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ion points out the noblest ends to us, and pursues the most proper and laudable methods of obtaining them: cunning has al private selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may mase chem succeed.

48 Discretion has large and extended views, and like a wellformed eye, commands a whole horizon: cunning is a kind of ort-sightedness, that discovers the minutest objects which near at hand, but is not able to discern things at a distance. neretion, the more it is discovered, gives a greater authenty the person who possesses it: curning, when it is ace deted, loses its force, and makes a man incapable of innging out even those events which he might have done, had he passonly for a plain man. Discretion is the perfection of reaand a guide to us in all the duties of life: cunning is akunt instinct that only looks out after our immediate interest and Mare.

9. Discretion is only found in men of strong sense and quad nderstanding: cunning is often to be met with in brutes themIves, and in persons who are but the fewest removes from em. In short, cunning is only the minic of discretiof, am way pass upon weak men, in the same manner as vivacity as ften mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom.

10. The cast of mind which is natural to a discreet mac, akes him look forward into futurity and consider what will e his condition millions of ages hence, as well as what it is at

resent.

11. He knows, that the misery or happiness which are reserved for him in another world, lose nothing of their reain? y being placed at so great a distance from him. The object, do not appear little to him because they are remote. He cosiders that those pleasures and pains which lie had in eten. y, approach nearer to him every moment, and will be present. him in their full weight and measure, as much as taose poo und pleasures, which he feels at this very instant. For th Son he is careful to secure to himself that which is the p ness of his nature, and the ultimate design cits b... carries his thoughts to the end of every ene ost distant as well as the most immcdias cedes every fule prospect of gain của itself here, if he does not fin enea.ter. In a word, his hopeaofn. mes are large and glorious, am

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2. Tully has therefore very justly exposed a precept delivered by some ancient writers, that a man should live with his enemy in such a manner as might leave him no room to become his friend; and with his friend in such a manner, that if he became his enemy, it should not be in his power to hurt him. The first part of this rule, which regards our behavior towards an enemy, is indeed very reasonable as well as prudential; but the latter part of it, which regards our behavior towards a friend favors more of cunning than of discretion, and would cut a man off from the greatest pleasures of life, which are the freedoms of conversation with a bosom friend. Besides, that when a friend is turned into an enemy, and (as the son of Sirach calls him) a betrayer of secrets, the world is just enough to aceuse the perfidiousness of the friend, rather than the indiscretion of the person who confided in him.

3. Discretion does not only shew itself in words, but in all the circumstances of action: and is like an under agent of Providence to guide and direct us in the ordinary concerns of life.

4. There are many more shining qualities in the minds of man, but there is none so useful as discretion; it is this indeed which gives a value to all the rest, which sets them to work in their proper timea and places, and turns them to the advantage of the person who is possessed of them. With it learning is pedantry, and wit impertinence; virtue itse.oks like weakness; the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudice.

5. Nor does discretion only make a man the master of his own parts, but of other men's. The discreet man finds out the talents of those he converses with, and knows how to apply them to proper uses. Accordingly, if we look into particular communities and divisions of men, we may observe, that it is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. A man with great talents, but void of discretion, is like Polythemus in the fable, strong and blind, endued with an irresistible force, which for want of sight, is of no use to him.

6. Though a man has all other perfections, and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life. 7. At the same time that I think discretion the most useful ent a man can be master of, I look upon cunning to be the complishment of little, mean, ingenerous minds. Discre

tion points out the noblest ends to us, and pursues the most proper and laudable methods of obtaining them: cunning has only private selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them succeed.

8. Discretion has large and extended views, and like a wellformed eye, commands a whole horizon: cunning is a kind of short-sightedness, that discovers the minutest objects which are near at hand, but is not able to discern things at a distance. Discretion, the more it is discovered, gives a greater authority to the person who possesses it: cunning, when it is once detected, loses its force, and makes a man incapable of bringing about even those events which he might have done, had he passed only for a plain man. Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life: cunning is a kind of instinct that only looks out after our immediate interest and welfare.

9. Discretion is only found in men of strong sense and good understanding: cunning is often to be met with in brutes themselves, and in persons who are but the fewest removes from them. In short, cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men, in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom.

10. The cast of mind which is natural to a discreet man, makes him look forward into futurity and consider what will be his condition millions of ages hence, as well as what it is at present.

11. He knows, that the misery or happiness which are reserved for him in another world, lose nothing of their reality by being placed at so great a distance from him. The objects do not appear little to him because they are remote. He considers that those pleasures and pains which lie hid in eternity, approach nearer to him every moment, and will be present with him in their full weight and measure, as much as those pains and pleasures, which he feels at this very instant. For this resson he is careful to secure to himself that which is the proper happiness of his nature, and the ultimate design of his being.

12. He carries his thoughts to the end of every action, and considers the most distant as well as the most immediate effects of it. He supercedes every Bule prospect of gain and advan tage which offers itself here, if he does not find consistent with his views of an hereafter. In a word, his hopes are full of immortality, his schemes are large and glorious, and his conduct

suitable to one who knows his true interest, and how to pursue it by proper methods.

13. I have in this essay upon discretion, considered it both as an accomplishment and as a virtue, and have therefore de scribed it in its full extent; not only as it is conversant about worldly affairs, but as it regards our whole existence; not only as it is the guide of a mortal creature, but as it is in general the director of a reasonable being. It is in this light that discretion is represented by the wise nian, who sometimes mentions it under the name of discretion, and sometimes under that of wisdom.

14. It is indeed (as described in the latter part of this paper) the greatest wisdom, but at the same time in the power of eve ry one to attain. Its advantages are infinite, but its acquisiton easy; or, to speak of her in the words of the apocryphal writer, Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, yet sheis easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

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15. She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. He that seeketh her early shall have no great travel: for he shall find her sitting at his doors To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom, and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care. For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favorabic unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in eve"y thought."

I

ON CLEANLINESS.

Spectator, No. 631. HAD occasion to go a few miles out of town, some days since, in a stage coach, where I had for my fellow travellers, a dirty beau, and a pretty young quaker woman. Hav ing no inclination to talk much at that time, I placed myself backward, with a design to survey them, and pick a speculation out of my two companions. Their different figures were sufficicut of themselves to draw my attention.

2. The gentleman was dressed in a suit, the ground whereof had been black, as I perceived from some few spaces that had scaped the powder, which was incorporated with the greatest it of his coat; his patrywig, which cost no small sum, was fter so slovenly a manner cast over his shoulders, that it seem a tot to have been combed since the year 1712; his linen which was not much concealed, was daubed with plain Spanish from the chin to the lowest button, and the diamond upon his

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