to supposed capacities or tempers, which are generally those of some
fictitious being, but to be simply ourselves. We shall often find
unexpected and welcome response.

Our estimates of persons, unless they are frequently revived by personal
intercourse, are apt to alter insensibly and to become untrue. They
acquire increased definiteness but they lose in comprehensiveness.

Especially is this true of those who are dead. If I do not read a great
author for some time my mental abstract of him becomes summary and
false. I turn to him again, all summary judgments upon him become
impossible, and he partakes of infinitude. Writers, and people who are
in society and talk much are apt to be satisfied with an algebraic
symbol for a man of note, and their work is done not with him but with
x.



TIME SETTLES CONTROVERSIES



We ought to let Time have his own way in the settlement of our disputes.
It is a commonplace how much he is able to do with some of our troubles,
such as loss of friends or wealth; but we do not sufficiently estimate
his power to help our arguments. If I permit myself to dispute, I
always go beyond what is necessary for my purpose, and my continual
iteration and insistence do nothing but provoke opposition. Much better
would it be simply to state my case and leave it. To do more is not
only to distrust it, but to distrust that in my friend which is my best