-
Articles/Ads
Article SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Search After Happiness.
SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS .
WHOEVER takes an attentive survey of mankind , cannot fail to be struck with this observation : —That , in genera ! all are roving about in pursuit of enjoyment , and seldom think of seeking it within themselves . . .. It is very certain , that man was formed for society ; and it is his duty well interestto cultivate a social dispositionto
en-, as as , , deavour to make himself useful and pleasing to others , to promote and enjoy their haimiuess , to encourage the friendly affections , and to find in them the source of the greatest " p leasures which , this world can bestow . But , alas ! Society too often exhibits a far different scene . We see weariness and disgust reign in the gayest
assemblies . Conversation , instead of turning upon such subjects as might . at once afford amusement , often languishes for want of materials , oris engrossed bv the most trifling subjects ; so that it is often merely middle dissipation of time—perhaps even a pernicious abuse . of it ; since it may afford opportunities for the exercise of many bad qualitieswhichbappearing in disguise are rendered still more mis .-
, , y , chievous . Ill-nature shelters itself under the mask of wit . A desire to depreciate the merit of the absent , or perhaps to mortify the present , endeavours to pass itself off for the love of sincerity and truth , or for a superior degree of zeal in the cause of Virtue , vanity assumes the appearance of every good and amiable quality , as occasion offers flatters the weaknesses of othersand applauds what
, or , ought to be condemned , in hopes of gaining favour , and being flattered in return . Sometimes merely for want of something to say , and without the least intention of doing mischief , an idle report is repeated which tends to injure an innocent person—perhaps irreparably , or fix trifling ridicule upon a worthy character , and thereby tnese numoei
destroy the influence of it s good example , ay , ana - less other means , conversation is prevented from that purpose for ' which it was intended ; and a meeting of rational beings , which should have contributed to improve the powers of their minds , ^ by mutually assisting each other ,, and to strengthen the ties of affection and benevolence bv the continual exercise of tho e qualities , often produces a quite contrary effect , and they part , filled with with themselves
far different sentiments , and weary , dissatisfied ; and each other . c Many causes mig ht be assigned fc-r this strange , though too wequent abuse , of wifat seems calculated to aii ' ord the hig hest rational entertainment , since every vice and foiiy contributes towards it ; but amongst others , this is certainly one—That mankind often test Society , not with a view to be useful and p leasing to others , or even with any great expectation of b ' chig . p leased themselves , but merely because ° thev know not how to amuse themselves alone ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Search After Happiness.
SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS .
WHOEVER takes an attentive survey of mankind , cannot fail to be struck with this observation : —That , in genera ! all are roving about in pursuit of enjoyment , and seldom think of seeking it within themselves . . .. It is very certain , that man was formed for society ; and it is his duty well interestto cultivate a social dispositionto
en-, as as , , deavour to make himself useful and pleasing to others , to promote and enjoy their haimiuess , to encourage the friendly affections , and to find in them the source of the greatest " p leasures which , this world can bestow . But , alas ! Society too often exhibits a far different scene . We see weariness and disgust reign in the gayest
assemblies . Conversation , instead of turning upon such subjects as might . at once afford amusement , often languishes for want of materials , oris engrossed bv the most trifling subjects ; so that it is often merely middle dissipation of time—perhaps even a pernicious abuse . of it ; since it may afford opportunities for the exercise of many bad qualitieswhichbappearing in disguise are rendered still more mis .-
, , y , chievous . Ill-nature shelters itself under the mask of wit . A desire to depreciate the merit of the absent , or perhaps to mortify the present , endeavours to pass itself off for the love of sincerity and truth , or for a superior degree of zeal in the cause of Virtue , vanity assumes the appearance of every good and amiable quality , as occasion offers flatters the weaknesses of othersand applauds what
, or , ought to be condemned , in hopes of gaining favour , and being flattered in return . Sometimes merely for want of something to say , and without the least intention of doing mischief , an idle report is repeated which tends to injure an innocent person—perhaps irreparably , or fix trifling ridicule upon a worthy character , and thereby tnese numoei
destroy the influence of it s good example , ay , ana - less other means , conversation is prevented from that purpose for ' which it was intended ; and a meeting of rational beings , which should have contributed to improve the powers of their minds , ^ by mutually assisting each other ,, and to strengthen the ties of affection and benevolence bv the continual exercise of tho e qualities , often produces a quite contrary effect , and they part , filled with with themselves
far different sentiments , and weary , dissatisfied ; and each other . c Many causes mig ht be assigned fc-r this strange , though too wequent abuse , of wifat seems calculated to aii ' ord the hig hest rational entertainment , since every vice and foiiy contributes towards it ; but amongst others , this is certainly one—That mankind often test Society , not with a view to be useful and p leasing to others , or even with any great expectation of b ' chig . p leased themselves , but merely because ° thev know not how to amuse themselves alone ;