io 8 On RESENTMENT, 
pleafures of the prefent moment, and facrifice truth and con- 
fcience for trifles. ’Tis a common misfortune, like this woman, 
to afpire at things beyond our reach : moderate deflres, with 
probity of mind, will conduft us fafe ; we need not expofe 
ourfelves to danger. Farewell., 
LETTER XXXVII. 
To the fame.. 
Madam, 
S INCE happily we had not a better opportunity to refledl 
on the nature of refentment, we will take the advantage 
of the {lender oceaflon given us by our landlady at ambres-^ 
bury. 
I have more than once obferved, that from a fond notion of 
generosity of fpirit, we refent offences committed by our 
equals or superiors, when we confider thofe of our infe- 
riors, as below our regard. Self-preservation indeed pleads 
moft for defence where the injury may be moll: hurtful ; but 
in this cafe, more particularly, evil is moll eafily overcome by 
good. This feems to be the mofl effectual way to conquer 
thofe who will be an over- match for us if we grow angry. 
“ The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is 
u his glory to pafs over a tranfgreflion.” 
But if we conflder forgivenefs as a divine precept, it is im- 
prefl: with a mark of glory, as far beyond the gratification of the 
highefi: earthly ambition, as £t thunder is louder than a whiff 
“ per.” Perhaps it favors too much of policy, and too little of 
honesty i 
