sons is, that they never command in chief, but be
seconds, and under the direction of others. For in
counsel, it is good to see dangers; and in execution,
not to see them, except they be very great.




Of Goodness
& GOODNESS OF NATURE







I TAKE goodness in this sense, the affecting of
the weal of men, which is that the Grecians
call philanthropia; and the word humanity (as
it is used) is a little too light to express it. Good-
ness I call the habit, and goodness of nature, the
inclination. This of all virtues, and dignities of the
mind, is the greatest; being the character of the
Deity: and without it, man is a busy, mischievous,
wretched thing; no better than a kind of vermin.
Goodness answers to the theological virtue, char-
ity, and admits no excess, but error. The desire of
power in excess, caused the angels to fall; the desire
of knowledge in excess, caused man to fall: but in