"Wit indeed is distinct from Judgment but it is not contrary to it; 'tis rather its Handmaid, serving to awaken and fix the Attention, that so we may Judge rightly."
— Astell, Mary (1666-1731)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for John Nutt
Date
1700
Metaphor
"Wit indeed is distinct from Judgment but it is not contrary to it; 'tis rather its Handmaid, serving to awaken and fix the Attention, that so we may Judge rightly."
Metaphor in Context
Now what is it that strikes a judicious Tast? Not that to be sure which injures the absent, or provokes the Company, which poisons the Mind under pretence of entertaining it, proceeding from or giving Countenance to false Ideas, to dangerous and immoral Principles. Wit indeed is distinct from Judgment but it is not contrary to it; 'tis rather its Handmaid, serving to awaken and fix the Attention, that so we may Judge rightly. Whatever Charms, does so because of its Regularity and Proportion; otherwise, tho' it is extraordinary and out of the way, it will only be star'd on like a Monster, but can never be lik'd. And tho' a thought is ever so fine and new, ever so well exprest, if it suits not with decorum and good Manners, it is not just and fit, and therefore offends our Reason, and consequently has no Charms, nor should afford us any entertainment.
(p. 20)
(p. 20)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
6 entries in ESTC (1700, 1703, 1706, 1730).
Some Reflections Upon Marriage, Occasion'd by the Duke & Dutchess of Mazarine's Case; Which Is Also Consider'd. (London: Printed for John Nutt near Stationers-Hall, 1700). <Link to ESTC><Link to Penn's Women Writers>
Some Reflections Upon Marriage, Occasion'd by the Duke & Dutchess of Mazarine's Case; Which Is Also Consider'd. (London: Printed for John Nutt near Stationers-Hall, 1700). <Link to ESTC><Link to Penn's Women Writers>
Date of Entry
04/25/2014
