Friends disgraces when they give as an occasion of sig∣nalizing our ••enderness for them.

XI. When we proclaim and aggravate the Tenderness our Friends have for us; 'tis not

so much out of Gratitude, as from a desire to possess other People with a good Opinion of our own Worth.

XII. 'Tis not an easie matter to love those, for whom we have not a real Esteem; but 'tis much harder still to love those, that we think deserve a great deal more than our selves.

XIII. No Man can continue long in the re∣spect he owes to his Friends and Benefactors, that allows himself the liberty to talk of their Faults.

XIV. We may sooner be brought to love those that hate us, than those that love us more than we desire they should.

XV. The boldest Attempt of Friendship, is not to discover our Failings to a Friend, but to shew him his own.

XVI. The Deceitfulness of our Friends may justifie our Indifference to the Expressions of their Tenderness; but in no manner, our In∣sensibility to their Misfortunes.

XVII. The Reason why most Ladies are so little affected by Friendship, is, because it tastes very flat and insipid, after the Relishing of Love.

XVIII. In Friendship as well as Love, Ignorance very often contributes more to our Happiness, than Knowledge.

XIX. There is a certain Relish in true Friend∣ship, above the sensibility of those that are mean∣ly born.

XX. Time strengthens Friendships, and weakens Love.

XXI. As long as Love lasts, it subsists by it self; nay, sometimes by those very things that seem to be most for its Destruction, as Caprices, Cruelties, Absence and Jealousies. Friendship, on the contrary, must have something to sup∣port it, and faints away for want of mutual Offices, Confidences and Complaisance.

XXII. Love and Friendship do reciprocally exclude one another.

XXIII. Hatred is not so far from Friendship, as Antipathy is.

XXIV. To live with our Friends, as if they were to be one day our Enemies; and with our Enemies as with those that may become our Friends, is neither according to the Rules of Friendship, nor the Nature of Hatred.

XXV. We ought to take Care not to make those our Enemies, which if better known, we should be glad to count among our Friends: And on the other side, we ought to chuse Friends so true and so honest, that when they cease to be so, will scorn to take an Advantage against us, of our former Confidence.

XXVI. Men can never go a great way in Friendship, without a Disposition to wink mu∣tually at one anothers small Defects.

* XXVII. There's more hazard in the Succour of a new powerful Friend, than in the Hostility of an old dangerous Enemy.

* XXVIII. A principal fruit of Friendship, is, the ease and discharge of the fulness and swell∣ings of the Heart, which are caused by Passions of all kinds. We know Diseases of Stoppings and Suffocations are the most dangerous in the

Body, and it is not much otherwise in the Mind.

* XXIX. We may observe how high a rate Princes do set upon this Fruit of Friendship, since they purchase it many times at the hazard of their own Safety and Greatness. For Princes, by reason of the distance of their Fortune from that of their Subjects and Servants, cannot ga∣ther this Fruit except they raise some Persons to be as it were Companions, and almost equal to themselves, which many times proves of dan∣gerous Consequence.

XXX. As uncommon a thing as True-Love is, it is yet more frequent than True-friendship.

XXXI. True Friendship destroys Envy, as True-Love breaks a Coquet Humour.

XXXII. Though we ought not to love our Friends, only for the good they do us, yet it is a plain case, they love not us, if they do not do us good, when they have it in their power.

XXXIII. Though the generality of Friendships contracted in the World, do by no means de∣serve that honourable Name; yet a Man may very well make his best of them, as he sees oc∣casion, as of a Trade, that is not fixed upon any sure Fund, and where nothing is more usu∣al, than to find our selves cheated.

XXXIV. There is in all Sciences some Chimera or other, which we eternally pursue in vain. As Chymistry has its Philosophers Stone; so has Geo∣metry its Quadrature of the Circle; Astronomy its Longitudes; Mechanicks their perpetual Motion: It is impossible to find out all these, but it is very useful to search after them, by reason of the

Discoveries we make by the way. Mo∣ral have also their Chimera, that is, Disinter∣estness, or Perfect Friendship: No Man will ever come up to it, yet it is good that all should pre∣tend to it, since by that they attain to many other Virtues.

XXXV. A true Friend is but a pleasing Dream of the Love of our selves, which Adver∣sity and Experience dissipate.

* XXXVI. We speak well of our Friends to get the Friendship of others, by a shew of Gratitude.

* XXXVII. It is as hard to be a good Friend and a Lover of Women, as it is to be a good Friend and a Lover of Mony.

* XXXVIII. He will be much out in his Account, who numbers his Friends by the visits that are made him, and confounds the Decen∣cies of Ceremony and Commerce with the Offices of United Affections.

* XXXIX. He will find himself in as great a Mistake, that either seeks for a Friend in a Court, or tries him at a feast.

* XL. A false Friend is like the Shadow in a Dial; it appears in Clear Weather, but vanishes assoon as that is Cloudy.

XLI. There are some Friends, whose only Prospect is their own Satisfaction; provided they have nothing to reproach themselves with∣al, the Misfortune of another does not much affect them; nay, they would be concern'd, that it was ended so soon. They continue it sometimes for the Continuance of their own Glory. They Rejoice, they Triumph in secret for a Disgrace, which gives them an occasion

of shewing themselves, instead of searching the most ready means to assist you; they search the most signal ones to make themselves ho∣noured, and look upon their Friends, as Vi∣ctims devoted to their Reputation.

XLII. The Offices of True Friends, have something of Liveliness, which always precedes our Wants, and even prevents our very De∣sires. But Honour, which disguiseth it self un∣der the Name of Friendship, is nothing but a Self Love, that serves it self in the Person it makes an appearance of serving. The Friend, who Acts but by this Motive, advances to do good in Proportion only to the encrease of his Reputation. He stops short when his Witnes∣ses are gone: 'Tis a false Brave, that turns his Eyes to see if he is regarded: 'Tis a Hypo∣crite that gives Alms with an unwilling Mind, and pays this Tribute to God, only to impose upon Men.

Gesture, Countenance.

I. ALL Passions and Resentments of the Soul, have their Tone of Voice, their Gestures of the Body, and their Forms and Air peculiar to them; and the mutual Relation of them, either good or bad, makes accordingly Per∣sons either pleasant or unpleasant.

II. All Men affect an Air and Out side, suitable to their Profession, that may make them appear what they have a mind to be taken for. So that we may say, That the World is made up of nothing but formal Countenances and Shews.

III. The Air and Affectation of a Citizen, is sometimes lost in an Army, but never in a Court.

Hatred, Revenge.

I. WHen our Hatred is too fierce, it sub∣jects us to the Persons we hate.

II. The exposing of a Man, and making him Ridiculous, dishonours him more than a real Dishonour.

III. The most illustrious Revenge, is to par∣don where we might destroy.

IV. As we love more and more, those we still oblige; so we hate most violently those we have injur'd.

V. It is as hard to smother the Resentment of a fresh Injury, as to preserve it after a certain Time.

* VI. Some People, to gratifie their Resent∣ments, court their Enemies Persecution, that they may have deeper grounds for Revenge.

VII. Hatreds are generally so obstinate and sullen, that the greatest sign of Death in a sick Body, is his desire of being reconciled to his Enemies.

VIII. The most subtile and artificial Re∣venge, is to make as if one was not offended; For the grief and smart our Enemy intend∣ed us by the A••front, falls soul upon him, and cruelly Torments him with the Sting of the Dis∣appointment.

IX. Weakness makes us hate an Enemy, and seek to be reveng'd on him: But Laziness gene∣rally allays our Resentment, and makes us pass by the A••••ront.

* X. Revenge is a kind of wild Justice, which the more Man's Nature runs to, the more ought Law to weed it out: For as the first Wrong, it does but offend the Law; but the Revenge of that Wrong puts the Law out of Office. Certainly in taking Revenge, a Man is but even with his Enemy; but in passing it over he is Superiour, for it is only a Princes part to pardon.

* XI. The most tolerable sort of Revenge, is, for those Wrongs, which there is no Law to Redres••: But then, let a Man take heed that the Revenge ••e such, as there is no Law to pu∣nish; else a Man's Enemy is still before-hand, and it is two for one.

* XII. Some People are Slaves to their Re∣venge, and are sometimes so angry with others, as to hurt themselves for it.

Health.

I. 'TIS a troublesom sort of Disease, the Living strictly by Rule, for the Preser∣vation of Health.

II. Sobriety in the generality of Men, is only a fondness of Health, or the effect of a weak Constitution, which will not bear Intemper∣ance.

III. We ingratiate our selves with other People, either by humouring their Reigning Passion, or being compassionate to, and bear∣ing with their Bodily Infirmities: To these may be referr'd all our Applications and At∣tendances; and hence it is, that Men in per∣fect Health, or free from Passions, are more difficult to be managed.

Heaviness.

I. IF we consider the several Effects of Hea∣viness, we shall find, that it makes us neglect our Duty, more than our Interest does.

Honour.

I. HOnour and Disgrace are mistaken and ima∣ginary Appellations, if not related to the real good or ill that attends them.

II. Nothing can be more Foolish and Chi∣merical, than the Passion of those, that through a World of Hardships and Dangers, endea∣vour to transmit a famous Name to after Ages. All this Honour and Reputation, which they look upon as boundless, is yet confin'd with∣in the narrow compass of their Imagination, which, crowding all Posterity into one Age, sets before their Eyes, as if they were pre∣sent together, those future Honours, which they shall never live to enjoy.

III. It is with Glory, as with Beauty; for as a single sine Lineament cannot make a handsom Face, neither can a single good Quality render a Man Accomplisht; but a Concurrence of many fine Features and good Qualities, makes True Beauty and True Honour.

IV. Honour is but an imaginary Duty, which robs us often of real Conveniences.

* V. Every Man sets up a Court of Ho∣nour within himself; Pronounces every thing Honourable, that serves his purpose, and laughs at them that think otherwise.

Humour.

I. THE Caprices of our Humours are more whimsical and unaccountable, than those of Fortune.

II. We are sensible only of great Transports, and extraordinary Emotions in our Humour and Constitution; as of Anger, when it is violent; but very few take notice that these Humours have a regular and stated Course, which moves and winds our Wills to different Actions, by gentle and insensible Impressions. They go their Rounds, as it were, and command us by turns; so that a considerable part of what we do is theirs, though we are not able to see how it is so.

III. All the Gifts of Fortune are no more, than our Humour is pleas'd to rate them.

IV. There are always more Defects in the Humour, than in the Mind.

V. It is with our Humours, as with the ge∣nerality of Buildings; they have several Fa∣cings and Prospects, some of them ••ine and pleasant, and some rough and disagreeable.

VI. Fools and Blockheads see every thing through their own Humour.

VII. The Composedness, or Perturbation of our Humour, does not depend so much upon the great and most considerable Acci∣dents of our Lives, as upon a suitable or

unsuitable Management of little Things, that befal us every day.

VIII. Some Men adapt themselves to all sorts of Characters, with so dextrous a Com∣pliance, that one would swear their Humour were that of all others; they appear Gene∣rous with Men of Honour; subtile with In¦triguing Persons; without Parts to the Stu∣pid; and commit voluntary Fopperies to agree with real Fops.

IX. As those who concert things the best, don't always stick to the justice of Rules; so the most Irregular don't always follow the Disorders of their Inclinations and Hu∣mours.

* X. Some People are always in good Hu∣mour, because they are never out of Conceit with themselves.

XI. When we say of a Man who is ha∣sty, passionate, inconstant, quarrelsom, morose, exceptious, whimsical, &c. That's his Humour; we do not so much excuse him, as confess unawares, that so great Faults are past mend∣ing.

Hope.

I. HOpe, though never so uncertain and deceitful, is still of this good Use to us, that it Conducts us to our Journey's End, an easier and more pleasant way.

II. In a miserable Condition, where all things are despair'd of, a Man is easily per∣swaded rather to confide in another, than in himself.

Happiness, Misfortunes.

I. HAppiness lies not in the Things them∣selves, but in our own Palate, and the relish we have of them: We are happy by the Enjoyment of what we fancy and de∣sire, and not what other People think lovely and desirable.

II. One considerable part of Happiness, is, to know how far a Man may be Unhappy.

III. We generally make a false Estimate, both of our Misfortunes and Felicities; and we are never so happy or unfortunate, as we think we are.

IV. If a Man cannot find Ease within him∣self, 'tis preposterous for him to seek it any where else.

V. Nothing goes so far in the Happiness of our Lives, as to know things as really they are; and this Knowledge is to be acqui∣red by frequent Reflections upon Men, and the several Affairs of the World, rather than by the perusal of Books.

* VI. Nothing goes nearer a Man in his Misfortunes, than to find himself undone by his own Folly, or but any way accessory to his own Ruin.

VII. Pity and Compassion is often a Resent∣ment of our own Miseries, occasion'd by those of our Neighbours: It is an ingenious Fore∣sight of the Disgraces we may fall into; we relieve others, to ingage them to return the like, when our own Occasions call for it; and the good Offices we do them, are, in strict speaking, so many Kindnesses done to our selves before-hand.

VIII. It goes a great way toward Felicity, the using of our selves to other Peoples Follies, and not taking offence at every Impertinence, that passes in our Company.

IX. It is an ordinary Impertinence, for Men in Disgrace, to infect every thing with their Misfortunes.

X. There are some common Misfortunes, which have a Relation to all Men; but every Man has his particular Sentiments of them, and so endures in that Sense, the whole weight of his Affliction singly. But in our private Disgra∣ces, that which affects us most, is to see no body bear a Resemblance to us. We cannot with Patience behold our selves destin'd to suffer an Unhappiness alone, which all the World may be affected with as well as we: And no∣thing so much augments the Sharpness of our Afflictions, as the Fierceness and Pride of those who seem to brave and despise them.

* XI. The more we struggle with our Mis∣fortunes, we draw the Knot the harder, as the more the Bird flaps and flutters in the Snare, the surer she is caught.

* XII. The Misery and Happiness of the whole Life of Mortals, are Themes scarce worth a Passion. Whatever we endure as an Evil, or possess as a Good, are both so short, that as the one need not sink us to an Excess of Grief, so neither does the other deserve an Excess of Ioy.

XIII. There is but one real Misfortune that can befal a Man, which is to be in Fault, and to be reproacht with any ill Thing by one's own Conscience.

* XIV. No Man is to account any thing a Loss, if he gets Wisdom by the bargain; for as we say, Bought Wit is best. And it is in some Pro∣portion in the Business of this World, as it is in that of the next; in the Cases, I mean, of Losses, Miscarriages and Disappointments: We are in both Respects the better for them, for they are Monitory and Instructive. Affliction makes a Man both Honest and Wife; for the Smart brings him to a sense of his Error, and the Ex∣periment to the knowledge of it.

* XV. There are no People so Miserable, but that at some time or other, in some thing or other, they have reason to account themselves happy. And if they would but duly consider, how it is with many of their Neighbours, they would find it their Duty to be thankful, that it is no worse with themselves; for it is some Re∣lief to the Unfortunate, to shew them that there are others yet more Miserable.

* XVI. It may seem to be a kind of a Malici∣ous Satisfaction, that one Man derives from the Misfortunes of another. But the Philosophy of this Reflexion stands upon another Ground; for

our Comfort does not arise from other Peoples being Miserable, but from this Inference upon the Ballance, that we suffer only the Lot of Humane Nature; a••d as we are Happy or Mi∣serable, compar'd with others, so other People are Miserable or Happy compar'd with us: By which Justice of Providence, we come to be convinc'd of the Sin, and the mistake of our Ingratitude.

* XVII. In all the Cases of our Lives, we fancy our selves much more Miserable than we are; for want of taking a true Estimate of Things, we fly into Transports without Reason, and judge of the Happiness or Calamity of Humane Life, by false Lights. A strict Enquiry into the Truth of Matters will help us in the one, and Comparison will set us right in the other.

Idleness, Sloth.

I. MAny People are kept within their Du∣ty, because they have not the Cou∣rage, or will not be at the pains of being Wick∣ed: And in such Cases Virtue runs away with that Praise, which is due only to Timidity or Sloth.

II. When Idle Men have indulg'd themselves, as much as they think fit, no body is then so full of Haste and Activity as they, because, they hope, this quickning of others will give them the Reputation of Diligence.

III. Of all the Passions we are expos'd to, none is more conceal'd from our knowledge

than Idleness; it is the most violent and most mischievous of any, though its Violence be in∣sensible, and its Mischievousness unheeded and secret: If we carefully consider its power, it will be found upon all occasions to have an ab∣solute Sway over our Sentiments, our Interests, and our Pleasures. This is a Remora that can stop the largest Ships, and a Calm more danger∣ous to our Undertakings than any Rocks or Sands, or even the most violent Storms. The Ease and Tranquility of Sloth is a powerful Charm, that suppresses on the sudden our most vigorous Pursuits, and shakes our most peremp∣tory Resolutions: In a Word, (to give a true Notion of this Passion) Idleness is a Blessedness of the Soul, that makes her easie under all her Losses, and supplies the place of all her Enjoy∣ments and Advantages.

IV. 'Tis a mighty Error to suppose, that none but violent and strong Passions, such as Love and Ambition, are able to conquer the rest. Even Idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, does often triumph over them all: This Usurps the Throne, and sits Paramount over all the De∣signs and Actions of our Lives; and insensibly wasts and destroys both all our Virtues and Vices••

V. Of all our Failings, we are apt to confess Laziness the more easily, because we perswade our selves, that it sticks close to all peaceable Virtues; and as for the rest, that it does not de∣stroy any of them utterly, but only suspends the Exercise of them.

VI. There is more Laziness in the Mind, than in the Body.

VII. Idleness and Constancy fix the Mind to it what finds easie and agreeable: This Habit al∣ways confines and cramps up our Notions, and no body was ever at the pains to stretch and carry his Understanding, as far as it could go.

VIII. We have very often more Strength than good Will to use it; but we fancy things im∣possible to be done, to reconcile our selves to our own Idleness.

IX. If we cast an Eye on all the Tempests, which arise within our Breasts, and consider the Causes and Remedies of all the violent Desires, malicious Envies, intemperate Ioys, and irregular Griefs, by which the Lives of most Men become Miserable, or Guilty; we shall find that they are generally produc'd by Idleness, and may be most naturally cur'd by Diversion. What-ever Art shall be able to busie the Minds of Men, with a constant Course of Innocent Works, or to fill them with as vigorous and pleasant Images, as those ill Impressions, by which they are deluded; it will certainly have a surer Effect in the composing and purifying of their Thoughts, than all the Precepts of the Moralists.

Iealousie.

I. JEalousie lives upon Doubts and Suspicions; but as soon as these become Certainties, then the Passion either ceases, or turns absolute Mad∣ness.

II. Iealousie is always born with Love, but it does not always dye with it.

III. Unfaithfulness ought to quench our Love quite; and we do ill to be jealous when there is Reason: No body deserves the Jealousie of an∣other, who will give any just occasion for it.

IV. Iealousie is not so much the effect of the Love of another, as the Love of our selves.

V. The reason why the pains we feel from Shame and Iealousie are so smart and cutting, is, because Vanity cannot assist us to bear them.

VI. Iealousie is the greatest of Evils, and yet the least pity'd by those that occasion it.

Interest.

I. INterest speaks all manner of Languages, and acts all forts of Parts, even that of Impar∣tiality.

II. Interest makes some People blind, and others quick••sighted.

III. We Promise according to our Hopes, and perform according to our Fears.

IV. Virtues are lost in Interest, as Rivers are swallowed up in the Sea.

V. The bare Name and Pretence of Virtue, is more serviceable to a Man's Interest than Vice.

VI. Interest puts Men upon exercising Virtues and Vices, as the Occasion requires.

VII. Interest, upon which we generally lay the blame of all our ill Actions, oftentimes deserves to be commended for our good ones.

VIII. Luxury and too great Delicacy of Man∣ners in a State, are infallible Symptoms of its Declension: For when Men are so over-curi∣ous and nice in their own Concerns and Interests, the Good of the Publick is generally neglected.

IX. Magnanimity despises all, that it may grasp all.

* X Whosoever gains by the Dead, has not much Kindness for the Living.

* XI. Interest supersedes all Arguments of Af∣fection and Consanguinity.

Iustice, Injustice, Iudgment.

I. JUstice, in strict speaking, is nothing else, but a quick and intimate Fear of losing one's own. This makes Men tender of their Neighbours Property and Interests, and religi∣ously careful not to invade it. This Fear holds Men in, within the compass of that Estate which either Birth or Fortune has given them; and were it not for this, they would continually be making Incursions upon one another.

II. Iustice, in moderate and well-behaved Iudges, is often only the love of their Preferment.

III. We except against some Iudges in mat∣ters of very little concern, when at the same time we are content to have our Reputation and Honour depend upon the Judgment of Men, which are all against us, either by Jea∣lousie, Prejudice, or Ignorance: And we ex∣pose

our Ease and our Loves only to bribe them, to give Sentence in our Favour.

IV. Men and Actions are like Objects of Sight, and have also their Points of Perspective; some must be seen at a distance, and others, at close view, to be exactly judged of.

V. The Iudgments our Enemies make con∣cerning us, come nearer to the Truth, than those we pass concerning our selves.

VI. Every one erects a Court of Iudicature for himself; There he sits supream Iudge over his Neighbour, and proceeds upon him in as Arbi∣trary and Authoritative a manner, as if he had some particular Prerogative over him. But, me∣thinks, we should be more modest and sparing, in passing Sentence thus upon others, if we did but consider, that they too will take the same Freedoms, and use us with the same Severity, when in their power.

* VII. Of all Injustices, that is the most abo∣minable and capital, which imposes upon us under the colour of Kindness and good Meaning.

* VIII. It is not only generous, but profitable too, for a Man in some Cases to remit some∣what of the straitness of his just due.

IX. The Duty of a Iudge is to administer Iu∣stice, and his Trade to delay it: Some know their Duty, and only follow their Trade.

X. Those that make ill Iudgments of us, with∣out being acquainted with us, do not wrong us in the least; 'tis not us they Condemn, but only an imaginary Chimera of their own making.

XI. We are revenged upon the ill Iudgments some Men make of our Wit and Manners, by

the Unworthiness of those they approve of.

* XII. The Wickedness of other Men we have always in our Eye, but we cast our own over our Shoulders. He that loves his Neighbour's Wife, and for that very Reason, because she is anothers, locks up his own: A worse Father Chastises a better Son, and we quarrel with the Offender rather than the Offence.

* XIII. It is very hard to find an equal Judge: There are no greater exacters of Faith, than the Persidious, no greater Persecutors of Falshood than the Perjurious: A Tyrant is offended at Bloodshed; the Sacrilegious punishes Theft, and the greater part of the World quarrels with the Offender, rather than with the Offence.

* XIV. It is with Justice as with sick Men: In time past, when we had fewer Doctors, as well of Law as of ••hysick, we had more Right and more Health: But we are now destroy'd by Multitudes and Consultations, which serve to no other end, than to enflame both the Distemper and the Reckoning.

* XV. It may seem somewhat a hard Case for the greater Thieves to punish the less, and for Publick Purloiners and Oppressors to sit in Triumph upon the Lives of the little ones, that go to the Gallows; for the Tye of Morality is the same upon both, and they stand both ac∣countable to the same Master: But Time, Power and Corruption give a Reputation to the worst of Practices; and it is no longer Oppres∣sion when it comes gilded with the name of Au∣thority. Now in the sight of Heaven, the great∣er the Temptation, the less is the Sin; and yet

in the Vogue of the World, it passes for an Ex∣ploit of Honour, for Kings and States to run away with whole Countries, that they have no Colour or Pretence to; when many a poor Devil stands condemn'd to a Halter, or a Whip∣ping Post, for the pilfering of a Silver-Spoon perhaps, or the robbing of a Hen-Roost.

* XVI. We cannot judge of Characters of Things and Persons, given at second hand, un∣less we knew exactly how capable those Per∣sons, from whom such Characters were first ta∣ken, were to pass a right Judgment upon such Subjects; and also the particular Motives that byass'd them to pass such Censures.

* XVII. It is easie for Men to fall into gross Errors, and to mistake the wrong Causes for the true, in the Judgment which they make of others Opinions and Inclinations: When they behold them addicted to such or such Vices, and to have withal some good Qualities, in which they themselves do not excel, they presently are apt to imagine the bad to arise from the good, and so condemn both together; whereas, pe••haps, it sprung from some other hidden Cause, of which they took no notice.

Knowledge, Learning, Ignorance.

I. IT is requisite in order to know things throughly well, to be acquainted with the Particulars of them; but these being Infinite, and not to be attain'd to in this Life; Our

Sciences are consequently very superficial and imperfect.

II. There are two sorts of Curiosity, the first which proceeds from Interest, is a desire to learn things that can be useful and beneficial to us; the other which springs from Pride, is a desire of knowing more than our Neighbours.

III. 'Tis much easier to know what Men are in general, than to know a single Man in Par∣ticular.

IV. The love of new Notions and greater Knowledge, proceeds not so much from our being weary of what we had before, or any Satisfacti∣on there is in Change, as from the concern for be∣ing too little admir'd by those that know us well, and from the hope of being admir'd more by them that know us but little.

V. It is with some good Qualities, as with our Senses; those that never had the use of them, can never have any Notion of them.

VI. It is so usual with most Men to judge of things so very slightly and superficially, that the most ordinary Words and Actions, set off with a good Grace, and some little Knowledge how Matters go in the World, very often gain a Man more Reputation than the most profound Wis∣dom and Learning.

VII. It is not so very difficult for Men to know themselves, if they did but take the pains of enquiring into themselves; but they are more sollicitous to be thought what they should be, than really careful to be what they should be.

VIII. Ignorance creates Weakness and Fear, but Learning makes Men bold and assured: No∣thing

affects or disturbs a Mind, that has a true Apprehension of Things, and knows how to di∣stinguish them rightly.

IX. Study and the enquiry after Truth, have seldom any other Effect, than to make us expe∣rimentally convinc'd of our natural Ignorance.

XII. This Maxim, Let a thing be never so se∣cret, yet it will be discover'd at one time or other; is very uncertain, if not false: For it has no other ground, than those things that have been found out; and for ought we know, there may be as many that neve•• did or shall come to our knowledge.

XIII. There are some sort of People, that ne∣ver look into a Book, and yet with their own stock of natural Parts, have a better Sense of Things that depend upon clear and true Reason, than some great and bookish Professors.

XIV. A great many People are fond of Books as they are of Furniture, to dress and set off their Rooms, more than to adorn and enrich their Minds.

XV. If we set aside those Cases, in which Re∣ligion is concern'd, a Man ought to measure his Studies and his Books by the Standard of his own Reason, and not enslave his Reason to his Books.

XVI. Studious Men propose to themselves the filling their Heads with Notions, that they may talk fluently and nicely, and be taken notice of in the World; more than their own real Im∣provement, and better Information, that they might be qualified to make a right Judgment of Things.

XVII. Such words as Sympathize, Ie ne s••ay

quoy's, Occult Qualities, and a thousand more of the same stamp, have no Sense nor Signification at all. A Man is wonderfully deceived, if he fancies himself one jot the wiser for them. They were only found out to supply the want of Rea∣son, and to be used when we would fain say something, but indeed have nothing to say.

XVIII. In the study of Humane Learning, our Mind ought always to preserve its own Free∣dom, and not to enslave its self to other Peo∣ples fancies. The liberty of the Judgment should have its full scope, and not take any thing upon trust, from the Credit of any Man's Authority. When different Opinions are propos'd to us, we should consider and chuse, if there are such odds between them, as to admit of a Choice; and if there be not, then we should continue in suspence still.

XIX. The highest pitch of Humane Under∣standing, is to be throughly acquainted with our own Weakness, Vanity and Misery; and the less Wit a Man has, the less he knows of these Matters.

XX. That sort of Ignorance, which is but a Privation or Emptiness of Knowledge, is much less despicable than the other kind of Ignorance, which is full and puss'd up with Error and Im∣pertinence, and which the World oftentimes mistakes for Learning and Knowledge.

XXI. Too servile a Submission to the Books and Opinions of the Ancients, has spoil'd many an ingenious Man, and plagu'd the World with abundance of Pesants.

XXII. The knowing of others well is a fair

step to gain an Ascendant and Mastery over them; for the Man that is throughly known, depends in some measure upon the Person that knows him.

XXIII. As there is no Man but may draw great Supplies and Advantages from Learning, so there are very few who do not find great pre∣judices from the Notions they acquire by Studies, except they use them, as if they were natural to them.

XXIV. Men are most esteemed when the World does not know the utmost of their Parts and Abilities. For things that are understood but by halves, are always presum'd greater than really they are.

XXV. The eager desire Men have of making their Parts and Abilities known, hinders 'em generally from acquiring any considerable: For whilst they are busie to let the World see what Knowledge they have, they lose the opportunity to learn that which they want.

XXVI. The best Disposition, when untaught, is always blind and unsettled. A Man ought to take all imaginable Care to inform himself, that his Ignorance may make him neither Childishly Bashtul, nor Ridiculously Confident.

XXVII. None but little Souls are disturb'd at having their Ignorance reprov'd; and the reason is, that being generally very Blind and Foolish, they never trouble themselves with Doubts; and are fully satisfied they see those things clearly, which they see only through the thick Mist of a clouded Understanding

XXVIII. To know things judiciously, we

ought always to be upon our guard against the Reputation of him that speaks them; the Air of the Face; the manner of Speaking; the Quality, the Time, the Place, all imposes.

XXIX. Study makes a greater difference be∣tween a Scholar and an Ignorant Man, than there is between an Ignorant Man and a Brute. But the Air of the World yet makes a greater Di∣stinction between a Polite and a Learned Person. Knowledge begins the Gentleman; and the Com∣merce of the World compleats him.

XXX. 'Tis the fault of weak Reasoners to venture upon many things they don't under∣stand, and to renounce them as soon as they come to know them.

XXXI. All Objects have different Faces, and the Mind, which is in a continual Motion, looks upon them as it turns, insomuch that we have nothing. If I may so speak, but new Aspects, thinking to enjoy new Discoveries.

XXXII. The great Commerce with the World hinders all Attention; what we see in others, keeps us from examining well our selves.

XXXIII. By a little knowledge of Nature Men become Atheists; but a great deal returns them back again, to a sound and religious Mind.

* XXXIV. Though it may be an Argument of great Wit, to give ingenious Reasons for ma∣ny wonderful Appearances in Nature; yet it is an Evidence of small Judgment to be positive in any thing, but the acknowledgment of our own Ignorance.

* XXXV. Our Pride is always greater than our Ignorance; and what we want in Knowledge

we supply by Sufficiency. When we have look'd about us as far as we can, we conclude there is no more to be seen; when we have shot our best, we are sure none ever did, nor ever can shoot better, or beyond it. Our own Reason is the certain measure of Truth; our own Knowledge of what is possible in Nature. Though our Mind and our Thoughts change every seven Years, as well as our Strength and our Features: Nay, though our Opinions change every Week, or e∣very Day, yet we are sure, or at least confident, that our present Thoughts and Conclusions are just and true, and cannot be deceiv'd: And among all the Miseries to which Man is born and subje∣cted in the whole Course of his Life, he has this one Felicity to comfort and support him, that in all Ages, in all things, every Man is always in the right. A Boy of fifteen is wiser than his Fa∣ther at forty; the meanest Subject, than his Prince or Governors, and the Modern Scholars, because they have for a Hundred Years past learnt their Lesson pretty well, are much more knowing than the Ancients Masters.

* XXXVI. It is undoubtedly true, that scarce any Man's Mind is so capable of thinking strong∣ly, in the presence of one whom he Fears and Reverences, as he is when that Restraint is taken off. And this is to be found, not only in weigh∣ty Matters, but also in the Arts of Discourse and Raillery themselves: For we have often seen Men of bold Tempers, that have over-aw'd and go∣vern'd the Wit of most Companies, to have been disturb'd and dumb, and bashful as Children, when some other Man has been near, who us'd

to out-talk them. Such a kind of natural So∣vereignty there is in some Mens Minds over others, which must needs be much greater when it is advanc'd by long use, and the venerable name of a Master.

* XXXVII. Those who take their Opinions from others Rules, are commonly stricter impo∣sers upon their Scholars, than their own Au∣thors were on them, or than the first Inventors of things themselves are upon others. Whatever the Cause of this be, whether the first Men are made meek and gentle, by their long search, and by better understanding all the difficulties of Knowledge; while those that learn afterwards, only hastily catching things in small Systems, are soon satisfied, before they have broken their Pride, and so become more imperious; or whe∣ther it arises from hence, that the same mean∣ness of Soul, which made them bound their Thoughts by others Precepts, makes them also Insolent to their Inferiours, as we always find Cowards the most Cruel: Or whatever other Cause may be alledg'd, the Observation is cer∣tain, that the Successors are usually more positive and tyrannical, than the Beginners.

* XXXVIII. It is Liberty alone which inspires Men with losty Thoughts, and elevates their Souls to a higher Pitch, than Rules of Art can direct. Books of Rhetorick make Men Copious and Methodical; but they alone can never in∣fuse that true Enthusiastick Rage which Liberty breaths into their Souls who enjoy it, and which guided by a sedate Judgment, will carry Men further than the greatest Industry, and the quick∣est Parts can go without it.

* XXXIX. All Men who make a Mystery of Matters of Learning, and industriously oblige their Scholars to conceal their Dictates, give the World great Reason to suspect, that their Know∣ledge is all Juggling and Trick.

* XL. No Pretences to greater measures of Knowledge, grounded upon account of long Suc∣cessions of Learned Men in any Country, ought to gain belief, when set against the Learning of other Nations who make no such Pretences, un∣less Inventions and Discoveries answerable to those Advantages, be produced by their Advocates.

* XLI. The growth of Learning, as well as of Natural Bodies, has some short Periods beyond which it cannot reach, and after which it must begin to decay. It falls in one Country or one Age, and rises again in others, but never be∣yond a certain Pitch. One Man, or one Coun∣try, at a certain time runs a great length in some certain kinds of Knowledge, but lose as much ground in others, that were perhaps as useful and valuable. There is a certain degree of Capacity in the greatest Vessel, and when 'tis full, if you pour in still, it must run out some way or other, and the more it runs out on one side, the less runs out at the other: So the greatest Memory, after a certain degree, as it learns or retains more of some Things or Words, loses and for∣gets as much of others. The largest and deep∣est reach of Thought, the more it pursues some certain Subjects, the more it neglects others.

* XLII. It is natural to all Ranks of Men, to have some one Darling, upon which their Care is chiefly fixt. If Mechanicks alone were to make

a Philosophy, they would bring it all into their Shops; and force it wholly to consist of Springs and Wheels and Weights: If Phy∣sicians, they would not depart from their Art; scarce any thing would be consider'd besides the Body of Man, the Causes, Signs and Cures of Di∣seases. So much is to be found in Men of all Conditions, of that which is called Pedantry in Scholars, which is nothing else but an obstinate Addiction to the forms of some private Life, and not regarding general things enough.

XLIII. We meet with very few Authors that are plain and natural; for even the Best are sel∣dom contented either with their first Thoughts, or with those Expressions, which present themselves without study. The generality of Men mistake the Per••ection of the Productions of Wit, and value them in Proportion to the pains and trou∣bles they stand them in; as if Thoughts and Ex∣pressions were like Silver and Gold, which must be digg'd out of Earth, and purg'd of their Dross with great Labour, before they can be good for any thing.

XLIV. A Dogmatical Tone, is generally the effect of a great Ignorance. He that knows no∣thing, thinks that he teaches others what he has learnt himself a Moment before: On the con∣trary, he that knows much does hardly think, that what he says can be unknown to other Peo∣ple, and so he speaks with a kind of Indifference.

* XLV. The Men of Reading do very much busie themselves about such Conceptions, which are no where to be ••ound out of their own Chambers. The Sense, the Custom, the Practice,

the Iudgment of the World is quite a different thing from what they imagine it to be in private: And therefore it is no wonder, if when they come abroad into Business, the Sight of Men, the Tumult and Noise of Cities, and the very Brightness of Day it self affright them.

* XLVI. The studious Men, while they con∣tinue heaping up in their Memories the Customs of past Ages, fall insensibly to imitate them, without any manner of Care how suitable they are to Times and Things. In the Ancient Au∣thors, which they turn over, they find Descrip∣tions of Virtues more perfect than indeed they were: The Governments are represented bet∣ter, and the ways of Life pleasanter than they deserv'd. Upon this, these Bookish Wise Men strait compare what they read with what they see; and here beholding nothing so heroically Transcendent, because they are able to mark all the Spots as well as Beauties of every thing, that is so close to their sight, they presently begin to despise their own Times, to exalt the past, to contemn the Virtues, and aggravate the Vices of their Country; not indeavouting to amend them, but by such Examples as are now unpracticable, by reason of the Alteration of Men and Man∣ners.

Kings, Princes, Government.

I. A Prince makes himself first unhappy when he makes others so.

II. There are some fierce Souls, who have

but an imperfect Pleasure in being Masters, i•• they don't make their Power felt by others, who place Greatness in Force, and the Happi∣ness of their Condition in making People mise∣rable at their pleasure.

III. 'Tis as great a Severity in a Prince to par∣don all Crimes, as to pardon none.

IV. Frequent Executions cast as great blemish on the Reputation of a King, as frequent Funerals on that of a Physician.

* V. The Publick is but one Body, and the Prince the Head on't; so that what Member so∣ever withdraws his Service from the Head, is no better than a Negative Traitor to his Coun∣try and himself.

VI. Princes and their Ministers have their Na∣ture much like that of Celestial Bodies; they have much Splendor, but no Rest.

* VII. Princes are no farther touch'd with one anothers Misfortunes, than concerns their own Interest.

* VIII. The Periods of Empire, like Natural Bodies, grow for a certain Time, and to a certain Size, which they are not to exceed.

* IX. The Sources of Conquests, like those of great Rivers, are generally obscure, or taken little notice of, until their Streams increasing by the Influence of many others, make so mighty Inundations, as to grow famous in Stories, as well as Maps of the World.

* X. Usurpers and Tyrants do commonly Ju∣stice upon themselves, for the Injuries they have done to others; their own Consciences doing the Office of Tormentors, and avenging their

Publick Crimes, by their Private Sufferings; for they live in a perpetual Anguish of Thought, with Fears and Jealousies.

* XI It is an easie matter for Princes to co∣ver and de••end their unlawful Desires and un∣faithful Vows with many outward seeming fair Pretences; especially seeing there is no Um∣pire or Moderator of Matters concluded upon, to whom a Reason should be tendred.

* XII. When Princes that ought to be common Parents, make themselves as a Party, and lean to a Side; it is a Boat that is over-thrown by uneven weight on the one side. For when the Authority of Princes is made but an Accessary to a Cause, and that there are other Bands that tye faster than the Band of Sovereignty; Kings begin to be almost put out of Possession.

* XIII. It is a miserable state of Mind to have few things to desire, and many things to fear; and yet that commonly is the Case of Kings, who being at the highest, want matter of Desire, which makes their Minds more lan∣guishing, and have many Representations of Perils and Shadows, which makes their Minds the less clear.

* XIV. Kings that have been fortunate Con∣querors in their first Years, it being not possible for them to go forward infinitely, but that they must have some Check or Arrest in their Suc∣cesses, turn generally in their later Years to be Superstitious and Melancholy.

* XV. Nothing destroys Authority so much, as the unequal and untimely interchange of Power, press'd too far, and relaxed too much.

* XVI. The Honour of a Prince is a good Excuse, when he has no mind to engage in a deceitful or unjust War; but it is often forgot∣ten, when the Circumstances are more favour∣able.

* XVII. There is no way more effectual to engage all to adhere to the Crown, than the grateful Acknowledgments of past Services.

* XVIII. In a weak Government an ill digest∣ed Insurrection raises the Power of the Prince, and adds as much Spirit to his Friends, as it depresses the Faction against him; and it also gives a handle to do some things, for which it were not easie otherwise to find either Colours or Instruments.

* XIX. A Prince that does not secure Friends to himself, while he is in Power and Condition to oblige them, must never expect to find 'em when he is Old and Impotent, and no longer able to do them any Good. If he Governs Ty∣rannically in his Youth, he will be sure to be treated contemptibly in his Old Age; and the baser his Enemies are, the more insolent and in∣tolerable will be the Affront.

* XX. There is no Subject so inconsiderable, but his Prince at one time or other, may have occasion for him; and it holds through the whole Scale of the Creation, that the Great and the Little have need of one another.

* XXI. There's no medling with Princes, ei∣ther with Text or Argument. Morality is not the Povince of a Cabinet-Council; and Ghostly Fathers signifie no more than Spiritual Bug-bears in the Case of an unaccountable Privilege.

XXII. Truth discovers it self to Princes no longer than while they are Young and under Age: It ••lies a Crown, and vanishes out of sight, as soon as they come to be invested with Power. If these first Years be not made use of to give them good Advice and Instruction, there will be no retriev∣ing it in the following part of their Lives; For all then goes off in meer juggle and disguise.

XXIII. There wants nothing more to make a Prince compleatly happy, than the Sweet∣ness of a private Life: If any thing can make him amends for so great a Loss, it must be the Charms of Friendship, and Fidelity of true Friends.

XXIV. One of the greatest Misfortunes that can attend a Prince, is, that he has of∣ten Secrets that lye heavy upon his Soul, and which it is not safe for him to disclose. His Happiness is to find a true bosom Friend on whom he may throw off his Burden.

XXV. Nothing is so much for a Princes Credit, as the Modesty of his Favourites.

XXVI. What a happy Condition is that which gives a Man so frequent Opportu∣nities, to do good to so many Thousands! What a dangerous Post is that, which ex∣poses a Man to do hurt to so many Mil∣lions!

* XXVIII. All Precepts concerning Kings, are fummarily comprehended in these two; Remember that thou art a Man, and that thou

art instead of God: The one bridles their Pow∣er, and the other their Will.

Laughing, Raillery, Bantering.

I. NOthing is more rare, than to see a Man either Laugh or Weep to the purpose.

II. The Enjoyments, which a Plentiful For∣tune affords, and the Calm and Smoothness of Prosperity, furnish Princes and Great Men with so much Mirth, that they can Laugh at a Monkey, a Dwarf, and oftentimes at an Cold Jest; but Men of Inferiour Fortunes seldom Laugh, but where there is occasion.

III. All the World is plagu'd with Cold Iesters, we tread every where upon those Insects. A good Iester is a thing very un∣common; and even those that are born such, find it a very hard Task to make good their Character a considerable Time: And besides, he that makes other People Laugh, seldom makes himself to be Esteem'd.

IV. To Laugh at Witty Men, is the Privi∣lege of Blockheads: They are in the World, what your Scurrilous Iesters are at Court.

* V. No Men are more unwilling to bear a Jest, than those who are forward to break it.

* VI. The Wounding of a Friend for the sake of a jest, is an Intemperance and Immora∣lity, not to be endur'd.

* VII. Men ought to find the difference be∣twixt Saltness and Bitterness; for he that has a Satyrical Vein, as he makes others afraid of his Wit, so he had need be afraid of others Mc∣mory.

* VIII. It is commonly the Fate of Apes and Buffoons, that while they think to make sport with others, they serve only in the Con∣clusion, for a Laughing-stock themselves.

* IX. The true Raillery should be a Defence for good and virtuous Works, and should only design the Derision of extravagant, and the Disgrace of vile and dishonourable Things. This kind of Wit ought to have the nature of Salt, to which it is usually compar'd; which pre∣serves and keeps sweet the good and sound Parts of all Bodies, and only frets, dries up, and de∣stroys those Humours which putrify and cor∣rupt.

* X. There's not one Man of a Thousand, that understands the just, the safe, warrant∣able, decent and precise Limits of that which we call Bantering or Fooling; but it is either too Course, too Rude, too Churlish, too Bitter, too much on't, too Pedantick, too Fine, out of Measure, or out of Season. Now the least Error or Mistake in the Management of this Humour, lays People open to great Censure and Reproach. It is not every Man's Talent to know when and how to cast out a pleasant Word, with such a regard to Modesty and Respect, as not to Transgress the true and fair Allowances of Wit, good Nature and good Breeding. The Skill and Faculty of Govern∣ing

this Freedom within the Terms of Sobriety and Diseretion, goes a great way in the Cha∣racter of an agreeable Conversation; for that which we call Raillery, in this Sense, is the ve∣ry Sawce of Civil Entertainment, and with∣out some such Tincture of Urbanity, even in Matters the most serious, the good Humour flattens for want of Refreshment and Relief. But there is a Medium yet betwixt All-Fool and All-Philosopher; I mean, a proper and dis∣creet Mixture, that in some sort partakes of both, and renders Wisdom it self the more grate∣ful and effectual.

* XI. 'Tis the Nature and Practice of Jesters and Buffoons, to be Insolent towards those that will bear it, and as Slavish to others that are more than their Match.

Life, Death.

I. ONE cannot look either the Sun or Death in the Face.

II. Very few People are acquainted with Death; it is generally submitted to rather out of Insensibility and Custom, than Resolution; and all Men yield to Death, only because they cannot help it.

III. We often see those that are led to Exe∣cution, affect a Constancy and Contempt of Death; which in truth is nothing else, but the fear of looking it in the Face: So that this pre∣tended

Bravery and Contempt, may be said to do their Mind the same good Office, that the Head-band or Night-cap does their Eyes.

IV. Nothing can be more counterseit and deceitful, than the Contempt of Death. That Contempt of it, I mean, which the Heathens pre∣tended to out of their natural Reason and Con∣stancy, without the Hopes of a better Life. There is a great deal of difference between Dying with Bravery and Resolution, and slight∣ing Death. The former is frequent enough, but I look upon the other to be never real and sincere; and yet Philosophers have us'd all the Arguments that the Subject can bear, to per∣swade us that Death is no Evil; and Men of very inferiour Characters, as well as Hero's, have furnisht us with a great many Eminent Examples in Confirmation of that Opinion. Nevertheless I do still question whether any Thinking Man, ever gave his assent to it; nay, the trouble they are at to perswade others and themselves, plainly shews that this was no such easie Undertaking. A Man indeed may have a great many Reasons to be out of conceit with Life, but he can have none to despise Death: Even those, who voluntarily lay violent hands upon themselves, do not look upon it as an in∣considerable matter, but are startled at it, and decline it as much as others, if it approach them in any other shape, but that of their own chu∣sing. The Unevenness of Courage, observable in a World of Brave Men, has no other Bor∣tom, than the various Influence of Death, which works more powerfully upon their Fancy,

upon some Occasions, and at some Times, than it does at others. Hence it is, that after having slighted what they did not know, they fear it now, when they come to be better ac∣quainted with it. If a Man would perswade himself, that it is not the greatest of Evils, he must decline looking it in the Face, and consi∣dering all its Gastly Circumstances. The Wisest and Bravest Men, are they, that take the fair∣est and most honourable Pretences, to keep their View from it. But every body that knows it, as it really is, ••inds it to be a thing full of Horror. The Constancy of Philosophers, was no∣thing else but the Necessity of Dying; they thought when there was no Remedy, but a Man must go, it was best to go with a good Grace. And since they were not able to make their Lives Eternal, they would stick at nothing to make their Names so, and secure all that from the Wreck, which was capable of being secur'd. Let us put the best Face upon the Matter we can, content our selves with not speaking all we think, and hope more from a happy Con∣stitution, than all the feeble Reasonings, that gull us with a fancy that we can approach it without concern. The Glory of Dying gal∣lantly, the Hope of being Lamented when we are gone, the desire of leaving a good Name behind us, the Assurance of being set free from the Miseries of the present Life, and of depending no longer upon a ••ickle and humour∣fom Fortune, are Remedies not altogether to be rejected, though they be far from being So∣vereign. They help no more to put us in Heart,

than a poor Hedge in an Engagement contri∣butes to encourage the Soldiers that are to march near, where the Enemy is firing; it appears a good Shelter at a distance, but proves a very thin defence at close view. We do vainly flat∣ter our selves to think that Death will be the same when near, as we fancy it to be when remote; and that our Reasonings, which in Truth are Weakness it self, will prove of so harden'd a Tem∣per as to hold out proof, and not yield to the severest of all Tryals: Besides, it shews we are but little acquainted with Self-Love, when we imagine, that will do us any Service toward the looking upon that very thing as a▪ Trifle, which must unavoidably cause its utter Ruin; and Reason, from which we expect so many Sup∣plies, is then too weak to perswade us what we wish to be true: Nay, Reason it self generally betrays us upon this occasion, and instead of animating us with a Contempt of Death, gives us a more lively Representation of all its Ter∣ror and Gastliness: All it is able to do in our behalf, is only to advise us to turn our Heads an∣other way, and divert the Thought by fixing our Eyes upon some other Objects. Cato and Brutus chose noble Ones. A Lackey, not long ago, satisfied himself with dancing upon the Scaffold, whither he was brought to be broke upon the Wheel. And thus, though the Mo∣tives be different, they produce still the same Effects. So true it is, that after all the dispro∣portion between Great Men and the Vulgar, People of both sorts do often meet Death, with the same Face and Disposition: But still with

this difference, that in the Contempt of Death, which Great Men express, the desire and love of Honour is the thing that keeps Death from their sight; and in the Vulgar 'tis Ignorance and Stupidity that leaves them at liberty to think upon something else, and keeps them from see∣ing the greatness of the Evil they are to suffer.

V. Every thing in this Life is Accidental, even our Birth, that brings us into it: Death is the only thing we can be sure of; and yet we behave our selves just as if all the rest were cer∣tain, and Death alone accidental.

* VI. We are apt to pick Quarrels with the World for every little Foolery, or every tri∣vial Cross: But our Tongues run quite to an∣other Tune, when we come once to parting with it in earnest.

* VII. Nothing but the Conscience of a vir∣tuous Life can make Death easie to us: Where∣fore there's no trusting to a Death-bed Repen∣tance. When Men come to that last Extremi∣ty once by Langor, Pain or Sickness, and to lye Agonizing betwixt Heaven and Hell, under the stroke either of a Divine Judgment, or of Humane Frailty, they are not commonly so sensible of their Wickedness, or so effectually touch'd with the remorse of a true Repentance, as they are distracted with the Terrors of Death, and the dark Visionary Apprehensions of what's to come. People in that Condition do but discharge themselves of burdensom Reflections, as they do of the Cargo of a Ship at Sea, that has sprung a Leak: Every thing is done in a Hurry, and Men only part with their Sins in

the one Case, as they do with their Goods in the other; to fish them up again so soon as the Storm is over. Grace must be very strong in these Conflicts, wholly to vanquish the Weak∣nesses of distressed Nature. That certainly is none of the Time to make choice of for the great Work of reconciling our selves to Hea∣ven, when we are divided and confounded be∣twixt an Anguish of Body and Mind: And the Man is worse than Mad, that ventures his Salvation upon that desperate Issue.

VIII. There is not any thing that Men are so prodigal, and at the same time, so fond of, as their Lives.

IX. Death happens but once; but the Sense of it renews in all the Moments of our Lives; and the fear we have of it, is ten times worse than the submitting to it.

X. That part of Death which is certain, is much alleviated by that which is uncertain.

XI. We hope to grow Old, and yet we fear Old Age, that is to say, we love Life, and de∣cline Death.

XII. Nature generally makes a long Sick∣ness, intermediate betwixt Life and Death, with design, it seems, to make Death it self a kind of Release, both to him that Dyes, and those that survive him.

XIII. That Death which prevents a crazy Old Age, comes in better time, than that which terminates it.

XIV. There are but three great Events for us Men, Birth, Life and Death: We are not sensible of our Birth; we suffer in Dying, and forget to live.

XV. Most Men spend the first part of their Lives in rendring the other miserable.

* XVI. Men fear Death, as Children fear to go in the Dark; and as that natural Fear is en∣creased in Children with Tales, so is the other. Certainly the Stoicks bestowed too much cost upon Death, and by their great Preparations made it appear more fearful. It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little Infant, per∣haps, the one is as painful as the other.

* XVII. It is observable, that there is no Passion in the Mind of Man, but it Masters the Fear of Death: And therefore Death is no such terrible Enemy, when a Man has so many Friends about him, that can gain him the Victory. Revenge Triumphs over Death; Love ••lights it; Honour aspires to it; Grief flies to it; Fear procures it. Nay, we read, that Pity it self, which is the Tenderest of all Af∣fections, has provok'd many to die out of meer Compassion. Nay, Seneca adds Niceness and Satiety; A Man (says he) would die, though he were neither Valiant nor Miserable, only upon a Weariness to do the same thing so oft over and over.

Liberality, Prodigality.

I. LIberality is oftentimes nothing else but the Vanity of Giving, of which we are more fond than the Things we give.

II. There goes a great deal of Art and Ad∣dress to make a Denial go down, and by fair and civil Expressions, to supply the Kindness we cannot grant.

III. There are a sort of Persons that say No so very naturally, that their No always ushers in whatever they are about to say. This ren∣ders them so disagreeable, that though they be prevail'd upon with much Importunity to grant any Request, yet all the Grace and Commendation of such Grants are utterly lost by so very untoward a beginning.

IV. All things are not to be granted at all times, nor all Men to be gratified: And it is altogether as commendable to refuse, upon Occasion, as to give. This makes some Peo∣ples No better received than other Peoples Yes. A Denial, accompanied with Sweetness and Civility, pleases more a Man of Under∣standing, than a Courtesie granted coldly and rudely.

V. We engage others more effectually to serve us by Promises, than by Presents; for while Men are kept upon the Tenters, they endeavour to deserve those Kindnesses they expect from us.

* VI. He that gives to all without Disere∣tion, will soon stand in need of every Body.

* VII. He that defers Charity till Death, is rather Liberal of another Man's, than of his own.

VIII. Liberality does not consist so much in giving largely, as in giving seasonably.

IX. There is something Heroical in great Liberality, as well as in great Valour; and there is a great Analogy between those two Virtues; the one raises the Soul above the Consideration of Wealth, as the other beyond the Management and Desire of Life. But with all these Gay and Generous Motives, the one becomes Ruinous, and the other Fatal.

X. There are some Men, jealous of the Honour of their Motions, who refuse all things at the Inspirations of others, because they would not be prevented in their De∣signs, and troubled in the order of the good they would do. That may proceed some∣times from a good Principle, and be met with in very lo••ty Souls; but for the most part they are Dishonest, Jealous, and ••alse Nice∣ties of Honour, which produce a true Repug∣nancy to the doing of Favours.

XI. Those whom cross Accidents of For∣tune have undone, are pity'd by all the World, because it is a Misfortune the Con∣dition of Humanity submits us to: But those who are reduc'd to Misery by Vain Profusion, raise more Contempt than Commiseration, because it is the issue of a peculiar Folly, from which every Man has the good conceit to think himself exempt.

Love.

I. IN Friendship we take notice of those Failings that may prejudice our Friends: In Love we never see in the Party beloved, but those Defects only by which we are offended.

II. There is but the first Quarrel in Love, as the first Fault in Friendship, which may turn to good account.

III. Coldness or Slackness in Friendship, has generally a Cause: In Love there is most com∣monly no other reason for People loving no more, than their having lov'd too much.

IV. Both the Beginning and Decay of Love, shew themselves by the Uneasiness and Trouble Lovers are in, when they are together by them∣selves.

V. When a Man has a Passion for an ill∣favour'd Woman, it must needs be an extraor∣dinary one: For either his Love proceeds from his own Weakness, or is influenc'd by more secret and irresistible Charms than those of Beauty.

VI. When a Passion is worn out, we often visit a Mistress out of Custom; and tell one ano∣ther that we love still, when our Actions testi∣••ie that we love no more.

VII. Being absent from what we love, is a Good, in comparison of living with that we hate.

VIII. As disinterested as a Man may be, either in Friendship or Love, he ought sometimes to

put a Constraint upon himself, and be so gene∣rous as to receive.

IX. Love is to the Soul of a Lover, what the Soul is to the Body.

X. It is very hard to give a just Definition of Love; the most we can say of it, is this: That in the Soul, it is a greedy Desire to Govern; in Spirits, it is a Sympathy; and in the Body, it is only a nice and secret Longing to enjoy the thing beloved, after a great deal of Bustle and For∣mality.

XI. If there be any such thing as Love pure, and untained with the Mixture of any other Passion, it is that which lurks in the deepest Recesses of our Hearts, unknown to our selves.

XII. Love has such peculiar distinguishing Characters, that it is as hard to hide it when true, as to dissemble it when false.

XIII. Considering how little the Beginning or the Ceasing to love, is in our own Power, it is equally unreasonable for a Lover no complain of his Mistress's Fickleness, as for a Mistress of her Lover's Inconstancy.

XIV. If we judge of Love according to most of its Effects, we shall find that it more resembles Hat••ed than Friendship.

XV. Love can no more continue without a constant motion, than Fire can; and it ceases to be, when it ceases either to Hope or Fear.

XVI. It is with true Love, as it is with Ghosts and Apparitions, a thing that every body talks of, and scarce any body has seen.

XVII. We father upon Love several Dealings and Intercourses, in which it is no more con∣cern'd,

than the Doge is, in what is done at Venice.

XVIII. When we have loved our selves weary, the kindest and most welcome thing that can be, is, the Infidelity of others, which may give us a fair Pretence to disengage our Faith∣fulness.

XIX. The more passionately a Man loves his Mistress, the readier he is to hate her.

XX. When a Woman has once given her self over to entertain Love, Loving is then the least Fault she can be guilty of.

XXI. Some Persons had never been in love, had they never been entertain'd with any dis∣course of it.

XXII. The greatest Pleasure of Love, is Lo∣ving; and a Man is more happy in his own Passion, than in that he influences in another.

XXIII. Absence cools moderate Passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the Wind blows out Candles, but kindles Fires.

XXIV. It is much easier to usher in Love into one's Breast, than to drive it out when it is once admitted.

XXV. In Love, loving but little, proves of∣ten the best way to be lov'd again.

XXVI. The Sincerity which Lovers and their Mistresses bargain for, in agreeing to tell one another when they can love no longer, is not ask'd so much out of a Desire to know when their Love is at an end, as to be satisfy'd that Love does really continue, so long as they are told nothing to the contrary.

XXVII. In Love, he that's first cur'd, is best cur'd

XXVIII. To speak feelingly of Love, is as co∣quetish in a young Woman, as 'tis ridiculous in an old Man.

XXIX. * Love is a kind of penurious God, very niggard of his Opportunities; he must be watch'd like a hard-hearted Treasurer; for he bolts out of a sudden, and if you take him not in the nick, he vanishes in a twinkling.

XXX. * There is no reason in the World to revenge upon a Lover the Deceits of his Love; for as in War, so in Love, Stratagems are always allow'd.

XXXI. * A silly Mistress is like a weak Place, soon got, soon lost.

XXXII. * Mistresses are like Books; if you pore upon them too much, they doze you, and make you unfit for Company; but if us'd dis∣creetly, you are the sitter for Conversation by them.

XXXIII. * Some Women pray for Husbands, that they may the better love at random.

XXXIV. * Many a Spark that hunts after a Mistress, often gets a Wife, and stands condemn'd to a Repentance during Life, with∣out Redemption, except one of the two dies.

XXXV. * Some People fall in love by Conta∣gi••n, and meerly by conversing with the in∣fected.

XXXVI. * Men do not see, or taste, or find the thing they love; but they create it: They fashion an Idol in what Figure or Shape they

please; set it up, worship it, dote upon it, pur∣sue it, and sometimes run mad for it.

XXXVII. * The extravagant Transports of Love, and the wonderful Force of Nature, are uncontroulable: The one carries us out of our selves, and the other brings us back again.

XXXVIII. Two passionate Lovers cannot par∣take of other Pleasures, than those which they receive from their Love.

XXXIX. There is no Passion that more excites us to every thing that is Noble and Generous, than an honest Love.

XL. Short absence excites Passions, whereas a long one destroys them.

XLI. Women who preserve a Passion for Per∣sons that are absent, raise but little in those who see them; and the continuation of their Love for the Absent, is less an Honour to their Con∣stancy, than a Scandal to their Beauty.

XLII. The Love of young People is only an irregular Passion, and boiling Desire, that has no other Object than Pleasure, and which Enjoy∣ment dissipates.

XLIII. Love comes in by the Ears, as well as by the Eyes; and therefore it is a great Indis∣cretion in a Man, to make a long Descant upon his Mistress's Perfections, before his Friend.

XLIV. Love has, as it were, never well esta∣blish'd his Power, till he has ruin'd that of Reason.

XLV. Love begins by Love; and the greatest Friendship can never influence but a very small Passion.

XLVI. Nothing resembles true Friendship so well, as those Engagements which have a secret Love at the bottom.

XLVII. We never love truly but once, and that's the first time we love: The following Passions are less involuntary.

XLVIII. That Passion which is rais'd on the sudden, is the most difficult to be cur'd.

XLIX. That Love which encreases by de∣grees, is so much like Friendship, that it can never be a violent Passion.

L. As nice as we are in Love, we still forgive more Faults in that, than in Friendship.

LI. We tell our Secrets in Friendship, but they slip from us in Love.

LII. There are many Remedies to cure Love; but never a one of them is infallible.

LIII. The greatest Miracle Love can work, is to cure a Coquet Humour.

LIV. Coquets make it a Pride to be jealous of their Lovers, only to conceal their Envy of other Women.

LV. The reason why Lovers are but seldom unea••ie in one another's Company, is because they never talk of any thing but themselves.

LVI. It is a Lover's Fault, if he is not sen∣sible when he ceases to be belov'd.

LVII. A Man of Parts may love indiscreetly, but not ••ottishly.

LVIII. The Grace of Novelty is to Love, what the Blue-mourn, or Gloss, is to the Fruits; it gives them a Lustre which is easily defac'd; and when once gone, never returns any more.

LIX. A Fever is the properest Simile of Love; for in both Cases, the Degree and the Conti∣nuance of the Disease is out of our own Power.

LX. 'Tis better for a Man sometimes to be deceiv'd in what he loves, than to be plainly dealt with.

LXI. It is as hard for a Woman to manage a fond Lover, as a cold one.

LXII. Women generally keep the first Lover, only for want of a second:

LXIII. Men often go from Love to Ambition, but seldom come back again from Ambition to Love.

LXIV. All our Passions engage Men in some Faults; but those of Love are the most ridi∣culous.

LXV. Of all violent Passions, Love becomes a Woman best.

LXVI. In the first Passion, Women have com∣monly an Affection for the Lover; but after∣wards they seldom love, but for the Pleasure of Loving.

LXVII. Love, tho' never so agreeable a Pas∣sion, pleases still more by the ways it takes to shew it self, than it does upon its own ac∣count.

LXVIII. Tho' Love is worn out, yet it makes both Lover and Mistress uneasie to part.

LXIX. It is oftentimes much harder to for∣bear loving an unkind Mistress, than to bear with her cruel Usage.

LXX. It is with old Love, as with old Age, a Man lives to all the Miseries, but is dead to all the Pleasures of Life.

LXXI. There is one kind of Love, whose excess prevents Iealousie.

LXXII. In Love, Cozening always exceeds Distrust.

LXXIII. There are some self-conceited Fops, who, when they are in Love, entertain themselves with their own Passion, instead of the Person that causes it.

Marriage, Matrimony, Children.

I. MAny Marriages prove convenient and useful, but few delightful.

II. * 'Tis much with Wedlock, as with our Eli∣xirs and Antidotes; there goes a thousand Ingre∣dients to the making of the Composition; but then if they be not tim'd, proportion'd, and prepar'd according to Art, 'tis a Clog to us ra∣ther than a Relief.

III. * Marriages are govern'd rather by an over-ruling Fatality, than any solemnity of Choice and Judgment; tho' 'tis a hard matter to ••ind out a Woman, even at the best, that's of a just Scantling for her Age, Person, Humour, and Fortune, to make a Wife of. The one single disparity of Years, is of it self sufficient, with∣out a more than ordinary Measure of Vertue and Prudence, to make a Man ridiculous.

IV. * A Wife and Children are a kind of Disci∣pline of Humanity; and Single Men, tho' they be many times more charitable, because their Means are less exhausted, yet, on the other side,

they are more cruel and hard-hearted, because their Tenderness is not so oft call'd upon.

V. * Grave Natures, led by Custom, and therefore constant, are commonly loving Hus∣bands.

VI. * Chast Women are often proud and froward, as presuming upon the Merit of their Chastity.

VII. * It is one of the best Bonds, both of Chastity and Obedience in the Wife, if the think her Husband Wise; which she will never do, if she find him Iealous.

VIII. * Wives are young Men's Mistresses; Com∣panions for middle-Age; and old Men, Nurses.

IX. * The Joys of Parents are secret; and so are their Griefs and Fears: They cannot utter the one, nor will they express the other. Children sweeten Labour, but they make Mis∣fortunes more bitter: They increase the Cares of Life, but they mitigate the Remembrance of Death.

X. * They that are the First Raisers of their Families, are most indulgent toward their Chil∣dren, beholding them as the Continuance, not only of their Kind, but of their Works; and so both Children and Creatures.

XI. * He that has Wife and Children, has given Hostages to Fortune; for they are Impe∣diments to great Enterprises, either of Vertue or Mischief. The Perpetuity by Generation is common to Beasts; but Memory, Merit, and Noble Works, are proper to Men: And cer∣tainly a Man shall find the Noblest Works and Foundations, have always proceeded from Child∣less

Men, which have sought to express the Images of their Minds, where those of their Bodies have fail'd; and both in A••••ection and Means have married and endow'd the Publick: So that the Care of Posterity is most in them that have none.

XI. * The most ordinary cause of a single Life, is Liberty, especially in certain Self-pleasing and Humourous Minds; which are so sensible of every Restraint, that they will go near to think their Girdles and Garters to be Bonds and Shackles.

XII. * Unmarried Men are best Friends, best Masters, best Servants, but not always best Sub∣jects; for they are light to run away; and al∣most all Fugitives are of that Condition.

Mind, Understanding, Wit, Memory, Heart.

I. THe Strength and Weakness of a Man's Mind, are improper Terms, since they are really nothing else but the Organs of our Bodies, being well or ill dispos'd.

II. 'Tis a great Errour, the making a diffe∣rence between the Wit and the Iudgment: For, in truth, the Iudgment is nothing else but the Brightness of Wit, which penetrates into the very bottom of Things, observes all that ought to be observ'd there, and descries what seem'd to be imperceptible. From whence we must

conclude, That 'tis the Extention and Energy of this Light of Wit, that produces all those Ef∣fects, usually ascrib'd to Iudgment.

III. All Men may be allow'd to give a good Character of their Hearts (or Inclinations) but no body dares to speak well of his own Wit.

IV. Polite Wit consists in nice, curious, and honest Thoughts.

V. The G••llantry of Wit consists in Flattery well couch'd.

VI. It often happens, that some things offer themselves to our Wit, which are naturally finer and better, than is possible for a Man to make them by the Additions of Art and Study.

VII. Wit is always made a Cully to the Heart.

VIII. Many People are acquainted with their own Wit, that are not acquainted with their own Heart.

IX. It is not in the power of Wit, to act a long while the Part of the Heart.

X. A Man of Wit would be sometimes mi∣serably at a loss, but for the Company of Fools.

XI. A Man of Wit may sometimes be a Cox∣comb; but a Man of Iudgment never can.

XII. The different Ways or Methods for compassing a Design, come not so much from the Quickness and Fertility of an industrious Wit, as dim-••ighted Vnderstanding, which makes us pitch upon every fresh Matter that presents it self to our groping Fancy, and does not fur∣nish us with Judgment sufficient to discern at first sight, which of them is best for our Purpose.

XIII. The Twang of a Man's Native Country, sticks by him as much in his Mind and Disposition, as it does in his Tone of Speaking.

XIV. Wit serves sometimes to make us play the Fool with greater Considence.

XV. Shallow Wits are apt to censure every thing above their own Capacity.

XVI. 'Tis past the Power of Imagination it self, to invent so many distant Contrarieties, as there are naturally in the Heart of every Man.

XVII. No body is so well acquainted with himself, as to know his own Mind at all times.

XVIII. Every body complains of his Memo∣ry, but no body of his Iudgment.

XIX. There is a kind of general Revolution, not more visible in the turn it gives to the For∣tunes of the World, than it is in the Change of Men's Vnderstandings, and the different Relish of Wit.

XX. Men often think to conduct and govern themselves, when all the while they are led and manag'd; and while their Vnderstanding aims at one thing, their Heart insensibly draws them into another.

XXI. Great Souls are not distinguish'd by having less Passion, and more Virtue; but by having nobler and greater Designs than the Vulgar.

XXII. We allow few Men to be either Witty or Reasonable, besides those who are of our own Opinion.

XXIII. We are as much pleas'd to discover another Man's Mind, as we are discontented to have our own found out.

XXIV. A straight and well-contriv'd Mind, finds it easier to yield to a perverse one, than to direct and manage it.

XXV. Coxcombs are never so troublesome, as when they pretend to Wit.

XXVI. A little Wit with Discretion, tires less at long-run, than much Wit without Iudg∣ment.

XXVII. Nothing comes amiss to a great Soul; and there is as much Wisdom in bearing other People's Defects, as in relishing their good Qualities.

XXVIII. It argues a great heighth of Iudg∣ment in a Man, to discover what is in another's Breast, and to conceal what is in his own.

XXIX. If Poverty be the Mother of Wicked∣ness, want of Wit must be the Father.

XXX. * A Mind that has no Ballance in it self, turns insolent, or abject, out of measure, with the various Change of Fortune.

XXXI. * Our Memories are frail and trea∣c••erous; and we think many excellent things, which for want of making a deep impression, we can never recover afterwards. In vain we hunt for the stragling Idea, and rummage all the Solitudes and Retirements of our Soul, for a lost. Thought, which has left no Track or Foot∣steps behind it: The swift Offspring of the Mind is gone; 'tis dead as soon as born; nay, often proves abortive in the moment it was con∣ceiv'd▪ The only way therefore to retain our

Thoughts, is to ••asten them in Words▪ and chain them in Writing.

XXXII. * A Man is never so great a Dunce by Nature, but Love, Malice, or Necessity, will supply him with some Wit.

XXXIII. * There is a Defect which is al∣most unavoidable in great Inventors; it is the Custom of such earnest and powerful Minds, to do wonderful Things in the beginning; but shortly after, to be over-born by the Multitude and Weight of their own Thoughts; then to yield and cool by little and little, and at last grow weary, and even to loath that, upon which they were at first the most eager. This is the wonted Constitution of great Wits; such tender things are those exalted Actions of the Mind; and so hard it is for those Imaginations, that can run swift and mighty Races, to be able to travel a long and constant Journey. The Effects of this Infirmity have been so remarkable, that we have certianly lost very many Inven∣tions, after they have been in part fashion'd, by the meer Languishing and Negligence of their Authors.

Moderation.

I. MOderation in Prosperity, generally springs either from apprehension of the Shame and Reproach that attends Passion and Excess, or ehe fear of losing our Fortunes and Advan∣tages.

II. Moderation is like Temperance; a Man would be well enough pleas'd to eat more, but only he is afraid of a Surfeit.

III. The Moderation of some fortunate Men, is the effect of a smooth and composed Temper, owing to the Calm of their Prosperity.

IV. Moderation is a fear of falling into that Envy and Contempt, which those who grow giddy with their good Fortune, most justly draw up∣on themselves; it is a vain O••tentation of the Greatness of our Mind: And in short, the Mo∣deration of Men in the most exalted Fortunes, is a Desire to be thought above those Things that have rais'd them so high.

V. Moderation is represented as a Virtue, with a design to restrain the Ambition of Grea•• Men; and to perswade those of a meaner Con∣dition, to be contented with a less proportion of Merit and Fortune.

Merit, Worth.

I. PEople that are conceited of their own Merits, do sometimes take a pride in being unfor∣tunate, in order to perswade themselves and others, that they are considerable enough to be the Envy and the Mark of Fortune.

II. The undeceiving a Man strongly possess'd with an Opinion of his own Merit, is the very same ill Office that was done the Fool at Athens, who fancied all the Ships that came into Harbour were his own.

III. The surest Evidence of true Merit, is when a Man is commended even by those that envy him most.

IV. The Merit of some People consists in saying and doing useful Fooleries; and when they are once taken out of this Road, you quite spoil them, and they are good for nothing.

V. Princes put a value upon Men as well as Money; and we are forc'd to take them both, not according to their true Worth, but accor∣ding to what they are stamp'd for.

VI. Nature gives Merit and Parts, but 'tis Fortune improves and exerts them.

VII. The Address and Industry of impro∣ving moderate Abilities to the best Advantage, steal away, if I may so speak, our Esteem, and bring a Man oftentimes in to greater Reputation than real Merit.

VIII. Real Merit gains a Man the Esteem of good Men; but 'tis only Fate that gains him that of the Multitude.

IX. The Appearances of Merit are oftner Rewarded than Merit it self.

X. There are a great many Men valu'd in the World, who have no other Merit, than Vices profitable to Commerce and Society.

XI. A Man's Merit has its particular Season, as well as Fruits.

XII. A Man's Palate (or discerning Faculty) lowers proportionably to his Merit.

XIII. As much as the World is inclin'd to think ill of one another, we see them oftner favourable to false Merit, than injurious to true.

XIV. Some Men are like Ballads, which are in vogue but for a while.

XV. A Noble Birth, or a Great Fortune, proclaims Merit, and makes it the more con∣spicuous.

Nature.

I. MOst young People think often to follow Nature, when they are only unpolish'd and ill-bred.

II. Nothing hinders Men so much from being plain and natural, as the straining themselves to be thought so.

III. Nature was given to exercise the Philoso∣phers, like some dark intricate Riddle; every one makes his own Sense the Key, and out of that contrives his own System. He that by his Prin∣ciples explains most Difficulties, may be allow'd thus far to value himself, That he has hit upon the most probable Opinion.

IV. Something of one's Temper always en∣ters into the best formed Designs; and Nature is never so much reduc'd, but that the keeps as much Right over our Actions, as we can take over her Motions.

V. * It is a wonderful thing how the very Force of Nature will exert it self, in the meanest and the weakest of Creatures, in cases of ex∣tream Necessity and Danger.

VI. * The different Abilities of Men, which we call Wisdom, or Prudence, for the Conduct of publick Affairs, or private Life, grow directly out of that little Grain of Intellect, or good Sense, which they bring with them into the World; and that the Defect of it in Men, comes from some want in their Conception, or Birth. And though this may be improv'd, or impair'd, in some degree, by Accidents of Edu∣cation, Study, Conversation, or Business; yet it cannot go beyond the reach of its Native Force, no more than Life can, beyond the Pe∣riod to which it was destin'd, by the Strength or Weakness of the Seminal Virtue.

VII. 'Tis impossible to renounce Nature, and to raise our selves above the Condition God has plac'd us in. We shall see a Wise Man not able to defend himself from Humour and Folly; an Hero feeble, full of Defects, and as much a Man as they which are below him: For, in truth, there are no Great Men, if we compare 'em one with another; but they are in themselves weak, un∣equal, and deficient, in some part or other.

VIII. Nothing is durable, that is not suited to Nature. Too austere a Philosophy, makes few wise Men; too rigorous a Government, few good Subjects; too harsh a Religion, few religious Souls; I mean, that will long continue so.

Nobility, Gentility.

I. THere cannot be a meaner thing, than to take advantage of one's Quality and Greatness, to ridicule and insult over those of an inferiour Condition.

II. They that are so ridiculous as to value themselves meerly upon their Quality, do in a manner slight that very thing that gave them their Quality; since 'tis only the V••rtue of their Ancestors that first ennobled their Blood.

III. The great Mistake of most Noble-men, is, That they look upon their Nobility as a Chara∣cter given them by Nature.

IV. True Quality, and that which is the Gift of Nature, is only the Noble Advantages and Endowments of the Body and Mind.

V. The more ancient that Nobility is which we derive from our Ancestors, the more suspi∣cious and uncertain it is; and therefore the less valuable. The Son of a Mareschal of France, who by his own Worth has rais'd himself to this Office, should, in all Reason, be more Noble, than the Posterity that descend from him. The Spring of Honour is yet fresh in the Son's Veins, and kept up by the Example of the Fa∣ther; b••t the further it runs from the Foun∣tain, the weaker and drier it grows.

VI. We are surpriz'd every Day, to see some Men, that are come from the Scum of the People, raise themselves to great Fortunes and Honours; and we commonly mention this with Scorn and

Reproach; as if all the Great Families in the World had not as mean a Beginning, if we would but take pains to trace them back to their Originals.

VII. * A bragging Fool that's rais'd out of a Dunghil, and sets up for a Man of Quality, is asham'd of nothing in the World but his own Father.

VIII. It is with the Original of Nations, as with Genealogies of private Persons; these are purely imaginary; those shew themselves in Fables. From whence it comes to pass, that the Ancients held themselves oblig'd to some Deity or other, either upon the account of de∣scending from it, or else because they acknow∣ledg'd a particular Care and Protection from its Tutelary Virtue.

IX. * It is the Saying of a Great Man, That if we could trace our Descents, we should find all Slaves to come from Princes, and all Princes from Slaves: But Fortune has turn'd all Things topsie-turvy, in a long Story of Revolutions. But it matters not whence we come, but what we are; nor is it any more to our Honour, the Glory of our Predecessors, than it is to their Shame, the Wickedness of their Posterity.

X. It is a great Advantage for a Man to be Nobly descended; but it is still a greater one for him to be such by his own Merit, that People never enquire whether he be a Gentleman or no.

XI. * N••bility of Birth, commonly abates In∣dustry; and he that is not industrious, envies him that is. Beside, Noble Persons cannot go

much higher; and he that stands at a stay, when others rise, can hardly avoid Motions of Envy.

XII. * A Monarchy, where there is no Nobility at all, is a pure absolute Tyranny; for Nobility attempers Soveraignty, and draws the Eyes of the People somewhat aside from the Royal Line.

XIII. * Those that are first rais'd to Nobility, are commonly more virtuous, but less innocent, than their Descendants; for there is rarely any Rising, but by a commixture of good and evil Arts.

Obstinacy, Contradiction.

I. STubborness and Obstinacy, are the Effects of a shallow Wit; for we can never be∣lieve, what we cannot apprehend.

II. Men of mean Capacities, but especially your half-witted Fellows and pedantick Scholars, are most apt to be stiff and peremptory. None but Manly Souls can unsay what they have said, and forsake an Errour, when they find them∣selves on the wrong side.

III. Contradiction should awaken our Attention and Care, and not our Passion: Our Interest ought to be no other than that of Truth; and therefore we must rather hear those that oppose it, than avoid them, which is little better than yielding the Victory.

IV. There can be no arguing with a Man obstinate in his Opinion; for when he has once

contradicted, his Mind is barr'd up against all Light and better Information; Arguments, tho' never so well grounded, do but provoke him, and make him even afraid to be convinc'd of the Truth.

VI. The generality of Men do not make it their Business to be in the right, so much as to be thought so: This makes them stickle so stifly for their own Opinions, even when they know and are satisfied, they are false.

VII. The Obstinacy of some People in contra∣dicting Opinions generally receiv'd, is the effect rather of Pride than Ignorance: Those that are on the right side, have got the upper hand, and they scorn to take up with the lower.

VIII. No Men are so often in the wrong, as those who pretend to be always in the right.

Passions.

I. PAssion often makes a Fool of a witty Man, and no less frequently a witty Man of a Fool.

II. It is with our Passions, as it is with Fire and Water; they are good Servants, and bad Masters, and Sub-minister to the best and worst of Purposes at once.

III. The continuance of our Passions, is no more in our own Power, than the Term of our Lives.

IV. Those great and glittering Actions which dazzle the Eyes of most Men; and are repre∣sented

by Politicians, as the Effects of great Wisdom and Design, are indeed generally in∣fluenc'd by litte Humours and Passions. Thus the War of Augustus and Anthony, for the pur∣pose, which is ascrib'd to the violent Ambition each of them had to get the Mastery of the whole World, was occasion'd, perhaps, by a little rise of Iealousie between them.

V. Passions are Nature's never-failing Rheto∣rick, and the only Orators that can master our Affections. The plainest Man inspir'd by a Passion, perswades much better than the most eloquent, who is inspir'd by none.

VI. There is in all Passions a kind of Injustice and Self-interest, which makes them very dan∣gerous to be follow'd; and we ought not to trust them, even when they appear most fair and rea∣sonable.

VII. There is in our Hearts a constant Gene∣ration of Passions; so that the Destruction of one, is generally the Production of another.

VIII. As wary and cautious Men are to con∣ceal their Passions, under the specious Dress of Honour and Piety, this Disguise is too thin; and they seldom fail to break through it at one time or other.

IX. The Passions often give birth to others of a Nature quite contrary to their own: Ava∣rice sometimes brings forth Poodigality; and Prodigality, Avarice: Some are Resolute out of Weakness, and Bold out of Timorousness and Fear.

X. All Passions are nothing else but the dif∣ferent degrees of Heat and Cold in the Blood.

XI. The Victory we gain sometimes over our Passions, is owing to their Weakness, more than our own Strength.

XII. The Health of the Mind is as frail and uncertain, as that of the Body: And tho' a Man may seem free from all manner of Passions, yet is he in so much danger of falling into them, as one in a perfect state of Health, is of having a fit of Sickness.

XIII. It is one of the greatest Secrets of Na∣ture, that Men's Passions are more capable of be∣ing rais'd to higher degrees in Companies, than in Solitude; and that we sooner grieve, fear, rejoice, love, admire, &c. when we behold ma∣ny others so mov'd, than when we are alone.

XIV. No Man can guess in cold Blood, what he may do in a Passion.

XV. While our Heart is ruffled by the re∣mains of a Passion, it is more susceptible of a new one, than if it was entirely setled.

XVI. Those that have had great Passions, find themselves perpetually happy and unhappy, in being cur'd of them.

XVII. We are to blame not to distinguish between the several sorts of Anger; for there is a Light, and, as it were, a harmless one, which results from a warm Complexion; and another exceeding vicious, which is, in strict speaking, the Rage and Fierceness of Pride.

XVIII. Nature, it seems, has treasur'd up, in the bottom of our Hearts, some secret Talents and Abilities, which Passions only have the pri∣viledge to improve; and which, upon some Exi∣gencies, gives us a surer prospect of Things, than ever Art could do.

XIX. It is is as unseasonable to recompence in a ••it of Ioy, as to punish in a Passion.

XX. * That Mind is truly happy, which can entirely deny some Passions, and only unbend it self to some others.

XXI. The Soul is tir'd to be always in the same posture, and at a long run, it would lose all its Vigour, if it were not awaken'd by the Passions.

Penetration.

I. PEnetration is so Conjuring like, that it flat∣ters our Vanity more than any other Ac∣complishment of the Mind.

II. The greatest Fault of a Penetrating Wit, is not coming short of the Mark, but over∣shooting it.

III. There is always a part of our Thought that stays behind; we very seldom communi∣cate it entirely; and 'tis by Penetration, more than knowledge of Words, that we enter abso∣lutely into the Conception of others.

Philosophy.

I. PHilosophy easily conquers and triumphs over past and future Evils; but the pre∣sent ones triumph over Philosophy.

II. The Contempt of Riches in Philosophers, was only a desire of vindicating their own Me∣rit, and taking a Revenge upon the Injustice of Fortune, by undervaluitg those Enjoyments which she had not given them: This was a Se∣cret to secure them from the Disparagement of Poverty, and a By-way to arrive to that Con∣sideration and Esteem, which they could not compass by Riches.

III. The Philosophers, and Seneca among the rest, did not remove Men's Faults by their Pre∣cepts, but only improv'd them by the setting up of Pride: So that their Virtues (as a Father of the Church has it) were but glittering Vices.

IV. * There is no Condition that does not sit well upon a wise Man: For this Reason, I shall never quarrel with a Philosopher for living in a Palace; but shall, at the same time, not excuse him, if he can't content himself with a Cottage. I shall not be scandaliz'd to behold him in the Apparel of Kings, provided he have not their Ambition.

Pleasures.

I. ALl our Actions have no real Object but Pleasure; and tho' we take different ways, yet we see all Mankind encline to the same end; without that, the most laborious Persons would live languishing and idle: 'Tis that alone which makes us active, which moves all Bodies; 'tis that which gives motion to all the Universe. He that searches for Reputation in the Field, and breaks through all the Dan∣gers of Fire and Bullets to obtain Honour, would not expose himself to the least Danger, if he did not expect that Satisfaction he finds in himself, or that which is derived from Fame: And he that grows old in the Closer, amongst a parcel of mouldy, Moth-eaten Books, would not employ the least pain, in the acquisition of Sciences, if he did not receive from it some Plea∣sure in the pursuit.

II. A Man that knows how to mingle Plea∣sures with Business, is never possess'd of them; he quits them, and retakes them at his Will; and in the habit which he has made of them, he rather finds an unweariness of Spirits, than a dangerous Charm that might corrupt him. It is not so with these austere Persons, who by an alteration of Temper, come to taste of Volup∣tuousness, they are immediately inchanted with its Sweetness; and having nothing but an Aver∣sion for the Austerity of their past Lives, aban∣don themselves to the first Delights they meet with.

III. * 'Tis not so hard to counterfeit Ioy in the depth of Affliction, as to dissemble Mirth in the Company of Fools.

IV. The excess of Delights palls our Appe∣tites oftner than it pleases.

V. It is much better to seek every thing that can please in any Man, than to seek for a Man that can please in every thing; for a Man in all respects agreeable, is so great a rarity, that it is no Wisdom to hunt after that we are hardly ever like to find.

VI. We are so fond of every thing that is fresh and uncommon, that we take a secret Pleasure, and find entertainment even in the sight of the dismallest and most tragical Acci∣dents; and that partly because they are new, and partly from a Principle of Ill-nature that is in us.

VII. The continual Society, even of the best Men, becomes at length tiresome, or insensible; which makes those Persons that have a delicate Apprehension of Pleasure, voluntarily remove themselves from one another, to avoid the Dis∣gust that threatens them, and to have a better Taste of the Charms of Conversation, by a new Vigour which they bestow upon their Thoughts.

VIII. There is no Man but is sometimes at a loss with himself; the Wisest are weary of themselves, after they have been weary of others.

IX. We never fail to be tiresome to our selves, by too long and too serious a Commerce with our own Thoughts. He that intends to

live happy, must make but few Reflections up∣on Life; nay, he must often depart, as it were, from himself; and amidst the Pleasures which exteriour Objects furnish him with, steal from the Knowledge of his own Miseries.

Pride.

I. PRide always indemnifies it self one way or other; and loses nothing, no not in Self-denial.

II. When Pride has appear'd in all its Shapes, and play'd all the Parts of Human Life, as if it were tir'd with its own Disguises and Trans∣formations, it pulls off the Mask; and shewing its true Face at last, is known by its Insolence; so that, properly speaking, Insolence is the break∣ing out, and Demonstration of Pride.

III. 'Tis only because we are proud our selves, that we complain of, and cannot bear with the Pride of others.

IV. Pride is much the ••ame in all Men, as to the Degree of it, and differs only by the va∣rious Methods of exerting it.

V. The Wisdom of Nature is to be admir'd, not only in sitting the Organs of the Body, for our Happiness and Convenience, but also in be∣stowing Pride upon Men, to keep their Sight from the troublesome View of their own Im∣perfections.

VI. There is oftentimes more Pride than Goodness in our Reproofs; and we chide other People for their Faults, not so much with de∣sign to correct them, as to make them believe that we our selves have none.

VII. Blindness and Folly are the most perni∣cious Effects of Pride; for they both cherish and encrease the Vice, by concealing from us those Remedies, that might conduce to the Cure of our Miseries, and correct our Excesses and Ex∣travagances.

VIII. Nothing ••latters our Pride so much, as the Intimacy and Con••idence of Great Persons; for we are apt to think our selves admitted to these by our own Desert; and never consider that it happens much oftner, from a particular Vanity in their Humours, or their not being able to keep their own Counsel.

IX. * All proud Men, over and above the Stroke of a Divine Judgment, are miserable, even in themselves, and no Circumstances in the World can ever make them otherwise. Their Appetites are in••atiable, and their Hearts consequently never at rest; whether it be Wealth, Power, Honour, Popular Esteem, or whatever else they pretend to: They envy, and are envy'd: 'Tis impossible for them to be at rest, without en∣joying what it is impossible for them to attain; they live, gaping after more, and in a perpetual fear of losing what they have already: The higher they are rais'd, the giddier they are, the more slippery is their Standing, and the deeper they Fall. They are never well, so long as any thing is above them; and their Ambition carries

them to the supplanting of their Masters and Makers; when yet, by a most ridiculous Contra∣diction, they lie effectually, in the same instant, at the Mercy of the Men they most despise.

X. Humility is very often the putting on of a Submission, by which Men hope to bring other People to submit to them. It is a mere artificial sort of Pride, which debases it self with a design of being exalted: And tho' this Vice transform it self into a thousand several Shapes, yet it is never more effectually disguis'd, or more capable of imposing upon the World, than when conceal'd under a Form of Humility.

XI. A readiness to believe Ill, without a pre∣vious Examination, proceeds from Laziness and Pride: We are pleas'd to find others to blame, and loth to give our selves the trouble of enqui∣ring, how far, and whether they are so, or not.

XII. Pride, that so often inspires Men with Envy, does sometimes moderate it too.

XIII. Pride generally encreases by the Parings of other Faults.

XIII. The same Pride that disposes us to con∣demn the Faults we think our selves free from, inclines us to undervalue the Good Qua∣lities we want.

XIII. The Compassion we express for our Ene∣mies Misfortunes, is sometimes more the effect of Pride, than Good-nature, and only a Desire to let them know that we are above them.

XIV. Pride, as well as other Passions, is un∣accountable and humoursome. We are asham'd to own our being Iealous, when we are so; and

yet we value our selves upon having been so, and for being capable of being so.

XV. It is as good and commendable to be proud with one's self, as it is ridiculous with others.

XVI. Magnanimity is a bold Stroke of Pride, which makes a Man Master of himself, in order to make him so of every thing else.

XVII. A Man of Wit, that is naturally proud, loses nothing of his Pride and Stiffness, by being low in the World; but, on the contrary, if any thing can soften his Humour, and make him more courteous and sociable, it must be a little Prosp••rity.

Raillery, Laughter.

I. RAillery is harder to be born than Injuries, because it is an allowable thing to be concern'd at Injuries; but a ridiculous one to be angry at a Iest.

II. Raillery is an Injury disguis'd full of Malice and Ill-nature, which is endured with so much less Patience, as it shews, that they who use it, would be thought above us.

III. Princes and Persons in eminent Stations, would do well to be exceedingly reserv'd, as to this part of Conversation: The Resentments of their Raillery, are the more dangerous, because kept more conceal'd, and that Men are ever contriving some private ways of Revenge for it.

IV. Raillery very often betrays want of Wit; Men call it in to their Relief, when they have no∣thing of Sense and Argument le••t to say for themselves.

V. * No Man was ever ridiculous to others, that laugh'd at himself first.

VI. There are small Defects which we are con∣tent to abandon to the Censure and Raillery of others; such Defects as those we ought to chuse, to jeer other People upon.

Reason.

I. WE have not Strength enough to follow our Reason, so far as it would carry us.

II. That Man has but little Reason left him, who is past hopes of finding Reason from others.

III. He is not to be accounted Reasonable, who stumbles upon Reason by chance; but he that knows, and can judge, and has a true re∣lish of it.

IV. Our Reason is much better employ'd, in bearing up, and allaying present Misfortunes, than in fore-casting future ones.

V. A Man never wishes for any thing very eagerly, which he wishes for only by the Di∣ctates of Reason.

VI. No Man can be perfectly just and good, without a great measure of Sense and Right Reason, which will always encline him to chuse the juster Side, in every Action of his Life. And it is a foolish thing to extol wicked Men and Knaves,

as the World commonly does, for Persons of Wit and Vnderstanding: Such People have only one part of that sound Sense, which is the reason why they are successful upon some Occasions, but imperfect and at a loss upon a thousand others.

VII. As nothing betrays greater Weakness and want of Reason, than to submit one's Judgment to another Man's, without any Examination or Consideration of our own; so nothing argues a great Spirit, and true Wisdom, more than the submitting to Almighty God, with absolute and implicit Faith, and believing whatever he says upon the single Anthority of his own Word.

VIII. We attribute more to Reason, than is her due; she frequently usurps what of right be∣longs to our Constitution, and would have but few Advantages, if she had no more than are strictly her own.

IX. Reason does seldom cure any Passion, but rather strikes in with the strongest; for there is no Passion, but is authoriz'd and counte∣nanc'd by some Reason or other:

X. Good and Right Reason is a Light in the Mind, by which it discerns things as they are in themselves: But in this World, this Light is encompass'd and darkned by a thousand Mists and Clouds.

XI. Good Sense and Reason ought to be the Vmpire of all Rules, both Ancient and Modern; whatever does not agree with this Standard, is false.

XII. * The same Faculty of Reason, which gives Mankind the great Advantage and Prero∣gative over the rest of the Creation, seems to make the greatest Default in Human Nature; and subjects it to more Troubles, Miseries, or at least Disquiets of Life, than any of its Fellow∣Creatures. 'Tis this furnishes us with such va∣riety of Passions, and consequently of Wants and Desires, which no others feel; and these follow'd by infinite Designs and endless Pursuits, and improv'd by that Restlesness of Thought, which is natural to most Men, gives us a Condi∣tion of Life, suitable to that of our Birth; so that as we are born crying, we live complaining, and die disappointed.

XIII. * Since we cannot escape the Pursuit of Passions, and Perplexity of Thoughts which our Reason furnishes us, there is no way left, but to endeavour all we can, either to subdue, or to divert them.

XIV. Superstition renders a Man a Fool, and Scepticism is enough to make him mad. To believe all things, is above Reason; to give credit to nothing, is below it.

XV. Most Men rather chuse implicitly, than to put themselves to the expence of Judg∣ing; without instructing themselves in the nature of Things, they take those to be the best, that have the most Examples, and the greatest Crowd of Admirers: They don't fol∣low Reason, but only the Resemblance of it; and stifly retain their Errours, because they are countenanc'd by those of other Men.

XVI. It is much better for a Man to fall naturally into the good Sence of others by his Reason, than to make his Humours receiv'd by force.

XVII. * There are times when Sense may be unseasonable, as well as Truth.

XVIII. Common Sence is of the Growth of every Country; and all People who unite in∣to Societies, and form Governments, will, in time, make prudent Laws of all kinds; since it is not Strength of Imagination, nor Subtil∣ty of Reasoning, but Constancy in making Observations upon the several Ways of Work∣ing of Human Nature, that first stored the World with Moral Truths, and put Mankind upon forming such Rules of Practice, as best suited with these Observations.

Reputation.

I. WHat an ill Name soever a Man has got in the World, yet it is almost al∣ways in his own Power to recover his Reputa∣tion.

II. The great Characters of being Men of Honour and Iustice, are very often grounded more upon Forms, and a Knack of appearing to be such, than any true and solid Worth.

III. Those that have the Accomplishments es∣sential to the making a good Man, supposing they need no Art, neglect Formalities; act more according to Nature, and consequently live more obscure and in the dark. For those that judge of them, have something else to do than to ex∣amine them; and so they pronounce Sentence only according to outward Appearances.

IV. Reputation would not be so highly valu'd, if we did but seriously consider, how very unjust the generality of Men are, both in the gi∣ving and taking it away. We should content our selves to deserve it by our Good-behaviour; and when that Care is taken, not be over-anxi∣ous about the Success.

V. The Vulgar value and extol Actions, and other Things, not only for their Excellence, but more generally for the Uncommonness of them: And this gives occasion to all the false Methods Men take to gain the Approbation of the World.

VI. A great Reputation, is a great Charge, very hard for a Man to acquit himself well of; an obscure Life is more natural, and more easie.

VII. The first Step that a Man makes in the World, generally determines all the rest, and is the Foundation of his Reputation, and best Presage of his Fortune; and from the first Marches that he makes, those that have had Experience, will tell how far he will ad∣vance. 'Tis then very necessary to make this first Step with a great deal of Caution, and to signalize ones Entry by something that is glorious and great.

VIII. A Great Man ought not to suffer the Depth of his Capacity to be founded, if he will be always esteem'd by the Vulgar: He ought, on the contrary, to behave himself after such a manner, as never to discover all his Ability, and that no Man may assign Limits to his Learning. For let a Man be never so Learned, the Opinion we have of him, when we know him but by halves, goes always farther than the Idea we conceive of him, when we are wholly acquainted with him.

IX. Reputation is a Noise which strikes no∣thing but the Ear, and which cannot make a sensible Impression upon a Noble Soul; it de∣pends less upon our selves than Fortune: But as it is impossible to acquire a general one; so the possession of it would be absolutely unservice∣able.

X. A Man who is sensible of his Force, and knows the Advantages of his Mind, if he aspires to Glory, and will raise his Reputation, ought to dread, as a Rock, his being suspected that he is gov••rn'd by others.

XI. Some People lose their Reputation, by be∣ing too eager in their Endeavours to preserve it. This foolish Deportment, is ordinary with those, who being suspected of any ill thing, make use of long passionate Speeches for their Apolo∣gy; for tho' they may be guiltless, yet the ex∣cess of Words they run into, cannot but make us think the contrary.

XII. There is no Passion which makes Peo∣ple more unhappy than this, which almost all Men entertain for a general Esteem and Repu∣tation;

for excepting some Persons of truly Heroical Minds, who act only for the Satisfa∣ction of their Conscience, and perhaps too for the approbation of good Men, all the rest do that for Noise, which ought to be done for Vir∣tue; and suffer themselves to be inchanted with the Shadow and Appearance of a Thing, whose real Body does not so much as affect them.

XIII. Industry holds the Plac•• of the greatest Merit, and the Art of making himself esteem'd, oftner gives more Reputation than the thing it self.

XIV. * No Man can be said to be truly Great, that depends for his Reputation upon the Opinion of the Multitude.

Self-Love.

I. SElf-Love, is the love of one's self, and of every thing else for one's self: It makes Men Idolaters of themselves, and would make them Tyrants over others, if they could pre∣vail with Fortune to get the Power and Oppor∣tunities. It never rests out of it self, and never dwells upon other Subjects, but, as Bees do up∣on Flowers, to suck out what it thinks may be for its advantage. Nothing is so violent as its Desires; nothing so secret as its Intrigues; no∣thing so quick and ingenious as its Managements. Its Pliantness is past description; its Transfor∣mations exceed the Poetical Metamorphosis, and its Niceties the refining of Chymistry. One can

neither fathom its depth, nor pierce through the Darkness of its Abyss. Here it is quite out of the view of the most penetrating and sagacious Eyes; here it turns to and fro in a thousand in∣sensible Shapes; here it is oftentimes invisible to it self; here it hatches and breeds several Affe∣ctions and Hatreds unknown to it self; and some of these are so strange and monstrous, that when they come to the Birth, either it does not know them, or is asham'd to own them. From this gross Mist, with which it is over-cast, spring the ridiculous Opinions it has of it self; hence procced all its Errours, Mistakes, and Fopperies concerning it self; hence it is, that it thinks its Inclinations to be quite dead, when they are but lull'd asleep; that it fancies to have done running, when it does but rest; and that it be∣lieves to have lost its Appetite, when it has only fill'd its Stomach for the present. And yet this thick and gloomy Darkness, which hinders it from seeing it self, is no obstruction to its sight of any thing else; (in which it is like our Eyes, which perceive all, and yet are blind only with regard to themselves;) for in its greatest Concerns, where the violence of its Desires summon all its Attention, it sees, feels, and hears; it imagines, suspects, penetrates, and guesses every thing, even to that degree, that a Man is apt to think that each of its Passions has a kind of Witch∣craft particular to it. Nothing is so strong and close as its Ti••s, which it strives in vain to break off, at the view of the impending Calamities; nevertheless, it ••ff••cts sometimes in a moment, and without Pains, what it could never accom∣plish

with the most powerful and continu'd En∣deavours of many Years. From whence we may likely conclude, That its Desires are kind∣led by its self, rather than by the Worth or Beauty of its Objects; and that its own Palate gives them both the Value that makes them pre∣cious, and the Gloss that sets them off: So that it follows its own self, when it seems to pursue any thing else. Self-love is all made up of Con∣traries; it is Imperious and Dutiful, High-flown and Humble, Sincere and Counterfeit, Merciful and Cruel, Timorous and Bold. It has different Inclinations, after the diversity of Tempers, which turn and devote it sometimes to Riches, sometimes to Glory, sometimes to Pleasure; it alters them according to the variety of our Age, Fortune, and Experience: It never mat∣ters whether it has many, or but one, because it divides it self to many, or gathers and col∣lects it self to one, when either its Interest or Fancy requires it. It is unsteady; and besides the Alterations it receives from external Things, there are a thousand that spring from it self. It is inconstant by Fickleness, by Love, by No∣velty, and by Nauseating and Dislike. It is ca∣pricious and humoursome: Sometimes with in∣credible Hardships it snatches at Things, not only unprofitable, but even hurtful and offen∣sive, which it hankers after only because it has a mind to it. It is unaccountable and fantastical; it often busies it self about the most vain and frivolous Employments; it delights in the most insipid Things, and keeps its Loftiness and Pride in the vilest Drudgery. It is in all states of Life,

as in all sorts of Conditions; it lives every∣where; it lives upon every thing, sometimes upon nothing. It is contented with the Enjoy∣ment of Things, and the Want of them. It sides with its Foes, follows their Designs, and, which is wonderful, it hates it self, hatches its own Rnin, and pushes on its Overthrow. To sum up all, All its care is to subsist; provided it be, it is content to be its own Enemy. We ought not therefore to think it strange, to see it associate with the roughest Ansterity and hardest Mortification, and side with them to destroy it self; for it is no sooner cast down in one place, but it rises up again in another. When it seems to forsake its Pleasure, it does but suspend or alter it; nay, when it is so conquer'd, that Men would believe themselves to be rid of it, it springs up again, and triumphs in its Over∣throw. This is the true Picture of Self-love, of which the whole Life is but a strong and long Agitation. The Sea is a sensible and lively Image of it; for you may find in the continual Ebbs and Flows of its Waves, a faithful Representa∣tion of the boisterous and turbulent Succession of Self-love's everlasting and endless Move∣ments.

II. Self-love is the greatest Flatterer in the World.

III. Self-love bears less patiently the Condem∣nation of our Tastes or (Inclinations) than of our Opinions.

IV. The Fondness or Indifference that Philoso∣p••ers express'd for Life, was but a particular Tang of the Love of themselves, for which there

is no more reason to be given, than for the va∣riety of Palates, or the choice of Colours in some People.

V. The first motion of Joy that we resent at the Happiness and Preferment of our Friends, does seldom proceed either from our Good-nature, or the Kindness we have for them, but generally from Self-love, which flatters us that our Turn of being happy is coming, or that we shall reap some B••nefit from their Prosperity.

VI. As if the Power of transforming it self were small, Self-love does frequently transform its Objects too, and that after a most wonderful manner; for it not only dis∣guises them so artificially, as to deceive it self, but it perfectly alters the Nature and Condition of the Things themselves. Thus when any Per∣son acts in opposition to us, when he crosses and persecutes us, Self-love passes Sentence upon his Actions, with the utmost strictness and severity of Iustice; it aggravates all his Imperfections so, as to make them look monstrous and hor∣rible; and sets his Good Qualities in so ill a Light, as to make them appear more disagree∣able and nauseous than his very Failings. And yet as soon as the same Person ceases to be our Enemy, or that any of our Interests brings him to Reconciliation and Favour, the Satisfaction we receive, presently restores his Merit, and allows it that Lustre, our Aversion so lately robb'd it of. His Ill Qualities vanish out of sight, and his Perfections appear in a greater Splendour; nay, we summon all our Indulgence to excuse and justifi•• the Quarrel he formerly

had against us. Tho' this Truth be evidenc'd by every Passion, yet none demonstrates it so sensibly as Love: For we see a Lover full of Rage and Despair, at the Neglect or Infide∣lity of his Fondling, contrive and meditate for his Revenge, whatever his violent Passions sug∣gests him. Nevertheless, no sooner has a kind Smile of his Darling calmed his boisterous Re∣sentments, but his Joy and Rapture pronounces this Beauty innocent; he accuses himself alone, and condemns nothing but his own Condemning her before; and by this miraculous Power of Self-love, he takes away the Blemish and Odious∣ness of his Mistress's Proceedings, he clears her of the Crime, and lays it upon himself.

VII. The love of our selves makes our Friends appear more or less deserving, in proportion to the delight we take in them; and the Estimate we make of their Worth, depends upon the man∣ner of their conversing with us.

VIII. One would think, that Self-love were over-reach'd by Good-nature and Liberality; and that a Man forgets himself, when he promotes the Advantages of others: Nevertheless, this is the most effectual way to gain our ends; 'tis lending on Usury, under the pretence of giving freely. In a word, 'tis a nice and dexterous Way of winning over the Affections of every body.

IX. There is no Passion wherein Self-love is so predominant, as in that of Love: And Men are always more disposed to sacrifice all the Ease of them they love, than to part with their own.

X. We feel and resent both our good and ill Fortune, in proportion to our Self-love.

XI. Self-love makes more Men Cruel, than na∣tural Sternness and a rough Temper.

XII. Self-love is often cheated by its own self; for when it considers its own Interests, it so whol∣ly overlooks the Interests of others, as thereby to lose all the Advantage that might be•• made by the exchange of Kindnesses and good Offi∣ces.

XIII. A Man is but little the better for liking himself, when no body else likes him; for an immoderate Love of one's self, is very often chastifed by Contempt from others.

XIV. Self-love, according as it is rightly or otherwise understood and apply'd, is the Cause of all the Moral Virtues and Vices in the World.

XV. That Prudence which is made use of in the good Management of Men's Affairs, is only a wise and quick-sighted Self-love, whose con∣trary is Inconsideration and Blindness.

XVI. Tho' according to that Position, we may rightly conclude, That Men in all their Actions, keep still an eye to their own Interest; yet does it not follow, that there is no such thing left in the World, as Iustice and Honesty. Men may govern themselves by commendable and honest Interests; and 'tis the just Discretion of a well-regulated Self-love, that makes a Good or an Honest Man.

XVIII. The Love of our selves inclines us to look upon all the Pleasures and Happiness of Life as things that we have a right to call ours; and

upo•• all the Evils and Calamiti••s, as things fo∣••eign and unnatural, and such as are Wrongs and Hardships upon us. This gives the occasion to all our Expostulations and Complaints.

Sincerity, Dissimulation.

I. SIncerity is the disclosing and opening of one's Heart: This is hardly to be found in any body; and what we commonly look upon to be so, is only a more cunning and shrewd ••ort of Dissimulation, to insinuate our selves into the Confidence of other People.

II. The Vanity of talking of our selves, and the Desire of shewing our Failings on that side we are content they should be seen on, make up the greatest part of our Sincerity.

III. Half-witted People can never be sincere.

IV. As much as we di••trust the Sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more Truth to us, than any body else.

V. * The ablest Men that ever were, have had all an openness and frankness of Dealing, and a Name of Certainty and Veracity: But then they were like Horses well manag'd; for they could tell extreamly well, when to stop, and when to turn; and at such times, when they thought the Case indeed requir'd Dissimulation, if then they us'd it, it came to pass that the former Opinion spread abroad, of their Good Faith and Clearness of Dealing, made it almost invisible.

VI. * Nakedness is indecent, as well in Mind as Body; and its no small Reverence to Men's Manners and Actions, if they be not altogether open.

VII. * A general Custom of Dissimulation, is a Vice rising either of a natural Falseness, or Fear∣fulness, or of a Mind that has some main Faults; which because a Man must needs disguise, it makes him practice Dissimulation in other things, lest his hand be out of ure.

VIII. * The best Composition and Tempera∣ture, is to have Openness in Fame and Opinion, S••cre••ie in Habit, Dissimulation in seasonable Use, and a power to Feign, if there be no Remedy.

IX. * 'Tis the Practice of the World for People in distress to serve God and Man in seve∣ral Respects, both alike; that is to say, when they lie under any Affliction, or propose to themselves any considerable Advantages, and find they have need of another's help; how do they Beg, Vow, Promise, Sollicite, Swear, Sign and Seal; and yet conscious to themselves all this while, that they neither intend nor are able to make one Article good.

Silence, Speaking, Eloquence.

I. HE that distrusts himself, does best to keep Silence.

II. A Man never forgets things so effectually, as when he has talk'd himself weary of them.

III. Some Men oftentimes chuse to speak ill, rather than say nothing of themselves.

IV. As it is proper for great Wits to speak little, and say much; so, on the contrary, it is the Character of your Half-witted Fellows, to speak much, and say little.

V. All the World knows well enough, how improper it is for a Man to talk too much of his Wife; but very few consider how ridiculous it is to talk of one's self.

VI. What a strange thing it is, that Men should remember the smallest Particulars of their Affairs, when at the same time they forget how often they have tir'd others with the tedious Recital of them.

VII. The exceeding Delight we take in talking of our selves, may well make us suspect that we give but little to our Auditors.

VIII. There is as as much Eloquence in the Tone and Cadence of the Voice, in the Eyes, and in the Air, of a Man, as in the very Choice of Words and Expressions.

IX. True Eloquence consists in saying all that is fit to be said, and leaving out all that is not.

X. * There is a particular way of Hearkening to one's self, very displeasing in Conversation; for it is as ridiculous to hear one's self in Com∣pany, as to talk when a Man is by himself.

XI. Talking all, is so great a Fault, both in Business and Conversation, that any thing that's Good, is doubly so, if it be short; and we often gain by brevity, what we should always have lost by being tedious.

XII. Some People are so blind, and ••latter themselves to so great a degree, that they always believe what they wish, and think to make every body believe what they have a mind to. Tho the Arguments they would perswade us with, are never so poor and weak, yet their Prepossessions are so strong, that they think they need only talk loud and big, and be very positive, to make all the World of their Opinion.

XIII. True Eloquence is good Sense, deliver'd in a natural and unaffected Way. That which must be set off with the artificial Ornaments of Tropes and Figures, is acceptable only because the generality of Men are easily impos'd upon, and see things but by halves.

XIV. Great things must be deliver'd plainly an emphatical Tone would spoil all. On the contrary, small things must be said nobly, no∣thing supports them but the Expression, the Tone of the Voice, and the Countenance of him that speaks.

XV. * Talkative and noisie Persons, are com∣monly vain and credulous withal: For he that talketh what he knows, will also talk oftentimes what he does not.

XVI. Some in their Discourse desire rather Commendations of Wit, in being able to hold all Arguments, than of Judgment in discerni••g what is true; as if it were a Praise to know what might be said, and not what should be thought:

Taste, Palate.

I. THe Change of a Man's Taste, or Palate, is as common, as that of his Inclinations is rare.

II. A good Taste and Relish of Things, is more the effect of Iudgment than Wit.

III. We forsake our Interests sooner than our Tastes.

Truth.

I. MOst Men do not speak Truth out of an Aversion to Lyes; but generally out of a secret Ambition of making what they say considerable, and their Words respected as Oracles.

II. There is a disguis'd Falsuy, which is so lively a Representation of Truth, that we should injure our Judgments, not to submit to the Cheat.

III. Errours sometimes have as long a run as the greatest Truths; because being once receiv'd for Truth, Men admit whatever makes for them, with an implicit Consent, and reject or over∣look all that is capable of undeceiving them.

IV. The Conversation of Men that are Pe∣remptory and Dogmatical, is the most trouble∣some thing in the World. The best Temper

is always to be ready to submit to the Truth, and receive it, let it come which way it will.

V. * Truth is the great Lesson of Reasonable Nature, both in Philosophy and Religion; but now-a-days Fallacies of Words, Equivocations, Mental Reservations, and Double-Meanings, in a word, the Knack of Fast and Loose, pass with a world of foolish People for Turns of Wit: but they are not aware all this while, of the de∣sperate Consequences of an Ill habit; and that the Practice of Falsifying with Men, will lead us on insensibly to a Double-dealing with GOD Himself.

VI. * Truth (as to the Knowledge of our own Nature) may perhaps come to the Price of a Pearl, that shews best by Day; but it will not rise to the Price of a Diamond, or Car∣buncle, that shews best in varied Lights. A mixture of a Lye does ever add Pleasure. Does any Man doubt, that if there were taken out of Men's Minds, vain Opinions, flattering Hopes, false Valuations, and ill-grounded Conceits, but it would leave the Minds of most Men poor shrunken things, full of Melancholy and Indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? But to pass from Philosophical Truth, to the Truth of Civil Business, it will be acknowledg'd even by those that practice it not, that clear and ••ound Dealing is the Honour of Man's Nature; and that mixture of Falshood, is like Allay in Coin of Gold and Silver, which may make the Metal work the better, but it embases it. There is no Vice that does so cover a Man with Shame, as to be found false and perfidious:

And therefore the Word Lye, is such a Disgrace, and too odious a Charge, because, to say that a Man Lyes, is as much as to say, that he is brave toward God, and a Coward toward Men; for a Lye faces God, and shrinks from Man.

Vanity.

I. THey that speak without Vanity, are con∣tented with saying but little.

II. The Pomp and Solemnity of Funerals, is not so much to do Honour to the Dead, as to gratifie the Vanity of the Living.

III. If Vanity does not quite over-turn Virtue, yet it gives it terrible Shocks, and keeps it in a tottering Condition.

IV. We cannot bear with other People's Vanity, because it is offensive to our own.

V. The strongest Passions sometimes remit of their Violence; but Vanity tosses and hurries Men continually.

VI. The generality of Men speak ill of other People, rather out of Vanity than Ma∣lice.

VII. Vanity prevails with us to deny our selves, more than Reason can do.

VIII. We are all of us desirous to live in the Opinion of others, by a fantastical sort of Life. If we are Generous, Honest, Temperate, &c. we presently endeavour to acquaint others with it, to join those Virtues to that external and imaginary Being of ours; we would sooner part

with our best Qualities, than with that Chimara; and could be content to be Cowards, so we might get the Reputation of being Valiant.

IX. We do sometimes, out of Vanity or De∣cency, what we could do out of Inclina∣tion and D••ty. How many a Man has catch'd his Death, by sitting up with a sick Wife that he did not love!

X Vanity makes a Man find his Pleasure and Satisfaction, in speaking either well or ill of himself: A modest Man never speaks of him∣self.

XI. Nothing so much betrays how ridiculous and shameful a Vice Vanity is, as its not daring to shew its self but under the appearance of its Contrary.

XII. Vanity, and the good Opinion we have of our selves, make us often think that other People are proud and slight us, when there is no such thing. A modest Person is never trou∣bled with those Niceties.

Virtue, Vice.

I. GReat Vices are disguis'd under the Resem∣blance of eminent Virtues.

II. What we take for Virtue, is frequently nothing else but the Concurrence of several Acti∣ons and Interests, gather'd and brought toge∣ther either by Fortune, or our own Industry. It is not always from a Principle of Valour that Men

are Stout, or from a Principle of Modesty that Women are Chast.

III. Some Vices are mingled with Virtue, just as poisonous Ingredients are put sometimes into the best Medicines. A wise and skilful Hand tempers them together, and makes excellent use of them against the Misfortunes that attend Hu∣man Life.

IV. We generally run Vice down, and cry up Virtue, according to our Interests.

V. Nature seems at each Man's Birth to have mark'd out the Bounds of his Virtue and Vices.

VI. Vices may be said to take us one after another, in the course of our Lives, just as Inn∣keepers, where we lodge upon a Journey, do. And I question whether the Experience of having been ill us'd, would prevail with us to change our House, if we could travel the same Road over again.

VII. When Vices leave us, we flatter our selves that we leave them.

VIII. There are Relapses in the Distempers of the Soul, as well as in the Diseases of the Body; and we often take that for a full Recovery, which is only a Relaxation, or an Alteration of the Fit.

IX. The multiplicity of Vices, keep often a Man from giving himself over entirely to one.

X. Some Persons are so extreamly Trifling and inconsiderable, that they are as far from real Faults, as they are from substantial Vir∣tues.

XI. Virtue would seldom make such Advances, did not Vanity bear it company.

XII. Hypocrisie is a sort of Homage, which Vice pays to Virtu••.

XIII. There is no better Proof a Man's being truly Good, than his desiring to be constantly under the Observation of good Men.

XIV. Tho' Men be never so wicked, yet they have not the Confidence to profess themselves Enemies to Virtue, and when they persecute it, they either pretend not to think it real, or forge some Faults to lay them to its charge.

XV. Some Good Qualities degenerate into Vices, when natural; and others again are never perfect, when acquir'd; as for instance: A Man should learn Good-Husbandry in his Estate, and his Confidences from Reason and Experience; and, on the other side, Courage and Good-Nature must be innate with us, or else we can never have them in any good degree.

XVI. Our Qualities are doubtful and uncer∣tain, and apt to be either Good or Evil, accor∣ding to our Circumstances.

XVII. When great Men think to impose upon the World by the shew of Virtue, it is of ill con∣sequence to work them out of their Conceit; for by that means, we take away that pique of Ho∣nour, which prompts them to do those good Actions, that are agreeable to the Virtues they pretend to.

XVIII. * Old Sinners Continency, is much like Gamesters for swearing Play, when they have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Money.

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XIX. * Many things that are innocent in themselves, are made criminal and injurious by Misconstruction.

XX. * General Reformers are of all Men the most troublesome to themselves and others.

XXI. A Man in much Business, does generally either make himself a Knave, or else the World makes him a Fool.

XXII. It is with our Manners, as with our Healths; 'tis a degree of Virtue the abatement of Vice, as it is a degree of Health the abate∣ment of a Fit.

XXIII. * It is the Practice of the Multitude to bark at eminent Men, as little Dogs do at Stran∣gers; for they look upon other Men's Virtues, as the upbraiding of their own Wickedness.

XXIV. * The Complaint of the present Times, is the general Complaint of all Times; it ever has been so, and it ever will be so; not considering that the Wickedness of the World is always the same, as to the degree of it, tho' it may change Places, perhaps, and vary a little in the Matter.

XXV. * Wickedness comes on by degrees, as well as Virtue, and sudden leaps from one Ex∣tream to another, are unnatural Motions in the course of our Lives and Humours.

XXVI. * Virtue is like precious Odours, most fragrant when they are incens'd or crush'd; for Prosperity does best discover Vice; but Adversity be••t exerts Virtue.

XXVII. * Providence has arm'd us with Powers and Faculties, sufficient for the conf••••∣ding of all the Enemies we have to encounter.

We have Life and Death before us; that is to say, Good and Evil; and we know which is which too: Beside, that it is at our Choice, to take, or to refuse. So that we understand what we ought to do; b••t when we come to delibe∣rate, we play Booty against our selves; and while our Judgments and our Consciences direct us one Way, our Corruptions hurry us ano∣ther.

XXVIII. The Bonds of Virtue ought to be closer and nearer, than those of Blood: For a good Man is more of kin to another, by the Conformity of Manners and Conversation, than a Son is to his Father by the Resemblance of Faces.

XXIX. There is nothing in the World but has some Perfection or other. It is the peculiar Happiness of a discerning Palate, to find out each Thing's particular Excellence: But our in∣nate Malice makes us often discover a Vice, among many Virtues, that so we may reveal and proclaim that to their Disparagement. Now this is not so much an Argument of nice Judg∣ment, as of an ill Nature; and that Man has but an ill Life on't, who feeds himself with the Faults of other People.

XXX. Nothing goes so far in the Knowledge of the general Depravity of Mankind, as an exact Enquiry into our Disorders and Excesses. If we re••lect upon our Thoughts, we shall find within our Breasts, the Principles and Seeds of those Vices we are apt to cast in other Men's teeth. If we are not vicious in our Actions, we are so by a natural Proneness to Vice; for there

is no kind of ill, but is suggested to us by Self-love, to be improv'd as occasion shall serve; and few are so virtuous, as to be above Tempta∣tions.

XXXI. Men of low Degree are often troubled with many unprofitable Virtues and Qualifications, which they have not the Oppor∣tunities and Means to exert.

XXXII. Considering how much Men are wont to be taken with any thing that is un∣common, 'tis strange how they are so little af∣fected by Virtue.

XXXIII. Virtue is an inward Beauty, as Beauty is an outward Virtue.

XXXIII. A fine Woman is amiable in her own Nature; she loses nothing by being in her Neglige; she charms us without any other Set-off, than that of her Beauty and Youth, and the native Grace that sparkles in her Face, and animates all her Motions: Nay, we could be∣hold her with less concern, with all the Train of a modish Dress. It is the same with a Good Man; he challenges Respect and Honour by his own self independently, upon all the Forms and Shews of an affected Gravity. A reformed Countenance, an over-strained Modesty, a su∣percilious Brow, a singular Dress, do not so much set off, as paint Virtue, and make it pass for Counterfeit.

XXXIV. Virtue loses nothing, no more than Nature: The Seeds of Goodness circulate eter∣nally, and pass without intermission from one subject to another; and the Principles which contribute to the Production of the Wise, no

more annihilate, than those which concur to the Generation of Men.

XXXV. He that is perpetually crying up himself for a Good and Honest Man; that says he does no body hurt, and desires the Ill he de∣signs other People may light upon his own head, and swears too, to make himself to be credited, has not Wit enough to counterfeit a Good Man.

XXXVI. A Good Man, for all his Mode∣sty, makes other People say of him, what a Knave can say of himself.

Vulgar.

I. * NOthing is so fickle and inconstant, as the Mobile, driven hither and thither with every artificial Declaration of Statesmen, or Pretence of Faction.

II. * The Men of Ability cabal and improve their Interests, whilst the Vulgar are easily drawn into Parties, as their Affections byass them.

III. * The Mobile are uneasie, without a Ru∣ler; and they are as restless with one: And the oftner they shift, the worse they are pleas'd. So That Government, or no Govern∣ment; a King of God's making, or of the People's, or none at all. The Multitude are ne∣ver to be satisfied.

IV. * In Popular Factions, pragmatical Fools commonly begin the Squabble, and crafty K••aves reap the Benefit of it.

V. * Scoundrels are apt to be insolent to∣ward their Superiours; but it is below the Dig∣nity of a Man of Honour and Wisdom, to en∣tertain Contests with People that have neither Qualification, Wit, nor Courage; beside the Folly of contending with a miserable Wretch, where the Competion is a Scandal. Contempt in such a Case as this, is the only honourable Revenge.

VI. * The lowest Virtues draw Praise from the Multitude; the middle Virtues work in them Astonishment or Admiration; but of the highest Virtues, they have no sense or perceiving at all.

War, Peace.

I. NO body can be healthful without Exer∣cise, neither a Natural Body, nor a Politick; and certainly to a Kingdom, or Estate, a Just and Honourable War is the true Exer∣cise; for in a slothful Peace, both Courages will effeminate, and Manners corrupt.

II. * A Peace that puts People out of Con∣dition of Defence, in case of a War, must ex∣pect a War; and such a State as leaves them at the Mercy of an Enemy, is worse than War it self. There is no trusting to the Articles and Formalities of an out-side Peace, upon the

pretended Reconciliation of an implacable Ene∣my. Christian Religion bids us forgive, but Christian Prudence bids us have a care too whom we trust. Truces and Cessations are both made and broken, for present Convenience; and where the Allies find they may be the better for it, we may lay down this for an undoubted Truth, That there can never want a Colour for a Rupture, where there's a Good-will for't

Weakness.

I. WEakness is more opposite to Virtue, than Vice it self.

II. How can we expect another should keep our Secrets, when we had the Weakness to trust him with them.

III. Treachery is oftner the effect of Weakness, than set purpose and design.

IV. Weakness is the only Failing of the Mind that cannot be mended.

V. Nothing is more scarce than true Goodness and Humanity; and those that value themselves upon their Good-nature, are generally no better than either Weak or Complaisant.

VI. We are often comforted for those Mis∣fortunes by Weakness, which Reason could not comfort us under.

VII. To be over-much pleas'd with one's self, is Foppery; not to be pleas'd at all, is Weak∣ness.

Wisdom, Skill, Folly.

I. IT is as hard to be Wise in a Man's own Con∣cern, as it is easie to be so in another's.

II. Most Men are wise in the Accessories, and Fools in the Main.

III. The nicest Folly proceeds from the nicest Wisdom.

IV. Folly keeps us company through all the course of our Lives; and if any Man seem to be wise, it is only because his Folly is suited to his Age and Fortune.

V. 'Tis a kind of Folly to be wise by one's self.

VI. Some Follies are as catching as any infecti∣ous Disease.

VII. Some Remedies may be found to cure a Man of his Folly; but a perverse irrational Spi∣rit, can never be reform'd.

VIII. Briskness that encreases with Age, is but one degree remov'd from Folly.

IX. There is no Miscarriage so unlucky, but what may be beneficial, one way or other, to a wise Man; nor any Accident so fortunate, but what a Fool may turn to his own Prejudice.

X. There are Men cut out for Fools, that do not only make their Follies their Choice, but are forc'd into them by Fortune, whether they will or no.

XI. There are Mischances from which Fools do best come off clear.

XII. If the Folly of some People did never appear, 'tis because it was never nicely look'd into.

XIII. Old Fools are always more ridiculous than young ones.

XIV. VVe should make the Follies of others, rather a VVarning and Instruction, than a subject of Mirth and Mockery.

XV. There is a grave composed sort of Folly, highly satisfied with it self, that carries an Air of Wisdom a thousand times more troublesome and impertinent, than that humoursome and di∣verting Folly, which never thinks at all.

XVI. A Man's greatest Wisdom is to be ac∣quainted with his own Follies.

XVII. There is no such thing as true Wisdom in this World, except that which instructs us in Christian Morality; for this, if we abstract from all the Supports of Faith, and Advantages of Religion, is of it self the most pure and perfect Rule of Life.

XVIII. The desire of being thought a wise Man, oftentimes hinders Man to become really such.

XXIX. There are a sort of silly Coxcombs, who knowing themselves to be such, improve to their own Advantage their Simplicity and Fop∣pery.

XXX. The heighth of Skill and Wisdom, is to know the true Worth of every thing.

XXXI. 'Tis a great Wisdom to be able to con∣ceal, upon occasion, one's being wise.

XXXI. 'Tis a degree of Wisdom in a mean Wit, to follow the Judgment and Conduct of others.

XXXII. Wisdom has its excess as well as other things, and for the most part a Man makes ill use of his Reason with those who have none.

XXXIII. The state of Virtue is not a state of Indolence; we suffer in it a perpetual Conflict, betwixt Duty and Inclination: But that of Wisdom is sweet and calm; it reigns peaceably over our Movements, being only to govern well as Subjects, what Virtue combats as Enemies.

XXXIV. * There is in Humane Nature more of the Fool than of the wise Man; and therefore those Faculties by which the foolish part of Men's Minds is taken, are more potent.

Wonders.

I. THere is nothing deserves so much to be wonder'd at, as our frequent wondring at nothing.

II. There is nothing that the Mind of Man receives with so much satisfaction, as the Opinion of miraculous things, nor leaves with more dif∣••icuity or concern.

Women.

I. THe Shiness and Reserve of handsom Wo∣men, is only a Paint, which they use to set off their Beauty.

VI. Chastity in most Women is but the Love of their own Quiet, and a Tenderness of their Re∣putation.

VII. Vanity, Shame, and especially a suita∣ble Constitution are generally the Causes of the Courage of Men, and the Virtue of Women.

VIII. A Coeq••et Humour is the very Nature and Property of Women. And if some do not practise it, 'tis because they are restrained either by Fear or better Sense.

IX. There can be no such thing as Rules in the Mind or Heart of Women, if their Constitution be not consenting.

X. The Affliction of Women upon dead Lovers, proceeds not so much from the Love they had for them, as from a Desire to get others by a Shew of Tenderness and Humanity.

XI. There are but few Honest Women but what are weary of their Trade.

XII. The Generality of honest Women are like hidden Treasures, which are safe only because no body seeks after them.

XIII. Most Women yield rather out of Weakness than Love; and this is the reason, that a bold daring Fellow sooner gains their Favour than a fainthearted, though more accomplisht Compe∣titor.

XIV. A Ladies first Intrigue is seldom taken notice of before she has a second.

XV. There are some Women that never had an Intrigue, but there is scarce any that never had but one.

XVI. A Woman in Love will sooner forgive a great Indiscretion than a small In••idelity.

XVII. Women are seldom acquainted with all their Cocquet Humours.

XVIII. Women are never absolutely reserv'd, except where they have an Aversion.

XIX. Women can more easily conquer their Pas∣sion than their Cocquet Humour.

XX. It is one Kind of Cocquet Humour to put People always upon observing, that we are not Cocquetish.

XXI. Youth without Beauty in a Woman signifies as little as Beauty without Youth.

XXII. Women often think to be in Love when there is no such thing. The Diversion of an In∣trigue, the Commotions that an Amour raises in their Breasts, the natural Inclination to the Plea∣sure of being courted, and the Trouble of deny∣ing makes them fancy that what they feel is Passion, when in truth it is nothing but a Cocquet Humour.

XXIII. A Womans Resentment against a Man that brags of her Favours, is not so much an Ar∣gument of her Virtue, as her Inclination to be kind to one that could keep Counsel.

XXIV. Women are pleas'd with Courtship, and the most disdainful cannot but be com∣plaisant to those that tell them they are handsom.

XXV. Nothing is so unaccountable as the Ca∣prices of Women: For it frequently happens that the first Applications of a new Face, gain more upon them than the long Services of a constant old one.

XXVI. There is no Court but where Women have Credit and Interests; no State Intrigues but they have a hand in them.

XXVII. Men and Women do seldom agree upon the Estimate of the Merit of a Woman; their In∣terests are too opposite.

XXVIII. Women displease one another by the same Agreements that charm Men, and what excites great Passions in these, raises amongst them Aversion and Antipathy.

XXIX. If Women expect their Lovers, they set out themselves to receive them, but if they be surprized with their Visits, they presently forget at their Arrival the Irregularity of their Dress, and busie their Fancy about something else. But with Persons that are indifferent, they have time enough to re••lect on the Disorder of their Negli∣gè, and either dress themselves before them, or disappear for a Moment, and come in again with all their Attire.

XXX. Caprice in Women is generally conti∣guous to Beauty, to be, as it were, its Antidote to prevent the further mischief it would do the Men.

XXXI. Women engage themselves to the Men by Favours they grant them; Men, on the con∣trary disengage themselves from Women by the Favours they receive.

XXXII. When Women cease to Iove their Gal∣lants, they forget even the Favours they have granted them.

XXXIII. A Woman that has but one Gallant thinks herself to be no Cocquet; she that has seve∣ral concludes her self no more than a Cocquet.

XXXIV. Many a Woman prevents being thought a Cocquet by her Constancy to one, that passes for a Fool for her ill Choice.

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XXXV. There are very few Intrigues that are kept secret, and a great many Ladies are as well known by their Gallants as by their Husbands.

XXXVI. The Difference betwixt an Amorous Lady and a Cocquet is, that the first is for being lov∣ed, and the other only for passing for handsome and lovely. The one has a Mind to ingage us, and the other only to please us; the intriguing Woman passes from one Ingagement to another sucessively; the Cocquet has several Amusements at once; Passion and Pleasure are predominant in the first, Vanity and Levity in the last. Gallan∣try is a Weakness of the Heart, or perhaps a Vice of Constitution: A Cocquet Humour is an Irregu∣larity or Debauchery of the Mind. To conclude, an Amorous Woman makes her self to be feared, and a Cocquet to be hated. From these two Cha∣racters we may frame a third, the worst of them all.

XXXVII. A weak Woman is she whom we tell of her Faults, who reproaches her self with them; whose Inclination is in a perpe∣tual Conflict with her Reason; who desires to mend, who shall never mend, at least but very late.

XXXVIII. A Woman is inconstant when she ceases to love; fickle when she begins to love; light when she does not know her self whether she loves or no; indifferent when she loves nothing.

XXXIX. A great many Ladies conceal their Amours under a great deal of Reserve and Mode∣sty, that get often no more by their continued Af∣fectation, than to make other People say at last, Lord, I took her for a Saint.

XL. There are Women that love their Money better than their Friends; and their Lovers better than their Money.

XLI. 'Tis strange to find in some Womens Heart something more quick and strong than the Love of Men. I mean Ambition, and the Passion of Gaming. Such Women make Men chast, they have nothing of their Sex but the Petticoat.

XLII. Women run into Extreams, and are ge∣nerally either better or worse than Men.

XLIII. There is no such thing as Principles in Women; they conduct themselves by the Heart, and depend for their Manners, upon those they love.

XLIV. Women go further in Love than Men, but Men outstrip them in Friendship.

XLV. 'Tis the Mens Fault that Women hate one another.

XXVI. A Man is more reserved and secret in his Friends Concern than his own; a Woman on the contrary keeps her own Secret better than anothers.

XLVII. There is never so strong a Love in a young Ladie's Breast, but what may receive some Addition either from Ambition or Interest.

XLVIII. How many Maids are there in the World that never reaped any other Advantage from a great Beauty than the Hopes of having a great Match.

XLVIII. There is a Time where Maids, even those that have the most considerable Fortunes, ought seriously to think of bestowing them∣selves, least their Refusal of the first Proffers, be attended with a long and bitter Repentance.

The Reputation of their Riches does generally de∣crease with that of their Beauty, but on the con∣trary, every thing is favourable to a young La∣dy, and Men are content to aggravate all the Ad∣vantages that can most stir up their Passion, and make her worthy of their Applications and De∣sires.

XLIX. Handsome Ladies do generally Justice upon themselves for the ill Treatments they have done to some of their Lovers, by marrying either ugly, old, or at least undeserving Hus∣bands.

L. Most Women judge of the Merit and Per∣sonal Accomplishments of Men, by the Impression they make upon them, and will scarce allow any to that Man, whom they can see without Con∣cern.

LI. When a Man is at a loss to know whether Age has made any considerable Alteration in his Person, he may consult the Eyes and Tone of the Voice of those young Women he accosts; he will soon learn what he is afraid to know: But this is a hard way of learning.

LII. A Woman that is always casting her Eyes upon the same Man, or that takes them away continually from him, gives us an equal Sus∣picion of what she feels.

LIII. It is easie for a Woman to say what she does not feel, but it is yet more easie for a▪ Man to say what he does.

LIV. It happens sometimes that while the Wo∣man dissembles a true Passion, the Man dissembles a ••alse one.

LV. A Man may easily impose upon a Woman by a pretended Passion, provided he have no re∣al one for another.

LVI. Suppose a Man that is indifferent for all Women have a Mind to pretend a Passion, the Question is, Whether he will sooner impose upon that Woman that has a Kindness for him, than her that has none?

LVII. The greatest Concern of a Woman in Love, is not to perswade her own Passion, as to be satisfied of that of the Person she loves.

LVIII. Women are cured of their Natural La∣ziness either by Vanity or Love.

LIX. Laziness, on the contrary, in Women naturally brisk and aiery, is the Forerunner of Love.

LX. A Man breaks out into a Passion against an unfaithful Mistris, and then for∣gets her; a Woman, on the contrary, makes but little Noise at the Infidelity of her Lover, but keeps a long while her Resentments.

FINIS.