?

VII.

Good-nature is more agreeable in converfation than wit; and gives a certain air, to the the countenance, which is more amiable than beauty. It fhews virtue in the faireft light, takes off in fome measure from the deformity of vice, and makes even folly and impertinence fupportable.

VIII.

In order to quicken human induftry, Providence has fo contrived it, that our daily food is not to be procured without much pains and labour.

IX.

When an old man bewails the lofs of fuch gratifications which are paffed, he discovers a monstrous inclination to that which is not in the course of Providence to recall. The state of an

old

How

old man, who is diffatisfied, merely for his being fuch, is the most out ́of all measure of reafon, and good fense, of any being, from the highest angel, to the lowest worm. miferable is the contemplation, to confider a libidinous old man (while all created things, befides himself and devils, are following the order of Providence) fretting at the course of things, and being almost the fole malecontent in the creation.

X.

Age in virtuous perfons of either sex, carries in it an authority, which makes it preferable to all the pleafures of youth.

XI.

However abfurd the love of fame may appear, it is not wholly to be difcouraged, fince it fometimes proB 3

duces

duces very good effects, not only as it restrains us from doing any thing which is mean and contemptible, but as it often raises us to actions, great and glorious. The principle may be faulty, but the confequences it produces are fometimes fo good, that for the benefit of mankind it ought not to be totally abolished,

XII.

The enjoyment of pleasure is not always required; the privation of pain, well-used, renders our condition fufficiently happy.

XIII.

The mind never unbends itself fo agreeably, as in the converfation of a well-chofen friend. There is, indeed, no bleffing of life, that is any ways comparable to the enjoyment of a difcreet and virtuous friend, It eafes and unloads

unloads the mind, clears and improves the understanding, ingenders thoughts and knowledge, animates virtue and good refolutions, fooths and allays the paffions, and finds employment for moft of the vacant hours of life.

XIV

Sovereignty and rank are neceffary evils to keep the paffions within bounds; the lower fort fhould be content with meriting real esteem, by their fimple and modeft virtue; and the Great should be perfuaded, that nothing but outward homage will be paid them, unless they have true merit. By this means, the one fort will not be dejected with their low condition; nor the other pride themselves too much in their grandeur; men will be fenfible that kings are neceffary; and kings will not forget they are but men. XV.

XV.X

So infinuating are the pleasures of fympathy, and fo widely diffused through our whole lives, that there is hardly fuch a thing as fatisfaction or contentment, of which they make not an effential part.

XXVI.

Could we but once be brought to confider seriously the happiness, tranquility, and fecurity, which attends a modeft difpofition and quiet mind, fitted to every station in life, fatisfied with any reasonable circumftances, we should be convinced of the abfurdity and felf-injury of immoderate defires and conceited imaginations; of perfonal advantage in fuch things as titles, honours, precedencies, fame, glory, or vulgar aftonishment, admiration, and applaufe.