Of wisdom three books / written originally in French by the Sieur de Charron ; with an account of the author, made English by George Stanhope ...

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Prosperity, and Advice thereupon.

[unspec 1] THat Prosperity, which comes to us leisurely and regular∣ly, in the usual Course of the World, and a common concurrence of visible Causes and Effects, (as particularly by our own Industry, or Frugality, Prudence and good Ma∣nagement; or by eminent Accomplishments and Deferts) is abundantly more stable and safe, and less exposed to the Envy of other People; than that which drops, as it were, into a Man's mouth, and is let down from Heaven upon him, to the surprise of all that know him, and beyond the very utmost of his own most Sanguine hopes.

[unspec 2] Prosperity is a State of infinite hazard and danger: As soon as ever this fair Gale begins to blow, all that is light, and empty in the Soul, is immediately carried up with the breath of it. Nothing hath so pestilent an influence, to stupifie and ruin Men, and make them forget themselves: They perish, and are spoiled, like Corn born down by a full Ear, and Branches broke with excessive quantities of Fruit. And therefore it is necessary, a Man should be sensible what slip∣pery ground he stands upon, and look to his steps according∣ly; but especially he should beware, that he be not carried to Insolence and Contempt of others, Pride and Presump∣tion with regard to himself. These are Vices so incident to Mankind, that the least Temptation will suffice for them. And as some People (according to the Proverb) will be drowned in two foot of Water; so there are some too, who upon the least smile of Fortune, swell and look big, scarce know themselves, and are intolerable to all their Acquain∣tance. Of all the Pictures of Folly, which the World can furnish us with, this seems to be drawn most like the Life.

[unspec 3] From the unsteadiness of Mind it is, that we are able to give a rational account, why Prosperity should be so very short and uncertain, as generally we find it. For Persons in this Condition are for the most part ill-advised, and this In∣advertency makes frequent and quick Revolutions; changes the Scene from Joy and Grandeur, to Calamity, and Sor∣row, and Want; alienates the Affections of Providence; provokes Almighty God to take back again what Men make

such ill use of. To all which we may add the secret and undiscernable Reasons of his Dispensations, or, to express the thing in a more secular Phrase, that Inconstancy of For∣tune, which from a fond Mother changes her humour unac∣countably to all the Severities of a cruel and cursed Step∣mother.

[unspec 4] Now the properest Advice upon this occasion, is for a Man to restrain and moderate his Opinions and Affections of the good things of this World; not to esteem them too highly, nor imagine himself one whit the better or the worse Man, for the Enjoyment or the Want of them; and the natural Consequence of this so low Valuation will be, not to desire them with any degree of vehemence. If they fall to his Lot, to accept them as the Gift of a bountiful Master; and to serve him with them thankfully and cheerfully; but always to look upon these, as foreign and additional Advantages; no necessary, no inseparable part of Life: Such as he might have been very well without, and such, as, while he hath them, are not to be made any great account of, or suffered to change the temper of his Mind, either higher or lower. For,* 1.1 What Fortune hath made yours, is none of yours. He that will live safe and easie, must decline those treacherous Baits, those Limed twigs of Fortune. For what hath she in her disposal, worth engaging our desires, or fixing our Heart and Hopes upon?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Non est tuum fortuna quod fecit tuum. Qui tutam vitam agere volet ista viscata beneficia devitet, nil dignum putare quod speres. Quid dignum habet Fortuua, quod concupiscas?