Re: US-PA: Philadelphia-Web Developer

of thought
is to begin with self, and with its Author and its end.

Now, of what does the world think? Never of this, but of dancing, playing
the lute, singing, making verses, running at the ring, etc., fighting,
making oneself king, without thinking what it is to be a king and what to be
a man.

147. We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in
our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others,
and for this purpose we endeavour to shine. We labour unceasingly to adorn
and preserve this imaginary existence and neglect the real. And if we
possess calmness, or generosity, or truthfulness, we are eager to make it
known, so as to attach these virtues to that imaginary existence. We would
rather separate them from ourselves to join them to it; and we would
willingly be cowards in order to acquire the reputation of being brave. A
great proof of the nothingness of our being, not to be satisfied with the
one without the other, and to renounce the one for the other! For he would
be infamous who would not die to preserve his honour.

148. We are so presumptuous that we would wish to be known by all the world,
even by people who shall come after, when we shall be no more; and we are so
vain that the esteem of five or six neighbours delights and contents us.

149. We do not trouble ourselves about being esteemed in the towns through
which we pass. But if we are to remain a little while there, we are so
concerned. How long is necessary? A time commensurate with our vain and
paltry life.

150. Vanity is so anchored in the heart of man that a soldier, a soldier's
servant, a cook, a porter brags and wishes to have his admirers. Even
philo