Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Passion

"Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which ever leaves us weaker than it found us.
But, being, intermitting to be sure, it is curable with care. It more than any thing deprives us of the use of our judgment; for it raises a dust very hard to see through.
Like wine, whose lees fly by being jogged, it is too muddy to drink.
It may not unfitly be termed, the mob of the man, that commits a Riot upon his Reason.
I have sometimes thought, that a Passionate man is like a weak spring that cannot stand long locked.
And as true, that those things are unfit for use, that can't bear small knocks, without breaking.
He that won't hear can't judge, and he that can't bear contradiciton, may, with all his wit, miss the mark.
Objection and debate sift out truth, which needs temper as well as judgment.
But above all, observe it in Resentments, for their passion is most extravagant.
Never chide for anger, but instruction.
He that corrects out of Passion, raises revenge sooner than Repentance."

William Penn - Photo by Lee Mclaughlin

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