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conjecture only can one man judge of another's motives or sentiments) is easily modified by fancy or desire; as objects imperfectly discerned take forms from the hope or fear of the beholder. But that which is fully known cannot be falsified but with reluctance of understanding, and alarm of conscience ;-of understanding, the lover of truth;-of conscience, the sentinel of virtue. Idler, vol. 2.

Bustlers.

There is a kind of men who may be classed under the name of bustlers, whose business keeps them in perpetual motion, yet whose motion always eludes their business; who are always to do what they never do; who cannot stand still because they are wanted in another place, and who are wanted in many places because they Ibid. vol. 1. can stay in none.

Benevolence.

That benevolence is always strongest which arises from participation of the same pleasures, since we are naturally most willing to revive in our minds the memory of persons with whom the idea of enjoyment Rambler, vol. 2. is connected.

Business.

It very seldom happens to a man that his business is his pleasure. What is done from necessity is so often to be done when against the present inclination, and so often fills the mind with anxiety, that an habitual dislike steals upon us, and we shrink involuntarily from the remembrance of our task. This is the reason why almost every one wishes to quit his employment; he does not like another state, but is disgusted with his own. Idler, vol. 2.

Natural Bounties.

If the extent of the human view could comprehend the whole frame of the universe, perhaps it would be found invariably true, that Providence has given that in greatest plenty, which the condition in life makes of greatest use; and that nothing is penuriously imparted, or placed from the reach of man, of which a more liberal distribution, or a more easy acquisition, would increase real and rational felicity.

Confidence.

Ibid. vol. 1

It may be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occasions, too little than too much

There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others, who too apparently distrusts himself.

Rambler, vol. 1

There would be few enterprises of great labour or hazard undertaken, if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages which we persuade ourselves to expect from them.

Ibid

Whatever might be a man's confidence in his dependants or followers, on general occasions, there are some of such particular importance, he ought to trust to none but himself, as the same credulity that might prevail upon him to trust another, might induce another to commit the same office to a third, and, at length, that some of them may be deceived.

Commerce.

Life of Drake.

Commerce, however we may please ourselves with the contrary opinion, is one of the daughters of fortune, inconstant and deceitful as her mother. She chooses her residence where she is least expected, and

shifts her abode when her continuance is, in appearance, most firmly settled.

Universal Visiter.

It may deserve to be inquired, whether a great nation ought to be totally commerrial, whether, amidst the uncertainty of human affairs, too much attention to one mode of happiness may not endanger others; whether the pride of riches must not sometimes have recourse to the protection of courage; and whether, if it be necessary to preserve in some part of the empire the military spirit, it can subsist more commodiously in any place than in remote and unprofitable provinces, where it can com monly do little harm, and whence it may be called forth at any sudden exigence.

It must, however, be confessed, that a man who places honour only in successful violence, is a very troublesome and pernicious animal in time of peace, and that the martial character cannot prevail in a whole people, but by the diminution of all other virtues. He that is accustomed to resolve all right into conquest, will have very little tenderness or equity. All the friendship in such a life can be only a confederacy of invasion, or alliance of defence. The strong

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must flourish by force, and the weak subsist by stratagem.

Western Islands.

Complaisance.

There are, indeed, in every place, some particular modes of the ceremonial part of good breeding, which, being arbitrary and accidental, can be learned only by habitude and conversation. Such are the forms of salutation, the different gradations of reverence, and all the adjustments of place and precedence. These, however, may be often violated without offence, if it be sufficiently evident that neither malice nor pride contributed to the failure, but will not atone, however rigidly observed, for the tumour of insolence, or petulance of contempt. Rambler, vol. 2.

If we would have the kindness of others, we must endure their follies. He who cannot persuade himself to withdraw from society, must be content to pay a tribute of his time to a multitude of tyrants. To the loiterer, who makes appointments which he never keeps; to the consulter, who asks advice which he never takes; to the boaster, who lusters only to be praised; to the complainer, who whines only to be pitied; to the projector, whose happiness is to en

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