This Fiction may serve to shew us, that what Influence soever Political
Laws and Provisions may have upon the External Regulation of our
Practices and Manners; it is a thing yet utterly Impossible for Human
Wisdom to form such an Act of State, as shall reach the Wickedness of the
Heart: So that in despite of all the Rules and Cautions of Government,
the most Dangerous and Mortal of Vices will still come off, without so
much as a Publick Censure. As who shall pretend to inflict any Punishment
upon Flattery, Hypocrisie, and other Sins of the Heart, when there lies
no proof against them? One may be a very Honest Man in the Eye of the
Law, and yet a most Abominable Wretch in the Sight of God, and of his
Own Conscience. But still it is worth the while however, to consider how
we may discountenance and prevent those Evils which the Law can take no
Cognizance of. And to gain this Point, the Effect must be Obviated in the
Cause. _Flattery_ can never take Place upon any Man (so as to Corrupt
him) that did not Flatter Himself First; for it is a vain Opinion of our
Selves, that lays us Open to be Impos’d upon by Others.