CHAPTER XVIII.
How the Appearances of Things are to be combated.
§. 1.EVERY Habit and Faculty is preserved, and increased, by correspondent Actions: as the Habit of Walking, by walking; of Running, by running. If you would be a Reader, read: if a Writer, write. But if you do not read for a Month together, but do somewhat else; you will see what will be the Consequence. So, after sitting still for ten Days, get up and attempt to take a long Walk; and you will find how your Legs are weakened. Upon the whole then, whatever you would make habitual, practise it: and, if you would not make a Thing habitual, do not practise it; but habituate yourself to something else.
§. 2. It is the same with regard to the Operations of the Soul. Whenever you are angry, be assured, that it is not only a present Evil, but that you have increased a Habit, and added Fuel to a Fire. When you are overcome by the Company of Women, do not esteem it as a single Defeat, but that you have fed, that you have increased, your Dissoluteness. For it is impossible, but that Habits and Faculties must either be first produced, or strengthened and increased by correspondent Actions. Hence the Philosophers derive the Growth of all Infirmities. When you once desire Money, for Example, if a Degree of Reasoning sufficient to produce a Sense of the Evil be applied, the Desire ceases, and the governing Faculty of the Mind regains its Authority; whereas if you apply no Remedy, it returns no more to its former State: but, being again excited by a corresponding Appearance, it kindles at the Desire more quickly than before; and by frequent Repetitions, at last becomes callous[1]: and by this In-
firmity
- ↑ Hardened against proper Reflections.
