’Tis many a man’s Case, to fancy that he wants what in Truth he has; and
then to Tire himself out with Hunting after it Abroad, when he carries it
about him all this while, and may have it better Cheap at Home. The bare
Supposal of one Petty Loss, makes us unthankful for all that’s left. We
are naturally apt to think our Selves Miserable, and the very thinking
so, makes us so. This Conceit puts us upon the Ramble up and down for
Relief, (and all in vain too,) ’till very Weariness brings us at last to
our selves again, where we find the _Ass_ we sought for, and the Cure of
all our Misfortunes in our own Breasts. A Man may be so intent upon one
thing, as to heed nothing else, as he that spent half a day to look for
his Odd Stocking, when he had them both upon a Leg.