Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

L

greatest number with almost an equal propor tion of contrary qualities, let none too hastily conclude that all goodness is lost though it may for a time be clouded and overwhelmed; for most minds are the slaves of external circum-stances, and conform to any hand that undertakes to mould them, roll down any torrent of custom in which they happen to be caught, or bend to any importunity that bears hard against them.

Rambler, vol. 2, p. 94.

1

Those that have done nothing in life, are not qualified to judge of those that have done little;

Plan of an English Dictionary, p. 49

It is impossible for those that have only known affluence and prosperity, to judge rightly of themselves and others. The rich and powerful live in a perpetual masquerade, in which all about them wear borrowed characters; and we only discover in what estimation we are held, when we can no longer give hopes or fears.

Rambler, vol. 2, p. 124.

Judgment is forced upon us by experience.. He that reads many books, must compare one opinion, or one style with another; and when he compares, must necessarily distinguish, reject, and prefer. Life of Pope.

JUSTICE.

One of the principal parts of national felici-ty, arises from a wise and impartial administra-tion of justice. Every man reposes upon the tribunals of his country, the stability of profession and the serenity of life. He, therefore,

who

who unjustly exposes the courts of judicature to suspicion, either of partiality or error, not only does an injury to those who dispense the laws, but diminishes the public confidence in the laws themselves, and shakes the foundation of public tranquillity. Convict's Addrefs, p. 20.

Of justice, one of the Heathen sages has shown, with great acuteness, that it was impressed upon mankind only by the inconveniences which injustice had produced. "In the

first ages," says he, "men acted without any rule but the impulse of desire; they practised injustice upon others, and suffered it from others in return; but, in. time, it was discovered that the pain of suffering wrong, was greater than the pleasure of doing it, and mankind, by a general compact, submitted to the restraint of laws, and resigned the pleasure to escape the pain." Idler, vol. 2, p. 208.

What the law does in every nation between individuals, justice ought to do between nations. Notes upon Shakspeare, vol. 9. p. 58.

INDUSTRY.

Few things are impossible to industry and skill. Prince of Abyssinia, p. 88.

Many things difficult to design, prove easy to performance.

Ibid. p. 93.

He that shall walk with vigour three hours a day, will pass, in seven years, a space equal to the circumference of the globe.

Ibid.

Whatever

Whatever busies the mind without corrupting it, has, at least, this use, that it rescues the day from idleness; and he that is never idle, will not often be vicious.

Rambler, vol. 4, p. 97.

It is below the dignity of a reasonable being, to owe that strength to necessity which ought always to act at the call of choice, or to need any other motive to industry than the desire, of performing his duty.

Ibid. vol. 3, p. 144.

If it be difficult to persuade the idle to be busy, it is not easy to convince the busy that it is sometimes better to be idle.

Idler, vol. I, p. 195.

INDISCRETION.

We sometimes succeed by indiscretion, when we fail by deep laid schemes.

Notes upon Shakspeare, vol. 10, p. 389.

IMITATION.

No man was ever great by imitation.

Prince of Abyffinia, p. 66.

It is justly considered as the greatest excellency of art, to imitate nature; but it requires judgment to distinguish those parts of nature which are most proper for imitation.

Rambler, vol. 1, p. 21.

As not every instance of similitude can be considered as a proof of imitation, so not every imitation ought to be stigmatised as a plagiarism: the adoption of a noble sentiment, or the inser

tion of a borrowed ornament, may sometimes display so much judgment, as will almost compensate for invention; and an inferior genius may, without any imputation of servility, pursue the path of the ancients, provided he declines to tread in their footsteps.

Ibid, vol. 3, P. 231.

The reputation which arises from the detail or transposition of borrowed sentiments, may spread for a while like ivy on the rind of antiquity, but will be torn away by accident or contempt, and suffered to rot, unheeded, on the ground.

Ibid: p. 292.

When the original is well chosen, and judiciously copied, the imitator often arrives at excellence, which he could never have attained without direction; for few are formed with abilities to discover new possibilities of excellence, and to distinguish themselves by means never 'tried before.

Ibid. vol. 4, p. 25,

[ocr errors]

The Macedonian conqueror, when he was once invited to hear a man that sung like a nightingale, replied, with contempt, That he had heard the nightingale herself:" and the same treatment must every man expect, whose praise is, that he imitates another.

Ibid. vol. 2, p. 182.

Almost all the absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

Ibid. vol. 3, p. 176.

We are easily flattered by an imitator, when we do not fear ever to be rivalled.

[ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

Imitations produce pain or pleasure, not be-cause they are mistaken for realities, but because they bring realities to the mind. When the imagination is recreated by a landscape, the trees are not supposed capable to give us shade; but we consider how we should be pleased with such fountains playing beside us, and such woods waving over us.

Preface to Shakspeare, p. 114.

INDOLENCE.

It is in vain to put wealth within the reach of him who will not stretch out his hand to take it. Life of King.

Indolence is one of those vices from which those whom it once infects are seldom reformed. Rambler, vol. 3, p. 298.

Every other species of luxury operates upon some appetite that is quickly satiated, and requires some concurrence of art, or accident, which every place will not supply; but the desire of ease acts equally at all hours, and the longer it is indulged is the more increased.

Ibid.

He that is himself weary will soon weary the public. Let him, therefore, lay down his employment, whatever it be, who can no longer exert his former activity or attention. Let him not endeavour to struggle with censure, or obstinately infest the stage, till a general hiss commands him to depart.

IDLENESS.

Ihid. vol. 4, p. 258. ·

As pride is sometimes hid under humility, idleness is often covered by turbulence and hurry.

He

« AnteriorContinuar »