a settled course and sphere of action, from which, if it in the least
deviates, it becomes unfit to answer those ends for which it was
designed.

20. In like manner it is in the disposition of society: the civil
oeconomy is formed in a chain as well as the natural; and in either case
the breach but of one link puts the whole in some disorder. It is, I
think, pretty plain, that most of the absurdity and ridicule we meet
with in the world, is generally owing to the impertinent affectation of
excelling in characters men are not fit for, and for which nature never
designed them.

21. Every man has one or more qualities which may make him useful both
to himself and others: Nature never fails of pointing them out, and
while the infant continues under her guardianship, she brings him on in
his way, and then offers herself for a guide in what remains of the
journey; if he proceeds in that course, he can hardly miscarry: Nature
makes good her engagements; for as she never promises what she is not
able to perform, so she never fails of performing what she promises.

22. But the misfortune is, men despise what they may be masters of, and
affect what they are not fit for; they reckon themselves already
possessed of what their genius inclines them to, and so bend all their
ambition to excel in what is out of their reach; thus they destroy the
use of their natural talents, in the same manner as covetous men do
their quiet and repose; they can enjoy no satisfaction in what they
have, because of the absurd inclination they are possessed with for what
they have not.

23. _Cleanthes_ had good sense, a great memory, and a constitution