Wemustbreaktheknotofourobligations，howstrongsoever，andhereafterlovethisorthat，butespousenothingbutourselves:thatistosay，lettheremainderbeourown，butnotsojoinedandsocloseasnottobeforcedawaywithoutflayingusortearingoutpartofourwhole。Thegreatestthingintheworldisforamantoknowthatheishisown。’Tistimetoweanourselvesfromsocietywhenwecannolongeraddanythingtoit;hewhoisnotinaconditiontolendmustforbidhimselftoborrow。Ourforcesbegintofailus;letuscalltheminandconcentratetheminandforourselves。Hethatcancastoffwithinhimselfandresolvetheofficesoffriendshipandcompany，lethimdoit。
Inthisdecayofnaturewhichrendershimuseless，burdensome，andimportunatetoothers，lethimtakecarenottobeuseless，burdensome，andimportunatetohimself。Lethimsootheandcaresshimself，andaboveallthingsbesuretogovernhimselfwithreverencetohisreasonandconsciencetothatdegreeastobeashamedtomakeafalsestepintheirpresence:
"Rarumestenim，utsatissequisquevereatur。"
["For’tisrarelyseenthatmenhaverespectandreverenceenoughforthemselves。"——Quintilian，x。7。]
Socratessaysthatboysaretocausethemselvestobeinstructed，mentoexercisethemselvesinwell—doing，andoldmentoretirefromallcivilandmilitaryemployments，livingattheirowndiscretion，withouttheobligationtoanyoffice。Therearesomecomplexionsmoreproperforthesepreceptsofretirementthanothers。Suchasareofasoftanddullapprehension，andofatenderwillandaffection，notreadilytobesubduedoremployed，whereofIamone，bothbynaturalconditionandbyreflection，willsoonerinclinetothisadvicethanactiveandbusysouls，whichembrace:all，engageinall，arehotuponeverything，whichoffer，present，andgivethemselvesuptoeveryoccasion。Wearetousetheseaccidentalandextraneouscommodities，sofarastheyarepleasanttous，butbynomeanstolayourprincipalfoundationthere;’tisnotrueone;neithernaturenorreasonallowsitsotobe。Whythereforeshouldwe，contrarytotheirlaws，enslaveourowncontentmenttothepowerofanother？Toanticipatealsotheaccidentsoffortune，todepriveourselvesoftheconvenienceswehaveinourownpower，asseveralhavedoneupontheaccountofdevotion，andsomephilosophersbyreasoning;tobeone’sownservant，toliehard，toputoutourowneyes，tothrowourwealthintotheriver，togoinsearchofgrief;these，bythemiseryofthislife，aimingatblissinanother;thosebylayingthemselveslowtoavoidthedangeroffalling:allsuchareactsofanexcessivevirtue。Thestoutestandmostresolutenaturesrendereventheirseclusiongloriousandexemplary:
"Tutaetparvulalaudo，Quumresdeficiunt，satisinterviliafortisVerum，ubiquidmeliuscontingitetunctius，idemHossapereetsolosaiobenevivere，quorumConspiciturnitidisfundatapecuniavillis。"
["Whenmeansaredeficient，Ilaudasafeandhumblecondition，contentwithlittle:butwhenthingsgrowbetterandmoreeasy，I
allthesamesaythatyoualonearewiseandlivewell，whoseinvestedmoneyisvisibleinbeautifulvillas。"
——Horace，Ep。，i。15，42。]
Agreatdeallesswouldservemyturnwellenough。’Tisenoughforme，underfortune’sfavour，topreparemyselfforherdisgrace，and，beingatmyease，torepresenttomyself，asfarasmyimaginationcanstretch，theilltocome;aswedoatjoustsandtiltings，wherewecounterfeitwarinthegreatestcalmofpeace。IdonotthinkArcesilausthephilosopherthelesstemperateandvirtuousforknowingthathemadeuseofgoldandsilvervessels，whentheconditionofhisfortuneallowedhimsotodo;Ihaveindeedabetteropinionofhimthanifhehaddeniedhimselfwhatheusedwithliberalityandmoderation。Iseetheutmostlimitsofnaturalnecessity:andconsideringapoormanbeggingatmydoor，ofttimesmorejocundandmorehealthythanImyselfam，Iputmyselfintohisplace，andattempttodressmymindafterhismode;
andrunning，inlikemanner，overotherexamples，thoughIfancydeath，poverty，contempt，andsicknesstreadingonmyheels，Ieasilyresolvenottobeaffrighted，forasmuchasalessthanItakesthemwithsomuchpatience;andamnotwillingtobelievethatalessunderstandingcandomorethanagreater，orthattheeffectsofpreceptcannotarrivetoasgreataheightasthoseofcustom。Andknowingofhowuncertaindurationtheseaccidentalconveniencesare，Ineverforget，intheheightofallmyenjoyments，tomakeitmychiefestprayertoAlmightyGod，thatHewillpleasetorendermecontentwithmyselfandtheconditionwhereinI
am。Iseeyoungmenverygayandfrolic，whoneverthelesskeepamassofpillsintheirtrunkathome，totakewhenthey’vegotacold，whichtheyfearsomuchtheless，becausetheythinktheyhaveremedyathand。
Everyoneshoulddoinlikemanner，and，moreover，iftheyfindthemselvessubjecttosomemoreviolentdisease，shouldfurnishthemselveswithsuchmedicinesasmaynumbandstupefythepart。
Theemploymentamanshouldchooseforsuchalifeoughtneithertobealaboriousnoranunpleasingone;otherwise’tistonopurposeatalltoberetired。Andthisdependsuponeveryone’slikingandhumour。Minehasnomannerofcomplacencyforhusbandry，andsuchasloveitoughttoapplythemselvestoitwithmoderation:
["Endeavourtomakecircumstancessubjecttome，andnotmesubjecttocircumstances。"
——Horace，Ep。，i。i，19。]
Husbandryisotherwiseaveryservileemployment，asSallustcallsit;
thoughsomepartsofitaremoreexcusablethantherest，asthecareofgardens，whichXenophonattributestoCyrus;andameanmaybefoundoutbetwixtthesordidandlowapplication，sofullofperpetualsolicitude，whichisseeninmenwhomakeittheirentirebusinessandstudy，andthestupidandextremenegligence，lettingallthingsgoatrandomwhichweseeinothers"DemocritipecuseditagellosCultaque，dumperegreestanimussinecorporevelox。"
["Democritus’cattleeathiscornandspoilhisfields，whilsthissoaringmindrangesabroadwithoutthebody。"
——Horace，Ep。，i，12，12。]
ButletushearwhatadvicetheyoungerPlinygiveshisfriendCaniniusRufusuponthesubjectofsolitude:"Iadvisethee，inthefullandplentifulretirementwhereinthouart，toleavetothyhindsthecareofthyhusbandry，andtoaddictthyselftothestudyofletters，toextractfromthencesomethingthatmaybeentirelyandabsolutelythineown。"Bywhichhemeansreputation;likeCicero，whosaysthathewouldemployhissolitudeandretirementfrompublicaffairstoacquirebyhiswritingsanimmortallife。
"UsqueadeoneSciretuum，nihilest，nisitoscirehoc，sciatalter？
["Isallthatthylearningnothing，unlessanotherknowsthatthouknowest？"——Persius，Sat。，i。23。]
Itappearstobereason，whenamantalksofretiringfromtheworld，thatheshouldlookquiteoutof[for]himself。Thesedoitbutbyhalves:theydesignwellenoughforthemselveswhentheyshallbenomoreinit;butstilltheypretendtoextractthefruitsofthatdesignfromtheworld，whenabsentfromit，byaridiculouscontradiction。
Theimaginationofthosewhoseeksolitudeupontheaccountofdevotion，fillingtheirhopesandcouragewithcertaintyofdivinepromisesintheotherlife，ismuchmorerationallyfounded。TheyproposetothemselvesGod，aninfiniteobjectingoodnessandpower;thesoulhastherewherewithal，atfullliberty，tosatiateherdesires:afflictionsandsufferingsturntotheiradvantage，beingundergonefortheacquisitionofeternalhealthandjoy;deathistobewishedandlongedfor，whereitisthepassagetosoperfectacondition;theasperityoftherulestheyimposeuponthemselvesisimmediatelysoftenedbycustom，andalltheircarnalappetitesbaffledandsubdued，byrefusingtohumourandfeedthem，thesebeingonlysupportedbyuseandexercise。Thissoleendofanotherhappilyimmortallifeisthatwhichreallymeritsthatweshouldabandonthepleasuresandconveniencesofthis;andhewhocanreallyandconstantlyinflamehissoulwiththeardourofthisvividfaithandhope，erectsforhimselfinsolitudeamorevoluptuousanddeliciouslifethananyothersortofexistence。
Neithertheend，then，northemeansofthisadvicepleasesme，forweoftenfalloutofthefrying—panintothefire。——[or:wealwaysrelapseillfromfeverintofever。]——Thisbook—employmentisaspainfulasanyother，andasgreatanenemytohealth，whichoughttobethefirstthingconsidered;neitheroughtamantobealluredwiththepleasureofit，whichisthesamethatdestroysthefrugal，theavaricious，thevoluptuous，andtheambitiousman。
["Thisploddingoccupationofbookesisaspainfullasanyother，andasgreatanenemievntohealth，whichoughtprincipallytobeconsidered。Andamanshouldnotsufferhimselfetobeinveagledbythepleasurehetakesinthem。"——Florio，edit。1613，p。122。]
Thesagesgiveuscautionenoughtobewarethetreacheryofourdesires，andtodistinguishtrueandentirepleasuresfromsuchasaremixedandcomplicatedwithgreaterpain。Forthemostofourpleasures，saythey，wheedleandcaressonlytostrangleus，likethosethievestheEgyptianscalledPhilistae;iftheheadacheshouldcomebeforedrunkenness，weshouldhaveacareofdrinkingtoomuch;butpleasure，todeceiveus，marchesbeforeandconcealshertrain。Booksarepleasant，butif，bybeingover—studious，weimpairourhealthandspoilourgoodhumour，thebestpieceswehave，letusgiveitover;I，formypart，amoneofthosewhothink，thatnofruitderivedfromthemcanrecompensesogreataloss。Asmenwhohavelongfeltthemselvesweakenedbyindisposition，givethemselvesupatlasttothemercyofmedicineandsubmittocertainrulesofliving，whichtheyareforthefuturenevertotransgress;sohewhoretires，wearyofanddisgustedwiththecommonwayofliving，oughttomodelthisnewoneheentersintobytherulesofreason，andtoinstituteandestablishitbypremeditationandreflection。Heoughttohavetakenleaveofallsortsoflabour，whatadvantagesoeveritmaypromise，andgenerallytohaveshakenoffallthosepassionswhichdisturbthetranquillityofbodyandsoul，andthenchoosethewaythatbestsuitswithhisownhumour:
"Unusquisquesuanoveritirevia。"
Inhusbandry，study，hunting，andallotherexercises，menaretoproceedtotheutmostlimitsofpleasure，butmusttakeheedofengagingfurther，wheretroublebeginstomixwithit。Wearetoreservesomuchemploymentonlyasisnecessarytokeepusinbreathandtodefendusfromtheinconveniencesthattheotherextremeofadullandstupidlazinessbringsalongwithit。Therearesterileknottysciences，chieflyhammeredoutforthecrowd;letsuchbelefttothemwhoareengagedintheworld’sservice。Iformypartcarefornootherbooks，buteithersuchasarepleasantandeasy，toamuseme，orthosethatcomfortandinstructmehowtoregulatemylifeanddeath:
"Tacitumsylvasinterreptaresalubres，Curantem，quidquiddignumsapientibonoqueest。"
["Silentlymeditatinginthehealthygroves，whateverisworthyofawiseandgoodman。"——Horace，Ep。，i。4，4。]
Wisermen，havinggreatforceandvigourofsoul，mayproposetothemselvesarestwhollyspiritualbutforme，whohaveaveryordinarysoul，itisverynecessarytosupportmyselfwithbodilyconveniences;
andagehavingoflatedeprivedmeofthosepleasuresthatweremoreacceptabletome，Iinstructandwhetmyappetitetothosethatremain，moresuitabletothisotherreason。Weoughttoholdwithallourforce，bothofhandsandteeth，theuseofthepleasuresoflifethatouryears，oneafteranother，snatchawayfromus:
"Carpamusdulcia;nostrumest，Quodvivis;cinis，etmanes，etfabulafies。"
["Letusplucklife’ssweets，’tisforthemwelive:byandbyweshallbeashes，aghost，ameresubjectoftalk。"
——Persius，Sat。，v。151。]
Now，astotheendthatPlinyandCiceroproposetousofglory，’tisinfinitelywideofmyaccount。Ambitionisofallothersthemostcontraryhumourtosolitude;gloryandreposearethingsthatcannotpossiblyinhabitinoneandthesameplace。ForsomuchasIunderstand，thesehaveonlytheirarmsandlegsdisengagedfromthecrowd;theirsoulandintentionremainconfinedbehindmorethanever:
"Tun’，vetule，auriculisalieniscolligisescas？"
["Dostthou，then，oldman，collectfoodforothers’ears？"
——Persius，Sat。，i。22。
theyhaveonlyretiredtotakeabetterleap，andbyastrongermotiontogiveabriskerchargeintothecrowd。Willyouseehowtheyshootshort？
Letusputintothecounterpoisetheadviceoftwophilosophers，oftwoverydifferentsects，writing，theonetoIdomeneus，theothertoLucilius，theirfriends，toretireintosolitudefromworldlyhonoursandaffairs。"Youhave，"saythey，"hithertolivedswimmingandfloating;
comenowanddieintheharbour:youhavegiventhefirstpartofyourlifetothelight，givewhatremainstotheshade。Itisimpossibletogiveoverbusiness，ifyoudonotalsoquitthefruit;thereforedisengageyourselvesfromallconcernofnameandglory;’tistobefearedthelustreofyourformeractionswillgiveyoubuttoomuchlight，andfollowyouintoyourmostprivateretreat。Quitwithotherpleasuresthatwhichproceedsfromtheapprobationofanotherman:andastoyourknowledgeandparts，neverconcernyourselves;theywillnotlosetheireffectifyourselvesbethebetterforthem。Rememberhim，whobeingaskedwhyhetooksomuchpainsinanartthatcouldcometotheknowledgeofbutfewpersons？’Afewareenoughforme，’repliedhe;
’Ihaveenoughwithone;Ihaveenoughwithneveranone。’——[Seneca，Ep。，7。]——Hesaidtrue;youandacompanionaretheatreenoughtooneanother，oryoutoyourself。Letthepeoplebetoyouone，andbeyouonetothewholepeople。’Tisanunworthyambitiontothinktoderivegloryfromaman’sslothandprivacy:youaretodolikethebeastsofchase，whoeffacethetrackattheentranceintotheirden。Youarenomoretoconcernyourselfhowtheworldtalksofyou，buthowyouaretotalktoyourself。Retireyourselfintoyourself，butfirstprepareyourselftheretoreceiveyourself:itwereafollytotrustyourselfinyourownhands，ifyoucannotgovernyourself。Amanmaymiscarryaloneaswellasincompany。Tillyouhaverenderedyourselfonebeforewhomyoudarenottrip，andtillyouhaveabashfulnessandrespectforyourself，"Obversenturspecieshonestaeanimo;"
["Lethonestthingsbeeverpresenttothemind"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。22。]
presentcontinuallytoyourimaginationCato，Phocion，andAristides，inwhosepresencethefoolsthemselveswillhidetheirfaults，andmakethemcontrollersofallyourintentions;shouldthesedeviatefromvirtue，yourrespecttothosewillsetyouright;theywillkeepyouinthiswaytobecontentedwithyourself;toborrownothingofanyotherbutyourself;tostayandfixyoursoulincertainandlimitedthoughts，whereinshemaypleaseherself，andhavingunderstoodthetrueandrealgoods，whichmenthemoreenjoythemoretheyunderstand，torestsatisfied，withoutdesireofprolongationoflifeorname。"Thisisthepreceptofthetrueandnaturalphilosophy，notofaboastingandpratingphilosophy，suchasthatofthetwoformer。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V7
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME7。
XXXIX。AconsiderationuponCicero。
XL。Thattherelishofgoodandevildependsinagreatmeasureuponopinion。
XLI。Nottocommunicateaman’shonour。
XLII。Oftheinequalityamongstus。
XLIII。Ofsumptuarylaws。
XLIV。Ofsleep。
XLV。OfthebattleofDreux。
XLVI。Ofnames。
XLVII。Oftheuncertaintyofourjudgment。
CHAPTERXXXIX
ACONSIDERATIONUPONCICERO
Onewordmorebywayofcomparisonbetwixtthesetwo。TherearetobegatheredoutofthewritingsofCiceroandtheyoungerPliny（butlittle，inmyopinion，resemblinghisuncleinhishumours）infinitetestimoniesofabeyondmeasureambitiousnature;andamongstothers，thisforone，thattheyboth，inthesightofalltheworld，solicitthehistoriansoftheirtimenottoforgetthemintheirmemoirs;andfortune，asifinspite，hasmadethevanityofthoserequestsliveuponrecorddowntothisageofours，whileshehaslongsinceconsignedthehistoriesthemselvestooblivion。Butthisexceedsallmeannessofspiritinpersonsofsuchaqualityastheywere，tothinktoderiveanygreatrenownfrombabblingandprating;eventothepublishingoftheirprivateletterstotheirfriends，andsowithal，thatthoughsomeofthemwereneversent，theopportunitybeinglost，theyneverthelesspresentedthemtothelight，withthisworthyexcusethattheywereunwillingtolosetheirlaboursandlucubrations。WasitnotverywellbecomingtwoconsulsofRome，sovereignmagistratesoftherepublicthatcommandedtheworld，tospendtheirleisureincontrivingquaintandelegantmissives，thencetogainthereputationofbeingversedintheirownmother—
tongues？Whatcouldapitifulschoolmasterhavedoneworse，whosetradeitwastherebytogethisliving？IftheactsofXenophonandCaesarhadnotfartranscendedtheireloquence，Iscarcebelievetheywouldeverhavetakenthepainstohavewrittenthem;theymadeittheirbusinesstorecommendnottheirspeaking，buttheirdoing。Andcouldtheperfectionofeloquencehaveaddedalustresuitabletoagreatpersonage，certainlyScipioandLaeliushadneverresignedthehonouroftheircomedies，withalltheluxuriancesandelegancesoftheLatintongue，toanAfricanslave;forthattheworkwastheirs，itsbeautyandexcellencesufficientlydeclare;Terencehimselfconfessesasmuch，andIshouldtakeitillfromanyonethatwoulddispossessmeofthatbelief。
’Tisakindofmockeryandoffencetoextolamanforqualitiesmisbecominghiscondition，thoughotherwisecommendableinthemselves，butsuchasoughtnot，however，tobehischieftalent;asifamanshouldcommendakingforbeingagoodpainter，agoodarchitect，agoodmarksman，oragoodrunneratthering:commendationsthataddnohonour，unlessmentionedaltogetherandinthetrainofthosethatareproperlyapplicabletohim，namely，justiceandthescienceofgoverningandconductinghispeoplebothinpeaceandwar。Atthisrate，agriculturewasanhonourtoCyrus，andeloquenceandtheknowledgeofletterstoCharlemagne。Ihaveinmytimeknownsome，whobywritingacquiredboththeirtitlesandfortune，disowntheirapprenticeship，corrupttheirstyle，andaffectignoranceinsovulgaraquality（whichalsoournationholdstoberarelyseeninverylearnedhands），andtoseekareputationbybetterqualities。Demosthenes’companionsintheembassytoPhilip，extollingthatprinceashandsome，eloquent，andastoutdrinker，Demosthenessaidthatthosewerecommendationsmoreproperforawoman，anadvocate，orasponge，thanforaking’:
"Imperetbellanteprior，jacentemLenisinhostem。"
["Inthefight，overthrowyourenemy，butbemercifultohimwhenfallen。——"Horace，Carm。Saec。，v。51。]
’Tisnothisprofessiontoknoweitherhowtohuntortodancewell;
"Orabuntcausasalii，coeliquemeatusDescribentradio，etfulgentiasideradicent;
Hicregereimperiopopulossciat。"
["Letotherspleadatthebar，ordescribethespheres，andpointouttheglitteringstars;letthismanlearntorulethenations。"
——AEneid，vi。849。]
Plutarchsays，moreover，thattoappearsoexcellentintheselessnecessaryqualitiesistoproducewitnessagainstaman’sself，thathehasspenthistimeandappliedhisstudyill，whichoughttohavebeenemployedintheacquisitionofmorenecessaryandmoreusefulthings。
SothatPhilip，kingofMacedon，havingheardthatgreatAlexanderhissonsingonceatafeasttothewonderofthebestmusiciansthere:"Artthounotashamed，"saidhetohim，"tosingsowell？"AndtothesamePhilipamusician，withwhomhewasdisputingaboutsomethingsconcerninghisart:"Heavenforbid，sir，"saidhe，"thatsogreatamisfortuneshouldeverbefallyouastounderstandthesethingsbetterthanI。"AkingshouldbeabletoanswerasIphicratesdidtheorator，whopresseduponhiminhisinvectiveafterthismanner:"Andwhatartthouthatthoubravestitatthisrate？artthouamanatarms，artthouanarcher，artthouapikeman？"——"Iamnoneofallthis;butIknowhowtocommandallthese。"AndAntisthenestookitforanargumentoflittlevalueinIsmeniasthathewascommendedforplayingexcellentlywelluponaflute。
Iknowverywell，thatwhenIhearanyonedwelluponthelanguageofmyessays，Ihadratheragreatdealhewouldsaynothing:’tisnotsomuchtoelevatethestyleastodepressthesense，andsomuchthemoreoffensivelyastheydoitobliquely;andyetIammuchdeceivedifmanyotherwritersdelivermoreworthnotingastothematter，and，howwellorillsoever，ifanyotherwriterhassownthingsmuchmorematerialsoratalleventsmoredownright，uponhispaperthanmyself。Tobringthemorein，Ionlymusteruptheheads;shouldIannexthesequel，Ishouldtreblymultiplythevolume。AndhowmanystorieshaveIscatteredupanddowninthisbookthatIonlytouchupon，which，shouldanyonemorecuriouslysearchinto，theywouldfindmatterenoughtoproduceinfiniteessays。Neitherthosestoriesnormyquotationsalwaysservesimplyforexample，authority，orornament;IdonotonlyregardthemfortheuseI
makeofthem:theycarrysometimesbesideswhatIapplythemto，theseedofamorerichandaboldermatter，andsometimes，collaterally，amoredelicatesoundbothtomyselfwhowillsaynomoreaboutitinthisplace，andtootherswhoshallbeofmyhumour。
Butreturningtothespeakingvirtue:Ifindnogreatchoicebetwixtnotknowingtospeakanythingbutill，andnotknowingtospeakanythingbutwell。
"Nonestornamentumvirileconcimitas。"
["Acarefullyarrangeddressisnomanlyornament。"
——Seneca，Ep。，115。
Thesagestellusthat，astowhatconcernsknowledge，’tisnothingbutphilosophy;andastowhatconcernseffects，nothingbutvirtue，whichisgenerallypropertoalldegreesandtoallorders。
Thereissomethinglikethisinthesetwootherphilosophers，fortheyalsopromiseeternitytotheletterstheywritetotheirfriends;but’tisafteranothermanner，andbyaccommodatingthemselves，foragoodend，tothevanityofanother;fortheywritetothemthatiftheconcernofmakingthemselvesknowntofutureages，andthethirstofglory，doyetdetaintheminthemanagementofpublicaffairs，andmakethemfearthesolitudeandretirementtowhichtheywouldpersuadethem，letthemnevertroublethemselvesmoreaboutit，forasmuchastheyshallhavecreditenoughwithposteritytoensurethemthatweretherenothingelsebutthelettersthuswrittentothem，thoseletterswillrendertheirnamesasknownandfamousastheirownpublicactionscoulddo。Andbesidesthisdifference，thesearenotidleandemptyletters，thatcontainnothingbutafinejingleofwell—chosenwordsanddelicatecouchedphrases，butratherrepleteandaboundingwithgranddiscoursesofreason，bywhichamanmayrenderhimselfnotmoreeloquent，butmorewise，andthatinstructusnottospeak，buttodowell。Awaywiththateloquencethatenchantsuswithitself，andnotwithactualthings！
unlessyouwillallowthatofCicerotobeofsosupremeaperfectionastoformacompletebodyofitself。
Ishallfartheraddonestorywereadofhimtothispurpose，whereinhisnaturewillmuchmoremanifestlybelaidopentous。Hewastomakeanorationinpublic，andfoundhimselfalittlestraitenedfortimetomakehimselfreadyathisease;whenEros，oneofhisslaves，broughthimwordthattheaudiencewasdeferredtillthenextday，atwhichhewassoravishedwithjoythatheenfranchisedhimforthegoodnews。
Uponthissubjectofletters，Iwilladdthismoretowhathasbeenalreadysaid，thatitisakindofwritingwhereinmyfriendsthinkIcandosomething;andIamwillingtoconfessIshouldratherhavechosentopublishmywhimsiesthatwaythananyother，hadIhadtowhomtowrite;
butIwantedsuchasettledintercourse，asIoncehad，toattractmetoit，toraisemyfancy，andtosupportme。Fortotrafficwiththewind，assomeothershavedone，andtoforgevainnamestodirectmylettersto，inaserioussubject，Icouldneverdoitbutinadream，beingaswornenemytoallmanneroffalsification。IshouldhavebeenmorediligentandmoreconfidenthadIhadajudiciousandindulgentfriendwhomtoaddress，thanthustoexposemyselftothevariousjudgmentsofawholepeople，andIamdeceivedifIhadnotsucceededbetter。Ihavenaturallyahumorousandfamiliarstyle;butitisastyleofmyown，notproperforpublicbusiness，but，likethelanguageIspeak，toocompact，irregular，abrupt，andsingular;andastolettersofceremonythathavenoothersubstancethanafinecontextureofcourteouswords，Iamwhollytoseek。Ihaveneitherfacultynorrelishforthosetedioustendersofserviceandaffection;Ibelievelittleinthemfromothers，andIshouldnotforgivemyselfshouldIsaytoothersmorethanImyselfbelieve。
’Tis，doubtless，veryremotefromthepresentpractice;forthereneverwassoabjectandservileprostitutionofoffers:life，soul，devotion，adoration，vassal，slave，andIcannottellwhat，asnow;allwhichexpressionsaresocommonlyandsoindifferentlypostedtoandfrobyeveryoneandtoeveryone，thatwhentheywouldprofessagreaterandmorerespectfulinclinationuponmorejustoccasions，theyhavenotwherewithaltoexpressit。Imortallyhateallairofflattery，whichisthecausethatInaturallyfallintoashy，rough，andcrudewayofspeaking，that，tosuchasdonotknowme，mayseemalittletorelishofdisdain。IhonourthosemosttowhomIshowtheleasthonour，andwheremysoulmoveswiththegreatestcheerfulness，Ieasilyforgettheceremoniesoflookandgesture，andoffermyselffaintlyandbluntlytothemtowhomIamthemostdevoted:methinkstheyshouldreaditinmyheart，andthattheexpressionofmywordsdoesbutinjuretheloveI
haveconceivedwithin。Towelcome，takeleave，givethanks，accost，offermyservice，andsuchverbalformalitiesastheceremoniouslawsofourmoderncivilityenjoin，Iknownomansostupidlyunprovidedoflanguageasmyself;andIhaveneverbeenemployedinwritinglettersoffavourandrecommendation，thathe，inwhosebehalfitwaswritten，didnotthinkmymediationcoldandimperfect。TheItaliansaregreatprintersofletters;IdobelieveIhaveatleastanhundredseveralvolumesofthem;ofallwhichthoseofAnnibaleCaroseemtometobethebest。IfallthepaperIhavescribbledtotheladiesatthetimewhenmyhandwasreallypromptedbymypassion，werenowinbeing，theremight，peradventure，befoundapageworthytobecommunicatedtoouryounginamoratos，thatarebesottedwiththatfury。Ialwayswritemyletterspost—haste——soprecipitately，thatthoughIwriteintolerablyill，Iratherchoosetodoitmyself，thantoemployanother;forIcanfindnoneabletofollowme:andInevertranscribeany。Ihaveaccustomedthegreatoneswhoknowmetoenduremyblotsanddashes，anduponpaperwithoutfoldormargin。Thosethatcostmethemostpains，aretheworst;whenIoncebegintodrawitinbyheadandshoulders，’tisasignthatIamnotthere。Ifalltoowithoutpremeditationordesign;thefirstwordbegetsthesecond，andsototheendofthechapter。Thelettersofthisageconsistmoreinfineedgesandprefacesthaninmatter。JustasIhadratherwritetwolettersthancloseandfoldupone，andalwaysassignthatemploymenttosomeother，so，whentherealbusinessofmyletterisdispatched，Iwouldwithallmyhearttransferittoanotherhandtoaddthoselongharangues，offers，andprayers，thatweplaceatthebottom，andshouldbegladthatsomenewcustomwoulddischargeusofthattrouble;asalsoofsuperscribingthemwithalonglegendofqualitiesandtitles，whichforfearofmistakes，Ihaveoftennotwrittenatall，andespeciallytomenofthelongrobeandfinance;therearesomanynewoffices，suchadispensationandorderingoftitlesofhonour，that’tishardtosetthemfortharightyet，beingsodearlybought，theyareneithertobealterednorforgottenwithoutoffence。Ifinditequallyinbadtastetoencumberthefrontsandinscriptionsofthebookswecommittothepresswithsuch。
CHAPTERXL
THATTHERELISHFORGOODANDEVILDEPENDSINGREATMEASUREUPONTHE
OPINIONWEHAVEOFTHEM
Men（saysanancientGreeksentence）——[ManualofEpictetus，c。10。]——
aretormentedwiththeopinionstheyhaveofthingsandnotbythethingsthemselves。Itwereagreatvictoryobtainedforthereliefofourmiserablehumancondition，couldthispropositionbeestablishedforcertainandtruethroughout。Forifevilshavenoadmissionintousbutbythejudgmentweourselvesmakeofthem，itshouldseemthatitis，then，inourownpowertodespisethemortoturnthemtogood。Ifthingssurrenderthemselvestoourmercy，whydowenotconvertandaccommodatethemtoouradvantage？Ifwhatwecallevilandtormentisneitherevilnortormentofitself，butonlythatourfancygivesitthatquality，itisinustochangeit，anditbeinginourownchoice，iftherebenoconstraintuponus，wemustcertainlybeverystrangefoolstotakearmsforthatsidewhichismostoffensivetous，andtogivesickness，want，andcontemptabitterandnauseoustaste，ifitbeinourpowertogivethemapleasantrelish，andif，fortunesimplyprovidingthematter，’tisforustogiveittheform。Now，thatwhatwecallevilisnotsoofitself，oratleasttothatdegreethatwemakeit，andthatitdependsuponustogiveitanothertasteandcomplexion（forallcomestoone），letusexaminehowthatcanbemaintained。
Iftheoriginalbeingofthosethingswefearhadpowertolodgeitselfinusbyitsownauthority，itwouldthenlodgeitselfalike，andinlikemanner，inall;formenareallofthesamekind，andsavingingreaterandlessproportions，areallprovidedwiththesameutensilsandinstrumentstoconceiveandtojudge;butthediversityofopinionswehaveofthosethingsclearlyevidencesthattheyonlyenterusbycomposition;oneperson，peradventure，admitsthemintheirtruebeing，butathousandothersgivethemanewandcontrarybeinginthem。Weholddeath，poverty，andpainforourprincipalenemies;now，thisdeath，whichsomereputethemostdreadfulofalldreadfulthings，whodoesnotknowthatotherscallittheonlysecureharbourfromthestormsandtempestsoflife，thesovereigngoodofnature，thesolesupportofliberty，andthecommonandpromptremedyofallevils？Andastheoneexpectitwithfearandtrembling，theotherssupportitwithgreatereasethanlife。Thatonecomplainsofitsfacility:
"Mors！utinampavidosvitaesubducerenolles。
Sedvirtustosoladaret！"
["Odeath！wouldstthatthoumightsparethecoward，butthatvalouraloneshouldpaytheetribute。"——Lucan，iv。580。]
Now，letusleavetheseboastfulcourages。TheodorusansweredLysimachus，whothreatenedtokillhim，"Thouwiltdoabravefeat，"saidhe，"toattaintheforceofacantharides。"Themajorityofphilosophersareobservedtohaveeitherpurposelyanticipated，orhastenedandassistedtheirowndeath。Howmanyordinarypeopledoweseeledtoexecution，andthatnottoasimpledeath，butmixedwithshameandsometimeswithgrievoustorments，appearwithsuchassurance，whetherthroughfirmcourageornaturalsimplicity，thatamancandiscovernochangefromtheirordinarycondition;settlingtheirdomesticaffairs，commendingthemselvestotheirfriends，singing，preaching，andaddressingthepeople，nay，sometimessallyingintojests，anddrinkingtotheircompanions，quiteaswellasSocrates？
Onethattheywereleadingtothegallowstoldthemtheymustnottakehimthroughsuchastreet，lestamerchantwholivedthereshouldarresthimbythewayforanolddebt。Anothertoldthehangmanhemustnottouchhisneckforfearofmakinghimlaugh，hewassoticklish。Anotheransweredhisconfessor，whopromisedhimheshouldthatdaysupwithourLord，"Doyougothen，"saidhe，"inmyroom[place];forIformypartkeepfastto—day。"Anotherhavingcalledfordrink，andthehangmanhavingdrunkfirst，saidhewouldnotdrinkafterhim，forfearofcatchingsomeevildisease。EverybodyhasheardthetaleofthePicard，towhom，beingupontheladder，theypresentedacommonwench，tellinghim（asourlawdoessometimespermit）thatifhewouldmarryhertheywouldsavehislife;he，havingawhileconsideredherandperceivingthatshehalted:"Come，tieup，tieup，"saidhe，shelimps。"AndtheytellanotherstoryofthesamekindofafellowinDenmark，whobeingcondemnedtolosehishead，andthelikeconditionbeingproposedtohimuponthescaffold，refusedit，byreasonthegirltheyofferedhimhadhollowcheeksandtoosharpanose。AservantatToulousebeingaccusedofheresy，forthesumofhisbeliefreferredhimselftothatofhismaster，ayoungstudent，prisonerwithhim，choosingrathertodiethansufferhimselftobepersuadedthathismastercoulderr。WereadthatoftheinhabitantsofArras，whenLouisXI。tookthatcity，agreatmanyletthemselvesbehangedratherthantheywouldsay，"GodsavetheKing。"
Andamongstthatmean—souledraceofmen，thebuffoons，therehavebeensomewhowouldnotleavetheirfoolingattheverymomentofdeath。Onethatthehangmanwasturningofftheladdercried:Launchthegalley，"
anordinarysayingofhis。Another，whomatthepointofdeathhisfriendshadlaiduponabedofstrawbeforethefire，thephysicianaskinghimwherehispainlay:"Betwixtthebenchandthefire，"saidhe，andthepriest，togivehimextremeunction，gropingforhisfeetwhichhispainhadmadehimpulluptohim:"Youwillfindthem，"saidhe，"attheendofmylegs。"ToonewhobeingpresentexhortedhimtorecommendhimselftoGod:"Why，whogoesthither？"saidhe;andtheotherreplying:"Itwillpresentlybeyourself，ifitbeHisgoodpleasure。"
"ShallIbesuretobetherebyto—morrownight？"saidhe。"Do，butrecommendyourselftoHim，"saidtheother，"andyouwillsoonbethere。"
"Iwerebestthen，"saidhe，"tocarrymyrecommendationsmyself。"
InthekingdomofNarsingahtothisdaythewivesoftheirpriestsareburiedalivewiththebodiesoftheirhusbands;allotherwivesareburntattheirhusbands’funerals，whichtheynotonlyfirmlybutcheerfullyundergo。Atthedeathoftheirking，hiswivesandconcubines，hisfavourites，allhisofficers，anddomesticservants，whomakeupawholepeople，presentthemselvessogailytothefirewherehisbodyisburnt，thattheyseemtotakeitforasingularhonourtoaccompanytheirmasterindeath。DuringourlatewarsofMilan，wheretherehappenedsomanytakingsandretakingsoftowns，thepeople，impatientofsomanychangesoffortune，tooksucharesolutiontodie，thatIhaveheardmyfathersayhetheresawalisttakenoffive—and—twentymastersoffamilieswhomadethemselvesawayinoneweek’stime:anincidentsomewhatresemblingthatoftheXanthians，whobeingbesiegedbyBrutus，fell——men，women，andchildren——intosuchafuriousappetiteofdying，thatnothingcanbedonetoevadedeathwhichtheydidnottoavoidlife;insomuchthatBrutushadmuchdifficultyinsavingaverysmallnumber。——["Onlyfiftyweresaved。"——Plutarch，LifeofBrutus，c。8。]