OCR
upon FOLLY. 39 Ir is Folly that, in a ſeveral Dreſs, governs dicatures ; and, in fhort, makes the whole Courſe of a Man’s Life a meer Childrens Play, and a worfe than Pufh-pin Diverfion. The Invention of all Arts and Sciences are likewife owing to the fame Caufe: For what fedentary, thoughtful Men would have beat their Brains in the Search of new and unheard-of Mytteries, if not egg’d on by the bubbling Hopes of Credit and Réputation ? They think a little glittering Flafh of Vain-glory is a fufficient Reward for all their’ Sweat, and Toil, and tedious Drudgery, while they that are fuppofedly more foolifh reap Advantage of the others Labours. Ann now fince I have made good my Title to Valour and Induftry, what if 1 challenge an equal Share of W2/fdom? Hew! This (you'll fay) is abfurd and contradiétoty ; the Eaft and Weft may as foon fhake Hands as Folly and out my Claim. Firft then, if Wifdom (as nefs of doing Good, and an expedite Method of becoming ferviccable tothe World, to whom does this Vertué more properly belong ? To the Wife Man, who partly our of Modefty, Jy in no Attempt; or to the Fool, that goes and fo ventures thro’ the moft hazardous Undertaking without ‘any Senfe or Profpect of the ~