BOOK III PART III
them, may be divided into two kinds, viz. such
as make them perform their part in society; and
such as render them serviceable to themselves,
and enable them to promote their own inter-
est. Their prudence, temperance, frugality, in-
dustry, assiduity, enterprize, dexterity, are cele-
brated, as well as their generosity and human-
ity. If we ever give an indulgence to any qual-
ity, that disables a man from making a figure in
life, it is to that of indolence, which is not sup-
posed to deprive one of his parts and capac-
ity, but only suspends their exercise; and that
without any inconvenience to the person him-
self, since it is, in some measure, from his own
choice. Yet indolence is always allowed to be
a fault, and a very great one, if extreme: Nor
do a man’s friends ever acknowledge him to
be subject to it, but in order to save his char-
acter in more material articles. He coued make