The next Argument or Motive to Contentment is this; Why is not a man content with the competency which he hath? perhaps if he had more, he would be less content. The world is such, that the more we ⟨p. 183⟩have, the more we crave*; it cannot fill the heart of man. When the fire burns, how do you quench it? not by pouring oil on the flame, or laying on more wood, but by withdrawing the fuel. When the appetite is inflamed after riches, how may a man be satisfied? not by having just what he desires, but by withdrawing the fuel, viz. moderating and lessening his desires. He that is contented hath enough. A man in a fever or dropsy, thirsts; how do you satisfy him? not by giving him liquid things which will inflame his thirst the more, but by removing the cause, and so curing his distemper. The way for a man to be contented, is not by raising his estate higher, but by bringing his heart lower.
The next Argument or Motive to Contentment is this; Why is not a man content with the competency which he hath? perhaps if he had more, hee would be lesse content. The world is such, that the more we ⟨p. 183⟩have, the more we crave*; it cannot fill the heart of man. When the fire burnes, how do you quench it? not by pouring oile on the flame, or laying on more wood, but by withdrawing the fuel. When the appetite is enflam'd after riches, how may a man be satisfied? not by having just what he desires, but by withdrawing the fuel, viz. moderating and lessening his desires. He that is contented hath enough. A man in a fever or dropsie, thirsts; how doe you satisfie him? not by giving him liquid things which will enflame his thirst the more, but by removing the cause, and so curing his distemper. The way for a man to be contented, is not by raising his estate higher, but by bringing his heart lower.
- *Crescit amor nummi quantum ipse pecunia crescit.
