Nobility, Without Virtue, Is A Fine Setting

The Pure In Heart Are Slow To Credit Calumnies, Because They Hardly Comprehend What Motives Can Be Inducements To The Alleged Crimes.

The Platform Or The Altar Of Love May Be Analyzed And Explained; It Is Constructed Of Virtue, Beauty, And Affection. Such Is The Pyre, Such Is The Offering; But The Ethereal Spark Must Come From Heaven, That Lights The Sacrifice.

Our Griefs, As Well As Our Joys, Owe Their Strongest Colors To Our Imaginations. There Is Nothing So Grievous To Be Borne That Pondering Upon It Will Not Make It Heavier; And There Is No Pleasure So Vivid That The Animation Of Fancy Cannot Liven It.

A Sincere Acquaintance With Ourselves Teaches Us Humility; And From Humility Springs That Benevolence Which Compassionates The Transgressors We Condemn, And Prevents The Punishments We Inflict From Themselves Partaking Of Crime, In Being Rather The Wreakings Of Revenge Than The Chastisements Of Virtue.

It Is Not Designed That The Road Should Be Made Too Smooth For Us Here Upon Earth.