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Article ON FORTITUDE. ← Page 2 of 4 →
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On Fortitude.
The effect of this fortitude is , -that it makes us steadily and constantly pursue the great aim we have inview ; it is drawn aside byno pleasure ; it shrinks at no difficulty ; it sinks under no affliction j but resolutely goes on , whatever may be the path assigned , and though it may suffer , it never yields . This virtue is exercised , not only in the greatest afflictions , but in the daily occurrences of lifeand if in these its trials are not so
; painfuh yetthey may , perhaps , often be more difficult . It enables ua to bear the faults and weaknesses of others , the disappointments and humiliations-which all must meet with , and the numberless little vexations anddnconveniences , which though when considered separately they may appear trifling , yet often , affect the temper , much more than we are generally aware ; of .
It is also exercised by-our-own weaknesses and imperfections ; " for there is no person living who can always preserve the same equal state of mind and spirits ; and it is no inconsiderable part of true fortitude to avoid giving way to what none can avoid feeling ; and to persevere in acting as we ought in every different disposition of mind . This then is the : great and distinguishing character of true fortitude : that it is constant and invariablethe same at all timesin rail
, ,. trials , and in all dispositions ; it depends- not on the circumstances .-ir * which we may be placed , nor on the strength either of body or spirits which we may enjoy ; but it enables us to exert all the strength ^ we possess ( which is often much more than we are apt to imagine ); : it is seated in the -will , and never gives : way in any instance . } Without this virtue there can be no dependence onany other .
. Those who have the best inclinations in the world must find a time of difficulty ; . ji time \ vhen , from the opposition they may meet with , or from their own weakness , the performance of their duty must require no small degree of exertion ; and if they have not fortitude to go on , in spite of all such difficulties , their former good dispositions and good actions will be of little use .
The practice of virtue is indeed often attended with applause sufficient to animate vanity to assume the appearance of it ; and even where it is pure and genuine , the esteem and affection engaged by it cannot but be highly pleasing to alii and must afford some degree of assistance and support . But there are many instances in which all these supports are entirely wanting ; and true fortitude will enable us to act as we ought to do without any such assistanceand even
, when we are sure that the consequence of doing-so will be directly contrary to all this . - It can bear not only the want of approbation , but the mortification of being slighted or blamed ,-and persevere ., whatever may be the consequence in regard to this world ; --hot from a contempt for the opinions of othersfor it does not hinder such humiliations from being
, felt , but it supports them with courage and resolution , and will never endeavour to avoid them by the slightest deviation from the right path , or to return them by a display of its superiority , or by giving any degree of pain or humiliation to those from wfiom they .. cause .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Fortitude.
The effect of this fortitude is , -that it makes us steadily and constantly pursue the great aim we have inview ; it is drawn aside byno pleasure ; it shrinks at no difficulty ; it sinks under no affliction j but resolutely goes on , whatever may be the path assigned , and though it may suffer , it never yields . This virtue is exercised , not only in the greatest afflictions , but in the daily occurrences of lifeand if in these its trials are not so
; painfuh yetthey may , perhaps , often be more difficult . It enables ua to bear the faults and weaknesses of others , the disappointments and humiliations-which all must meet with , and the numberless little vexations anddnconveniences , which though when considered separately they may appear trifling , yet often , affect the temper , much more than we are generally aware ; of .
It is also exercised by-our-own weaknesses and imperfections ; " for there is no person living who can always preserve the same equal state of mind and spirits ; and it is no inconsiderable part of true fortitude to avoid giving way to what none can avoid feeling ; and to persevere in acting as we ought in every different disposition of mind . This then is the : great and distinguishing character of true fortitude : that it is constant and invariablethe same at all timesin rail
, ,. trials , and in all dispositions ; it depends- not on the circumstances .-ir * which we may be placed , nor on the strength either of body or spirits which we may enjoy ; but it enables us to exert all the strength ^ we possess ( which is often much more than we are apt to imagine ); : it is seated in the -will , and never gives : way in any instance . } Without this virtue there can be no dependence onany other .
. Those who have the best inclinations in the world must find a time of difficulty ; . ji time \ vhen , from the opposition they may meet with , or from their own weakness , the performance of their duty must require no small degree of exertion ; and if they have not fortitude to go on , in spite of all such difficulties , their former good dispositions and good actions will be of little use .
The practice of virtue is indeed often attended with applause sufficient to animate vanity to assume the appearance of it ; and even where it is pure and genuine , the esteem and affection engaged by it cannot but be highly pleasing to alii and must afford some degree of assistance and support . But there are many instances in which all these supports are entirely wanting ; and true fortitude will enable us to act as we ought to do without any such assistanceand even
, when we are sure that the consequence of doing-so will be directly contrary to all this . - It can bear not only the want of approbation , but the mortification of being slighted or blamed ,-and persevere ., whatever may be the consequence in regard to this world ; --hot from a contempt for the opinions of othersfor it does not hinder such humiliations from being
, felt , but it supports them with courage and resolution , and will never endeavour to avoid them by the slightest deviation from the right path , or to return them by a display of its superiority , or by giving any degree of pain or humiliation to those from wfiom they .. cause .