"Nature is too liberal to deny us our Desires: She is too Noble to refuse us a gift which she preserves for us in the Cabinet of our Soul: and her Guide is too faithful to carry us astray from that good to which we aspire."
— Le Grand, Antoine (1629-1699)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for C. Harper and J. Amery
Date
1675
Metaphor
"Nature is too liberal to deny us our Desires: She is too Noble to refuse us a gift which she preserves for us in the Cabinet of our Soul: and her Guide is too faithful to carry us astray from that good to which we aspire."
Metaphor in Context
If it be no School Treachery not to side with so Learned a Master, and if a man run not the hazard of being censured by his Schollars for taking Reasons part, and pleading Senecas cause, I think it may be said such thoughts are too mean to form a Disciple of Christ, and that his words are too little generous to make an ordinary Philosopher. For who shall imagin that things out of our power should make us happy? and that Fortune, which is but a Chimera should dispense the favours which are the Recompences of Vertue. Wherefore should we build our happiness upon Riches; Since our minds are the Magazines of true wealth, and why should we expect that from Strangers, which we may bestow upon our Selves? Nature is too liberal to deny us our Desires: She is too Noble to refuse us a gift which she preserves for us in the Cabinet of our Soul: and her Guide is too faithful to carry us astray from that good to which we aspire. Those that so much cry it down have not known the advantages of it: and had they studied to become as reasonable as eloquent, they would have confessed with us, that she is not less a Teacher of the faithful then a Soverain to the Polititians, and the Mistress of Philosophers. Vertue is her workmanship, born in her bosome, and so obedient a Daughter, that she followes her Counsels in all her Actions. Just men own her for their Mother, they pay respect to her Orders, when ever she commands; and as her Laws are descended from Heaven, they fear to offend him that ruleth there, by hearkening to other Counsels then hers.
(pp. 15-6)
(pp. 15-6)
Categories
Provenance
Reading Thomas Keymer's edition of Rasselas (Oxford UP, 2009), 131n.
Citation
Antoine Le Grand, Man without Passion, or, The Wise Stoick, According to the Sentiments of Seneca, trans. G. R. (London: Printed for C. Harper and J. Amery, 1675) <Link to EEBO>.
Date of Entry
01/22/2013
