Page:The Works of Samuel Johnson ... A journey to the Hebrides. The vision of Theodore, the hermit of Teneriffe. The fountains. Prayers and meditations. Sermons.v. 10-11. Parliamentary debates.pdf/537

 throw down from their elevated state those whom he obeys without approbation, whom he reverences without esteem. When the passions are once in motion, they are not easily appeased, or checked. He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will soon find a want of merit, to justify his resistance of power.

Thus, if we consider the conduct of individuals towards each other, we shall commonly find the labourer murmuring at him who seems to live by easier means. We shall hear the poor repining that others are rich, and even the rich speaking with malignity of those who are still richer than themselves.

And if we survey the condition of kingdoms and commonwealths, it will always be observed, that governours are censured, that every mischief of chance is imputed to ill designs, and that nothing can persuade mankind, that they are not injured by an administration, either unskilful, or corrupt. It is very difficult always to do right. To seem always to do right to those who desire to discover wrong, is scarcely possible. Every man is ready to form expectations in his own favour, such as never can be gratified, and which will yet raise complaints, if they are disappointed.

Such is commonly the disposition with which men look upon those who are placed above them, and with such dispositions we cannot hope that they should be often pleased. Life is a state of imperfection; and yet every man exacts from his superiours consummate wisdom, and unfailing virtue, and, whenever he sees, or believes himself to see, either vice or errour, thinks himself at liberty to loosen the ties of duty, and pass the boundaries of subordination, without considering that of such strife there must come confusion, or without knowing, what we shall consider,

confusion which arises from strife.
 * The evils and mischiefs produced by that

That the destruction of order, and the abolition of stated regulations, must fill the world with uncertainty, distraction, and solicitude, is apparent without any long deduc