A Genius being thus observed, humoured and cultivated, is to be kept in Heart, and upon proper Occasions to be exerted.  Without this, it may sink and be lost.  All Habits are weakened by Disuse.  And Men who are furnished with a Genius, for publick Usefulness, should put themselves forward; I mean, with due Modesty and Prudence, and not suffer their Talents to be hid, when a fair Opportunity offers to do Service with them.  Indeed it is too common an Unhappiness for Men to be so placed, as to have no Opportunity and Advantage for shewing their Genius.  As Matters are generally managed in the World, Men are for the most part staked down to such Business, in such Alliances, or in such Circumstances, that they have no proper Occasions of exerting themselves; but instead of that, are continually tugging and striving with things that are cross and ungrateful to them.  And that must be a strong Mind indeed, that shall break through the Censures and Opposition of the World, and dare to quit a Station, for which a Man has been brought up, and in which he has acted for some Time, that he may get into another Sphere, where he sees he can act according to the Impulses of his Genius.  Tho’ such as have had the Courage and Skill to follow those Impulses, till they have gain’d the Stations which suited their Taste and Inclination, have seldom fail’d of appearing considerable.  But Multitudes, by this Situation of Affairs, have been forc’d, in a manner, to stifle a Genius, because they could have no fair Opportunity of exerting it.

A crazy Constitution, and a Body liable to continual Disorders, call off the Attention of many a great Mind, from what might otherwise procure very great Reputation and Regard.  Their Genius no sooner begins a little to exert itself, but the Spirits flag, and one unhappy Ail or other, enfeebles and discourages the Mind.

Lust and Wine mightily obstruct all Attempts that require Application; and will neither allow a Man duly to furnish his Mind, nor rightly to use that Furniture he has.  An Intrigue or a Bottle may sometimes give an Opportunity for a Man to shew his Genius, but will utterly spoil all regular and reputable Exertings of it.  He who would put forth his Genius to the Advantage of Himself or the World, should give into no Pleasures that will enervate or dissolve his Mind.  He must keep it bent for Business, or he will bring all Business to nothing.

Conceit and Affectation on one hand, and Peevishness and Perverseness of Temper on the other, will lay the best Genius under great Disadvantages, and raise such Dislike and Opposition, as will bear it down in spite of all its Force and Furniture.  A graceful Mixture of Boldness and Modesty, with a Smoothness and Benignity of Temper, will much better make a Man’s Way into the World, and procure him the Opportunity of exerting his Genius.