'They who pass their whole lives in working for their daily bread,
have no ideas beyond their business or their interest, and all their
understanding seems to lie in their fingers' ends. This ignorance is
neither prejudicial to their integrity nor their morals; it is often
of service to them. Sometimes, by means of reflection, we are led to
compound with our duty, and we conclude by substituting a jargon of
words, in the room of things. Our own conscience is the most
enlightened philosopher. There is no need to be acquainted with
Tully's offices, to make a man of probity: and perhaps the most
virtuous woman in the world, is the least acquainted with the
definition of virtue. But it is no less true, that an improved
understanding only can render society agreeable; and it is a
melancholy thing for a father of a family, who is fond of home, to
be obliged to be always wrapped up in himself, and to have nobody
about him to whom he can impart his sentiments.
'Besides, how should a woman void of reflection be capable of
educating her children? How should she discern what is proper for
them? How should she incline them to those virtues she is unacquainted
with, or to that merit of which she has no idea? She can only sooth or
chide them; render them insolent or timid; she will make them formal
coxcombs, or ignorant blockheads; but will never make them sensible or
amiable.' How indeed should she, when her husband is not always at
hand to lend her his reason?- when they both together make but one
moral being.
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