The state of Virtue is not a state of Indolence. We suffer in it, a perpetual conflict betwixt Duty and Inclination. Sometimes we admit what's shocking to us, and sometimes oppose what we like; being generally under a Constraint, both in what we do, and in what we forbear. The state of Wisdom is sweet and calm: it reigns peaceably over our movements, being only to govern well as Subjects, what Virtue was to combat as Enemies.
I can say one thing of my self, as extraordinary as true, viz. that I never felt in my self any conflict between Passion and Reason. My Passion never oppos'd what I resolv'd out of Duty; and my Reason readily comply'd with what a sense of Pleasure inclin'd me to. I don't aim at praise on account of this easy agreement; on the contrary, I confess I have often been the more vicious for it. Not out of any perverse disposition to Evil, but because the Vice was entertain'd as a Pleasure, instead of appearing as a Crime.
It is certain, the nature of things is much better discovered by Reflection on them when past, than by their impressions when felt. Besides, the great commerce with the world, hinders all attention in youth. What we see in others, hinders us from examining well our selves. Crouds please us at an age, when we love (as one may say) to diffuse our selves. Multitudes grow troublesom at another, when we naturally return to our selves; or, at most, to a few Friendss who are most strictly united to us.
'Tis this humour, that insensibly withdraws us from Courts. We begin thro' that to seek some medium between assiduous attendance and retirement. We grow afterwards asham'd to shew an old face among young fellows, who, instead of taking our Gravity for Wisdom, laugh at us for appearing in publick Places, where nothing but Gal-
