He who suffers his mind to be ruffled by every little inconvenience,
subjects himself to perpetual uneasiness and disquiet. There is no
accident, however trivial, but is capable of disconcerting him, and
he becomes absurdly miserable on the most foolish occasion. His good
humour is soured in an instant, and he is rendered uncomfortable to
himself, and odious or ridiculous to all about him. He prays with
earnestness to the Supreme Being to aid him in all his paltry selfish
schemes, or to gratify vanities, for which, as a rational being, he
ought to blush and be ashamed. The imaginary distresses, which his
unfortunate disposition heightens into severe calamities, are matter
of diversion to those who are disposed to sneer at him; and when his
pettish humour makes him rave like a madman, and curse his fate, at the
dropping of a hat, or the blunder of a servant, even his friends must
view his behaviour with a mixed emotion of pity and contempt.
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