THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. fit to engage in free conversation for the enquiring after truth. Let a personhave ever so illustrious talents, yet he is not a pro- per associatefor such a purpose, if he lie under any of thefol- lowing infirmities. (1.) If hebe exceedingly reserved, and bath either no in- clination to discourse, or no tolerable capacity of speech and lan- guage for the communication of his sentiments. (2.) If he be haughty and proud of his knowledge, imperious in his airs, and is always fond of imposing his sentiments on all the company. (3.) If he be positive and dogmatical in his own opinions, and will dispute to the end ; if he will resist the brightest evidence of truth rather than suffer himself to be overcome, or yield to the plainest and strongest reasonings. (4.) If he be one who always affects to outshine all the company, and delights to hear himself talk and flourish upon a subject, and make long harangues, while the rest must be all silent and attentive. (5.) If he be a person of a whiffling and unsteady turn of mind who cannot keep close to a point of controversy, but wanders from it perpetually, and is always solicitous to say something, whether it be pertinent to the question or no. (6.) If he be fretful and peevish, and given to resentment upon all occasions ; if he knows not how to bear contradiction, or is ready to take things in it wrong sense ; if he is swift to feel a supposed offence, or to imagine himselfaffronted, and then break out into a sudden passion, or retain silent and sullen wrath. (7.) 1f he affect wit on all occasions, and is full of his conceits and puns, quirks or quibbles, jests and repartees ; these may agreeably entertain and animate an hour of mirth, but they have no place in the search after truth. (8.) Ifhe carry always about with him a sort of craft, and cunning, and disguise, and act rather like a spy than a friend. Have a care of such a one as will make an ill use of freedom in conversation, and im- mediately charge heresy upon you, when you happen to differ from those sentiments which authority or custom has established. In short, you should avoid the man in such select conversa- tion, who practises any thing that is unbecoming the character of a sincere, free and open searcher after truth. Now though you may pay all the relative duties of life to persons of these unhappy qualifications, and treat them with decency and love, so far as religion and humanity oblige you, yet take care of entering into à free debate on matters of truth or falsehood in their company, and especially about the principles of religion. I confess, if a person of such a temper happens to judge and talk well on such a subject, you may hear him with at- tention and derive what profit you can from his discourse ; but he is by no means to be chosen for a free conference in :natters of enquiry and knowledge. XXVIII. While I would persuade you to beware of such
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=