business, as a condiment and furtherance, not an impediment or clog
thereto. He that for his sport neglects his business, deserves
indeed to be reckoned among children; and children's fortune will
attend him, to be pleased with toys, and to fail of substantial
profit.

'Tis again improper (because indeed uncivil, and inhuman) to jest
with persons that are in a sad or afflicted condition; as arguing
want of due considering or due commiserating their case. It appears
a kind of insulting upon their misfortune, and is apt to foment
their grief. Even in our own case (upon any disastrous occurrence
to ourselves), it would not be seemly to frolic it thus; it would
signify want of due regard to the frowns of God, and the strokes of
His hand; it would cross the wise man's advice, "In the day of
prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider."

It is also not seasonable, or civil, to be jocund in this way with
those who desire to be serious, and like not the humour. Jocularity
should not be forcibly obtruded, but by a kindly conspiracy (or
tacit compact) slip into conversation; consent and complaisance give
all the life thereto. Its design is to sweeten and ease society;
when to the contrary it breedeth offence or encumbrance, it is worse
than vain and unprofitable. From these instances we may collect
when in other like cases it is unseasonable, and therefore culpable.
Further--

5. To affect, admire, or highly to value this way of speaking
(either absolutely in itself, or in comparison to the serious and
plain way of speech), and thence to be drawn into an immoderate use
thereof, is blamable. A man of ripe age and sound judgment, for