Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.7.4

25.7.4

He knew that, in consequence of the necessity of keeping fair with some persons who did not agree amongst themselves, the exercise of his office would have very little solidity; for that in every business and in every transaction he must of all necessity manage so, as to oblige five persons that have absolute power in the Committee, and ten or twenty more that are attached to them, and expect equal regard. And how long would a man be able to keep fair with them all, and to pay some small regard to his duty and character at the same time? In reality these dissensions, that have now spread in every branch of the administration, and the spirit of party that has now taken possession of the principal English, so as to become a second nature, are of such a species, as will always afford a sensible man many valuable reasons for declining any office at all under them; nor can a man dependent on them, but jealous of his own conscience and character, pretend to keep himself harmless from the consequences of that spirit of party and dissension which runs so high amongst his masters. Even waiving all regard for his honour and character, such a man cannot avoid running a great risk. What, if when striving to oblige one of those choleric men, his enemy at some unlucky day finds it in his power to make me feel his resentment, and out of a spirit of revenge, is soon up with me by susciting upon me a variety of troubles and distresses?