A certain inequality in the condition of men is conducive to the order and welfare of the whole, is the work of God, or presupposes a divine law; but too great a disproportion, and such as is generally seen amongst men, is their own work, or caused by the law of the strongest. Extremes are faulty, and proceed from men; all compensation is just, and proceeds from God. * * * * * If these “CHARACTERS” are not liked, I shall be astonished; and if they are, my astonishment will not be less. FOOTNOTES: [1] Pascalʼs _Pensées_ were published in 1670, six years after their authorʼs death; La Rochefoucauldʼs _Maximes_ appeared in 1665, and of both works from five to six editions had been sold before the “Characters” saw the light. I have borrowed the definition of these authorsʼ labours from La Bruyèreʼs “Prefatory Discourse concerning Theophrastus,” which came out at the same time as the “Characters,” and served as an introduction. [2] Preface to La Bruyèreʼs “Characters,” page v. [3] Preface to La Bruyèreʼs “Speech upon his Admission as a Member of the French Academy, June 15, 1693,” which preface was published for the first time with the eighth edition of the “Characters,” in 1694. [4] Preface to La Bruyèreʼs “Characters,” page i. [5] Preface to La Bruyèreʼs “Speech upon his Admission as a Member of the French Academy, June 15, 1693.” [6] Preface to La Bruyèreʼs “Speech upon his Admission as a Member of the French Academy, June 15, 1693.” [7] Sir Walter Scott, in his introduction to Drydenʼs “Absalom and Achitophel,” says: “He who collects a gallery of portraits disclaims, by the very act of doing so, any intention of presenting a series of historical events.” [8] It was the custom in Paris, at the time La Bruyère wrote, for any gentleman or lady to leave part of their gains on the table, to pay, as it were, for the cards; hence the allusion. [9] All the passages on pages _15_ and _16_ between inverted commas (“ ”) have been taken from La Bruyèreʼs “Prefatory Discourse concerning Theophrastus.” [10] See the Chapter “Of the Great,” page 230, § 25. When, in the Chapter “Of Certain Customs,” page 408, § 14, he speaks of his “descent from a certain Godfrey de la Bruyère,” he does so jocularly. [11] Compare “Preface,” page iv., “I did not hesitate,” till page v., “and more regular.”