sufficient to deter every thinking creature from such cursed pursuits of vengeance. . As for the Conqueror, by our laws he is hang'd, and his estate confiscated, if his legs or his friends be not the better; and even then he cannot escape the sting of his conscience . Such unfortunate men seem in all honest company to smell too strong of BLOOD, to be taken into any intimate relation. . The most tolerable revenge is for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy; but then let the revenge be such as there is no law to punish. . The repose wise men gain by forgiving is a sufficient recompence for the pains they take in the conquest; whilst impatient fools are always moralising the fable of Prometheus, and playing the vulture upon their own intrails. FRIENDS. 834. THE many things at man cannot do for himself, speaks his need of a faithful FRIEND, whom the wise son of Syrach says, is the medicine of life.1 835. 836. "The blind man bears the lame, what fate denies The wretched pair, their mutual help supplies, One lends his feet, the other lends his eyes." The mind never unbends it self so agreeably, as in the conversation of a well chosen friend; to whom we may impart GRIEFS, JOYS, FEARS, HOPES, SUSPICIONS, COUNSEL, &c. with this advantage, That such discovery improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief. 837. In choosing a friend consider the inconstancy of man even with himself; every breath of wind forms us into a various shape. 1 Ecclus. 6. 16. 838. 839. 840. "Mankind one day serene and gay appear, And what they like at noon, despise at night." There are persons who in some certain periods of their lives are extreamly agreeable, and in others as odious and detestable; who upon the least dissatisfaction fall foul upon their best friends, and do them all the ill offices they can. The study of friends and enemies is a no less. politick than useful employment, the better to distinguish the faith of Lælius from the flattery of Aristippus. Men and actions, like objects of sight, have their points of perspective: Some must be seen at a distance; to judge of others requires a closer view. 841. It's very rare to find one that loves a person gratis, without any respect to the circumstances of fortune, table, good humour, or some by-end.— One that will set us right in our mistakes, and encourage, and relieve, and support us in our extremities. 842. Antient story tells us of a Damon and Pythias, Pylades and Orestes, who mutually contended which of them should dye for each other; and talkative Greece hath not been sparing to tell their praises But Mr. Cowley says, "There have been fewer friends on earth than kings." 843. Friendship arising from agreeableness in inclinations, or commerce in worldly pleasures, is as changeable as our palates, and as transitory as those pleasures which flatter in the very tasting. 844. Friendship being a leveller, those who differ much in fortune, are never long united in friendship, where interest can tye and untye the knot. 845. If the person be not faithful with whom you entrust the privacies and concernments of your life, and fortune, you are lost. 846. If his intention be not pure, under the colour of celestial friendship some common and base design may be advanced. 847. If he's imprudent he'll be apt to blunder in some of the niceties that occur in the interchange of amicable offices and duties. 848. If impatient, or unconstant of mind, how will he be able to endure any thing rather than forsake his friend in distress. 849. Avoid choosing an angry man for your friend, as you would blows, dishonour, and clamour; and choosing a drunkard, or a whoremonger, as you would the discovery of your secrets. Sampson told Delilah all his heart.1 ANTISTHENES Wonder'd at those that in buying an earthen dish, were careful to sound it, lest it had a crack, yet so careless in the choice of friends, as to take them flaw'd with vice. Examine men's conduct, weigh their words and actions, study their genius and capacity. 'Tis no small error to be deceived in the choice of friends, for by them it will be judged what you are; let them therefore be wise and vertuous. When you have found a friend, be faithful, discreet, and sincere; bear his little failings; and so far as consists with honour and good conscience, cultivate his friendship, lest it expire: Yet neither ask nor grant him any thing unjust or evil.Love him so as to hate his faults, and never by too great a familiarity expose your self to his contempt. If we do all things, saith Cicero, both good and bad for our friends, such friendship may more truly be called a conspiracy of evil than a confederacy of good men. The Italians say, 1 Jud. 16. 17. |