Equality hinders compliance. Superiority produces
insolence and envy. Too much regard in each to private
interest;--too little.
"The mischiefs of private and exclusive societies.--The fitness
of social attraction diffused through the whole. The mischiefs
of too partial love of our country. Contraction of moral duties.
> Oi filoi, o filos>.
"Every man moves upon his own centre, and therefore repels others
from too near a contact, though he may comply with some general
laws.
Of confederacy with superiors every one knows the inconvenience.
With equals no authority;--every man his own opinion--his own
interest.
"Man and wife hardly united;--scarce ever without children.
Computation, if two to one against two, how many against five?
If confederacies were easy--useless;--many oppresses many.--If
possible only to some, dangerous. Principum amicitias."
No. 50. SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1753
Quincunque turpi fraude semel innotuit,
Etiamsi verum dicit, amittit fidem.
PHAED. Lib. i. Fab. x. 1.
The wretch that often has deceiv'd,
Though truth he speaks, is ne'er believ'd.
WHEN Aristotle was once asked, what a man
could gain by uttering falsehoods? he replied,
"Not to be credited when he shall tell the truth.
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