Page:A description of Greenland.djvu/267

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
of Greenland.
219

any one harbour, who ſeriously conſiders the predominant Paſſions, as Greedineſs after Gain, Covetouſneſs, unmeaſured Ambition and Pride, ſumptuous, voluptuous and prodigal Lives; Envy, Hatred and mutual Perſecutions, and innumerable other Vices and Crimes of moſt Chriſtians? Can any one help thinking, but that ſuch Evil-Doers (the remoteſt from the Life, which is God alone) muſt be deemd the moſt unhappy of all? Whilſt on the other Hand, the Greenlanders paſs their Lives (as I may ſay) in a natural Innocence and Simplicity. Their Deſires do not extend farther than to neceſſary Things; Pomp and Pride is unknown to them; Hatred, Envy and Perſecution never plagued them; neither do they affect the Dominion over one another. In ſhort, every one is contented with his own State and Condition, and are not tormented with unneceſſary Cares. Is not this the greateſt Happineſs of this Life? O happy People! what better Things can one wiſh you, than what you already poſſeſs? Have you no Riches? yet Poverty does not trouble you. Have ye no Superfluity? yet you

ſuffer