firmity is the Love of Money fixed. For he who hath had a Fever, even after it had left him, is not in the same State of Health as before, unless he was perfectly cured: and the same thing happens in Distempers of the Soul likewise. There are certain Traces and Blisters left in it; which, unless they are well effaced, whenever a new Hurt is received in the same Part, instead of Blisters, become Sores.
§. 3. If you would not be of an angry Temper then, do not feed the Habit. Give it nothing to help its Increase. Be quiet at first, and reckon the Days in which you have not been angry. I used to be angry every Day; now every other Day; then every third and fourth Day: and if you miss it so long as thirty Days, offer a sacrifice of Thanksgiving to God. For Habit is first weakened, and then intirely destroy'd. "I was not vex'd To-day[1]; nor the next Day; nor for three or four Months after; but took heed to myself, when some provoking Things happened." Be assured, that you are in a fine Way. "To-day, when I saw a handsome Person, I did not say to myself, O that I could possess her! And, how happy is her Husband (for he who says this, says too, how happy is her Gallant): nor do I go on to represent her as present, as undress'd, as lying down beside me." On this I stroak my Head, and say, Well done, Epictetus; thou hast solved a pretty Sophism, a much prettier than one very celebrated in the Schools[2]. But, if even the Lady should happen to be willing, and give me Intimations of it, and send for me, and press my Hand, and place herself next to me; and I should then for-
bear,
