No peace is to be expected among those who are naturally fierce,
quarrelsome, and inhospitable; and people of a different disposition
should avoid, as much as possible, having any thing to do with them.
But when we cannot help coming into contact with such characters, there
is no remedy but patience; and this virtue a wise man will call to his
aid under every misfortune. When our sufferings are inflicted by the
wickedness of others, it is some consolation to reflect, that people
of this character are continually waging war among themselves, and
punishing each other; and that the consequences of their own wickedness
follow them like their shadow, besides rendering them the objects of
general aversion. No virtue was more universally practised, or more
strongly recommended, by the ancients, than a mild conduct to our
companions, and an hospitable entertainment of strangers; and when this
is not the general character of any people, it shews, in greater or
less degrees, the wretched state of society in which they live.
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