Page "Alexander Selkirk" Paragraph 17

Several people who spoke to Selkirk after his rescue ( such as Captain Rogers and the journalist Steele ) were impressed by the tranquillity of mind and vigour of the body that Selkirk had attained while on the island.

Rogers stated that " one may see that Solitude and Retirement from the World is not such an unsufferable State of Life as most Men imagine, especially when People are fairly call'd or thrown into it unavoidably, as this Man was ".

Steele noted that " This plain Man's Story is a memorable Example, that he is happiest who confines his Wants to natural Necessities ; and he that goes further in his Desires, increases his Wants in Proportion to his Acquisitions ".