Can there be creatures of more wretched condition than
these, that continually labour under their own misery and others'
envy? A man should study other things, not to covet, not to fear,
not to repent him; to make his base such as no tempest shall shake
him; to be secure of all opinion, and pleasing to himself, even for
that wherein he displeaseth others; for the worst opinion gotten for
doing well, should delight us. Wouldst not thou be just but for
fame, thou oughtest to be it with infamy; he that would have his
virtue published is not the servant of virtue, but glory.
Periculosa melancholia.--It is a dangerous thing when men's minds
come to sojourn with their affections, and their diseases eat into
their strength; that when too much desire and greediness of vice
hath made the body unfit, or unprofitable, it is yet gladded with
the sight and spectacle of it in others; and for want of ability to
be an actor, is content to be a witness. It enjoys the pleasure of
sinning in beholding others sin, as in dining, drinking, drabbing,
&c. Nay, when it cannot do all these, it is offended with his own
narrowness, that excludes it from the universal delights of mankind,
and oftentimes dies of a melancholy, that it cannot be vicious
enough.
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