Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Utility, Choice, And Use Of Pleasures,
The corruption of the times has made of the diversion of gaming , a sort of trade and occupation . The way of speaking sometimes used for expressing a trifle , or representing a thing easily done , by the words , " It is but a game , " does now suit what we really call " game qr geani , ig . " Be it said to the shame of our age , that many of us , even pf our prime nobilitymake a wretched and contemptible practice of it .
, Observe , therefore , with great strictness , that to play at any game be nothing more to you than an agreeable amusement . If you suffer jt to rise into a passion , it will soon be converted into madness . A gamester by profession , who exposes to the chance of a dice 4 . ox _© f a card , the patrimony he holds from his ancestors ; ¦ who hazards the dower of his wife , or any other settlement nature has stipulated for the benefit
pf his children—must withdraw at last , cpvered with infamy and unpitied , to be ? a share pf the poor contributions of his parish . You will not ? ee the intelligent man , the man that is master of his passions , sacrifice the p leasures of a fine day and calm night to the silly hopes of a sort of fortune which is seldqm made , and which is never made without hurting honour and conscience . Can a serious person , can one
who examines into things with cool reflection , be under no apprehension , that by . indulg ing ; t passion for gaming , so as to hurt his fortune , he will not begin by being a dupe , arid end by being a knave ; su . ch reflection will remain ineffectual , if , after having meditated upon it , there still remains a desire of playing deep . Llnocent pleasure is inconsistent with either the intention or aft , and does not exceed the hazarding of a trifle , where neither the hope of gain nor fear of loss agitate the mind ; where wit is . always of the party , and seasons every incident with ingenious sallies of fancy .
I know , in general , that one may be a high gamester , an honest gamester , and a noble gamester ; but this character is as rare , as that of a gamester by profession is dangerous . In like manner , one may play onl y for a little time , and for a small inatter ; and yet , notwithstanding other excellent qualities , be an insupportable gamester . These are monstrous contradictions in a character , of which we cannot sufficientlavoid the effects for ourselves and others .
y There is a greater certainty in deciding , that a fair gamester is an honest man , than in concluding , that an honest man ( because he is such ) will be a fair gamester : From whence I infer , that th ? quality pf fair gamester deserves to be reckoned amongst the good . It is said , that a man is never known so well , as in liquor , and at play . This is not always a sure way of judging of one's temper ; yet
I can scarce believe , that he who flies into a passion on account of a contrary run pfluck , or who regrets the money he has lost , is on other occasions liberal and pacific . Uneasiness shews a narrow genius , and anger or avarice meanness of heart . If one has presence of mind enough to hide faults or vices , there may be cases , wherein the passionate and covetous man will appear by reflection mild and generous ;
but does not support this kind of hypocrisy at play : Unfavourable fortune will soon , lay open his lpw conceptions and the brutality of his ternpef ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Utility, Choice, And Use Of Pleasures,
The corruption of the times has made of the diversion of gaming , a sort of trade and occupation . The way of speaking sometimes used for expressing a trifle , or representing a thing easily done , by the words , " It is but a game , " does now suit what we really call " game qr geani , ig . " Be it said to the shame of our age , that many of us , even pf our prime nobilitymake a wretched and contemptible practice of it .
, Observe , therefore , with great strictness , that to play at any game be nothing more to you than an agreeable amusement . If you suffer jt to rise into a passion , it will soon be converted into madness . A gamester by profession , who exposes to the chance of a dice 4 . ox _© f a card , the patrimony he holds from his ancestors ; ¦ who hazards the dower of his wife , or any other settlement nature has stipulated for the benefit
pf his children—must withdraw at last , cpvered with infamy and unpitied , to be ? a share pf the poor contributions of his parish . You will not ? ee the intelligent man , the man that is master of his passions , sacrifice the p leasures of a fine day and calm night to the silly hopes of a sort of fortune which is seldqm made , and which is never made without hurting honour and conscience . Can a serious person , can one
who examines into things with cool reflection , be under no apprehension , that by . indulg ing ; t passion for gaming , so as to hurt his fortune , he will not begin by being a dupe , arid end by being a knave ; su . ch reflection will remain ineffectual , if , after having meditated upon it , there still remains a desire of playing deep . Llnocent pleasure is inconsistent with either the intention or aft , and does not exceed the hazarding of a trifle , where neither the hope of gain nor fear of loss agitate the mind ; where wit is . always of the party , and seasons every incident with ingenious sallies of fancy .
I know , in general , that one may be a high gamester , an honest gamester , and a noble gamester ; but this character is as rare , as that of a gamester by profession is dangerous . In like manner , one may play onl y for a little time , and for a small inatter ; and yet , notwithstanding other excellent qualities , be an insupportable gamester . These are monstrous contradictions in a character , of which we cannot sufficientlavoid the effects for ourselves and others .
y There is a greater certainty in deciding , that a fair gamester is an honest man , than in concluding , that an honest man ( because he is such ) will be a fair gamester : From whence I infer , that th ? quality pf fair gamester deserves to be reckoned amongst the good . It is said , that a man is never known so well , as in liquor , and at play . This is not always a sure way of judging of one's temper ; yet
I can scarce believe , that he who flies into a passion on account of a contrary run pfluck , or who regrets the money he has lost , is on other occasions liberal and pacific . Uneasiness shews a narrow genius , and anger or avarice meanness of heart . If one has presence of mind enough to hide faults or vices , there may be cases , wherein the passionate and covetous man will appear by reflection mild and generous ;
but does not support this kind of hypocrisy at play : Unfavourable fortune will soon , lay open his lpw conceptions and the brutality of his ternpef ,