The life of man is lengthened by his pursuits of knowledge, as that of a
fool by his passions. The time of the one is long, because he does not
know how to spend it; but the other distinguishes every moment of it
with useful and amusing thoughts; the one wishes it always elapsed, and
the other enjoys it always.
How the view of past life, appears different to the man who is grown old
in knowledge, from that who is grown old in ignorance; the latter is
like the owner of a barren country, that sees nothing, but some hills
and plains naked; the other beholds an agreeable landscape, and can
scarce cast his eyes on a single spot of his land that is not covered
with some beautiful plants.
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