REFLEXION.
'TIS not Good to be Over-Fierce upon aay Thing, for fear of Miſtaking, or Miſunderſtanding the Matter in Queſlion. Moderation is a High Point of Wildom, and Temerity on the Other Hand, is ever Dangerous: For Men are Subject to be Couzen'd with Outward Appearances, and to take the Vain Images, and Shadows of Things, for the Subſtance. All Violent Paſſions have ſomewhat in them of the Raſhneſs of This Pigeon; and if That Raſhneſs be not as Fatal in the One Caſe, as This was in the Other, 'tis a Deliverance that we are more Indebted for, either to the Special Grace of an Overruling Providence, or to the Mediation of That which we call Chance, then to any thing of our own Goverment and Direction. One Man may have the Advantage of Another in the Benefit of a Preſence of Mind, which may ſerve in a Great Meaſure, to Fortifie us againſt Surprizes, and Difficulties not tobe foreſeen: But a ſound Judgment is the Reſult of ſecond Thoughts, upon Due Time and Conſideration, which way to bring Matters to a Fair Iſſue. This Precipitate Temper is little better then a Phyſical Madneſs; for there is ſomewhat of an Alienation in’t, when People proceed, not only Without, but Contrary to Reaſon. How many Inſtances do we ſee daily, of People that are Hurry’d on, without either Fear or Wit, by Love, Hatred, Envy, Ambition, Revenge, &c. to their Own Ruine: which comes to the very Caſe of the Pigeons breaking her Wing againſt the Picture; and the Miſcarriage is Every jot as Ridiculous.
Fab. CXCVII.
A Pigeon and a Crow.
A Pigeon that was brought up in a Dove-Houſe, was Bragging to a Crow how Fruitful ſhe was. Never Value Your ſelf ſays the Crow upon That Vanity; for the More Children, the more Sorrow.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
