--To view
a rational Conduct, even in pursuance of his own Advice, would greatly
disappoint him; and be a Contradiction to this _System_ he has laid
down;--Besides it would deprive him of an Occasion of gratifying his
Spleen, with the Contempt of that Folly, which he esteems to be
natural to the rest of Mankind; For he considers himself in the World,
like a _sober_ Person in the Company of Men, who are _drunken_ or
_mad_; He may advise them to be calm, and to avoid hurting themselves,
but he does not expect they will regard his Advice; On the
contrary, he is more pleas'd with observing their _Freaks_ and
_Extravagancies_.--It is from hence that he discourages and
depreciates all who pretend to _Discretion_; Persons of this Temper
not yielding him Sport or Diversion.
It is certain that the _Humourist_ is excessively _proud_, and yet
without knowing or suspecting it. For from the Liberty which he
frankly allows to others, of rejecting his Opinion, he is fully
persuaded, that he is free from all _Pride_; But tho' he acts in this
Circumstance without over-bearing, it has already appear'd, not to be
the Effect of his _Humility_, but of a different Motive; a Pleasure
which he takes in observing the Extravagancies of others, rather
than their Discretion.
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