CHAP. V.

Exhortations to Virtue, and Diffuafives from Vice.

VIR

IRTUE has a charm that fubdues the moft obdurate hearts.

In the deepest diftrefs, virtue is more il lustrious, than vice in its highest profperity. The pleafures of parental fondness make large amends for all its anxieties.

A good-natured man has the whole world. to be happy in. Whatever good befalls his fpecies, a worthy man advanced, a modest man encouraged, the indigent relieved, all: these he looks upon as remoter bleffings to himself. Providence makes him amends for the narrowness of his fortune, by doing for him, what he himself would do in power. and riches.

Civility is not fo flight a matter as it is commonly thought: It is a duty we owe to others,

others as well as to ourfelves; for how unjuft is it to diftrefs a perfon who merits no punishment?

Without good-breeding, a court would be the feat of violence and defolation. There, all the paffions are in fermentation, because all pursue what but few can obtain: There, if enemies did not embrace, they would ftab: There, fimiles are often put on to conceal tears There, mutual fervices are profeffed, while mutual injuries are intended: And there, the guile of the ferpent fimulates the gentleness of the dove. To what a degree must good-breeding adorn the beauty of truth, when it can thus foften the deformity of falsehood?

There are three ftages of life; the prefent, the paft, and the future. The present is momentary, the future dubious, the past only certain. It is loft to the bufy, who have no time to look back; and to the wicked, who have no inclination. That man must keep a ftrict watch over his actions, who proposes pleasure in reflection. He who indulges the thirst of ambition, the stubbornnefs of pride, the favageness of con

queft,

queft, the fhame of deceit, the mifery of avarice, and the bitterness of prodigality, must for ever be an enemy to memory. The past, no longer in the power of fortune, is, to the virtuous only, a conftant fource of enjoyment. What fatisfaction, in looking back with approbation! what uneafinefs, in looking back with fhame and remorfe! This, above every confideration, establishes the preference of virtue, and fets it at an infinite diftance from vice. Let us confider every good action, as adding to a stock that will fupport us, for a lifetime, in chearfulness and good humour; a stock that may be liberally used, without diminution. Let us confider every vicious action, as contracting a debt beyond our power of paying, and which, therefore, will diftrefs us for ever.

Princes have courtiers, the voluptuous have companions, the wicked have accomplices, the merchant has partners; but none but the virtuous can have a friend.

Virtue is the fureft road to happiness: It fweetens every enjoyment, and is the fovereign antidote to misfortunes.

To

To place religion entirely on the obfer- 112 vance of rites and ceremonies, is the very effence of fuperftition.

A wicked man cannot have any true love or efteem for himfelf. The fenfe of his depravity muft disgust him.

Light is no lefs favourable to merit, than 113 unfavourable to impofture.

None but the virtuous dare hope in bad circumstances.

You have obliged a man: Very well! what would you have more? Is not the conscioufnefs of doing good a fufficient reward?

Honesty is the best policy.

Pleasures, unlefs wholly innocent, never continue fo long as the fting they leave behind them.

See that moth fluttering inceffantly round the candle: Man of pleasure, behold thy image?

In a juft account of profit and lofs, an unlawful gain is a greater misfortune than a real lofs. This is but once felt; that fcarce ever wears out, but is the fource of continual affliction.

Ufurpers

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Ufurpers and tyrants generally do justice upon themselves for the injuries they do others. Confcience performs the office of the executioner, punishing their public crimes by private remorse, and by tormenting them with never-ceafing fears and jealoufies.

The ungrateful rejoice but once in the favours the receive; the greateful always. Compare their lives: The one is fad, and folicitous, as a deceiver, and breaker of faith; the other chearful and open, pleased with the favour, more pleased when he makes the return.

Though ingratitude may escape courts of law, don't think it efcapes punishment. What punishment can be more severe than public hatred, and private remorfe? Stung with the consciousness of the sneaking vice, he dares accept a benefit from none, dares bestow it upon none, is pointed at by all, or believes himself to be.

How many are they, who fpare nothing to fupport their luxury, and yet think much to bestow a trifling fum upon a poor relation in want? But why this hard-hearted

nefs?