Lucan.
When I have sometimes observ'd Men of Wit and Learning, in
Spite of their excellent natural and acquir'd Qualifications, fail of
obtaining that Regard and Esteem with Mankind, which their Inferiors
in point of Understanding frequently arrive at, I have, upon a slight
Reflection, been apt to think, that it was owing to the ill Judgment,
Malice, or Envy of their Acquaintance: But of late two or three
flagrant Instances of this kind have put me upon thinking and
deliberating more maturely, and I find within the Compass of my
Observation the greatest part of those fine Men have been ruined for
want of _CONSTANCY_, a Virtue never too highly priz'd, and whose true
Worth is by few rightly understood.
A Man remarkably wavering and inconstant, who goes through with
no Enterprize, adheres to no Purpose that he has resolv'd on, whose
Courage is surmounted by the most trifling Obstacles, whose Judgment
is at any time byass'd by his Fears, whose trembling and disturb'd
Imagination will at every Turn suggest to him Difficulties and
Dangers that actually have no Existence, and enlarge those that have;
A Man, I say, of this Stamp, whatever natural and acquir'd Qual ities
he may have, can never be a truly useful Member of a Common-wealth, a
sincere or amiable Friend, or a formidable Enemy; and when he is once
incapable of bearing either of these Characters, 'tis no Wonder he is
contemn'd and disregarded by Men of all Ranks and Conditions.
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