← Table of contents
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - Volume 40 of 55, 1690-1691

Note 96 — San Agustin’s Letter on the Filipinos

Reading edition

44. They are wanting in understanding and reflection, so that they do not recognize any means in anything, but go to extremes. Consequently, if one ask them for warm water, they bring it boiling, and then if they are reproached and told that one wishes it more temperate, they go and bring it back as cold as ice.96 In this vicious circle of extremes, they will continue ceaselessly without finding a mean. Consider then, how they will act in prudential matters, where one must seek the mean and not the extremes, as says the poet:97

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings