Ofearly Aifiic?lon! I 97' -Tor we :!hould have of then1. Ambition and; revenge, and fuch other plaufable vices, are .rather allowedthan condemned. Andwbile we converfe in the world, and are accuf– . tom~d to fuch reprefentations of things,..our– judgments are thereby exceedingly corrupt– -ed, and we entertain falfe and pernicious, -maxims. And fo hard -it is to guard: ourfelves againfl: the contagion, that we had1 :better- fit alone and keep fllence, tham· be: continually expofed to the ten1ptation. I fuall mention but another.of thofe· -· -evils wherewith our converfation is-con1- -n1only attended. The n1o!l: ordina-ry fub-- jeet of oqr entertainn1ents are the faults; ·and follies of others. Itur in 'verba; firmo· feritur, ~vita aliena defcribitur. We meet 2nd talk, and: fall to defcribe the life andl deportment of others-. Were this one· theme of difcourfe difcharged, we would often-tin1es find but little to fay. I fcarce· know any fault whereofgood perfons are:~ fo frequently: guilty, and folittle fenfible•. They know perhaps the things aFe· true;, and they have no n1alcious . defign: in re-– ,porting then1; they tell them· only as the:y7 .do the publick news, to divert themfelves,. and gratify their friends. Btlt, would we· .,confult our own-hearts, and apply the great rule
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