(This Sunday, I don’t know why, I have decided to spend a little time being Samuel Johnson - on the page.) When we encounter an abundance of charm, we should always expect a disposition toward its abuse. That which has the tendency to persuade and divert can hardly be less than cozening of its unfortunate possessor; unfortunate in that they have received the talents of a diplomat without the utility and appointment of their mission. I have known many men whose eloquence was unmatched – I mean, sir, that of all of them it was said their elegance was unmatched ; and in each case what was said had no lack of truth : every one of them had a moment of nonpareil in a lifetime of comparison. Yet what has been earned without toil will surely be spent without check ; for it is the pain and effort with which we invest our endeavours as we pursue them that makes us sensible of their worth. We may highly value a gift, however small, because we esteem the donor ; but when we have seemed to receive our benison from such an inexhaustible distributor as Nature herself, our respect for her judgement and taste will be corrupted by our fore-knowledge of her future munificence. The diadem upon our brow is but a reflection of that greater diamond even this moment falling into the darken’d miner’s open palm; and so, we are diminished by the mere possibility of increase. If we feel more is to come, we will think the less of what is present. I value personal qualities, sir, as far inferior to adherence to impersonal values. Sometimes it is a relief to contemn what we have long strained to condone, out of a wish towards Christian generosity and forbearance: yet what is wrong is wrong, and our Saviour’s penultimate act will be to pass judgement. His final act will be to accept his Father’s invitation to sit at His right hand. Amity must outdo division. (It’s fun being Samuel Johnson, but a bit exhausting.)
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