According to the Old Moral, Covetous Men will make any shift to save
Money: But this Allusion is the least Part of the Bus’ness. ’Tis no Easy
Matter for People in many Cases to save their Money, and their Credit
Both: But the Best Thing to be done, in the Disguise of a Base, and
Sordid Humour, is the Managing of the Imposture with a Good Grace, and in
such a Manner, that if a Man carries it off, there’s so much Money sav’d;
and if he be Detected, there will be something Pleasant in the Frolique
to Atone for a Secret Narrowness of Heart.
At this Rate of a Pretended Freak, or Whimsy, a Great many other
Corruptions, and Imperfections may be so Palliated, as to take off much
of the Scandal of them; for many a Wicked Thought is so Varnish’d over
in the Practice, as to pass Muster among the Gay Arts of Gallantry
and Conversation. The Thing above all Others to be Wish’d, Study’d,
and Endeavour’d, is to have a Clear Mind, and to Lead a Life in so
Conscientious a Probity of Manners, as in Thought, Word, and Deed, to
make Good the Character of an Untainted Honest Man: But where This
Discipline shall be found too Strict for Flesh and Blood, (and there’s
no Living up to the Rigorous Exactness of Purity, and Justice) it will
in such a Case, be the best of a Bad Game to keep Clear of Open Offence,
and to give the Infirmity the Best Face that the Matter will bear. As the
_Ambassador_, betwixt Jest and Earnest, Cast a Cloak of _Railery_ over
his _Avarice_.