The consolations of philosophy are very amusing, but often fallacious.

It tells us that life is filled with comforts, if we will but enjoy them; and on the other hand, that though we unavoidably have miseries here, life is short, and they will soon be over.

Thus do these consolations destroy each other; for if life is a place of comfort, its shortness must be misery, and if it be long, our griefs are protracted.

Thus philosophy is weak; but religion comforts in an higher strain.

Man is here, it tells us, fitting up his mind, and preparing it for another abode.