"It's a kind of tabula rasa, a Blank, that almost with the same Facility receives the Characters of Angel, and of Devil; but when once it's stained with Sin, when it's by-assed by ill Habits, and worse Principles, you will find it stubborn and rebellious."
— Darrell, William (1651-1721)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for E. Evets at the Green Dragon in St. Paul's church-yard
Date
1704
Metaphor
"It's a kind of tabula rasa, a Blank, that almost with the same Facility receives the Characters of Angel, and of Devil; but when once it's stained with Sin, when it's by-assed by ill Habits, and worse Principles, you will find it stubborn and rebellious."
Metaphor in Context
Wherefore consecrate the first Fruits of Reason to God; you can't begin the Practice of Piety too soon, but may be too late; Nature untainted with Vice may be wrought with ease into any Form, and cast in any Mould. It's a kind of tabula rasa, a Blank, that almost with the same Facility receives the Characters of Angel, and of Devil; but when once it's stained with Sin, when it's by-assed by ill Habits, and worse Principles, you will find it stubborn and rebellious. Be not then so foolish as to prefer Danger before Security, and to turn Pleasure into Toil. [end page 70] Take Occasion by Fore-top, it quickly passes, and selfdom returns.
(pp. 69-70)
(pp. 69-70)
Provenance
Searching in ECCO
Citation
W. D. (William Darrell). A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. The second edition London, 1704. Based on information from English Short Title Catalogue. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale Group.
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/ECCO
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/ECCO
Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
10/09/2006
