Nor does this false Modesty expose us only to such Actions as are indiscreet, but very often to such as are highly criminal.  When Xenophanes [1] was called timorous, because he would not venture his Money in a Game at Dice:  I confess, said he, that I am exceeding timorous, for I dare not do any ill thing.  On the contrary, a Man of vicious Modesty complies with every thing, and is only fearful of doing what may look singular in the Company where he is engaged.  He falls in with the Torrent, and lets himself go to every Action or Discourse, however unjustifiable in it self, so it be in Vogue among the present Party.  This, tho’ one of the most common, is one of the most ridiculous Dispositions in Human Nature, that Men should not be ashamed of speaking or acting in a dissolute or irrational Manner, but that one who is in their Company should be ashamed of governing himself by the Principles of Reason and Virtue.

This little Appearance of a Religious Deportment in our Nation, may proceed in some measure from that Modesty which is natural to us, but the great occasion of it is certainly this.  Those Swarms of Sectaries that overran the Nation in the time of the great Rebellion, carried their Hypocrisie so high, that they had converted our whole Language into a Jargon of Enthusiasm; insomuch that upon the Restoration Men thought they could not recede too far from the Behaviour and Practice of those Persons, who had made Religion a Cloak to so many Villanies.  This led them into the other Extream, every Appearance of Devotion was looked upon as Puritannical, and falling into the Hands of the Ridiculers who flourished in that Reign, and attacked every thing that was Serious, it has ever since been out of Countenance among us.  By this means we are gradually fallen into that Vicious Modesty which has in some measure worn out from among us the Appearance of Christianity in Ordinary Life and Conversation, and which distinguishes us from all [our Neighbours. [2]]

Hypocrisie cannot indeed be too much detested, but at the same time is to be preferred to open Impiety.  They are both equally destructive to the Person who is possessed with them; but in regard to others, Hypocrisie is not so pernicious as bare-faced Irreligion.  The due Mean to be observed is to be sincerely Virtuous, and at the same time to let the World see we are so.  I do not know a more dreadful Menace in the Holy Writings, than that which is pronounced against those who have this perverted Modesty, to be ashamed before Men in a Particular of such unspeakable Importance.

C. [3]

[Footnote 1:  Xenophon]

[Footnote 2:  the Nations that lie about us.]

[Footnote 3:  No letter affixed in the first issue.]

* * * * *

No. 459.  Saturday, August 16, 1712.  Addison.

  ‘—­quicquid dignum sapiente bonoque est.’

  Hor.