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Literary
April 1, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A collection of miscellaneous philosophical reflections on the benefits of good breeding for mental relief, the 'learned rust' from social disuse, dangers of excessive light metaphorically, preserving friendship through care and confidence, how great minds endure affliction with little compassion, and recovering from temptation before judgment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MISCELLANEOUS PIECES.
Among the many advantages that attend perfect good breeding, there is one that hath never been enumerated, though far from being the least ; and that is the relief, which the mind, when under any impression, receives upon the sudden intrusion of company, by finding itself compelled to bestow on another, that attention which would otherwise be rivetted to its own situation.
There is a certain learned rust, which men as well as metals acquire ; it is simply speaking, a blemish in both; the social feelings grow callous from disuse-- and lose that pliancy of little affections, which sweetens the cup of life as we drink it.
It often happens that we are blinded even with too much light, which instead of guiding us through the thorny mazes of indiscretion, very often cast us upon the brinks, or down the precipices of misery and ruin.
To preserve Friendship, care, confidence and complaisance are necessary: without the aid of these it expires.
Great minds bear affliction silently, but they bear it hardly; they know how few, how very few are susceptible of any real compassion They know too where it is bestowed with the greatest sincerity, how unprofitable a bounty it is.
If a temptation hath drawn us aside, to lay down in it, it is happy for us, if we can arise, ere we be surprised with judgment.
Among the many advantages that attend perfect good breeding, there is one that hath never been enumerated, though far from being the least ; and that is the relief, which the mind, when under any impression, receives upon the sudden intrusion of company, by finding itself compelled to bestow on another, that attention which would otherwise be rivetted to its own situation.
There is a certain learned rust, which men as well as metals acquire ; it is simply speaking, a blemish in both; the social feelings grow callous from disuse-- and lose that pliancy of little affections, which sweetens the cup of life as we drink it.
It often happens that we are blinded even with too much light, which instead of guiding us through the thorny mazes of indiscretion, very often cast us upon the brinks, or down the precipices of misery and ruin.
To preserve Friendship, care, confidence and complaisance are necessary: without the aid of these it expires.
Great minds bear affliction silently, but they bear it hardly; they know how few, how very few are susceptible of any real compassion They know too where it is bestowed with the greatest sincerity, how unprofitable a bounty it is.
If a temptation hath drawn us aside, to lay down in it, it is happy for us, if we can arise, ere we be surprised with judgment.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Friendship
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Good Breeding
Social Feelings
Friendship
Affliction
Temptation
Moral Reflection
Literary Details
Title
Miscellaneous Pieces
Key Lines
Among The Many Advantages That Attend Perfect Good Breeding, There Is One That Hath Never Been Enumerated, Though Far From Being The Least ; And That Is The Relief, Which The Mind, When Under Any Impression, Receives Upon The Sudden Intrusion Of Company, By Finding Itself Compelled To Bestow On Another, That Attention Which Would Otherwise Be Rivetted To Its Own Situation.
To Preserve Friendship, Care, Confidence And Complaisance Are Necessary: Without The Aid Of These It Expires.
Great Minds Bear Affliction Silently, But They Bear It Hardly; They Know How Few, How Very Few Are Susceptible Of Any Real Compassion They Know Too Where It Is Bestowed With The Greatest Sincerity, How Unprofitable A Bounty It Is.