gentleness, and all those je ne sais quoi that compose the grâces. [Same date.]
Perfection.— In all systems whatsoever,
whether of religion, government, morals, etc., perfection
is the object always proposed, though possibly
unattainable; hitherto, at least, certainly unattained.
However, those who aim carefully at the
mark itself, will unquestionably come nearer to it
than those who, from despair, negligence, or indolence,
leave to chance the work of skill. This maxim
holds equally true in common life; those who aim
at perfection will come infinitely nearer it than those
desponding or indolent spirits, who foolishly say to
themselves, nobody is perfect; perfection is unattainable;
to attempt it is chimerical; I shall do as
well as others; why then should I give myself
trouble to be what I never can, and what, according
to the common course of things, I need not be, perfect?
[Feb. 20, 1752.]
Omnis Homo.—I would have him have lustre
as well as weight. Did you ever know anybody that
reunited all these talents? Yes, I did; Lord Bolingbroke
joined all the politeness, the manners, and the
graces of a courtier, to the solidity of a statesman,
and to the learning of a pedant. He was omnis
homo; and pray what should hinder my boy of
