Manythingsseemgreaterbyimaginationthantheyareineffect;Ihavepassedagoodpartofmylifeinaperfectandentirehealth;Isay，notonlyentire，but，moreover，sprightlyandwanton。Thisstate，sofullofverdure，jollity，andvigour，madetheconsiderationofsicknesssoformidabletome，thatwhenIcametoexperienceit，IfoundtheattacksfaintandeasyincomparisonwithwhatIhadapprehended。OfthisIhavedailyexperience;ifIamundertheshelterofawarmroom，inastormyandtempestuousnight，Iwonderhowpeoplecanliveabroad，andamafflictedforthosewhoareoutinthefields:ifIamtheremyself，Idonotwishtobeanywhereelse。ThisonethingofbeingalwaysshutupinachamberIfanciedinsupportable:butIwaspresentlyinuredtobesoimprisonedaweek，nayamonthtogether，inaveryweak，disordered，andsadcondition;andIhavefoundthat，inthetimeofmyhealth，Imuchmorepitiedthesick，thanIthinkmyselftobepitiedwhenIamso，andthattheforceofmyimaginationenhancesnearone—halfoftheessenceandrealityofthething。IhopethatwhenIcometodieIshallfinditthesame，andthat，afterall，itisnotworththepainsItake，somuchpreparationandsomuchassistanceasIcallin，toundergothestroke。
But，atallevents，wecannotgiveourselvestoomuchadvantage。
Inthetimeofourthirdorsecondtroubles（Idonotwellrememberwhich），goingonedayabroadtotaketheair，aboutaleaguefrommyownhouse，whichisseatedintheverycentreofallthebustleandmischiefofthelatecivilwarsinFrance;thinkingmyselfinallsecurityandsoneartomyretreatthatIstoodinneedofnobetterequipage，Ihadtakenahorsethatwentveryeasyuponhispace，butwasnotverystrong。
Beinguponmyreturnhome，asuddenoccasionfallingouttomakeuseofthishorseinakindofservicethathewasnotaccustomedto，oneofmytrain，alusty，tallfellow，mounteduponastrongGermanhorse，thathadaveryillmouth，freshandvigorous，toplaythebraveandsetonaheadofhisfellows，comesthunderingfullspeedintheverytrackwhereI
was，rushinglikeaColossusuponthelittlemanandthelittlehorse，withsuchacareerofstrengthandweight，thatheturnedusbothoverandover，topsy—turvywithourheelsintheair:sothattherelaythehorseoverthrownandstunnedwiththefall，andItenortwelvepacesfromhimstretchedoutatlength，withmyfaceallbatteredandbroken，myswordwhichIhadhadinmyhand，abovetenpacesbeyondthat，andmybeltbrokenalltopieces，withoutmotionorsenseanymorethanastock。
’TwastheonlyswoonIwaseverintillthathourinmylife。Thosewhowerewithme，afterhavingusedallthemeanstheycouldtobringmetomyself，concludingmedead，tookmeupintheirarms，andcarriedmewithverymuchdifficultyhometomyhouse，whichwasabouthalfaFrenchleaguefromthence。Ontheway，havingbeenformorethantwohoursgivenoverforadeadman，Ibegantomoveandtofetchmybreath;forsogreatabundanceofbloodwasfallenintomystomach，thatnaturehadneedtorouseherforcestodischargeit。Theythenraisedmeuponmyfeet，whereIthrewoffawholebucketofclotsofblood，asthisIdidalsoseveraltimesbytheway。Thisgavemesomuchease，thatIbegantorecoveralittlelife，butsoleisurelyandbysosmalladvances，thatmyfirstsentimentsweremuchnearertheapproachesofdeaththanlife:
"Perche，dubbiosaancordelsuoritorno，Nons’assicuraattonitalamente。"
["Forthesoul，doubtfulastoitsreturn，couldnotcomposeitself"
——Tasso，Gierus。Lib。，xii。74。]
Theremembranceofthisaccident，whichisverywellimprintedinmymemory，sonaturallyrepresentingtometheimageandideaofdeath，hasinsomesortreconciledmetothatuntowardadventure。WhenIfirstbegantoopenmyeyes，itwaswithsoperplexed，soweakanddeadasight，thatIcouldyetdistinguishnothingbutonlydiscernthelight:
"Comequelch’orapre，or’chiudeGliocchi，mezzotra’lsonnoel’esserdesto。"
["Asamanthatnowopens，nowshutshiseyes，betweensleepandwaking。"——Tasso，Gierus。Lib。，viii。，26。]
Astothefunctionsofthesoul，theyadvancedwiththesamepaceandmeasurewiththoseofthebody。Isawmyselfallbloody，mydoubletbeingstainedalloverwiththebloodIhadvomited。ThefirstthoughtthatcameintomymindwasthatIhadaharquebussshotinmyhead，andindeed，atthetimetherewereagreatmanyfiredroundaboutus。
Methoughtmylifebutjusthunguponmy，lips:andIshutmyeyes，tohelp，methought，tothrustitout，andtookapleasureinlanguishingandlettingmyselfgo。Itwasanimaginationthatonlysuperficiallyfloateduponmysoul，astenderandweakasalltherest，butreally，notonlyexemptfromanythingdispleasing，butmixedwiththatsweetnessthatpeoplefeelwhentheyglideintoaslumber。
Ibelieveitistheverysameconditionthosepeoplearein，whomweseeswoonwithweaknessintheagonyofdeathwepitythemwithoutcause，supposingthemagitatedwithgrievousdolours，orthattheirsoulssufferunderpainfulthoughts。Ithaseverbeenmybelief，contrarytotheopinionofmany，andparticularlyofLaBoetie，thatthosewhomweseesosubduedandstupefiedattheapproachesoftheirend，oroppressedwiththelengthofthedisease，orbyaccidentofanapoplexyorfallingsickness，"VimorbisaepecoactusAnteoculosaliquisnostros，utfulminisictu，Concidit，etspumasagit;ingemit，ettremitartus;
Desipit，extentatnervos，torquetur，anhelat，Inconstanter，etinjactandomembrafatigat;"
["Often，compelledbytheforceofdisease，someoneasthunderstruckfallsunderoureyes，andfoams，groans，andtrembles，stretches，twists，breathesirregularly，andinparoxysmswearsouthisstrength。"——Lucretius，iii。485。]
orhurtinthehead，whomweheartomutter，andbyfitstouttergrievousgroans;thoughwegatherfromthesesignsbywhichitseemsasiftheyhadsomeremainsofconsciousness，andthattherearemovementsofthebody;Ihavealwaysbelieved，Isay，boththebodyandthesoulbenumbedandasleep，"Vivit，etestvitaenesciusipsesuae，"
["Helives，anddoesnotknowthatheisalive。"
——Ovid，Trist。，i。3，12。]
andcouldnotbelievethatinsogreatastupefactionofthemembersandsogreatadefectionofthesenses，thesoulcouldmaintainanyforcewithintotakecognisanceofherself，andthat，therefore，theyhadnotormentingreflectionstomakethemconsiderandbesensibleofthemiseryoftheircondition，andconsequentlywerenotmuchtobepitied。
Ican，formypart，thinkofnostatesoinsupportableanddreadful，astohavethesoulvividandafflicted，withoutmeanstodeclareitself;asoneshouldsayofsuchasaresenttoexecutionwiththeirtonguesfirstcutout（wereitnotthatinthiskindofdying，themostsilentseemstomethemostgraceful，ifaccompaniedwithagraveandconstantcountenance）;orifthosemiserableprisoners，whofallintothehandsofthebasehangmansoldiersofthisage，bywhomtheyaretormentedwithallsortsofinhumanusagetocompelthemtosomeexcessiveandimpossibleransom;kept，inthemeantime，insuchconditionandplace，wheretheyhavenomeansofexpressingorsignifyingtheirthoughtsandtheirmisery。Thepoetshavefeignedsomegodswhofavourthedeliveranceofsuchassufferunderalanguishingdeath:
"HuncegoDitiSacrumjussafero，tequeistocorporesolvo。"
["IbiddenofferthissacredthingtoPluto，andfromthatbodydismissthee。"——AEneid，iv。782。]
boththeinterruptedwords，andtheshortandirregularanswersonegetsfromthemsometimes，bybawlingandkeepingaclutteraboutthem;orthemotionswhichseemtoyieldsomeconsenttowhatwewouldhavethemdo，arenotestimony，nevertheless，thattheylive，anentirelifeatleast。
Soithappenstousintheyawningofsleep，beforeithasfullypossessedus，toperceive，asinadream，whatisdoneaboutus，andtofollowthelastthingsthataresaidwithaperplexedanduncertainhearingwhichseemsbuttotouchuponthebordersofthesoul;andtomakeanswerstothelastwordsthathavebeenspokentous，whichhavemoreinthemofchancethansense。
NowseeingIhaveineffecttriedit，IhavenodoubtbutIhavehithertomadearightjudgment;forfirst，beinginaswoon，Ilabouredtoripopenthebuttonsofmydoubletwithmynails，formyswordwasgone;andyetIfeltnothinginmyimaginationthathurtme;forwehavemanymotionsinusthatdonotproceedfromourdirection;
"Semianimesquemicantdigiti，ferrumqueretractant;"
["Half—deadfingersgropeabout，andgraspagainthesword。"
——AEneid，x。396。]
sofallingpeopleextendtheirarmsbeforethembyanaturalimpulse，whichpromptsourlimbstoofficesandmotionswithoutanycommissionfromourreason。
"Falciferosmemorantcurrusabscinderemembra……
UttremereinterravideaturabartubusidquodDeciditabscissum;cummenstamenatquehominisvisMobilitatemali，nonquitsentiredolorem。"
["Theyrelatethatscythe—bearingchariotsmowofflimbs，sothattheyquiverontheground;andyetthemindofhimfromwhomthelimbistakenbytheswiftnessoftheblowfeelsnopain。"
——Lucretius，iii。642。]
Mystomachwassooppressedwiththecoagulatedblood，thatmyhandsmovedtothatpart，oftheirownvoluntarymotion，astheyfrequentlydotothepartthatitches，withoutbeingdirectedbyourwill。Thereareseveralanimals，andevenmen，inwhomonemayperceivethemusclestostirandtrembleaftertheyaredead。Everyoneexperimentallyknowsthattherearesomememberswhichgrowstiffandflagwithouthisleave。
Now，thosepassionswhichonlytouchtheoutwardbarkofus，cannotbesaidtobeours:tomakethemso，theremustbeaconcurrenceofthewholeman;andthepainswhicharefeltbythehandorthefootwhilewearesleeping，arenoneofours。
AsIdrewnearmyownhouse，wherethealarmofmyfallwasalreadygotbeforeme，andmyfamilywerecomeouttomeetme，withthehubbubusualinsuchcases，notonlydidImakesomelittleanswertosomequestionswhichwereaskedme;buttheymoreovertellme，thatIwassufficientlycollectedtoorderthemtobringahorsetomywifewhomontheroad，Isawstrugglingandtiringherselfwhichishillyandrugged。Thisshouldseemtoproceedfromasoulitsfunctions;butitwasnothingsowithme。IknewnotwhatIsaidordid，andtheywerenothingbutidlethoughtsintheclouds，thatwerestirredupbythesensesoftheeyesandears，andproceedednotfromme。Iknewnotforallthat，whenceI
cameorwhitherIwent，neitherwasIcapabletoweighandconsiderwhatwassaidtome:thesewerelighteffects，thatthesensesproducedofthemselvesasofcustom;whatthesoulcontributedwasinadream，lightlytouched，lickedandbedewedbythesoftimpressionofthesenses。
Notwithstanding，myconditionwas，intruth，veryeasyandquiet;Ihadnoafflictionuponme，eitherforothersormyself;itwasanextremelanguorandweakness，withoutanymannerofpain。Isawmyownhouse，butknewitnot。WhentheyhadputmetobedIfoundaninexpressiblesweetnessinthatrepose;forIhadbeendesperatelytuggedandluggedbythosepoorpeoplewhohadtakenthepainstocarrymeupontheirarmsaverygreatandaveryroughway，andhadinsodoingallquitetiredoutthemselves，twiceorthriceoneafteranother。Theyofferedmeseveralremedies，butIwouldtakenone，certainlybelievingthatIwasmortallywoundedinthehead。And，inearnest，ithadbeenaveryhappydeath，fortheweaknessofmyunderstandingdeprivedmeofthefacultyofdiscerning，andthatofmybodyofthesenseoffeeling;Iwassufferingmyselftoglideawaysosweetlyandaftersosoftandeasyamanner，thatIscarcefindanyotheractionlesstroublesomethanthatwas。ButwhenIcameagaintomyselfandtoresumemyfaculties:
"Uttandemsensusconvalueremei，"
["Whenatlengthmylostsensesagainreturned。"
——Ovid，Trist。，i。3，14。]
whichwastwoorthreehoursafter，Ifeltmyselfonasuddeninvolvedinterriblepain，havingmylimbsbatteredandgroundwithmyfall，andwas。
soillfortwoorthreenightsafter，thatIthoughtIwasoncemoredyingagain，butamorepainfuldeath，havingconcludedmyselfasgoodasdeadbefore，andtothishouramsensibleofthebruisesofthatterribleshock。Iwillnothereomit，thatthelastthingIcouldmakethembeatintomyhead，wasthememoryofthisaccident，andIhaditoverandoveragainrepeatedtome，whitherIwasgoing，fromwhenceIcame，andatwhattimeofthedaythismischancebefellme，beforeIcouldcomprehendit。Astothemannerofmyfall，thatwasconcealedfrommeinfavourtohimwhohadbeentheoccasion，andotherflim—flamswereinvented。Butalongtimeafter，andtheverynextdaythatmymemorybegantoreturnandtorepresenttomethestatewhereinIwas，attheinstantthatI
perceivedthishorsecomingfulldriveuponme（forIhadseenhimatmyheels，andgavemyselfforgone，butthisthoughthadbeensosudden，thatfearhadhadnoleisuretointroduceitself）itseemedtomelikeaflashoflightningthathadpiercedmysoul，andthatIcamefromtheotherworld。
Thislongstoryofsolightanaccidentwouldappearvainenough，wereitnotfortheknowledgeIhavegainedbyitformyownuse;forIdoreallyfind，thattogetacquaintedwithdeath，needsnomorebutnearlytoapproachit。Everyone，asPlinysays，isagooddoctrinetohimself，providedhebecapableofdiscoveringhimselfnearathand。Here，thisisnotmydoctrine，’tismystudy;andisnotthelessonofanother，butmyown;andifIcommunicateit，itoughtnottobeilltaken，forthatwhichisofusetome，mayalso，peradventure，beusefultoanother。Astotherest，Ispoilnothing，Imakeuseofnothingbutmyown;andifI
playthefool，’tisatmyownexpense，andnobodyelseisconcernedin’t;
for’tisafollythatwilldiewithme，andthatnooneistoinherit。
Wehearbutoftwoorthreeoftheancients，whohavebeatenthispath，andyetIcannotsayifitwasafterthismanner，knowingnomoreofthembuttheirnames。Noonesincehasfollowedthetrack:’tisaruggedroad，moresothanitseems，tofollowapacesoramblinganduncertain，asthatofthesoul;topenetratethedarkprofunditiesofitsintricateinternalwindings;tochooseandlayholdofsomanylittlenimblemotions;’tisanewandextraordinaryundertaking，andthatwithdrawsusfromthecommonandmostrecommendedemploymentsoftheworld。’Tisnowmanyyearssincethatmythoughtshavehadnootheraimandlevelthanmyself，andthatIhaveonlypriedintoandstudiedmyself:or，ifI
studyanyotherthing，’tistoapplyittoorratherinmyself。AndyetIdonotthinkitafault，if，asothersdobyothermuchlessprofitablesciences，IcommunicatewhatIhavelearnedinthis，thoughIamnotverywellpleasedwithmyownprogress。Thereisnodescriptionsodifficult，nordoubtlessofsogreatutility，asthatofaman’sself:andwithal，amanmustcurlhishairandsetoutandadjusthimself，toappearinpublic:nowIamperpetuallytrickingmyselfout，forIameternallyuponmyowndescription。Customhasmadeallspeakingofaman’sselfvicious，andpositivelyinterdictsit，inhatredtotheboastingthatseemsinseparablefromthetestimonymengiveofthemselves:
"Invitiumducitculpaefuga。"
["Theavoidingamerefaultoftenleadsusintoagreater。"
Or:"Theescapefromafaultleadsintoavice"
——Horace，DeArtePoetics，verse31。]
Insteadofblowingthechild’snose，thisistotakehisnoseoffaltogether。Ithinktheremedyworsethanthedisease。But，allowingittobetruethatitmustofnecessitybepresumptiontoentertainpeoplewithdiscoursesofone’sself，Ioughtnot，pursuingmygeneraldesign，toforbearanactionthatpublishesthisinfirmityofmine，norconcealthefaultwhichInotonlypractisebutprofess。Notwithstanding，tospeakmythoughtfreely，Ithinkthatthecustomofcondemningwine，becausesomepeoplewillbedrunk，isitselftobecondemned;amancannotabuseanythingbutwhatisgoodinitself;andIbelievethatthisrulehasonlyregardtothepopularvice。Theyarebitsforcalves，withwhichneitherthesaintswhomwehearspeaksohighlyofthemselves，northephilosophers，northedivineswillbecurbed;neitherwillI，whoamaslittletheoneastheother，Iftheydonotwriteofitexpressly，atallevents，whentheoccasionsarise，theydon’thesitatetoputthemselvesonthepublichighway。OfwhatdoesSocratestreatmorelargelythanofhimself？Towhatdoeshemoredirectandaddressthediscoursesofhisdisciples，thantospeakofthemselves，notofthelessonintheirbook，butoftheessenceandmotionoftheirsouls？WeconfessourselvesreligiouslytoGodandourconfessor;asourneighbours，dotoallthepeople。Butsomewillanswerthatwetherespeaknothingbutaccusationagainstourselves;whythen，wesayall;forourveryvirtueitselfisfaultyandpenetrable。Mytradeandartistolive;hethatforbidsmetospeakaccordingtomyownsense，experience，andpractice，mayaswellenjoinanarchitectnottospeakofbuildingaccordingtohisownknowledge，butaccordingtothatofhisneighbour;
accordingtotheknowledgeofanother，andnotaccordingtohisown。Ifitbevaingloryforamantopublishhisownvirtues，whydoesnotCiceroprefertheeloquenceofHortensius，andHortensiusthatofCicero？
PeradventuretheymeanthatIshouldgivetestimonyofmyselfbyworksandeffects，notbarelybywords。Ichieflypaintmythoughts，asubjectvoidofformandincapableofoperativeproduction;’tisallthatIcandotocouchitinthisairybodyofthevoice;thewisestanddevoutestmenhavelivedinthegreatestcaretoavoidallapparenteffects。
Effectswouldmorespeakoffortunethanofme;theymanifesttheirownofficeandnotmine，butuncertainlyandbyconjecture;patternsofsomeoneparticularvirtue。Iexposemyselfentire;’tisabodywhere，atoneview，theveins，muscles，andtendonsareapparent，everyoftheminitsproperplace;heretheeffectsofacold;thereoftheheartbeating，verydubiously。Idonotwritemyownacts，butmyselfandmyessence。
Iamofopinionthatamanmustbeverycautioushowhevalueshimself，andequallyconscientioustogiveatruereport，beitbetterorworse，impartially。IfIthoughtmyselfperfectlygoodandwise，Iwouldrattleitouttosomepurpose。Tospeaklessofone’sselfthanwhatonereallyisisfolly，notmodesty;andtotakethatforcurrentpaywhichisunderaman’svalueispusillanimityandcowardice，accordingto，Aristotle。
Novirtueassistsitselfwithfalsehood;truthisnevermatteroferror。
Tospeakmoreofone’sselfthanisreallytrueisnotalwaysmerepresumption;’tis，moreover，veryoftenfolly;to，beimmeasurablypleasedwithwhatoneis，andtofallintoanindiscreetself—love，isinmyopinionthesubstanceofthisvice。Themostsovereignremedytocureit，istodoquitecontrarytowhatthesepeopledirectwho，inforbiddingmentospeakofthemselves，consequently，atthesametime，interdictthinkingofthemselvestoo。Pridedwellsinthethought;thetonguecanhavebutaverylittleshareinit。
Theyfancythattothinkofone’sselfistobedelightedwithone’sself;tofrequentandconversewithone’sself，tobeoverindulgent;butthisexcessspringsonlyinthosewhotakebutasuperficialviewofthemselves，anddedicatetheirmaininspectiontotheiraffairs;whocallitmerereverieandidlenesstooccupyone’sselfwithone’sself，andthebuildingone’sselfupamerebuildingofcastlesintheair;wholookuponthemselvesasathirdpersononly，astranger。Ifanyonebeinrapturewithhisownknowledge，lookingonlyonthosebelowhim，lethimbutturnhiseyeupwardtowardspastages，andhispridewillbeabated，whenheshalltherefindsomanythousandwitsthattramplehimunderfoot。Ifheenterintoaflatteringpresumptionofhispersonalvalour，lethimbutrecollectthelivesofScipio，Epaminondas;somanyarmies，somanynations，thatleavehimsofarbehindthem。Noparticularqualitycanmakeanymanproud，thatwillatthesametimeputthemanyotherweakandimperfectoneshehasintheotherscale，andthenothingnessofhumanconditiontomakeuptheweight。BecauseSocrateshadalonedigestedtopurposethepreceptofhisgod，"toknowhimself，"
andbythatstudyarrivedattheperfectionofsettinghimselfatnought，heonlywasreputedworthythetitleofasage。Whosoevershallsoknowhimself，lethimboldlyspeakitout。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V10
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME10。
VII。Ofrecompensesofhonour。
VIII。Oftheaffectionoffatherstotheirchildren。
IX。OfthearmsoftheParthians。
X。Ofbooks。
XI。Ofcruelty。
CHAPTERVII
OFRECOMPENSESOFHONOUR
TheywhowritethelifeofAugustusCaesar，——[Suetonius，LifeofAugustus，c。25。]——observethisinhismilitarydiscipline，thathewaswonderfullyliberalofgiftstomenofmerit，butthatastothetruerecompensesofhonourhewasassparing;yethehimselfhadbeengratifiedbyhisunclewithallthemilitaryrecompensesbeforehehadeverbeeninthefield。Itwasaprettyinvention，andreceivedintomostgovernmentsoftheworld，toinstitutecertainvainandinthemselvesvaluelessdistinctionstohonourandrecompensevirtue，suchasthecrownsoflaurel，oak，andmyrtle，theparticularfashionofsomegarment，theprivilegetorideinacoachinthecity，oratnightwithatorch，somepeculiarplaceassignedinpublicassemblies，theprerogativeofcertainadditionalnamesandtitles，certaindistinctionsinthebearingofcoatsofarms，andthelike，theuseofwhich，accordingtotheseveralhumoursofnations，hasbeenvariouslyreceived，andyetcontinues。
WeinFrance，asalsoseveralofourneighbours，haveordersofknighthoodthatareinstitutedonlyforthisend。And’tis，inearnest，averygoodandprofitablecustomtofindoutanacknowledgmentfortheworthofrareandexcellentmen，andtosatisfythemwithrewardsthatarenotatallchargeableeithertoprinceorpeople。Andthatwhichhasalwaysbeenfoundbyancientexperience，andwhichwehaveheretoforeobservedamongourselves，thatmenofqualityhaveeverbeenmorejealousofsuchrecompensesthanofthosewhereintherewasgainandprofit，isnotwithoutverygoodgroundandreason。Ifwiththereward，whichoughttobesimplyarecompenseofhonour，theyshouldmixothercommoditiesandaddriches，thismixture，insteadofprocuringanincreaseofestimation，woulddebaseandabateit。TheOrderofSt。Michael，whichhasbeensolonginreputeamongstus，hadnogreatercommoditythanthatithadnocommunicationwithanyothercommodity，whichproducedthiseffect，thatformerlytherewasnoofficeortitlewhatevertowhichthegentrypretendedwithsogreatdesireandaffectionastheydidtothat;
noqualitythatcarriedwithitmorerespectandgrandeur，valourandworthmorewillinglyembracingandwithgreaterambitionaspiringtoarecompensepurelyitsown，andrathergloriousthanprofitable。For，intruth，othergiftshavenotsogreatadignityofusage，byreasontheyarelaidoutuponallsortsofoccasions;withmoneyamanpaysthewagesofaservant，thediligenceofacourier，dancing，vaulting，speaking，andthemeanestofficeswereceive;nay，andrewardvicewithittoo，asflattery，treachery，andpimping;andtherefore’tisnowonderifvirtuelessdesiresandlesswillinglyreceivesthiscommonsortofpayment，thanthatwhichisproperandpeculiartoher，throughoutgenerousandnoble。Augustushadreasontobemoresparingofthisthantheother，insomuchthathonourisaprivilegewhichderivesitsprincipalessencefromrarity;andsovirtueitself:
"Cuimalusestnemo，quisbonusessepotest？"
["Towhomnooneisillwhocanbegood？"—Martial，xii。82。]
Wedonotintenditforacommendationwhenwesaythatsuchaoneiscarefulintheeducationofhischildren，byreasonitisacommonact，howjustandwelldonesoever;nomorethanwecommendagreattree，wherethewholeforestisthesame。IdonotthinkthatanycitizenofSpartaglorifiedhimselfmuchuponhisvalour，itbeingtheuniversalvirtueofthewholenation;andaslittleuponhisfidelityandcontemptofriches。Thereisnorecompensebecomesvirtue，howgreatsoever，thatisoncepassedintoacustom;andIknownotwithalwhetherwecanevercallitgreat，beingcommon。
Seeing，then，thattheseremunerationsofhonourhavenoothervalueandestimationbutonlythis，thatfewpeopleenjoythem，’tisbuttobeliberalofthemtobringthemdowntonothing。Andthoughthereshouldbenowmoremenfoundthaninformertimesworthyofourorder，theestimationofitneverthelessshouldnotbeabated，northehonourmadecheap;anditmayeasilyhappenthatmoremaymeritit;forthereisnovirtuethatsoeasilyspreadsasthatofmilitaryvalour。Thereisanothervirtue，true，perfect，andphilosophical，ofwhichIdonotspeak，andonlymakeuseofthewordinourcommonacceptation，muchgreaterthanthisandmorefull，whichisaforceandassuranceofthesoul，equallydespisingallsortsofadverseaccidents，equable，uniform，andconstant，ofwhichoursisnomorethanonelittleray。Use，education，example，andcustomcandoallinalltotheestablishmentofthatwhereofIamspeaking，andwithgreatfacilityrenderitcommon，asbytheexperienceofourcivilwarsismanifestenough;andwhoevercouldatthistimeuniteusall，CatholicandHuguenot，intoonebody，andsetusuponsomebravecommonenterprise，weshouldagainmakeourancientmilitaryreputationflourish。Itismostcertainthatintimespasttherecompenseofthisorderhadnotonlyaregardtovalour，buthadafurtherprospect;itneverwastherewardofavaliantsoldierbutofagreatcaptain;thescienceofobeyingwasnotreputedworthyofsohonourableaguerdon。Therewasthereinamoreuniversalmilitaryexpertnessrequired，andthatcomprehendedthemostandthegreatestqualitiesofamilitaryman:
"Nequeenimeaedemmilitaresetimperatorixartessunt，"
["Fortheartsofsoldieryandgeneralshiparenotthesame。"
——"Livy，xxv。19。]
asalso，besides，aconditionsuitabletosuchadignity。But，Isay，thoughmoremenwereworthythanformerly，yetoughtitnottobemoreliberallydistributed，anditwerebettertofallshortinnotgivingitatalltowhomitshouldbedue，thanforevertolose，aswehavelatelydone，thefruitofsoprofitableaninvention。Nomanofspiritwilldeigntoadvantagehimselfwithwhatisincommonwithmany;andsuchofthepresenttimeashaveleastmeritedthisrecompensethemselvesmakethegreatershowofdisdainingit，inordertherebytoberankedwiththosetowhomsomuchwronghasbeendonebytheunworthyconferringanddebasingthedistinctionwhichwastheirparticularright。
Now，toexpectthatinobliteratingandabolishingthis，suddenlytocreateandbringintocreditalikeinstitution，isnotaproperattemptforsolicentiousandsosickatimeasthiswhereinwenoware;anditwillfalloutthatthelastwillfromitsbirthincurthesameinconveniencesthathaveruinedtheother。——[MontaignereferstotheOrderoftheSaint—Esprit，institutedbyHenryIII。in1578。]——Therulesfordispensingthisneworderhadneedtobeextremelycliptandboundundergreatrestrictions，togiveitauthority;andthistumultuousseasonisincapableofsuchacurb:besidesthat，beforethiscanbebroughtintorepute，’tisnecessarythatthememoryofthefirst，andofthecontemptintowhichitisfallen，beburiedinoblivion。
Thisplacemightnaturallyenoughadmitofsomediscourseupontheconsiderationofvalour，andthedifferenceofthisvirtuefromothers;
but，Plutarchhavingsooftenhandledthissubject，Ishouldgivemyselfanunnecessarytroubletorepeatwhathehassaid。Butthisisworthconsidering:thatournationplacesvalour，vaillance，inthehighestdegreeofvirtue，asitsverywordevidences，beingderivedfromvaleur，andthat，accordingtoouruse，whenwesayamanofhighworthagoodman，inourcourtstyle——’tistosayavaliantman，aftertheRomanway;
forthegeneralappellationofvirtuewiththemtakesetymologyfromvis，force。Theproper，sole，andessentialprofessionof，theFrenchnoblesseisthatofarms:and’tislikelythatthefirstvirtuethatdiscovereditselfamongstmenandhasgiventosomeadvantageoverothers，wasthatbywhichthestrongestandmostvalianthavemasteredtheweaker，andacquiredaparticularauthorityandreputation，whencecametoitthatdignifiedappellation;orelse，thatthesenations，beingverywarlike，gavethepre—eminencetothatofthevirtueswhichwasmostfamiliartothem;justasourpassionandthefeverishsolicitudewehaveofthechastityofwomenoccasionsthattosay，agoodwoman，awomanofworth，awomanofhonourandvirtue，signifiesmerelyachastewomanasif，toobligethemtothatoneduty，wewereindifferentastoalltherest，andgavethemthereinsinallotherfaultswhatevertocompoundforthatoneofincontinence。
CHAPTERVIII
OFTHEAFFECTIONOFFATHERSTOTHEIRCHILDREN
ToMadameD’Estissac。
MADAM，ifthestrangenessandnoveltyofmysubject，whicharewonttogivevaluetothings，donotsaveme，Ishallnevercomeoffwithhonourfromthisfoolishattempt:but’tissofantastic，andcarriesafacesounlikethecommonuse，thatthis，peradventure，maymakeitpass。’Tisamelancholichumour，andconsequentlyahumourverymuchanenemytomynaturalcomplexion，engenderedbythepensivenessofthesolitudeintowhichforsomeyearspastIhaveretiredmyself，thatfirstputintomyheadthisidlefancyofwriting。Wherein，findingmyselftotallyunprovidedandemptyofothermatter，Ipresentedmyselftomyselfforargumentandsubject。’Tistheonlybookintheworldofitskind，andofawildandextravagantdesign。Thereisnothingworthremarkinthisaffairbutthatextravagancy:forinasubjectsovainandfrivolous，thebestworkmanintheworldcouldnothavegivenitaformfittorecommendittoanymannerofesteem。
Now，madam，havingtodrawmyownpicturetothelife，Ihadomittedoneimportantfeature，hadInotthereinrepresentedthehonourIhaveeverhadforyouandyourmerits;whichIhavepurposelychosentosayinthebeginningofthischapter，byreasonthatamongstthemanyotherexcellentqualitiesyouaremistressof，thatofthetenderloveyouhavemanifestedtoyourchildren，isseatedinoneofthehighestplaces。
WhoeverknowsatwhatageMonsieurD’Estissac，yourhusband，leftyouawidow，thegreatandhonourablematchesthathavesincebeenofferedtoyou，asmanyastoanyladyofyourconditioninFrance，theconstancyandsteadinesswherewith，forsomanyyears，youhavesustainedsomanysharpdifficulties，theburdenandconductofaffairs，whichhavepersecutedyouineverycornerofthekingdom，andarenotyetwearyoftormentingyou，andthehappydirectionyouhavegiventoallthese，byyoursoleprudenceorgoodfortune，willeasilyconcludewithmethatwehavenotsovividanexampleasyoursofmaternalaffectioninourtimes。
IpraiseGod，madam，thatithasbeensowellemployed;forthegreathopesMonsieurD’Estissac，yourson，givesofhimself，rendersufficientassurancethatwhenhecomesofageyouwillreapfromhimalltheobedienceandgratitudeofaverygoodman。But，forasmuchasbyreasonofhistenderyears，hehasnotbeencapableoftakingnoticeofthoseofficesofextremestvaluehehasinsogreatnumberreceivedfromyou，Iwill，ifthesepapersshallonedayhappentofallintohishands，whenIshallneitherhavemouthnorspeechlefttodeliverittohim，thatheshallreceivefrommeatrueaccountofthosethings，whichshallbemoreeffectuallymanifestedtohimbytheirowneffects，bywhichhewillunderstandthatthereisnotagentlemaninFrancewhostandsmoreindebtedtoamother’scare;andthathecannot，inthefuture，giveabetternormorecertaintestimonyofhisownworthandvirtuethanbyacknowledgingyouforthatexcellentmotheryouare。
Iftherebeanylawtrulynatural，thatistosay，anyinstinctthatisseenuniversallyandperpetuallyimprintedinbothbeastsandmen（whichisnotwithoutcontroversy），Icansay，thatinmyopinion，nexttothecareeveryanimalhasofitsownpreservation，andtoavoidthatwhichmayhurthim，theaffectionthatthebegetterbearstohisoffspringholdsthesecondplaceinthisrank。Andseeingthatnatureappearstohaverecommendedittous，havingregardtotheextensionandprogressionofthesuccessivepiecesofthismachineofhers，’tisnowonderif，onthecontrary，thatofchildrentowardstheirparentsisnotsogreat。
TowhichwemayaddthisotherAristotelianconsideration，thathewhoconfersabenefitonanyone，loveshimbetterthanheisbelovedbyhimagain:thathetowhomisowing，lovesbetterthanhewhoowes;andthateveryartificerisfonderofhiswork，than，ifthatworkhadsense，itwouldbeofhim;byreasonthatitisdeartoustobe，andtobeconsistsinmovementandaction;thereforeeveryonehasinsomesortabeinginhiswork。Hewhoconfersabenefitexercisesafineandhonestaction;hewhoreceivesitexercisestheusefulonly。Nowtheusefulismuchlesslovablethanthehonest;thehonestisstableandpermanent，supplyinghimwhohasdoneitwithacontinualgratification。Theusefullosesitself，easilyslidesaway，andthememoryofitisneithersofreshnorsopleasing。Thosethingsaredearesttousthathavecostusmost，andgivingismorechargeablethanreceiving。
SinceithaspleasedGodtoendueuswithsomecapacityofreason，totheendwemaynot，likebrutes，beservilelysubjectandenslavedtothelawscommontoboth，butthatweshouldbyjudgmentandavoluntarylibertyapplyourselvestothem，weought，indeed，somethingtoyieldtothesimpleauthorityofnature，butnotsufferourselvestobetyrannicallyhurriedawayandtransportedbyher;reasonaloneshouldhavetheconductofourinclinations。I，formypart，haveastrangedisgustforthosepropensionsthatarestartedinuswithoutthemediationanddirectionofthejudgment，as，uponthesubjectIamspeakingof，Icannotentertainthatpassionofdandlingandcaressinginfantsscarcelyborn，havingasyetneithermotionofsoulnorshapeofbodydistinguishable，bywhichtheycanrenderthemselvesamiable，andhavenotwillinglysufferedthemtobenursednearme。Atrueandregularaffectionoughttospringandincreasewiththeknowledgetheygiveusofthemselves，andthen，iftheyareworthyofit，thenaturalpropensionwalkinghandinhandwithreason，tocherishthemwithatrulypaternallove;andsotojudge，also，iftheybeotherwise，stillrenderingourselvestoreason，notwithstandingtheinclinationofnature。
’Tisoft—timesquiteotherwise;and，mostcommonly，wefindourselvesmoretakenwiththerunningupanddown，thegames，andpuerilesimplicitiesofourchildren，thanwedo，afterwards，withtheirmostcompleteactions;asifwehadlovedthemforoursport，likemonkeys，andnotasmen;andsomethereare，whoareveryliberalinbuyingthemballstoplaywithal，whoareveryclose—handedfortheleastnecessaryexpensewhentheycometoage。Nay，itlooksasifthejealousyofseeingthemappearinandenjoytheworldwhenweareabouttoleaveit，renderedusmoreniggardlyandstingytowardsthem;itvexesusthattheytreaduponourheels，asiftosolicitustogoout;ifthisweretobefeared，sincetheorderofthingswillhaveitsothattheycannot，tospeakthetruth，benorlive，butattheexpenseofourbeingandlife，weshouldnevermeddlewithbeingfathersatall。
Formypart，Ithinkitcrueltyandinjusticenottoreceivethemintotheshareandsocietyofourgoods，andnottomakethempartakersintheintelligenceofourdomesticaffairswhentheyarecapable，andnottolessenandcontractourownexpensestomakethemoreroomfortheirs，seeingwebegetthemtothateffect。’Tisunjustthatanoldfellow，brokenandhalfdead，shouldalone，inacornerofthechimney，enjoythemoneythatwouldsufficeforthemaintenanceandadvancementofmanychildren，andsufferthem，inthemeantime，tolosetheir’bestyearsforwantofmeanstoadvancethemselvesinthepublicserviceandtheknowledgeofmen。Amanbythiscoursedrivesthemtodespair，andtoseekoutbyanymeans，howunjustordishonourablesoever，toprovidefortheirownsupport:asIhave，inmytime，seenseveralyoungmenofgoodextractionsoaddictedtostealing，thatnocorrectioncouldcurethemofit。Iknowoneofaverygoodfamily，towhom，attherequestofabrotherofhis，averyhonestandbravegentleman，Ioncespokeonthisaccount，whomadeanswer，andconfessedtomeroundly，thathehadbeenputuponthispaltrypracticebytheseverityandavariceofhisfather;