There are, it is true, trials when the good man must appeal to God
from the injustice of man; and amidst the whining candour or
hissings of envy, erect a pavilion in his own mind to retire to till
the rumour be overpast; nay, the darts of undeserved censure may
pierce an innocent tender bosom through with many sorrows; but these
are all exceptions to general rules. And it is according to common
laws that human behaviour ought to be regulated. The eccentric orbit
of the comet never influences astronomical calculations respecting the
invariable order established in the motion of the principal bodies
of the solar system.
I will then venture to affirm, that after a man is arrived at
maturity, the general outline of his character in the world is just,
allowing for the before-mentioned exceptions to the rule. I do not say
that a prudent, worldly-wise man, with only negative virtues and
qualities, may not sometimes obtain a smoother reputation than a wiser
or a better man. So far from it, that I am apt to conclude from
experience, that where the virtue of two people is nearly equal, the
most negative character will be liked best by the world at large,
whilst the other may have more friends in private life. But the
hills and dales, clouds and sunshine, conspicuous in the virtues of
great men, set off each other; and though they afford envious weakness
a fairer mark to shoot at, the real character will still work its
way to light, though bespattered by weak affection, or ingenious
malice.
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