So says many a Vain Fool in the World, as this Cock does in the Like
Case, and Exposes himself to Scorn, as well as Destruction. ’Tis a
necessary Point of Wisdom for People to sort themselves with fit Company,
and to make a Right Judgment of their Conversation. I do not mean in the
matter of Morals only, where Vicious and Ill Habits are Contagious; but
there should a Regard be had to the very Size, Quality and Degree of the
Men that we Frequent: For where the Disproportion is very great, a Man
may be Ruin’d without Malice, and Crush’d to Pieces by the Weight even
of one that has a Kindness for him. Now where we Misjudge the Matter, a
Miscarriage draws Pity after it, but when we are Transported by Pride and
Vanity into so Dangerous an Affectation, our Ruin lies at our own Door.