The nature of things is so fixed in every particular, that they are very
weak superstitious people who dream it is to be altered. But, besides
the impossibility of producing a change by addresses of this nature,
they who employ much of their time upon such accounts, instead of
getting, are sure to lose in the end. When any man is so frivolous and
vexatious as to make unreasonable complaints, and to harbour undue
repinings in his heart, his peevishness will lessen the real good which
he possesses, and the sourness of his temper shorten that allowance of
comfort which he already thinks too scanty. Thus, in truth, it is not
Providence, but ourselves who punish our own importunity in soliciting
for impossibilities, with a sharp corroding care, which abridges us of
some part of that little pleasure which Providence has cast into our
lot.