'Tis in it felt an Unmanly, Slaviſh Vice; but it is much Worſe yet for the Alliance it has to Hypocriſie: for while we make other people think Better of themſelves than they Deſerve, we make them think Better of Us too than We Deſerve: For Self-love and Vanity on the One hand, Aſſiſls the Falſeneſs and the Confidence on the Other, while it ſerves to confirm weak Minds in the Opinion they had of Themſelves before; and makes them Parties, effectually, in a Conſpiracy, to their Own Ruin. The Meaſures, and the Artifices of it are Many, and in divers Caſes ſo like Sincerity, that what betwixt Cuſtom and the Nature of the Thing, it looks, in truth, like a Virtue, and a Duty; that is to ſay, where it is ſo manag'd, as to be rather Inſtructive than puffing up. As for Example, for a body to ſay, [This or That was Wiſely foreſeen,] Or [You intend, I preſume, to go This or That Way to Work:] and the like. Such an Inſinuation as this is, carries the Force in it of a Tacite, and a prudent Advice; for it both ſerves to point out the Reaſon of the thing, and it preſerves the Decency of that Reſpect which ought to go along with it. 'Tis a good Hint, the very ſuggeſting of ſuch or ſuch a Precaution, though the conſideration perhaps never came near the t' others Thought. But there is a curtain Habitual Meanneſs of Soul, which has ſo far prevail'd in the World, that Common Civility is no leſs Tainted by Courſe and Cuſtom, than Friendſhip and Converſation is by Corruption.
It is the Paraſites Act to caſt himſelf into all Shapes that may ſort with the Figure of his Patron, in what Poll, Function, or Adminiſtration ſoever; and to frame the Air and Countenance of his Words, Looks, and Actions accordingly, with a reſpeclt to his Power, Wiſdom, Conduct, Bravery, Generoſity, Juſtice, or what other Subject he thinks fit to treat upon. So that let him be never ſo Perſidious, Shallow, Raſh, Timorous, Eavious, Malicious, Proud, Covetous, &c a Little Court Holy-Water Waſhes off all Stains. And what is this upon the Main now, but an Exchange of Air for Subſtance, and parting with All that either is, or ought to be Dear to us, for a Song. The Flatterer, firſt Counſels his Patron to his Loſs; and then betrays him into the making himſelf Ridiculous; as what can be more ſo, than for a Raven to Value Himſelf upon his Croaking, or an Aſſe on his Braying? The only Benefit or Good of Flattery is this; that by Hearing what we are Not; we may be Inſtructed what we Ought to be.
Fab. XIV.
An Old Lion.
A Lion that in the Days of his Youth and Strength, had been very Outrageous and Cruel, came in the end to be Reduced by Old Age, and Infirmity, to the laſt Degree of Miſery, and Contempt: Inſomuch that All the Beaſts of the Forreſt; ſome out of Inſolence, others in Revenge, ſome in fine, upon One Pretence, ſome upon Another, fell upon him by Content. He was a Miserable Creature to all Intents and Purpoſes; but Nothing went ſo near the Heart of him in his Diſtreſs, as to find himſelf Batter'd by the Heel of an Aſſe.
