FRUITS OF SOLITUDE, in REFLECTIONS AND MAXIMS, relating to the CONDUCT OF HUMAN LIFE. By WILLIAM PENN. PREFACE. READER, THIS manual, I present thee with, is the fruit of solitude, a school few care to learn in, though none instruct us better. Some parts of it are the result of serious reflection; others the flashings of lucid intervals; written for private satisfaction, and now published for a help to human conduct. The author blesseth God for his retirement, and kisses that gentle hand that led him into it; for though it should prove barren to the world, it can never do so to him. He has now had some time he could call his own, a property he was : never so much master of before in which he has taken a view of himself and the world; and observed wherein he hath hit and missed the mark; what might have been done, what mended, and what avoided, in his human conduct; together with the omissions and excuses of others, as well societies and governments, as private families and persons. And he verily thinks, were he to live over his life again, he could not only, with God's grace, serve him, but his neighbor and himself, better than he hath done, and have seven years of his time to spare. And yet perhaps, he hath not been the worst, or the most idle man in the world nor is he the oldest. And this is the rather said, that it might quicken thee, reader, to lose none of the time that is yet thine. The author does not pretend to deliver thee an exact piece; his business not being ostentation, but charity. It is miscellaneous in the matter of it, and by no means artificial in the composure. But it contains hints that may serve thee for texts to preach to thyself upon, and which comprehend much of the course of human life: since, whether thou art parent or child, prince of subject, master or servant, single or married, public or private, mean or honorable, rich or poor, prosperous or improsperous, in peace or controversy, in business or solitude; whatever be thy inclination or aversion, practice or duty, thou wilt find something not un |