life itself is a servitude : let us make the best of it then,
and with our philosophy mend our fortune. Difficulties
may be softened, and heavy burdens disposed of to our
ease. Let us covet nothing* out of our reach, but conteDt
ourselves with things hopeful and at hand; and without
envying the advantages of others: for greatness stands
upon a craggy precipice, and it is much safer and quieter
living upon a level. How many great men are forced to
keep their station upon mere necessity ; because they find
there is no coming down from it but headlong 1 These men
should do well to fortify themselves against ill consequen-
ces by such virtues and meditations as may make them less
solicitous for the future. The surest expedient in this case
is to bound our desires, and to leave nothing to fortune
which we may keep in our own power. Neither will this
course wholly compose us, but it shows us at worst the end
of our troubles.
It is but a main point to take care that we propose nothing
but what is hopeful and honest. For it will
thing^ut what ^^ equally troublesome to us, either not to
is hopeful and succeed, or to be ashamed of the success,
honest. Wherefore let us be sure not to admit any ill
design into our heart ; that we may lifl up pure hands to
heaven, and ask nothing which another shall be a loser by.
