In the great stakes which the leaders of
society esteem not at all fanciful but solid, in the best reputed
professions and operations, what is there which will bear the
scrutiny of reason? The most active lives have so much routine as to
preclude progress almost equally with the most inactive. We defer to
the noted merchants whose influence is felt not only in their native
cities, but in most parts of the globe; but our respect does them and
ourselves great injustice, for their trade is without system, their
affairs unfold themselves after no law of the mind; but are bubble
built on bubble without end; a work of arithmetic, not of commerce,
much less of considerate humanity. They add voyage to voyage, and
buy stocks that they may buy stocks, and no ulterior purpose is
thought of. When you see their dexterity in particulars, you cannot
overestimate the resources of good sense, and when you find how empty
they are of all remote aims, you cannot underestimate their
philosophy.
The men of letters and the professions we have charged with the
like surrender to routine.
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