men, from the fuperior reftraint which custom hath laid on their fex. GR REAT merit joined to great modef ty, may be a long time before it is difcovered. It is happy to have fo much merit, that birth or fortune are the least things respected in us. He that carries nothing but merit to court, may foon be crouded out of the ring. Modeft merit finds but few admirers. A certain fign of a man's having an extraordinary merit, is to see those who envy him moft, constrained to commend him. Nature gives merit, and Fortune fets it at work. There are fome people who with merit are dif gustful, and others who with great defects are agreeable. Perfons Perfons of merit, have a right to all the benefits conferred on them. There cannot be a greater fign of want of merit, than when a man feeks to pull down another's character, to build up his own. The art of knowing how to use indifferent qualifications, gains, as it were, by stealth, the esteem of the world, and often procures a man more reputation, than real merit would do. Our merit gains us the esteem of men of sense, and our stars the esteem of the vulgar. The world rewards the appearance of merit, oftener than merit itself. There are perfons the world approves of, whofe merit only confifts in vices, that are useful and pleafing to othersa, Mens merits have their feasons as well as fruits. When our merit declines, our taste declines alfo. There is often merit without elevation, but feldom elevation without fome fort of merit. Elevation is to merit, what dress is to a fine woman. We may appear great in an employment below our merit, but often appear little in an employment too great for us. 1. True merit deferves to be honoured, as it honours itself. It depends not on the time, nor the fashion. It is often more difficult to fupport great merit, than great imperfections, The There are some whose whole merit lies in faying and doing foolish things advantageoufly, and who would spoil all should they alter their conduct. The merit and greatness of a man fhould be measured only by his virtue, and not by his for tune. True merit is always accompanied with civility and modefty, as the falfe is with vanity and haughtiness. We ought not to judge of the merit of a man by his great qualities, but by the ufe he makes of them. As much difpofed as the world is to be cenforious, it oftener fhews favour to false merit, than it does injustice to true. It is easier to appear worthy of the employments we have not, than of those we have. The truly accomplished man values himself for nothing. IT M IN D. T often happens, that things present themselves to our minds, more finished, than the mind can make them with a great deal of art. Littleness of mind is the cause of stiffness in opinion; and it is not easily, that we believe any thing beyond what we see. Little minds are too much difordered by little things: great minds fee all things, and are diforder-ed by none. When When the mind is tired, and you seek to relieve it by fome diverfion, use it like the falt on your meat, fparingly. MINISTERS OF STATE. See FAVOURITES. MIR T H. See CHEERFULNESS. MISCHIEF-MAKERS. S reconciling enemies. is the work of GOD, A fo feparating friends, is the business of the devil. He that countenances, encourages, or abets mifchief, does it. He that hinders not mischief, when it is in his power, does it. MISER. |