How often do we ascribe our success or misfortunes to wrong causes!
Vanity sometimes leads us to consider our prosperity as the natural
result of our own sagacity, and inattention sometimes induces us to
make acknowledgments to wrong persons. But if we would have our praises
valued, we should be cautious to direct them properly. Our thanks are
an indirect affront to those who receive them without deserving them;
and at the same time an act of open ingratitude to those who merit them
without receiving them. In prosperity, as well as in adversity, let us
not forget the power and goodness of Heaven; and if we implore the aid
of the Almighty in our distress, we should not neglect to send up our
acknowledgments of his goodness with the voice of gratitude.
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