The sure characteristic of a sound and strong mind is, to find, in everything, those certain bounds, quos ultra citrave nequit con...sistere rectum. These boundaries are marked out by a very fine line, which only good sense and attention can discover; it is much too fine for vulgar eyes. In manners, this line is good breeding; beyond it, is troublesome ceremony; short of it, is unbecoming negligence and inattention. In morals, it divides ostentatious Puritanism from criminal relaxation; in religion, superstition from impiety; and, in short, every virtue from its kindred vice or weakness.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
He could walk, or rather turn about in his little garden, and feel more solid happiness from the flourishing of a cabbage or the g...rowing of a turnip than was ever received from the most ostentatious show the vanity of man could possibly invent. He could delight himself with thinking, "Here will I set such a root, because my Camilla likes it; here, such another, because it is my little David's favorite."LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »