第5章

Sect。XXXIV。

SINCEVirtuousActionshavetheirownTrumpets,andwithoutanynoisefromthyselfwillhavetheirresoundabroad;busynotthybestMemberintheEncomiumofthyselfPraiseisadebtweoweuntotheVirtuesofothers,&;dueuntoourownfromall,whomMalicehathnotmadeMutes,orEnvystruckDumb。Fallnothoweverintothecommonprevaricatingwayofselfcommendationandboasting,bydenotingtheimperfectionsofothers。Hewhodiscommendethothersobliquelycommendethhimself。HewhowhisperstheirinfirmitiesproclaimshisownExemptionfromthem,andconsequentlysays,IamnotasthisPublican,orHicNiger*,whomItalkof。Openostentationandloudvaingloryismoretolerablethanthisobliquity,asbutcontainingsomeFroath,noInk,asbutconsistingofapersonalpieceoffolly,norcomplicatedwithuncharitableness。

Superfluouslyweseekaprecariousapplauseabroad:everygoodManhathhisplauditewithinhimself;andthoughhisTonguebesilent,isnotwithoutloudCymbalsinhisBreast。ConsciencewillbecomehisPanegyrist,andneverforgettocrownandextolhimuntohimself。*HicNigerest,hunctuRomanecaveto。Horace。

Sect。XXXV。

BLESSnotthyselfonlythatthouwertborninAthens*;butamongthymultiplyedacknowledgmentsliftuponehanduntoHeaven,thatthouwertbornofHonestParents,thatModesty,Humility,Patience,andVeracitylayinthesameEgg,andcameintotheWorldwiththee。Fromsuchfoundationsthoumay’stbeHappyinaVirtuousprecocity,andmakeanearlyandlongwalkinGoodness;somay’stthoumorenaturallyfeelthecontrarietyofViceuntoNature,&;resistsomebytheAntidoteofthyTemper。AsCharitycovers,soModestypreventethamultitudeofsins;withholdingfromnoondayVicesandbrazen—brow’dIniquities,fromsinningonthehousetop,&;paintingourfollieswiththeraysoftheSun。WherethisVirtuereigneth,thoughVicemayshowitsHead,itcannotbeinitsGlory:whereshameofsinsets,looknotforVirtuetoarise;forwhenModestytakethWing,Astraea**goessoonafter。*AsSocratesdid。AthensaplaceofLearningandCivility。

**AstraeaGoddessofJusticeandconsequentlyofallVirtue。

Sect。XXXVI。

THEHeroicalveinofMankindrunsmuchintheSouldiery,&;couragiouspartoftheWorld;andinthatformweoftenestfindMenaboveMen。HistoryisfullofthegallantryofthatTribe;andwhenwereadtheirnotableActs,weeasilyfindwhatadifferencethereisbetweenaLifeinPlutarck&;inLaë;rtius。

WheretrueFortitudedwells,Loyalty,Bounty,Friendship,andFidelity,maybefound。Amanmayconfideinpersonsconstitutedfornobleends,whodaredoandsuffer,andwhohaveaHandtoburnfortheirCountryandtheirFriend。SmallandcreepingthingsaretheproductofpettySouls。

Heisliketobemistaken,whomakeschoiceofacovetousManforaFriend,orreliethupontheReedofnarrow&;poltronFriendship。PityfulthingsareonlytobefondinthecottagesofsuchBreasts;butbrightThoughts,clearDeeds,Constancy,Fidelity,Bounty,andgenerousHonestyaretheGemsofnobleMinds;wherein,toderogatefromnone,thetrueHeroickEnglishGentlemanhathnoPeer。

ChristianMorals,PartIIChristianMorals,PartIII