William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Moderation
270. It were an happy Day if Men could bound and qualifie their Resentments with Charity to the Offender: For then our Anger would be without Sin, and better convict and edifie the Guilty; which alone can make it lawful.
271. Not to be provok’d is best: But if mov’d, never correct till the Fume is spent; For every Stroke our Fury strikes, is sure to hit our selves at last.
272. If we did but observe the Allowances our Reason makes upon Reflection, when our Passion is over, we could not want a Rule how to behave our selves again in the like Occasions.
273. We are more prone to Complain than Redress, and to Censure than Excuse.
274. It is next to unpardonable, that we can so often Blame what we will not once mend. It shews, we know, but will not do our Master’s Will.
275. They that censure, should Practice: Or else let them have the first stone, and the last too.