Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor Of The Freemasons' Magazine.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE .
SIR , AMONG my acquaintance I know several who are , according to - the common definition , veiy good-natured men , but rather passionate . This description has often induced me to reflect on the effects of choler , even in the best tempered people . We are told by one of the sages of antiquitythat though passion
, is but a short rage , its fatal effects are frequently of long duration . It is . certain , that a violent heat of temper is one of the principal obstacles to the tranquillity of life and bodily health . Reason and judgment fly before it ; nothing- can check its impetuosity . Choler , with the assistance of a very few words , has often made men unhappy for the remainder of their days ; and in a few minutes deprived them
of the most valuable friends , dearly purchased by the assiduity of many years . It frequently reveals the most precious secrets of the heart , and renders the bilious man ridiculous by the extravagance of his menaces . How many have passed the remainder of their days in indigence and obscurity , for having been under the dominion of rage for a few moments I -
Choler deprives a man of the use of his knowledge , sense , and judgment : it casts such , a cloud before him , that he does not perceive the perils and danger to which it has exposed him . It -makes him deaf to the voice of reason , and utter expressions which may embitter all his future davs .
A passionate man is constantly giving advantage to those who are inclined to injure him ; and his foes will not fail to make use of such advantages when they present themselves . The serene unruffled man , coolly avails himself of the heat of one who is choleric : instances of which we behold dail y in our commerce with the world . Choler is thus defined ba celebrated writer ' : " It is a factious turn
y of mind , which destroys the health , divests us of friends and fortune , gratifies the malignancy of our enemies , and reduces us to a level , with the brute creation . " It must be acknowledged , however , that a brave man does hot fear the fury of a passionate antagonist ; and a coward is terrified without it . I hope my good-natured acquaintance , who are rather
intemperately warm , . will have indulgence enough to forgive my drawing their-picture so much at length , as I certainly do not mean them any harm . I should , indeed , be highly gratified if , upon discovering their own features in this mirror , they would for the future resolve to curb a propensity , which , if suffered to have its ' way , would equally tend to destroy their prosperity and peace . Yours , & c : DELIBERATION ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor Of The Freemasons' Magazine.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE .
SIR , AMONG my acquaintance I know several who are , according to - the common definition , veiy good-natured men , but rather passionate . This description has often induced me to reflect on the effects of choler , even in the best tempered people . We are told by one of the sages of antiquitythat though passion
, is but a short rage , its fatal effects are frequently of long duration . It is . certain , that a violent heat of temper is one of the principal obstacles to the tranquillity of life and bodily health . Reason and judgment fly before it ; nothing- can check its impetuosity . Choler , with the assistance of a very few words , has often made men unhappy for the remainder of their days ; and in a few minutes deprived them
of the most valuable friends , dearly purchased by the assiduity of many years . It frequently reveals the most precious secrets of the heart , and renders the bilious man ridiculous by the extravagance of his menaces . How many have passed the remainder of their days in indigence and obscurity , for having been under the dominion of rage for a few moments I -
Choler deprives a man of the use of his knowledge , sense , and judgment : it casts such , a cloud before him , that he does not perceive the perils and danger to which it has exposed him . It -makes him deaf to the voice of reason , and utter expressions which may embitter all his future davs .
A passionate man is constantly giving advantage to those who are inclined to injure him ; and his foes will not fail to make use of such advantages when they present themselves . The serene unruffled man , coolly avails himself of the heat of one who is choleric : instances of which we behold dail y in our commerce with the world . Choler is thus defined ba celebrated writer ' : " It is a factious turn
y of mind , which destroys the health , divests us of friends and fortune , gratifies the malignancy of our enemies , and reduces us to a level , with the brute creation . " It must be acknowledged , however , that a brave man does hot fear the fury of a passionate antagonist ; and a coward is terrified without it . I hope my good-natured acquaintance , who are rather
intemperately warm , . will have indulgence enough to forgive my drawing their-picture so much at length , as I certainly do not mean them any harm . I should , indeed , be highly gratified if , upon discovering their own features in this mirror , they would for the future resolve to curb a propensity , which , if suffered to have its ' way , would equally tend to destroy their prosperity and peace . Yours , & c : DELIBERATION ,