5286. MISFORTUNE, Solace in.—
I most
cordially sympathize in your losses. It is a situation
in which a man needs the aid of all his
wisdom and philosophy. But as it is better to
turn from the contemplation of our misfortunes
to the resources we possess of extricating ourselves,
you will, of course, have found solace
in your vigor of mind, health of body, talents,
habits of business, in the consideration that
you have time yet to retrieve everything, and a
knowledge that the very activity necessary for
this, is a state of greater happiness than the
unoccupied one to which you had a thought of
retiring.—
To Dr. Currie. Washington ed. ii, 218.
(P.
1787)
