82 FABLES. 



man, and he gave him to understand that it requir- 

 ed a good light to find out one who fully came up 

 to that character; and he might have added, that 

 the world very much abounded with ignorant and 

 impudent ones, who, with their empty nonsense, 

 which they call wit, often unseasonably interrupt 

 men of thought and business: for to those whose 

 minds are wholly intent upon matters of import- 

 ance, nothing is so offensive as the intrusion of a 

 fool. Men of eminent parts and great natural 

 abilities, make their appearance in the world only 

 now and then. These qualifications are the gift of 

 Providence, and seem to be intended to throw fresh 

 lights on the understandings of mankind; but in 

 all the gradations from these downwards, it is in 

 the power of every one to improve their manners, 

 and integrity is within the reach of those of the 

 meanest capacity, if they will endeavour to amend 

 their lives, and take it for their guide. 



