Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Clarissa. Or, the History of a Young Lady: Comprehending the Most Important Concerns of Private Life.

London

Printed for S. Richardson

1747-8

"See that your own predominant passions, whatever they be, hurry you not into as much wickedness, as mine do me."

Were I to be as much in earnest in my defence, as thou art warm in my arraignment, I could convince thee, by other arguments, observations, and comparisons [Is not all human good and evil comparative?] that tho' from my ingenuous temper (writing only to thee, who art master of every secret of my heart) I am so ready to accuse myself in my narrations; yet I have something to say for myself to myself, as I go along; tho' no one else, perhaps, that was not a rake, would allow any weight to it. -- And this caution might I give to thousands, who would stoop for a stone to throw at me: 'See that your own predominant passions, whatever they be, hurry you not into as much wickedness, as mine do me. --See, if ye happen to be better than me, in some things, that ye are not worse in others; and in points too, that may be of more extensive bad consequence, than that of seducing a girl (and taking care of her afterwards), who from her cradle is armed with cautions against the delusions of men.' And yet I am not so partial to my own faults, as to think lightly of that, when I allow myself to think.