148.—Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.
["Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer." Pope {Essay On Man, (1733), Epistle To Dr. Arbuthnot.}]
149.—The refusal of praise is only the wish to be praised twice.
[The modesty which pretends to refuse praise is but in truth a desire to be praised more highly. Edition 1665.]
150.—The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.
151.—It is easier to govern others than to prevent being governed.
152.—If we never flattered ourselves the flattery of others would not hurt us.
["Adulatione servilia fingebant securi de fragilitate credentis." Tacit. Ann. xvi.]
153.—Nature makes merit but fortune sets it to work.
154.—Fortune cures us of many faults that reason could not.