updated_at,id,text,theme,metaphor,work_id,reviewed_on,provenance,created_at,comments,context,dictionary
2011-11-24 19:21:40 UTC,10899,"This Contradiction in the Frame of Man is the Reason that the Theory of Virtue is so well understood, and the Practice of it so rarely to be met with. If you ask me where to look for those beautiful shining Qualities of Prime Ministers, and the great Favourites of Princes that are so finely painted in Dedications, Addresses, Epitaphs, Funeral Sermons and Inscriptions, I answer There, and no where else. Where would you look for the Excellency of a Statue, but in that Part which you see of it? 'Tis the Polish'd Outside only that has the Skill and Labour of the Sculptor to boast of; what's out of sight is untouch'd. Would you break the Head or cut open the Breast to look for the Brains or the Heart, you'd only shew your Ignorance, and destroy the Workmanship. This has often made me compare the Virtues of great Men to your large China Jars: they make a fine Shew, and are Ornamental even to a Chimney; one would by the Bulk they appear in, and the Value that is set upon 'em, think they might be very useful, but look into a thousand of them, and you'll find nothing in them but Dust and Cobwebs.
(168)",Inner and Outer,"""This has often made me compare the Virtues of great Men to your large China Jars: they make a fine Shew, and are Ornamental even to a Chimney; one would by the Bulk they appear in, and the Value that is set upon 'em, think they might be very useful, but look into a thousand of them, and you'll find nothing in them but Dust and Cobwebs.""",4200,2011-11-24,"",2004-11-08 00:00:00 UTC,"",Remark O.,""
2013-01-22 04:06:43 UTC,19956,"If it be no School Treachery not to side with so Learned a Master, and if a man run not the hazard of being censured by his Schollars for taking Reasons part, and pleading Senecas cause, I think it may be said such thoughts are too mean to form a Disciple of Christ, and that his words are too little generous to make an ordinary Philosopher. For who shall imagin that things out of our power should make us happy? and that Fortune, which is but a Chimera should dispense the favours which are the Recompences of Vertue. Wherefore should we build our happiness upon Riches; Since our minds are the Magazines of true wealth, and why should we expect that from Strangers, which we may bestow upon our Selves? Nature is too liberal to deny us our Desires: She is too Noble to refuse us a gift which she preserves for us in the Cabinet of our Soul: and her Guide is too faithful to carry us astray from that good to which we aspire. Those that so much cry it down have not known the advantages of it: and had they studied to become as reasonable as eloquent, they would have confessed with us, that she is not less a Teacher of the faithful then a Soverain to the Polititians, and the Mistress of Philosophers. Vertue is her workmanship, born in her bosome, and so obedient a Daughter, that she followes her Counsels in all her Actions. Just men own her for their Mother, they pay respect to her Orders, when ever she commands; and as her Laws are descended from Heaven, they fear to offend him that ruleth there, by hearkening to other Counsels then hers.
(pp. 15-6)","","""Since our minds are the Magazines of true wealth, and why should we expect that from Strangers, which we may bestow upon our Selves?""",7326,,Reading,2013-01-22 04:04:35 UTC,"",Discourse II,""