How glad I am that my sister has imbibed such just notions; I am proud of my sister.
WILLIAM.
You have reason to be so, she deserves to be esteemed; too many young ladies think like Lady Jane, and satisfied with a distinguished rank, do not seek to obtain real excellence, by improving their minds.
CHARLES.
I acknowledge it, but you must have observed that nothing is more humiliating than pride; the respect that is paid to a proud person is only a mere compliment, or done through interested motives, which degrade the person who pays it. It is a mere farce to bow to a being we despise.
WILLIAM.
I believe so. I have more than once seen the lowest bow made to a haughty man, and no sooner was his back turned than he was ridiculed.
CHARLES.
And what avails their greatness and wealth to their fellow-creatures, if they live only for themselves. We ought then only to be proud of virtue and charity; nay, not even of them for they are duties, and the performance of a duty ought not to excite pride. They only are truly great who set a good example to others; a distinguished rank is indeed a blessing when it enables us to do more good.
WILLIAM.