BOOK III PART III
of deference, even though they be our equals;
to seem always the lowest and least in the
company, where we are not very much distin-
guished above them: And if we observe these
rules in our conduct, men will have more in-
dulgence for our secret sentiments, when we
discover them in an oblique manner.
I believe no one, who has any practice of the
world, and can penetrate into the inward sen-
timents of men, will assert, that the humility,
which good-breeding and decency require of
us, goes beyond the outside, or that a thorough
sincerity in this particular is esteemed a real
part of our duty. On the contrary, we may ob-
serve, that a genuine and hearty pride, or self-
esteem, if well concealed and well founded, is
essential to the character of a man of honour,
and that there is no quality of the mind, which