Page 24 - Unlikely Stories 5

In the Back Streets of London

My friend was steadfast, then as now, in his defense of virtue; no
less as mode of living for everyman, but for himself as the means of
maintaining his own happiness and equanimity in this life and the
next. “Scarce any man is abstracted one moment from his vanity; and
he, to whom truth affords no gratifications, is generally inclined to
seek them in falsehoods. No estimate is more in danger of erroneous
calculations than those by which a man computes the force of his
own genius. He that never extends his view beyond the praises or
rewards of men will be dejected by neglect and envy, or infatuated by
honours and applause. But the consideration that life is only
deposited in his hands to be employed in obedience to a master who
will regard his endeavours, not his success, would have preserved him
from trivial elations and discouragements, and enabled him to
proceed with constancy and cheerfulness, neither enervated by
commendation nor intimidated by censure.”
Our host fell silent for a moment. “I am aware,” he finally said,
“that having overcome extreme hardships and handicaps has left you
both a stern moralist and an incorruptible pilgrim on the path to
salvation. You would hold no man to a lower standard, nor yet
accede to any corruption. Of that salvation, despite its supreme value,
you nevertheless remain uncertain, finding enough sin within yourself
to maintain doubt concerning your future. Does that not leave you
open to temptation? I am certain you have been tempted.”
Johnson was adamant. “To resist temptation once, is not sufficient
proof of honesty. If a servant, indeed, were to resist the continued
temptation of silver lying in a window, as some people let it lye, when
he is sure his master does not know how much there is of it, he
would give a strong proof of honesty. But this is a proof to which
you have no right to put a man. You know, humanly speaking, there
is a certain degree of temptation which will overcome any virtue.
Now, in so far as you approach temptation to a man, you do him an
injury; and, if he is overcome, you share his guilt.” I could see that
the doctor was in his element now. I hoped our host understood the
intensity of feeling with which my friend warmed to certain topics,
and would not be offended. It would not be easy either to interrupt
the flow of argument or refute it.

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