An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language by John Wilkins ...

Of MANNERS.

* 1.1THe Customary and habitual Actions of men considered as voluntary, and as they are capable of Good or Evil, Reward or Punishment, are styled by the name of MANNERS, Ethic, Moral-ity.

To which may be adjoyned the general name of such customary Acti∣ons as are mutual betwixt man and man, styled CONVERSATION, Carriage, Demeanour, Comportment, homiletical, Communication, lead, life, living, sociable, behave.

The Vertues belonging to these do comprehend all those Habits which concern the regulating both of our Wills and Affections, and of our Con∣versations. They are distinguishable by the Faculties which they mode∣rate, and the Objects they are conversant about, into such as do more im∣mediately concern the regulating of our

• Wills and Affections, and that Rectitude of mind which we are obliged unto with reference to our selves, considered more separately, accord∣ing to those principal parts of which we consist, viz. Soul and Body, Reason and sense, together with the things we possess, being either
  • More GENERAL. I.
  • More Particular, relating to
    • Our BODIES. II.
    • Our ESTATES or DIGNITIES. III.
• Conversations, or the right Demeanour of our selves considered as Mem∣bers of Society, in our converse with others; the due managing of the common Affairs and Businesses of life, according to the relations wherein we stand towards those whom we are to deal with. These are commonly called Homiletical Vertues, being either
  • More GENERAL and Common. IV.
  • More Particular, towards
    • SUPERIORS. V.
    • INFERIORS. VI.

* 1.2I. Those kind of Moral habits which serve for the regulating of our Wills and Affections more General, are commonly styled by the name of VER∣TUE, Honesty, Probity, Righteousness, brave; denoting such Habits whereby we are inclined and inabled to observe a due Mediocrity in our Actions. To this is properly opposed the notion of VICE, Sin, Crime, Dishonesty, Trespass, Transgression, Fault, Failing, Infirmity, Oversight, wicked, Improbity, Turpitude, unrighteous, unjust, bad, naught, vile, base, loose, evil, ill, corrupt, venial, heinous, debauched, lewd, lawless, licencious, foul, flagitious, enormous, profligate, Miscreant, Ruffian, Caitiff, Villain, Rakehell, Libertine, defile, pollute. These may be distinguished into such as relate to the Inclination of our Minds, either

• In Debitis; in such things as are due from us
  • ...By Law;
    1.
    • JUSTICE, Righteous-ness, right, square dealing, upright dealing.
    • ...INIVSTICE, Vnrighteousness, Wrong.
      • ...RIGOVR, rigid, extreme, severity, overstrict.
      • ...REMISSION, Over-sparing.
  • ...

• ...
  • ...Right Reason.
    • More general; respecting our Actions towards others, in such cases as the Law-giver (could he have foreseen) would have provided for; whereby a man is willing to recede from his own strict right, & the utmost extremities of things, and to take the most amicable way in the accommodating of Differences, supplying that by right Rea∣son which is not provided for in the words of the written Law.
      2.
      • EQUITY, Moderation, reasonable, conscionable, Chancery, fair dealing, in reason.
      • ...SVMMVM IVS, Rigidness, sourness, unreasonableness, iniquity, unequal.
    • More particular; in our Thoughts concerning other mens words or a∣ctions, being ready to interpret every thing in the best sense, when there is no evident reason to the contrary.
      3.
      • CANDOR, fair, ingenuous, candid, fair dealing.
      • ...CENSORIOVSNESS, Sinister suspicion, captiousness, controling, carping▪ find fault.
• In Gratuitis; respecting chiefly the
  • Benefactor; being either
    • More general; denoting ‖ a propension of mind to do good to other••, together with external actions sutable thereto.
      4.
      • GOODNESS, Benignity, benevolence, benificence, kindness, good turn, beholding gratifie.
      • ...MISCHIEVOVSNESS, Maleficence, ill turn.
    • More particular; respecting such as are in a state of misery.
      5.
      • MERCY, tender-hearted, pitiful, propitious, soft.
      • ...CRVELTY, Immanity, inhumane, hard-hearted, pittiless, savage, dire, tr••culent, barbarous.
  • Beneficiary; namely, a propension of mind to put a just esteem upon the Favours we receive, and to take all occasions of acknowledging and requiting them.
    6.
    • GRATITUDE, Thank-fulness, give or render thanks.
    • ...INGRATITVDE, Vnthankfulness, ingrateful.
• In arduis; whether things
  • Hard to be done; whereby we are made duly resolute against all such difficulties either of Fear or Discouragement as may hinder us in our duty.
    7.
    • FORTITUDE, Valour, Courage, Manhood, Prowess, Puissance, stout, redoubted, undaunted, bold, daring, valiant, resolute, in heart, of spirit, manly, manful, sturdy.
      • ...RASHNESS, Temerity, fool-hardiness, audacity, desperate, heady, hair-brain'd, boisterous, precipitate.
      • ...COWARDISE, timorous; faint-hearted, fearful, soft, Craven, Da∣stard, Poltron, Recreant, out of heart, to flinch, to cow.
  • Hard to be suffered; in respect of
    • ...Pain.
      8.
      • PATIENCE, Long-suffering, forbearance, abide, bear, brook, en∣dure, sustein, tolerate, weather it out.
        • ...OBSTINACY, stubborn, sturdy, peremptory.
        • ...SOFTNESS, Tenderness; Impatience, relent, mollifie.
    • Provocation to Anger and Revenge, in which we are to observe a due Mediocrity.
      9.
      • MEEKNESS, Mildness, long-suffering, gentleness, clemency, lenity, calm, put up.
        • ...LENTITVDE, Stupor, Insensibility.
        • ...RASH ANGER, curst, hasty, pettish, peevish, snappish, testy.

* 1.3II. The more special Vertues for the regulating of our Wills and Af∣fections in things relating to our BODIES, whose Object is Iucundum or Vtile, are either.

• Of a more large extent; denoting an Ability to withstand all such tem∣ptations of allurement whereby we may be hindred in our Duty.
  1.
  • TEMPERANCE.
  • ...SENSVALITY, Voluptuousness, Intemperance, debauched, dissolute, effeminate, Epicure.
• Of a lesser extent; concerning the Moderating of our natural Appetites towards things which concern the Preservation of the
  • Individuum; either
    • More necessary; as in
      • ...Meats.
        2.
        • ABSTINENCE, abstemious, fasting.
          • ...MACERATION.
          • ...GLVTTONY, Surfeit, voracity, gormandizing, pampering, raven∣ous, sated, Gully-gut.
      • ...Drinks.
        3.
        • SOBRIETY, Abstemiousness.
        • ...DRVNKENNESS, Sot, besot, inebriate, heady, intoxicate, fox, ca••rouse, overtaken, whittled, fuddled, tipsie, Tipler, Soaker, Pot-com∣panion, Toss-pot.
      • ...Sleep.
        4.
        • VIGILANCE, Watchfulness.
        • ...SLVGGARDLINESS, Sloth, Drowziness, Sleepiness.
    • Less necessary; which concern
      • Refreshments from Labour.
        5.
        • MODERATENESS IN RECREATION.
        • ...IMMODERATENESS IN RECREATION.
      • External Decorum and Ornament.
        6.
        • CLEANLINESS, Neatness, smugg, terse.
          • ...NICENESS, Finicalness, Delicateness, Daintiness, Curiosity, dapper.
          • ...SLOVENLINESS, Vncleanness, Nastiness, sordid, filthy, squa∣lid, foul, Sloven, Slut, slubber.
  • Species; as Venery.
    7.
    • CHASTITY, Continence, Honesty.
    • ...VNCHASTITY, Incontinence, Wantonness, lascivious, unclean, obscene, ribaldry, bawdy, lewd, light, dishonest, corrupt, defile, deflowr, incest, rape, ravish, viciate.

III. Vertues relating to the due moderating of our Affections towards the things which concern our ESTATES and DIGNITIES,* 1.4 whose Object is Pro∣fit or Esteem, may be distinguished into such as do more particularly concern our

• Estates and Possessions; being either
  • More general; denoting a Mediocrity about getting, or keeping, or spending.
    1.
    • LIBERALITY, Bounty, Munificence, open-handed, free, generous, frank, large.
      • ...PRODIGALITY, Prof••seness, wastful, lavish, riotous, embezil, lash out Ha∣vock, run out.
      • ...COVETOVSNESS, Avarice, Worldliness.
  • More special; in
    • ...Getting.
      2.
      • PROVIDENCE.
        • ...SCRAPING, Rapacity, greedy, craving, griping, ravenous.
        • ...SLATERING, Improvidence.
    • ...Keeping.
      3.
      • FRUGALITY, Parcimony, thriftiness, good-husbandry, saving, spa∣ring, near.
        • ...PENVRIOVSNESS, crib, hard, close-fisted, hide-bound▪ over-thrifty, tenacity, pinching, pinch••peny, Churle, Niggard, Miser, close, near.
        • ...SQVANDRING, flying-out, ill-husbandry▪ unthriftiness, spend-thrift, wast, embezzil, mis••spend.
    • Spending; distinguished by its Objects; either
      • The Public.
        4.
        • GENEROSITY, Magnificence, Bounty, Grandeur, stately, pompous, sumptuous, brave, noble, heroic.
          • ...RIOTOVSNESS, Profuseness, Luxuriousness, blade-it, debauch, Roi∣ster.
          • ...SORDIDNESS, Baseness, unworthy, penurious.
      • The Poor; relieving the wants of others.
        5.
        • ALMSGIVING, Charity, Dole, Alms, relieve, Pensioner, Bedes-man, Eleemosynary, Hospital.
        • ...CHVRLISHNESS, uncharitable, rough, Niggard.
      • ...Strangers.
        6.
        • HOSPITALITY, harbour, entertain, treat, open-house.
        • ...INHOSPITABLENESS.
• Dignities and Esteem; in respect of the
  • Avoiding or suffering of Disgrace.
    7.
    • MODESTY, Bashfulness.
      • ...SHEEPISHNESS, Shamefacedness, over-bashful, sneaking, softness.
      • ...IMPVDENCE, Shamelesness, Audacity, saucy, immodest.
  • Seeking or bearing of Honour; as putting a just value upon things, (having but a little esteem for little things,) as likewise upon himself, and his own merits; and not either
    • ...Less then he ought.
      8.
      • MAGNANIMITY, brave, noble, heroic, generous, greatness of mind.
        • ...INSOLENCE, arrogance, haughtines, presumption, vaunting, vaporing.
        • ...PVSILLANIMITY, Baseness, sordid, pedantical.
    • ...More then he ought.
      9.
      • MODESTY.
        • ABIECTNESS, Sneaking, narrowness and littleness of mind, base,
        • ...AMBITION, Presumption, High-mindedness, Vain-glory, Arrogance, aspire, overweening, Rodomontade, affectation of Empire.

* 1.5IV. HOMILETICAL Vertues more COMMON, are such vertuous habits as are required in men of all degrees and conditions for the regu∣lating of their mutual Conversations. Not that the other Vertues before specified, are not likewise necessary to this end: but that they do not so di∣rectly and immediately tend to it as these others do which are styled HO∣MILETICAL. To which may be opposed INSOCIABLENESS, Barbarism.

These are distinguishable into such as render our Conversation; either

• Profitable to each other: which may be considered according to the
  • Matter; such as tend to the preservation of
    • Truth; either in our
      • Declarations or Assertions.
        1.
        • VERACITY, Truth.
        • ...LYING, Leasing, forge, fib, flam, false, perjury.
          • ...OVER-SAYING, Hyperbole, Boasting, Ostenta∣tion, vapor, crack, brag, vaunt, swagger, ••o∣domontade.
          • ...VNDER-SAYING, Detraction, Diminution, disparage, traduce, depreciate.
      • Obligations or Promises.
        2.
        • FIDELITY, trusty, true, loyal.
        • ...VNFAITH∣FVLNESS.
          • ...OFFICIOVSNESS, Fawning.
          • ...TREACHERY, perfidious, false, faithless, unfaithful, untrusty, disloyal, Recreant, Traitor, Ambodex••er, betray, falter, undermine, prevaricate.
    • ...Peace.
      3.
      • PEACEABLENESS, Quietness, Concord Accord▪ Agreement, Vni∣on, appease, atone, pacifie, reconcile, compose, take up, compromize, still, calm, set at peace, part a fray.
      • ...VNPEACEA∣BLENESS.
        • ...TAMENESS.
        • ...CONTENTIOVSNESS, Strife, Dissension, Discord, Variance, Controversie, Difference, Broils, Contest, Combustion, Debate, Division, Bickering, litigious, quarrel, wrangle, clash, jarr, brabble, jangle, Gar∣boil, Odds, Brangling, Conflict, Squabble, Brawling, Cavilling, captious, Incendiary, Barreter, Bonte∣few, Shrew, Scold.
  • Manner; such as regulate our Carriage with a due respect of
    • Things; in
      • ...Saying what is fit to be said.
        4.
        • FRANKNESS, Freeness, plain, open-hearted.
          • ...TOO MVCH OPENNESS, Tell-tale, Blab,
          • ...RESERVEDNESS, shy, nice, coy, demure, staunch, wary, close.
      • ...Concealing what is fit to be concealed.
        5.
        • TACITURNITY, staunch, close, still, counsel-keeping, secrecy, silence.
        • ...LOQVACITY, Babbling, Garrulity, talkative, babble, blab, chat∣ter, gabbling, tattle, prate-ttle.
    • Persons; in observing a just Decorum.
      6.
      • GRAVITY, Seriousness, sober, demure, sage▪ stayed, earnest, settled, solid.
      • ...VANITY,
        • ...FORMALNESS, Coxcomb, fond, foppish.
        • ...LIGHTNESS, flashy, Freak, Levity, Petulance.
• ...

• Pleasant to each other; serving to regulate
  • Our Outward carriage towards others, both Actions and Speeches, as to a Facility for Converse, together with our desires and endea∣vours by all honest wayes to please others, and care, not to offend them.
    7.
    • COURTESY, Comity, mannerliness, civility, affability, kindness, hu∣manity, gentle, fair, humane, benign, tractable, smooth.
      • ...FAWNING, Assentation, Adulation, obsequious, smooth, glavering, gloze, cogg, cajole, curry favour, collogue, wheedle, crouch, creep∣ing, scraping, flatter, sooth, clawing, Blandishment, Parasite, Sy∣cophant, Claw-back.
      • ...MOROSENESS, curst, crabbed, cynical, froward, churlish, uncivil, boisterous, rude, sullen, surly, unmannerly, hard to please, humor∣some, rough, harsh, sour, testy, snappish, dogged, currish, waspish, tetchy, wayward, peevish, pettish.
  • Our Words and Speeches; either in
    • More serious debates; making due allowances to others, affording them just liberty.
      8.
      • COMPLACENCY, Civility, smooth, soft, popular,
        • ...ASSENTATION, Flattery, glozing, soothing, fawning, mealy-mouth'd, trencher-friend.
        • ...MAGISTERIALNESS, Arrogance, Imperiousness, Lordliness, masterly, pedantical, rough, over-bear, Roister.
    • Less serious matters; by such honest mirth whereby Conversation is to be sweetned.
      9.
      • URBANITY, Facetiousness, Raillery, Drollery, jocular, jocund, merry, Conceit, Iest, Squib, Clinch, Quibble, Wagg.
        • ...SCVRRILITY, Buffoonry, Abusiveness, Pasquil, Zany, Vice.
        • ...RVSTICITY, Clownishness, boisterous, blunt, barbarous, rough, rude, Kerne, home-bred, Slouch, uncivil, unmannerly, dirty.

* 1.6V. HOMILETICAL VERTUES whereby we are to regulate our Demeanour towards our SUPERIOURS, may be distinguished into such as are

• More general; denoting the Habit of behaving our selves as we ought towards all in a superiour relation.
  1.
  • DUTIFULNESS, submissive.
  • ...VNDVTIFVLNESS, Sturdiness, stiff, untoward, untractable.
• ...More special; ex parte
  • Subjecti; as Inferiours, and at a distance from them.
    2.
    • HUMILITY, Lowliness, abase, humble, gentle, submission, demisness.
    • ...PRIDE, Haughtiness, Loftiness, high-minded, Lordly, elate, stately, perk, self-conceit, arrogance, magisterialness, presumption, overween, puff up, look big.
  • Objecti; as to Superiours in
    • ...Place.
      3.
      • REVERENCE, Honour, regard, respect, veneration, awe, dread, Worship.
      • ...IRREVERENCE, Petulance, Sauciness, malapert, perk, presumptuous.
    • ...Gifts.
      4.
      • RESPECT, Grace, Honour, deference, civility, esteem, observe, veil to.
      • ...DISREPECT, Dishonour, neglect, slighting, undervaluing, dis∣regard, vilifie.
    • ...Authority;
      • ...General.
        5.
        • SUBJECTION, Homage, Loyalty, Allegiance, at ones command, serve under.
        • ...REBELLION.
      • Special; as
        • ...Governing.
          6.
          • LOYALTY, Allegiance, Fealty, Homage.
          • ...TREACHERY, betray, Traitor, disloyal.
        • ...Commanding.
          7.
          • OBEDIENCE, obsequious, observant, pliable, submissive, tra∣ctable, towardly, Conformity, follow, serve, be subject to.
          • ...DISOBEDIENCE, Contumacy, Obstinacy, refractory, self-willed, unruly, untoward, transgress, trespass, break, violate, take head, stiff-necked, wilful, masterless, restive.
        • Punishing; submitting to Justice, and suing for Mercy, or contr••.
          8.
          • SUBMISSION, give place to, give way, yield, resign, surren∣der, at discretion of.
          • ...CONTVMACY, Obstinacy, Self-will, stubborn, sullen, stiff, un∣tractable, wayward, stout, stiff-necked, refractory.

VI. HOMILETICAL VERTUES whereby we are to regulate our Demeanour towards our INFERIORS,* 1.7 may be distinguished into such as are

• ...More general.
  1.
  • GRACIOUSNESS, Favour, Indulgence, gentle, kind, mild, serene, soft, benign, propitious.
  • ...HARSHNESS, Ruggedness, sourness, roughness.
• ...More particular; ex parte
  • Subjecti; in respect of our Superiority, from which we are ready upon occasion to yield and stoop down.
    2.
    • CONDESCENSION, deign, vouchsafe, bear with, suffer.
    • ...INSOLENCE, Magisterialness, imperiousness, roughness, strictness, stately, domineer, insult, swagger, Roister, Ruffian.
  • Objecti; as to Inferiors, in
    • ...Place or Gifts.
      3.
      • AFFABILITY, Courtesie, gentleness, facil, fair, demeanour.
      • ...SVPERCILIOVSNESS, roughness, stern, sour, scornful, stately, surly, arrogant.
    • Authority; in
      • General; ‖ preserving such in their just rights, or invading of them.
        4.
        • PROTECTION, Shelter, defence, guard, patronage, refuge.
        • ...TYRANNY.
      • Special; as
        • ...Governing.
          5.
          • GOOD GOVERNANCE, Discipline, Regiment.
          • ...MALE-ADMINISTRATION, misgoverning, ill governance.
        • ...Commanding.
          6.
          • REASONABLENESS.
          • ...VNREASONABLENESS.
        • Punishing when one ought.
          7.
          • SEVERITY, strict.
          • ...FONDNESS, Indulgence, cocker, do••e, make much of, tender, chary.
        • Remitting, when there is just occasion.
          8.
          • CLEMENCY, Gentleness, favourableness, lenity, mildness.
          • ...AVSTERITY, stern, strict, inflexible, asperity, rigor, stiff, ri∣gid, harsh, sharp, tart, rough, crabbed.

Though several of the Vertues and Vices enumerated under this and the former Head, may be ascribed sometimes to persons in other capacities; yet they do primarily and originally appertain to the Relations of Supe∣riours and Inferiours.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. III.
• * 1.2

  I. VERTUE.
• * 1.3

  II. Vertues relating to our BODIES.
• * 1.4

  III. Ver∣tues rela∣ting to our E∣SATES and DIG∣NITIES.
• * 1.5

  IV. HOMI∣LETICAL COMMON ••ertues.
• * 1.6

  V. HOMIL. VERT. to∣wards SU∣PERIOURS.
• * 1.7

  VI. HOMIL. VERT. to∣ward IN∣FERIOURS.