The libertinism, and even the virtues of superiour men, will
always give women, of some description, great power over them;
and these weak women, under the influence of childish passions
and selfish vanity, will throw a false light over the objects
which the very men view with their eyes, who ought to enlighten
their judgment. Men of fancy, and those sanguine characters who
mostly hold the helm of human affairs, in general, relax in the
society of women; and surely I need not cite to the most
superficial reader of history the numerous examples of vice and
oppression which the private intrigues of female favourites have
produced; not to dwell on the mischief that naturally arises from
the blundering interposition of well-meaning folly. For in the
transactions of business it is much better to have to deal with a
knave than a fool, because a knave adheres to some plan; and any
plan of reason may be seen through much sooner than a sudden
flight of folly. The power which vile and foolish women have had
over wise men, who possessed sensibility, is notorious; I shall
only mention one instance.
