No More Learning

Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, neu se
Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures:
Et sermone opus est modo tristi, saepe jocoso,
Defendente vicem modo Rhetoris atque Poetae,
Interdum urbani, parcentis viribus, atque
Extenuantis eas consulto. --HOR. (Sat. I. X. 9-14. )



EPISTLE I. TO SIR RICHARD TEMPLE, LORD COBHAM.

ARGUMENT.


Of the Knowledge and Characters of Men.

I. That it is not sufficient for this knowledge to consider Man in the
Abstract: Books will not serve the purpose, nor yet our own Experience
singly, v. 1. General maxims, unless they be formed upon both, will be
but notional, v. 10.
Some Peculiarity in every man, characteristic to
himself, yet varying from himself, v. 15. Difficulties arising from our
own Passions, Fancies, Faculties, etc. , v. 31. The shortness of Life, to
observe in, and the uncertainty of the Principles of action in men, to
observe by, v. 37, etc. Our own Principle of action often hid from
ourselves, v. 41. Some few Characters plain, but in general confounded,
dissembled, or inconsistent, v. 51. The same man utterly different in
different places and seasons, v. 71. Unimaginable weaknesses in the
greatest, v. 70, etc. Nothing constant and certain but God and Nature,
v.