There are men in the world of so snarling, malevolent, and ill-natured
a disposition, that they will even punish themselves, rather than
put forth a finger to serve any one. It gives them a malignant kind
of pleasure to have it in their power to cause trouble and vexation
to others, whenever they have an opportunity of doing so; and could
they have their will, they would shut out the light and warmth of
the sun, and suffer the fruits of the earth to rot upon it, provided
they could see those about them unhappy; and in thus taking delight
in other people’s miseries, it of course follows that they are their
own tormentors. These characters, in common life, are diabolical and
detestable; but the evils they inflict, are only like a drop to the
ocean, when compared to those which men of the same stamp shed abroad
in the world, when, in an evil hour, they happen to be exalted to
govern the affairs of a nation. Then, indeed, their baleful influence
is felt in every direction: they may be termed fiends in human shape;
for, as far as they are able, they thwart the benevolent intentions of
Omnipotence, and the very breath of their nostrils seems to blast the
happiness of mankind.
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