_C._ But methinks 'twill look hard, that all other Arts and
Sciences put together, and possess'd by one Man in the greatest
Perfection, are not able to dignify him with the Title of _a Man of
Sense_, unless he be also a Man of Virtue.
_S._ We shall agree, perhaps, that one who is _a Man of Sense_,
will not spend his Time in learning such Sciences as, if not useless
in themselves, will probably be useless to him?
_C._ I grant it.
_S._ And of those which may be useful to him, that is, may
contribute to his Happiness, he ought, if he is a Man of Sense to
know how to make them so.
_C._ To be sure.
_S._ And of those which may be useful, he will not (if he is a
Man of Sense) acquire all, except that One only which is the most
useful of all, to wit, the Science of Virtue.
_C._ It would, I own, be inconsistent with his Character to do
so.
_S._ It seems to follow then, that the vicious Man, tho' Master
of many Sciences, must needs be an ignorant and foolish Man; for
being, as he is vicious, of consequence unhappy, either he has
acquired only the useless Sciences, or having acquired such as might
be useful, he knows not how to make them contribute to his Happiness;
and tho' he may have every other Science, he is ignorant that the
SCIENCE OF VIRTUE is of more worth, and of more consequence to his
Happiness than all the rest put together.
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