: _chiefest, supremest, perfectest,
rightest_; or _more_ perfect, _most_ perfect, _most_ supreme, &c.
Virtue confers the most supreme dignity on man, and it should be his
chiefest desire.
He made the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to
rule the night.
The phrases "most supreme," and "chiefest," in the first sentence, are
incorrect, because _supreme_ and _chief_ are in the superlative degree
without having the superlative form superadded, which addition makes
them double superlatives. They should be written, "confers supreme
dignity," and, "his chief desire."
We can say, one thing is _less_ than another, or _smaller_ than another,
because the adjectives _less_ and _smaller_ are in the comparative
degree; but the phrase "_lesser_ light," in the second sentence, is
inaccurate. _Lesser_ is a double comparative, which, according to the
preceding Note, should be avoided. _Lesser_ is as incorrect as _badder,
gooder, worser_. "The _smaller_ light," would be less exceptionable. You
can correct the following without my assistance. Correct them _four_
times over.
The pleasures of the understanding are more preferable than those of
imagination or sense.
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