of mankind; for secrets are so seldom kept, that it may with
some reason be doubted, whether the ancients were not mistaken in their
first postulate, whether the quality of retention be so generally
bestowed, and whether a secret has not some subtile volatility, by which
it escapes almost imperceptibly at the smallest vent; or some power of
fermentation, by which it expands itself so as to burst the heart that
will not give it way.

5. Those that study either the body or the mind of man, very often find
the most specious and pleasing theory falling under the weight of
contrary experience: and instead of gratifying their vanity by inferring
effects from causes, they are always reduced at last to conjecture
causes from effects. That it is easy to be secret, the speculatist can
demonstrate in his retreat, and therefore thinks himself justified in
placing confidence: the man of the world knows, that, whether difficult
or not, it is not uncommon, and therefore finds himself rather inclined
to search after the reason of this universal failure in one of the most
important duties of society.

6. The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally
one of the chief motives to disclose it; for however absurd it may be
thought to boast an honour, by an act that shews that it was conferred
without merit, yet most men seem rather inclined to confess the want of
virtue than of importance, and more willingly shew their influence and
their power, though at the expence of their probity, than glide through
life with no other pleasure than the private consciousness of fidelity:
which, while it is preserved, must be without praise, except from the
single person who tries and knows it.

7. There are many ways of telling a secret, by which a man exempts
himself from the reproaches of his conscience, and gratifies his pride
without suffering himself to believe that he impairs his virtue. He
tells the private affairs of his patron or his friend, only to those
from whom he would not conceal his own; he tells them to those who have
no temptation to betray their trust, or with the denunciation of a
certain forfeiture of his friendship, if he discovers that they become
public.

8. Secrets are very frequently told in the first ardour of kindness, or
of love, for the sake of proving by so important a sacrifice, the
sincerity of professions, or the warmth of tenderness; but with this
motive, though it be sometimes strong in itself,