It is a Misfortune for a Man not to have a Friend in the World, but for that reason he shall have no Enemy. In the Commerce of the World, Men struggle little less with their Friends, than they do with their Enemies. _Esteem_ ought to be the ground of _Kindness_, and yet there are no Friends that seldomer meet. Kindness is apt to be as _afraid_ of Esteem, as that is to be _ashamed_ of Kindness. Our Kindness is greatest to those that will do what we would have them, in which our Esteem cannot always go along. Miscellaneous Thoughts AND REFLECTIONS. [Sidenote: _Of Advice and Correction._] The Rule _of doing as we would be done by_, is never less observed than it is in telling others their Faults. But Men intend more to shew others that they are free from the Fault, than to dissuade them from committing it. They are so pleased with the prudent Shape of an Adviser, that it raiseth the value they have of themselves, whilst they are about it. Certainly, to give Advice to a Friend, either asked or unasked, is so far from a Fault, that it is a Duty; but if a Man love to give Advice, it is a sure sign that he himself wanteth it. A Man whilst he is advising putteth his Understanding upon Tiptoes, and is unwilling to bring it down again. A weak Man had rather _be thought_ to know, than _know_, and that maketh him so impatient to be told of a Mistake. He who will not be the better for other Mens Faults, hath no cure left for his own. But he that can probe himself to cure his own Faults, will seldom need either the Surgery of his Friends or of his Enemies. [Sidenote: _Of Alterations._] In a corrupted Age the putting the World in order would breed Confusion. A rooted Disease must be _stroaked away_, rather than _kicked away_. As soon as Men have Understanding enough to find a Fault, they have enough to see the danger of mending it. Desiring to have any thing mended, is venturing to have it spoiled: To know when to let Things alone, is a high pitch of good Sense. But a Fool hath an Eagerness, like a Monkey in a Glass Shop, to break every thing in the handling. _Curing_ and _Mending_ are generally meer Words of Art not to be relied upon. They are set out in Bills, but the _Mountebanks_ only get by them. [Sidenote: _Bashfulness._] Great Bashfulness is oftener an Effect of Pride than of Modesty. Modesty is oftner mistaken than any other Virtue. [Sidenote: _Boldness._] Wise Venturing is the most commendable Part of human Prudence. It is the upper Story of Prudence, whereas perpetual Caution is a kind of under-ground Wisdom that doth not care to see the Light. It is best for great Men to shoot over, and for lesser Men to shoot short. [Sidenote: _Borrowers of Opinions._] Men who borrow their Opinions can never repay their Debts. They are Beggars by Nature, and can therefore never get a Stock to grow rich upon. A Man who hath not a distinguishing Head, is safest by not minding what any body sayeth.