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To the Readers |
yet ie is undeniably experienced that this’
Happinefs of Fools will never be made fo
much the Opinion of others, as it is the
Faith of themfelves. This Paradox there¬
fore we may well prefume was not the fole
Aim of rhe Author, who from Principles of
Self-Interef? was obliged not to be in Earneft,
when he declaings azainft bis own Accom¬
plifoments of Wit, Learninz, and Wifiom,
and at the fame time attributes the moft at¬
rainable Perfection to what hz himſelf was
at the greateſt Diflance from, Dotage anc
Folly He might perhaps, like the copious `
Orator,"grve the World an bint, that tf at
any tinie be appear’d Patron on rhe jufler
Stde of any Controverſie, Men of Morals and
Conſcience were bebolden 10 Lim fer bis Choice
of Argument, fince be could Polifh rhe rough¬
eft Paradox with as nusch Eafe and Succes;
as be could illuttrate rhe mof? received Truth ; ¬
and with the Subtilizing Cryfippus, /bouki
fooner want Opinions to fet Abroach, than
upon the taking up any Opinion want Ar¬
guments to defend it. But otherwife it is ap~~
parent, that (like Perfons of Sjuimzing Op¬
ticks, who roul their Eyes one Way, and er
dire their Looks - another) our Author,
Archer- like, ſhoots juſt contrary from where
he pretends to aint, and makes a compleat `
Satyr againfi:Fools of what he Entities a
Panegyrick upon Folly. Under this Covert
À 2 be