This is to shew us how perversly we Judge of Many Things, and take the
Worse for the Better; and the Better for the Worse; upon a very great
Mistake, both in what we Despise, and in what we Admire. But we are
rather for that which is Fair, and Plausible in Appearance, then for That
which is Plain and Profitable in Effect; Even to the Degree of Preferring
Things Temporal to Eternal.
He that would Know Himself, must look into Himself. ’Tis only the
Resemblance, or the Shadow that he sees in the Glass, Not the Man. ’Tis
One Thing to Fancy Greatness of Mind; Another Thing to Practice it; for a
Body may Promise, nay and resolve upon many Things in Contemplation, that
he can never make good upon Tryal. How did the _Stag_ despise the _Dogs_
here, at the sight of his Armed Head in the Fountain; but his Heart went
quite to another Tune, when the Hounds were at the Heels of him. We are
likewise taught here, how subject Vain Men are to Glory in that which
commonly Tends to their Loss, their Misfortune, their Shame, and their
very Destruction; and yet at the same time to take their Best Friends for
their Enemies. But there’s a Huge Difference betwixt a False Conception
of Things, and the True Nature and Reason of them. The _Stag_ Prided
himself in his Horns, that afterwards Shackled, and were the Ruin of him;
but made slight of his Pityful _Shanks_, that, if it had not been for his
Branching Head, would have brought him off.