mischief, and stand aloof off to see what comes of it. If it be a small matter, I would have witnesses; but if it be a greater, I would have it upon oath, and allow time to the accused, and counsel too, and hear over and over again. In those cases where we ourselves are witnesses, we should take into consideration all the circumstances. If a _child_, it was _ignorance_: if a _woman_, a _mistake_: if done by _command_ a _necessity_; if a _man_ be injured, it is but _quod pro quo_: if a _judge_, he _knows_ what he does: if a _prince_, I must _submit_; either if _guilty_, to _justice_, or if _innocent_, to _fortune_: if a _brute_, I make myself one by _imitating_ it: if a _calamity_ or _disease_, my best relief is _patience_: if _providence_, it is both _impious_ and _vain_ to be _angry_ at it: if a _good_ man, I will make the _best_ of it: if a _bad_, I will never _wonder_ at it. Nor is it only by _tales_ and _stories_ that we are inflamed, but _suspicions_, _countenances_, nay, a _look_ or a _smile_, is enough to blow us up. In these cases, let us suspend our displeasure, and plead the cause of the absent. “Perhaps he is innocent; or, if not, I have time to consider of it and may take my revenge at leisure:” but when it is once _executed_ it is not to be _recalled_. A jealous head is apt to take that to himself which was never meant him. Let us therefore trust to nothing but what we see, and chide ourselves where we are over-credulous. By this course we shall not be so easily imposed upon, nor put to trouble ourselves about things not worth the while: as the loitering of a servant upon an errand, and the tumbling of a bed, or the spilling of a glass of drink. It is a madness to be disordered at these fooleries; we consider the thing done, and not the doer of it. “It may be he did it unwillingly, or by chance. It was a trick put upon him, or he was forced to it. He did it for reward perhaps, not hatred; nor of his own accord, but he was urged on to it.” Nay, some regard must be had to the age of the person, or to fortune; and we must consult humanity and candor in the case. One does me a _great mischief_ at _unawares_; another does me a very _small_ one by _design_, or peradventure none at all, but intended me one. The latter was more in fault, but I will be angry with neither. We must distinguish betwixt what a man cannot do and what he will not. “It is true he has once offended me; but how often has he pleased me! He has offended me often, and in other kinds; and why should not I bear it as well now as I have done?” Is he my friend? why then, “It was against his will.” Is he my enemy? It is “no more than I looked for.” Let us give way to wise men, and not squabble with fools; and say thus to ourselves, “We have all of us our errors.” No man is so circumspect, so considerate, or so fearful of offending, but he has much to answer for.