This was, he said, alone sufficient to refute those who affected a contempt for the wisdom of the ancients, and an undeniable testimony of the great antiquity of Priggism.
"The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great"
Henry Fielding
Let us at the same time separate ourselves farther from Priggism itself.
"The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great"
Henry Fielding
His opinion was, that no one could carry Priggism very far without it; for which reason, he said, there was little greatness to be expected in a man who acknowledged his vices, but always much to be hoped from him who professed great virtues: wherefore, though he would always shun the person whom he discovered guilty of a good action, yet he was never deterred by a good character, which was more commonly the effect of profession than of action: for which reason, he himself was always very liberal of honest professions, and had as much virtue and goodness in his mouth as a saint; never in the least scrupling to swear by his honour, even to those who knew him the best; nay, though he held good-nature and modesty in the highest contempt, he constantly practised the affectation of both, and recommended this to others, whose welfare, on his own account, he wished well to.
"The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great"
Henry Fielding