Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/88

 to the misery of human life; this teaches us not to judge severely, lest we he judged; and from the conviction that we ourselves are "compassed with infirmity," excites that charitable temper which, to use the inimitable illustration of scripture, "beareth all things, forgiveth all things, and thinketh no evil."

It is favourable to our own enjoyment. Most of the repinings and discontents of mankind arise from their entertaining too high an opinion of themselves. This leads them to expect too much attention from others, and to be angry when they do not receive it; to fancy slights, ill treatment, and partiality, when there is none intended; and to be outrageous when they meet with real injuries. They become the slaves of suspicion and jealousy, and their moments of solitude are embittered with unpleasant reflections. But self knowledge teaches us not to expect more deference than we really deserve; not to be envious when others are raised above us; and not to overrate our abilities, and place ourselves in situations where we are not qualified to perform a good part. Thus it saves us much repining, unhappiness, and disgrace, leads us to be grateful for little instances of kindness, and to be patient when we are injured and misrepresented. For if those actions, which are "despised among men," have arisen from pure and disinterested motives,