Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton (17 Aug 1759 – 14 May 1846 | Boston MA – Quincy MA) poet, socialite, artist’s model, pen name: Philenia.
I stood among them, though not of them – shrouded in my own thoughts, which were
not their thoughts. Wiles of Deceit may compare to traps over quicksand, in which
contrivers are often first fatally caught. Excessive Vanity sometimes impels itself to
self-complacency, putting on the borrowed garb of good nature, as if solicitous of
popular applause. There exists in every thinking mind, certain conscious Knowledge
of itself, which may constitute either its punishment or its consolation. There may be
industrious minds in Busy Bodies, whose sole occupation is that of transmitting evil
reports from individual to individual. Most in faith & affinity to the Busy Body is
the Plain Speaker, being of coarse feelings, rude utterance & boastful integirty. And
how words are lavished & wasted on the arbitrary & inevitable power of Conscience!