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 and like wheels, by moving too fast, injure themselves. 4. Men of abilities should be prudent and diligent, otherwise by imprudence and idleness, they may, like Otway and Savage, become not only disesteemed, and an incumbrance to society, but a burden to themselves. 5. To mistake our talents, and overrate our abilities, is always ridiculous, and sometimes dangerous: very few excel in many things, and scarcely one in all things. 6. It is a sign of extraordinary merit, when those who envy it, are forced to praise it. The art of setting off moderate abilities steals esteem, and often gains more reputation than real merit. The world often rewards the appearance of merit, more than merit itself. Merit has its season as well as fruit has. We should not judge of a man’s abilities by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them. The desire of appearing to be persons of ability, sometimes prevents us being so; and as to those who have abilities, it requires no small degree of judgment when to conceal them. The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.

THINGS may he seen differently, and differently shewn; but actions are visible, though motives are secret. The splendour of our actions may be tarnished, by too often speaking of them. Undertake actions deliberately, but having undertaken them go through.