[15]
Some one will ask, “What? were those identical great men, whose
virtues have been recorded in books, accomplished in all that learning which you are extolling
so highly?” It is difficult to assert this of all of them; but still I know what
answer I can make to that question: I admit that many men have existed of admirable
disposition and virtue, who, without learning, by the almost divine instinct of their own mere
nature, have been, of their own accord, as it were, moderate and wise men. I even add this,
that very often nature without learning has had more to do with leading men to credit and to
virtue, than learning when not assisted by a good natural disposition. And I also contend,
that when to an excellent and admirable natural disposition there is added a certain system
and training of education, then from that combination arises an extraordinary perfection of
character;
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