Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/57

Rh be always suspected; and that they, who design to make every one fear them, are afraid of every one.

From Myrrha; that Shame is sometimes hard to be overcome, but if the Sex once gets the better of it, it gives them afterwards no more Trouble.

From Cenis; that Effeminacy in Youth may change to Valour in Manhood, and that as Fame Perishes, so does Censure.

From Tereus; that one Crime lays the Foundation of many; and that the same Person, who begins with Lust, may conclude with Murder.

From Midas; that no Body can punish a Covetous Man worse, than he punishes himself; that scarce any thing wou'd sometimes prove more fatal to us, than the Completion of our own Wishes; and that he who has the most Desires, will certainly meet with the most Disappointments.

From the Pythagorean Philosophy, it may be observ'd, that Man is the only Animal, who kills his Fellow-Creature without being angry.

From Proteus we have this Lesson, that a Statesman can put on any Shape; can be a Spaniel to the Lyon, and a Lyon to the Spaniel; and that he knows not to be an Enemy, who knows not how to seem a Friend; that if all Crowns shou'd change their Ministry, as often as they please, tho' they may be call'd other Ministers, they are still the same Men. The