Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Detached Thoughts.
ON PROSPERITY .
PROSPERITY is not dangerous merely as prosperity , but because it habituates the mind to a kind of confidence , yet disposes it to be cast down on the first misfortune . It extinguishes by degrees , in the heart of man , firmness and constancy , and inspires him with vanity , that disorder so fatal and incurable , which deceives both ourselves and others ; it begets presumption which misrepresents objects
^ and lays snares for those who are under its dominion . Diversified misfortune is more suitable to the state of man ; it teaches him to know himself , to seek resources within himself ; in a short time it will lay open to him what he never would have known in the common course of events , or iu uninterrupted success .
ON MORALITY .
IGNORANCE , without preliminary reflections , draws the boldest corollaries on morality ; and he who has read deeply , often loses the vigour of instinct by the habit of reasoning . . Several run-away negroes being condemed to be hanged , one was offered his life , provided he would be the executioner of the others-—die refused—he Would rather die . — -The master fixes on another of his slaves
to perform the office . " Stay , " said he , " until I prepare myself . " He retired to his hut , and cut off his hand with an ax . Returning to his master- ^ - Now compel me ( said' he ) if you can , to bang my comrades . The Charibbee Indians , seeing their enemies cast away on their shoalsplunge into the sea and save them from the stretch '
, waves , them on the shore , take all manner of care of them . When they expect to die , the Indian chief says , " To-day you are our brethren , tomorrow you will be our enemies ; then we will kill you ; but now depart in peace . " ' ' * Where is the sacred portrait of morality better found tlian in the rmdst of flames , or in shipwrecks ? There the friend will force his friend into the
boat , and will himself remain in the sinking vessel ; there the neighbour rushes through the flames to save the child sleeping m its cradle . Great calamities produce the most heroic and generous actions . Who cast themselves into the sea , or into a gulph , to save their fellow-creatures ? Men reputed rude and unpolished . Instinct with , them
anticipates reason . Heroism forms no calculations ; and the most astonishing , most incredible actions , are done by those whom we look upon as the lowest of human nature . Woe to him who has not stood in want of the assistance of man I Pie contracts ahardness of heart which he calls a noble pride ; he mistakes fastidiousness for dignityand haug for
, a hty deportment a mark ot nobility ; he lives without knowing himself , and despises his tellow-creature , without even suspecting that such a one may possess abilities which render him his superior VOL , IV . , 3 ?
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Detached Thoughts.
ON PROSPERITY .
PROSPERITY is not dangerous merely as prosperity , but because it habituates the mind to a kind of confidence , yet disposes it to be cast down on the first misfortune . It extinguishes by degrees , in the heart of man , firmness and constancy , and inspires him with vanity , that disorder so fatal and incurable , which deceives both ourselves and others ; it begets presumption which misrepresents objects
^ and lays snares for those who are under its dominion . Diversified misfortune is more suitable to the state of man ; it teaches him to know himself , to seek resources within himself ; in a short time it will lay open to him what he never would have known in the common course of events , or iu uninterrupted success .
ON MORALITY .
IGNORANCE , without preliminary reflections , draws the boldest corollaries on morality ; and he who has read deeply , often loses the vigour of instinct by the habit of reasoning . . Several run-away negroes being condemed to be hanged , one was offered his life , provided he would be the executioner of the others-—die refused—he Would rather die . — -The master fixes on another of his slaves
to perform the office . " Stay , " said he , " until I prepare myself . " He retired to his hut , and cut off his hand with an ax . Returning to his master- ^ - Now compel me ( said' he ) if you can , to bang my comrades . The Charibbee Indians , seeing their enemies cast away on their shoalsplunge into the sea and save them from the stretch '
, waves , them on the shore , take all manner of care of them . When they expect to die , the Indian chief says , " To-day you are our brethren , tomorrow you will be our enemies ; then we will kill you ; but now depart in peace . " ' ' * Where is the sacred portrait of morality better found tlian in the rmdst of flames , or in shipwrecks ? There the friend will force his friend into the
boat , and will himself remain in the sinking vessel ; there the neighbour rushes through the flames to save the child sleeping m its cradle . Great calamities produce the most heroic and generous actions . Who cast themselves into the sea , or into a gulph , to save their fellow-creatures ? Men reputed rude and unpolished . Instinct with , them
anticipates reason . Heroism forms no calculations ; and the most astonishing , most incredible actions , are done by those whom we look upon as the lowest of human nature . Woe to him who has not stood in want of the assistance of man I Pie contracts ahardness of heart which he calls a noble pride ; he mistakes fastidiousness for dignityand haug for
, a hty deportment a mark ot nobility ; he lives without knowing himself , and despises his tellow-creature , without even suspecting that such a one may possess abilities which render him his superior VOL , IV . , 3 ?