á Means of attaining to Wiliam. 3 o tome rare examples of virtue, who have SE x M. made a fuccefsful Rand againft the ftrongeft XII. temptations, and maintained their unfpotted `'`^" innocence againft the infection of the worft Company, the prevailing corruption and im- piety of the worft times and places wherein they have lived. But, generally fpeaking, it is not fo which is fufficient to our purpofe, that is, to fhew that walking with wife men is one ufeful means of acquiring wifdom, and to keep company with fools is the way to be corrupted. But to explain the nature of this influence more particularly, I think it muft be attri- buted to two caufes ; firft, a defire to be agreeable to thofe we familiarly converfe with ; and, fecondly, the force of example. Firft, a defire to be agreeable to thofe we converfe with ; and this we find to be very powerful in human nature. Who is there of mankind that doth not love approbation ? A great part of our actions are thus only to be accounted for, without any profpect of advantage to ourfelves ; nay, when we are fure of difadvantage to our private interefts, and when the beft principles of a &ion are very weak and little regarded, we do a great many things merely to pleafe others, and gain their efteem. Intereft is denied, even VOL. III. X life
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