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Literary
February 3, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An essay arguing that much unhappiness stems from unrealistic desires, urging acceptance of the fixed laws governing both nature and human affairs, akin to natural philosophy. It uses the metaphor of the world as a market where virtues and goods have set prices paid by time and effort.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
The Inconsistency of our DESIRES.
AS most of the unhappiness in the world
arises from positive evil, it is of the utmost consequence
to attain just notions of the laws and order
of the universe, that we may not vex ourselves
with fruitless wishes, or give way to
groundless and unreasonable discontent. The
laws of natural philosophy, indeed, are tolerably
understood and attended to; and though we
may suffer inconveniences, we are seldom disappointed
in the consequence of them. No man
expects to see the trees blooming in verdure, or
hanging with ripe fruit, in the midst of severe
winter, or when he has planted an acorn, to see
it become a large oak in a few months. The
mind of man naturally yields to necessity; and
our wishes soon subside, when we see the impossibility
of their being gratified. Now, upon
an accurate inspection, we shall find in the moral
government of the world, and the orders of
the intellectual system, laws as determinate, fixed
and invariable, as any Newton's Principia. The
progress of vegetation is not more certain than
the growth of habit; nor is the power of attraction
more clearly proved, than the force of affection,
as the influence of example. The man
therefore, who has studied the operations of nature
in mind as well as matter, will acquire a
certain moderation and equity in his claims upon
providence. He never will be disappointed
either in himself or others. He will act with
precision, and expect that effect, and that alone,
from his efforts, which they are adopted to produce.
For want of this, men of merit and integrity
often censure the dispensations of providence
for suffering characters they despise, to
run away with advantages which, they yet know,
are purchased by such means as a high and noble
spirit could never submit to. If you refuse to
pay the price, why expect the purchase? We
should consider this world as a large mart of
commerce, whose fortune exposes to our view
various commodities, riches, ease, tranquillity,
fame, integrity, and knowledge. Every thing
is marked at a settled price. Our time, our
labour, our ingenuity, is so much ready money,
which we are to lay out to the best advantage.
Examine, compare, choose, reject; but stand to
your own judgment; and do not, like children,
when you have purchased one thing, repine that
you do not possess another which you did not
purchase.
AS most of the unhappiness in the world
arises from positive evil, it is of the utmost consequence
to attain just notions of the laws and order
of the universe, that we may not vex ourselves
with fruitless wishes, or give way to
groundless and unreasonable discontent. The
laws of natural philosophy, indeed, are tolerably
understood and attended to; and though we
may suffer inconveniences, we are seldom disappointed
in the consequence of them. No man
expects to see the trees blooming in verdure, or
hanging with ripe fruit, in the midst of severe
winter, or when he has planted an acorn, to see
it become a large oak in a few months. The
mind of man naturally yields to necessity; and
our wishes soon subside, when we see the impossibility
of their being gratified. Now, upon
an accurate inspection, we shall find in the moral
government of the world, and the orders of
the intellectual system, laws as determinate, fixed
and invariable, as any Newton's Principia. The
progress of vegetation is not more certain than
the growth of habit; nor is the power of attraction
more clearly proved, than the force of affection,
as the influence of example. The man
therefore, who has studied the operations of nature
in mind as well as matter, will acquire a
certain moderation and equity in his claims upon
providence. He never will be disappointed
either in himself or others. He will act with
precision, and expect that effect, and that alone,
from his efforts, which they are adopted to produce.
For want of this, men of merit and integrity
often censure the dispensations of providence
for suffering characters they despise, to
run away with advantages which, they yet know,
are purchased by such means as a high and noble
spirit could never submit to. If you refuse to
pay the price, why expect the purchase? We
should consider this world as a large mart of
commerce, whose fortune exposes to our view
various commodities, riches, ease, tranquillity,
fame, integrity, and knowledge. Every thing
is marked at a settled price. Our time, our
labour, our ingenuity, is so much ready money,
which we are to lay out to the best advantage.
Examine, compare, choose, reject; but stand to
your own judgment; and do not, like children,
when you have purchased one thing, repine that
you do not possess another which you did not
purchase.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Temperance
What keywords are associated?
Desires
Unhappiness
Providence
Moral Laws
Commerce Metaphor
Moderation
Human Nature
Literary Details
Title
The Inconsistency Of Our Desires.
Subject
On The Inconsistency Of Human Desires And Acceptance Of Providence
Key Lines
If You Refuse To Pay The Price, Why Expect The Purchase?
We Should Consider This World As A Large Mart Of Commerce, Whose Fortune Exposes To Our View Various Commodities, Riches, Ease, Tranquillity, Fame, Integrity, And Knowledge.
Examine, Compare, Choose, Reject; But Stand To Your Own Judgment; And Do Not, Like Children, When You Have Purchased One Thing, Repine That You Do Not Possess Another Which You Did Not Purchase.