tion to the pride of wifdom; but let it be remembered, that minds are not levelled in their powers, but when they are first levelled in their defires.

Life of Dryden.

It is not only to many more pleafing to recollect thofe faults which place others below them, than thofe virtues by which they are themselves comparatively depreffed, but it is likewise more easy to neglect than to recompence; and though there are few who will practise a laborious virtue, there never will be wanting multitudes that will indulge an eafy vice.

Life of Savage.

The great law of mutual benevolence is, perhaps, oftener violated by envy than by intereft. Intereft can diffuse itself but to a narrow compass. Intereft requires fome qualities not univerfally beftowed. Intereft is feldom purfued but at fome hazard;—but to fpread fufpicion,-to invent calumnies,to propagate scandal, requires neither talents, nor labour, nor courage.

Rambler, v. 4, p. 125, & 126.

EXAMPL

E.

EVERY man, in whatever ftation, has, or avours to have, his followers, admirers,

and

and imitators; and has therefore the influence of his example to watch with care; he ought to avoid not only crimes, but the appearance of crimes, and not only to practise virtue, but to applaud, countenance, and fupport it; for it is poffible, for want of attention, we may teach others faults from which ourselves are free, or, by a cowardly defertion of a caufe, which we ourselves approve, may pervert thofe who fix their eyes upon us, and having no rule of their own to guide their course, are easily misled by the aberrations of that example which they chufe for their directions.

Rambler, v. 2, p. 95.

Every art is best taught by example. No. thing contributes more to the cultivation of propriety, than remarks on the works of those who have moft excelled.

Differtation on the Epitaphs of Pope, p. 302.

EMULATION.

WHERE there is emulation, there will be vanity; and where there is vanity, there will

be folly.

Life of Shenftone.

Every man ought to endeavour at eminence, not by pulling others down, but by raising himself, and enjoy the pleasure of his own fuperiority, whether imaginary or real, without interrupting others in the fame felicity. The philofopher may very justly be delighted with the extent of his views, and the artificer with the readinefs of h's hands; but let the one remember, that without mechanical performances, refined fpeculation is an empty dream; and the other, that without theoretical reafoning, dexterity is little more than a brute inftinct.

Rambler, v. I. p. 52.

EDUCATION.

THE knowledge of external nature, and of the fciences which that knowledge requires, or includes, is not the great, or the frequent business of the human mind. Whether we provide for action, or converfation ; whether we wish to be ufeful, or pleafing; the first requifite is the religious and moral knowledge of right and wrong. The next is an acquaintance with the history of manFind, and with thofe examples, which may

d to embody truth, and prove by events

the

the reasonablenefs of opinions. Prudence and juftice are virtues and excellencies of all times, and all places. We are perpetually moralifts, but we are geometricians by chance. Our intercourfe with intellectual nature is neceffary; our fpeculations upon matter are voluntary, and at leifure.

Life of Milton.

Phyfical knowledge is of fuch rare emergence, that one man may know another half his life without being able to eftimate his skill in hydroftatics, or aftronomy; but his moral and prudential character immediately appears. Those authors, therefore, are to be read at fchool, that fupply moft axioms of prudence, most principles of moral truth, and most materials for converfation; and these purposes are best ferved by poets, orators, and hiftorians.

-

Ditto, ditto.

It ought always to be fteadily inculcated, that virtue is the higheft proof of underftanding, and the only folid basis of greatness; and that vice is the natural confequence of narrow thoughts; that it begins in mistake, and ends in ignominy.

Rambler, v. 1, p. 24.

The general rule of confulting the genius for particular offices in life is of little ufe,

unlefs

unless we are told how the genius can be known. If it is to be difcovered only by experiment, life will be loft before the refolution can be fixed; if any other indications are to be found, they may perhaps be very eafily difcerned. At leaft if to miscarry in an attempt be a proof of having mistaken the direction of the genius, men appear not lefs frequently deceived with regard to themselves, than to others; and therefore no one has much reafon to complain that his life was planned out by his friends, or to be confident that he fhould have had either more honour or happiness by being abandoned to the chance of his own fancy.

Ditto, ditto, p. 120.

EMPLOYMEN T. EMPLOYMENT is the great inftrument of intellectual dominion. The mind cannot retire from its enemy into total vacancy, or turn afide from one object, but by paffing to another. The gloomy and the refentful are always found among those who have nothing to do, or who do nothing. We must be busy about good, or evil, and he to whom