Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/82

 with no uncommon qualifications, have so directed their powers to the attainment and advancement of good, and so virtuously fulfilled "the plain intent of life," as to be considered blessings in society, ornaments to their own age, and benefactors to posterity. Moderate abilities, habitually exerted on the side of virtue, often gain the highest esteem and veneration; while great talents perverted, enhance the future misery of the possessor and give melancholy proof of the depravity of man.

But perhaps you enquire, how are we to judge of mankind, if neither their stations in society, their personal accomplishments, or mental qualifications, are an allowed criterion? Estimate them not by the stations they occupy, but the manner in which they fill those stations; not from what they appear to be, but what they really are; not from what they are qualified to know, but from what they are accustomed to perform. Esteem those who discharge the duties of life faithfully, though their sphere be limited, or their station obscure:

"Who does the best his circumstance allows,   "Does well, acts nobly ; angels could no more,"

Let the standard of real goodness be your standard of judgment, and not those adventitious