es with continual
labour, they themselves living at ease, caring for none else, _sibi nati_;
and are so far many times from putting to their helping hand, that they
seek all means to depress, even most worthy and well deserving, better than
themselves, those whom they are by the laws of nature bound to relieve and
help, as much as in them lies, they will let them caterwaul, starve, beg,
and hang, before they will any ways (though it be in their power) assist or
ease: [1785]so unnatural are they for the most part, so unregardful; so
hard-hearted, so churlish, proud, insolent, so dogged, of so bad a
disposition. And being so brutish, so devilishly bent one towards another,
how is it possible but that we should be discontent of all sides, full of
cares, woes, and miseries?

If this be not a sufficient proof of their discontent and misery, examine
every condition and calling apart. Kings, princes, monarchs, and
magistrates seem to be most happy, but look into their estate, you shall
[1786]find them to be most encumbered with cares, in perpetual fear, agony,
suspicion, jealousy: that, as [1787]he said of a crown, if they knew but
the discontents that accompany it, they would not stoop to take it up.
_Quem mihi regent dabis_ (saith Chrysostom) _non curis plenum_? What king
canst thou show me, not full of cares? [1788]"Look not on his crown, but
consider his afflictions; attend not his number of servants, but multitude
of crosses." _Nihil aliud potestas culminis, quam tempestas mentis_, as
Gregory seconds him; sovereignty is a tempest of the soul: Sylla like they
have brave titles, but terrible fits: _splendorem titulo, cruciatum animo_:
which made [1789]Demosthenes vow, _si vel ad tribunal, vel ad interitum
duceretur_: if to be a judge, or to be condemned, were put to his choice,
he would be condemned. Rich men are in the same predicament; what their
pains are, _stulti nesciunt, ipsi sentiunt_: they feel, fools perceive not,
as I shall prove elsewhere, and their wealth is brittle, like children's
rattles: they come and go, there is no certainty in them: those whom they
elevate, they do as suddenly depress, and leave in a vale of misery. The
middle sort of men are as so many asses to bear burdens; or if they be
free, and live at ease, they spend themselves, and consume their bodies and
fortunes with luxury and riot, contention, emulation, &c. The poor I
reserve for another [1790]place and their discontents.

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