IX. Be not uneasy, discourag'd, or out of Humour, because Practice falls short of Precept in some particulars. If you happen to be beaten off your Reason, come on again ; and let your Fancy strike in at your second Trial ; and don't go like a School Boy to his Master, with an Ill-will. No, you must apply to Philosophy with Inclination, as those who have Sore Eyes make use of a good Receipt. And when you are thus difpos'd, you'l easily acquiesce, and be govern'd by Reason : And here you are to remember, that Philosophy or true Wisdom will put you upon nothing but what your Nature wishes and calls for : And can you be so unreasonable as to cross the inclinations of your Nature? Is not her Fancy the most agreeable of any Thing ? And does not Pleasure often deceive us under this pretence ? Now think a little, and tell me what is there more delightful than downright Honesty and Religion, than Generosity and Greatness of Mind? And once more, what can be more entertaining than Prudence ? than to be furnish'd with that Understanding which keeps a Man from making a false Step, and helps him to Good Fortune in all his Business? [1]
X. Things are so much perplexed, and in the dark, that several considerable Phi-
- ↑ The Stoicks maxim is, A Wise Man can never be unfortunate, let his Circumstances be what they will.
