’Tis not Good to be Over Fierce upon any Thing, for fear of Mistaking, or
Misunderstanding the Matter in Question. Moderation is a High Point of
Wisdom, and Temerity on the Other Hand, is ever Dangerous: For Men are
Subject to be Couzen’d with Outward Appearances, and so take the Vain
Images, and Shadows of Things, for the Substance. All Violent Passions
have somewhat in them of the Rashness of This _Pigeon_; and if That
Rashness be not as Fatal in the One Case, as This was in the Other, ’tis
a Deliverance that we are more Indebted for, either to the Special Grace
of an Over-ruling _Providence_, or to the Mediation of That which we call
_Chance_, then to any thing of our own Government and Direction. One Man
may have the Advantage of Another in the Benefit of a Presence of Mind,
which may serve in a Great Measure, to Fortifie us against Surprizes,
and Difficulties not to be foreseen: But a sound Judgment is the Result
of second Thoughts, upon Due Time and Consideration, which way to bring
Matters to a Fair Issue. This Precipitate Temper is little better then
a Physical Madness; for there is somewhat of an Alienation in’t, when
People proceed, not only Without, but Contrary to Reason. How many
Instances do we see daily, of People that are Hurry’d on, without either
Fear or Wit, by Love, Hatred, Envy, Ambition, Revenge, _&c._ to their Own
Ruine: which comes to the very Case of the _Pigeon_’s breaking her Wing
against the _Picture_, and the Miscarriage is Every jot as Ridiculous.