Isayforitalone;foritoftenbringsseveralcommoditiesalongwithit，forwhichitmayjustlybedesired:itacquiresusgood—will，andrendersuslesssubjectandexposedtoinsultandoffencefromothers，andthelike。ItwasalsooneoftheprincipaldoctrinesofEpicurus;
forthispreceptofhissect，Concealthylife，thatforbidsmentoencumberthemselveswithpublicnegotiationsandoffices，alsonecessarilypresupposesacontemptofglory，whichistheworld’sapprobationofthoseactionsweproduceinpublic。——[Plutarch，Whetherthesaying，Concealthylife，iswellsaid。]——Hethatbidsusconcealourselves，andtohavenootherconcernbutforourselves，andwhowillnothaveusknowntoothers，wouldmuchlesshaveushonouredandglorified;andsoadvisesIdomeneusnotinanysorttoregulatehisactionsbythecommonreputationoropinion，exceptsoastoavoidtheotheraccidentalinconveniencesthatthecontemptofmenmightbringuponhim。
Thesediscoursesare，inmyopinion，verytrueandrational;butweare，Iknownothow，doubleinourselves，whichisthecausethatwhatwebelievewedonotbelieve，andcannotdisengageourselvesfromwhatwecondemn。LetusseethelastanddyingwordsofEpicurus;theyaregrand，andworthyofsuchaphilosopher，andyettheycarrysometouchesoftherecommendationofhisnameandofthathumourhehaddecriedbyhisprecepts。Hereisaletterthathedictatedalittlebeforehislastgasp:
"EPICUYUSTOHEYMACHUS，health。
"WhilstIwaspassingoverthehappyandlastdayofmylife，I
writethis，but，atthesametime，afflictedwithsuchpaininmybladderandbowelsthatnothingcanbegreater，butitwasrecompensedwiththepleasuretheremembranceofmyinventionsanddoctrinesbroughttomysoul。Now，astheaffectionthouhasteverfromthyinfancybornetowardsmeandphilosophyrequires，takeupontheetheprotectionofMetrodorus’children。"
Thisistheletter。Andthatwhichmakesmeinterpretthatthepleasurehesayshehadinhissoulconcerninghisinventions，hassomereferencetothereputationhehopedforthenceafterhisdeath，isthemannerofhiswill，inwhichhegivesorderthatAmynomachusandTimocrates，hisheirs，should，everyJanuary，defraytheexpenseofthecelebrationofhisbirthdayasHermachusshouldappoint;andalsotheexpensethatshouldbemadethetwentiethofeverymooninentertainingthephilosophers，hisfriends，whoshouldassembleinhonourofthememoryofhimandofMetrodorus。——[Cicero，DeFinibus，ii。30。]
Carneadeswasheadofthecontraryopinion，andmaintainedthatglorywastobedesiredforitself，evenasweembraceourposthumousissueforthemselves，havingnoknowledgenorenjoymentofthem。Thisopinionhasnotfailedtobethemoreuniversallyfollowed，asthosecommonlyarethataremostsuitabletoourinclinations。Aristotlegivesitthefirstplaceamongstexternalgoods;andavoids，astooextremevices，theimmoderateeitherseekingorevadingit。Ibelievethat，ifwehadthebooksCicerowroteuponthissubject，weshouldtherefindprettystories;forhewassopossessedwiththispassion，that，ifhehaddared，Ithinkhecouldwillinglyhavefallenintotheexcessthatothersdid，thatvirtueitselfwasnottobecoveted，butupontheaccountofthehonourthatalwaysattendsit:
"PaulumsepultaedistatinertiaeCelatavirtus:"
["Virtueconcealedlittlediffersfromdeadsloth。"
——Horace，Od。，iv。9，29。]
whichisanopinionsofalse，thatIamvexeditcouldeverenterintotheunderstandingofamanthatwashonouredwiththenameofphilosopher。
Ifthisweretrue，menneednotbevirtuousbutinpublic;andweshouldbenofurtherconcernedtokeeptheoperationsofthesoul，whichisthetrueseatofvirtue，regularandinorder，thanastheyaretoarriveattheknowledgeofothers。Istherenomoreinit，then，butonlyslilyandwithcircumspectiontodoill？"Ifthouknowest，"saysCarneades，"ofaserpentlurkinginaplacewhere，withoutsuspicion，apersonisgoingtositdown，bywhosedeaththouexpectestanadvantage，thoudostillifthoudostnotgivehimcautionofhisdanger;andsomuchthemorebecausetheactionistobeknownbynonebutthyself。"Ifwedonottakeupofourselvestheruleofwell—doing，ifimpunitypasswithusforjustice，tohowmanysortsofwickednessshallweeverydayabandonourselves？IdonotfindwhatSextusPeduceusdid，infaithfullyrestoringthetreasurethatC。Plotiushadcommittedtohissolesecrecyandtrust，athingthatIhaveoftendonemyself，socommendable，asI
shouldthinkitanexecrablebaseness，hadwedoneotherwise;andIthinkitofgooduseinourdaystorecalltheexampleofP。SextiliusRufus，whomCiceroaccusestohaveentereduponaninheritancecontrarytohisconscience，notonlynotagainstlaw，butevenbythedeterminationofthelawsthemselves;andM。CrassusandHortensius，who，byreasonoftheirauthorityandpower，havingbeencalledinbyastrangertoshareinthesuccessionofaforgedwill，thatsohemightsecurehisownpart，satisfiedthemselveswithhavingnohandintheforgery，andrefusednottomaketheiradvantageandtocomeinforashare:secureenough，iftheycouldshroudthemselvesfromaccusations，witnesses，andthecognisanceofthelaws:
"MeminerintDeumsehaberetestem，idest（utegoarbitror）
mentemsuam。"
["LetthemconsidertheyhaveGodtowitness，thatis（asI
interpretit），theirownconsciences。"——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。10。]
Virtueisaveryvainandfrivolousthingifitderiveitsrecommendationfromglory;and’tistonopurposethatweendeavourtogiveitastationbyitself，andseparateitfromfortune;forwhatismoreaccidentalthanreputation？
"Profectofortunainomniredominatur:earescunctasexlibidinemagis，quhmexvero，celebrat，obscuratque。"
["Fortunerulesinallthings;itadvancesanddepressesthingsmoreoutofitsownwillthanofrightandjustice。"
——Sallust，Catilina，c。8。]
Sotoorderitthatactionsmaybeknownandseenispurelytheworkoffortune;’tischancethathelpsustoglory，accordingtoitsowntemerity。Ihaveoftenseenhergobeforemerit，andoftenverymuchoutstripit。Hewhofirstlikenedglorytoashadowdidbetterthanhewasawareof;theyarebothofthemthingspre—eminentlyvaingloryalso，likeashadow，goessometimesbeforethebody，andsometimesinlengthinfinitelyexceedsit。Theywhoinstructgentlemenonlytoemploytheirvalourfortheobtainingofhonour:
"Quasinonsithonestum，quodnobilitatumnonsit;"
["Asthoughitwerenotavirtue，unlesscelebrated"
——CiceroDeOffic。iii。10。]
whatdotheyintendbythatbuttoinstructthemnevertohazardthemselvesiftheyarenotseen，andtoobservewelliftherebewitnessespresentwhomaycarrynewsoftheirvalour，whereasathousandoccasionsofwell—doingpresentthemselveswhichcannotbetakennoticeof？Howmanybraveindividualactionsareburiedinthecrowdofabattle？Whoevershalltakeuponhimtowatchanother’sbehaviourinsuchaconfusionisnotverybusyhimself，andthetestimonyheshallgiveofhiscompanions’deportmentwillbeevidenceagainsthimself:
"Veraetsapiensanimimagnitudo，honestumillud，quodmaximenaturamsequitur，infactispositum，noningloria，judicat。"
["Thetrueandwisemagnanimityjudgesthatthebraverywhichmostfollowsnaturemoreconsistsinactthanglory。"
——Cicero，DeOffic。i。19。]
AlltheglorythatIpretendtoderivefrommylifeisthatIhaveliveditinquiet;inquiet，notaccordingtoMetrodorus，orArcesilaus，orAristippus，butaccordingtomyself。Forseeingphilosophyhasnotbeenabletofindoutanywaytotranquillitythatisgoodincommon，leteveryoneseekitinparticular。
TowhatdoCaesarandAlexanderowetheinfinitegrandeuroftheirrenownbuttofortune？Howmanymenhassheextinguishedinthebeginningoftheirprogress，ofwhomwehavenoknowledge，whobroughtasmuchcouragetotheworkasthey，iftheiradversehaphadnotcutthemoffinthefirstsallyoftheirarms？AmongstsomanyandsogreatdangersIdonotrememberIhaveanywherereadthatCaesarwaseverwounded;athousandhavefalleninlessdangersthantheleastofthosehewentthrough。Aninfinitenumberofbraveactionsmustbeperformedwithoutwitnessandlost，beforeoneturnstoaccount。Amanisnotalwaysonthetopofabreach，orattheheadofanarmy，inthesightofhisgeneral，asuponascaffold;amanisoftensurprisedbetwixtthehedgeandtheditch;hemustrunthehazardofhislifeagainstahenroost;hemustdislodgefourrascallymusketeersoutofabarn;hemustprickoutsinglefromhisparty，andalonemakesomeattempts，accordingasnecessitywillhaveit。
Andwhoeverwillobservewill，Ibelieve，finditexperimentallytrue，thatoccasionsoftheleastlustreareeverthemostdangerous;andthatinthewarsofourowntimestherehavemorebravemenbeenlostinoccasionsoflittlemoment，andinthedisputeaboutsomelittlepaltryfort，thaninplacesofgreatestimportance，andwheretheirvalourmighthavebeenmorehonourablyemployed。
Whothinkshisdeathachievedtoillpurposeifhedonotfallonsomesignaloccasion，insteadofillustratinghisdeath，wilfullyobscureshislife，sufferinginthemeantimemanyveryjustoccasionsofhazardinghimselftoslipoutofhishands;andeveryjustoneisillustriousenough，everyman’sconsciencebeingasufficienttrumpettohim。
"Glorianostraesttestimoniumconscientiaenostrae。"
["Forourrejoicingisthis，thetestimonyofourconscience。"
——Corinthians，i。I。]
Hewhoisonlyagoodmanthatmenmayknowit，andthathemaybethebetteresteemedwhen’tisknown;whowillnotdowellbutuponconditionthathisvirtuemaybeknowntomen:isonefromwhommuchserviceisnottobeexpected:
"Credoch’elrestediquelverno，coseFacessedegneditenerneconto;
Mafurfin’aqueltemposinascose，Chenonacolpamias’hor’nonlecontoPercheOrlandoafarl’oprevirtuosePiuch’anarrarlepoisempreerapronto;
Nemaifualcun’de’suoifattiespresso，Senonquandoebbeitestimoniiappresso。"
["Therestofthewinter，Ibelieve，wasspentinactionsworthyofnarration，buttheyweredonesosecretlythatifIdonottellthemIamnottoblame，forOrlandowasmorebenttodogreatactsthantoboastofthem，sothatnodeedsofhiswereeverknownbutthosethathadwitnesses。"——Ariosto，OrlandoFurioso，xi。81。]
Amanmustgotothewarupontheaccountofduty，andexpecttherecompensethatneverfailsbraveandworthyactions，howprivatesoever，orevenvirtuousthoughts—thesatisfactionthatawell—disposedconsciencereceivesinitselfindoingwell。Amanmustbevaliantforhimself，anduponaccountoftheadvantageitistohimtohavehiscourageseatedinafirmandsecureplaceagainsttheassaultsoffortune:
"Virtus，repulsaanesciasordidxIntaminatisfulgethonoribusNecsumit，autponitsecuresArbitriopopularisaura。"
["Virtue，repudiatingallbaserepulse，shinesintaintlesshonours，nortakesnorleavesdignityatthemerewillofthevulgar。"——Horace，Od。，iii。2，17。]
Itisnotforoutwardshowthatthesoulistoplayitspart，butforourselveswithin，wherenoeyescanpiercebutourown;thereshedefendsusfromthefearofdeath，ofpain，ofshameitself:thereshearmsusagainstthelossofourchildren，friends，andfortunes:andwhenopportunitypresentsitself，sheleadsusontothehazardsofwar:
"Nonemolumentoaliquo，sedipsiushonestatisdecore。"
["Notforanyprofit，butforthehonourofhonestyitself。"
——Cicero，DeFinib。，i。10。]
Thisprofitisofmuchgreateradvantage，andmoreworthytobecovetedandhopedfor，than，honourandglory，whicharenootherthanafavourablejudgmentgivenofus。
Adozenmenmustbecalledoutofawholenationtojudgeaboutanacreofland;andthejudgmentofourinclinationsandactions，themostdifficultandmostimportantmatterthatis，werefertothevoiceanddeterminationoftherabble，themotherofignorance，injustice，andinconstancy。Isitreasonablethatthelifeofawisemanshoulddependuponthejudgmentoffools？
"Anquidquamstultius，quam，quossinguloscontemnas，eosaliquidputareesseuniverses？"
["Cananythingbemorefoolishthantothinkthatthoseyoudespisesingly，canbeanythingelseingeneral。"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，v。36。]
Hethatmakesithisbusinesstopleasethem，willhaveenoughtodoandneverhavedone;’tisamarkthatcanneverbeaimedatorhit:
"Niltaminaestimabileest，quamanimimultitudinis。"
["Nothingistobesolittleunderstoodasthemindsofthemultitude。"——Livy，xxxi。34。]
Demetriuspleasantlysaidofthevoiceofthepeople，thathemadenomoreaccountofthatwhichcamefromabovethanofthatwhichcamefrombelow。He[Cicero]saysmore:
"Egohocjudico，siquandoturpenonsit，tamennonessenonturpe，quumidamultitudinelaudatur。"
["Iamofopinion，thatthoughathingbenotfoulinitself，yetitcannotbutbecomesowhencommendedbythemultitude。"
——Cicero，DeFinib。，ii。15。]
Noart，noactivityofwit，couldconductourstepssoastofollowsowanderingandsoirregularaguide;inthiswindyconfusionofthenoiseofvulgarreportsandopinionsthatdriveuson，nowayworthanythingcanbechosen。Letusnotproposetoourselvessofloatingandwaveringanend;letusfollowconstantlyafterreason;letthepublicapprobationfollowusthere，ifitwill;andasitwhollydependsuponfortune，wehavenoreasonsoonertoexpectitbyanyotherwaythanthat。EventhoughIwouldnotfollowtherightwaybecauseitisright，Ishould，however，followitashavingexperimentallyfoundthat，attheendofthereckoning，’tiscommonlythemosthappyandofgreatestutility"Dedithocprovidentiahominibusmunus，uthonestamagisjuvarent。"
["ThisgiftProvidencehasgiventomen，thathonestthingsshouldbethemostagreeable。"——Quintilian，Inst。Orat。，i。12。]
ThemarinerofoldsaidthustoNeptune，inagreattempest:"OGod，thouwiltsavemeifthouwilt，andifthouchoosest，thouwiltdestroyme;
but，however，Iwillholdmyrudderstraight。"——[Seneca，Ep。，85。]——
Ihaveseeninmytimeathousandmensupple，halfbred，ambiguous，whomnoonedoubtedtobemoreworldly—wisethanI，losethemselves，whereI
havesavedmyself:
"Risisuccessuspossecareredolos。"
["Ihavelaughedtoseecunningfailofsuccess。"
——Ovid，Heroid，i。18。]
PaulusAEmilius，goingonthegloriousexpeditionofMacedonia，aboveallthingschargedthepeopleofRomenottospeakofhisactionsduringhisabsence。Oh，thelicenseofjudgmentsisagreatdisturbancetogreataffairs！forasmuchaseveryonehasnotthefirmnessofFabiusagainstcommon，adverse，andinjurioustongues，whorathersufferedhisauthoritytobedissectedbythevainfanciesofmen，thantodolesswellinhischargewithafavourablereputationandthepopularapplause。
ThereisIknownotwhatnaturalsweetnessinhearingone’sselfcommended;butweareagreatdealtoofondofit:
"Laudarimetuam，nequeenimmihicorneafibraestSedrectifinemqueextremumqueesserecusoEugetuum，etbelle。"
["Ishouldfeartobepraised，formyheartisnotmadeofhorn;
butIdenythat’excellent——admirablydone，’arethetermsandfinalaimofvirtue。"——Persius，i。47。]
IcarenotsomuchwhatIamintheopinionsofothers，aswhatIaminmyown;Iwouldberichofmyself，andnotbyborrowing。Strangersseenothingbuteventsandoutwardappearances;everybodycansetagoodfaceonthematter，whentheyhavetremblingandterrorwithin:theydonotseemyheart，theyseebutmycountenance。Oneisrightindecryingthehypocrisythatisinwar;forwhatismoreeasytoanoldsoldierthantoshiftinatimeofdanger，andtocounterfeitthebravewhenhehasnomoreheartthanachicken？Therearesomanywaystoavoidhazardingaman’sownperson，thatwehavedeceivedtheworldathousandtimesbeforewecometobeengagedinarealdanger:andeventhen，findingourselvesinaninevitablenecessityofdoingsomething，wecanmakeshiftforthattimetoconcealourapprehensionsbysettingagoodfaceonthebusiness，thoughtheheartbeatswithin;andwhoeverhadtheuseofthePlatonicring，whichrendersthoseinvisiblethatwearit，ifturnedinwardtowardsthepalmofthehand，agreatmanywouldveryoftenhidethemselveswhentheyoughtmosttoappear，andwouldrepentbeingplacedinsohonourableapost，wherenecessitymustmakethembold。
"Falsushonorjuvat，etmendaxinfamiaterretQuemnisimendosumetmendacem？"
["Falsehonourpleases，andcalumnyaffrights，theguiltyandthesick。"——Horace，Ep。，i。16，89。]
Thusweseehowallthejudgmentsthatarefoundeduponexternalappearances，aremarvellouslyuncertainanddoubtful;andthatthereisnosocertaintestimonyaseveryoneistohimself。Inthese，howmanysoldiers’boysarecompanionsofourglory？hewhostandsfirminanopentrench，whatdoesheinthatmorethanfiftypoorpioneerswhoopentohimthewayandcoveritwiththeirownbodiesforfivepenceadaypay，dobeforehim？
"NonquicquidturbidaRomaElevet，accedas;examenqueimprobuminillaCastigestrutina:nectoquaesiverisextra。"
["Donot，ifturbulentRomedisparageanything，accede;norcorrectafalsebalancebythatscale;norseekanythingbeyondthyself。"
——Persius，Sat。，i。5。]
Thedispersingandscatteringournamesintomanymouths，wecallmakingthemmoregreat;wewillhavethemtherewellreceived，andthatthisincreaseturntotheiradvantage，whichisallthatcanbeexcusableinthisdesign。Buttheexcessofthisdiseaseproceedssofarthatmanycovettohaveaname，beitwhatitwill。TrogusPompeiussaysofHerostratus，andTitusLiviusofManliusCapitolinus，thattheyweremoreambitiousofagreatreputationthanofagoodone。Thisisverycommon;
wearemoresolicitousthatmenspeakofus，thanhowtheyspeak;anditisenoughforusthatournamesareoftenmentioned，beitafterwhatmanneritwill。Itshouldseemthattobeknown，isinsomesorttohaveaman’slifeanditsdurationinothers’keeping。I，formypart，holdthatIamnot，butinmyself;andofthatotherlifeofminewhichliesintheknowledgeofmyfriends，toconsideritnakedandsimplyinitself，IknowverywellthatIamsensibleofnofruitnorenjoymentfromitbutbythevanityofafantasticopinion;andwhenIshallbedead，Ishallbestillandmuchlesssensibleofit;andshall，withal，absolutelylosetheuseofthoserealadvantagesthatsometimesaccidentallyfollowit。
Ishallhavenomorehandlewherebytotakeholdofreputation，neithershallithaveanywherebytotakeholdofortocleavetome;fortoexpectthatmynameshouldbeadvancedbyit，inthefirstplace，Ihavenonamethatisenoughmyown;oftwothatIhave，oneiscommontoallmyrace，andindeedtoothersalso;therearetwofamiliesatParisandMontpellier，whosesurnameisMontaigne，anotherinBrittany，andoneinXaintonge，DeLaMontaigne。Thetranspositionofonesyllableonlywouldsufficesotoravelouraffairs，thatIshallshareintheirglory，andtheyperadventurewillpartakeofmydiscredit;and，moreover，myancestorshaveformerlybeensurnamed，Eyquem，——[Eyquemwasthepatronymic。]——anamewhereinafamilywellknowninEnglandisatthisdayconcerned。Astomyothername，everyonemaytakeitthatwill，andso，perhaps，Imayhonouraporterinmyownstead。Andbesides，thoughIhadaparticulardistinctionbymyself，whatcanitdistinguish，whenI
amnomore？Canitpointoutandfavourinanity？
"Nonleviorcippusnuncimprimitossa？
Laudatposteritas！Nuncnonemanibusillis，Nuncnonatumulofortunataquefavilla，Nascenturviolae？
["Doesthetombpresswithlessweightuponmybones？Docomradespraise？Notfrommymanes，notfromthetomb，notfromtheasheswillvioletsgrow。"——Persius，Sat。，i。37。]
butofthisIhavespokenelsewhere。Astowhatremains，inagreatbattlewheretenthousandmenaremaimedorkilled，therearenotfifteenwhoaretakennoticeof;itmustbesomeveryeminentgreatness，orsomeconsequenceofgreatimportancethatfortunehasaddedtoit，thatsignalisesaprivateaction，notofaharquebuseronly，butofagreatcaptain;fortokillaman，ortwo，orten:toexposeaman’sselfbravelytotheutmostperilofdeath，isindeedsomethingineveryoneofus，becausewetherehazardall;butfortheworld’sconcern，theyarethingssoordinary，andsomanyofthemareeverydayseen，andtheremustofnecessitybesomanyofthesamekindtoproduceanynotableeffect，thatwecannotexpectanyparticularrenownfromit:
"Casusmultishiccognitus，acjamTritus，etamediofortunaeductusacervo。"
["Theaccidentisknowntomany，andnowtrite;anddrawnfromthemidstofFortune’sheap。"——Juvenal，Sat。，xiii。9。]
OfsomanythousandsofvaliantmenwhohavediedwithinthesefifteenhundredyearsinFrancewiththeirswordsintheirhands，notahundredhavecometoourknowledge。Thememory，notofthecommandersonly，butofbattlesandvictories，isburiedandgone;thefortunesofabovehalfoftheworld，forwantofarecord，stirnotfromtheirplace，andvanishwithoutduration。IfIhadunknowneventsinmypossession，Ishouldthinkwithgreateasetoout—dothosethatarerecorded，inallsortsofexamples。IsitnotstrangethatevenoftheGreeksandRomans，withsomanywritersandwitnesses，andsomanyrareandnobleexploits，sofewarearrivedatourknowledge:
"Adnosvixtenuisfamxperlabituraura。"
["Anobscurerumourscarceishithercome。"——AEneid，vii。646。]
Itwillbemuchif，ahundredyearshence，itberememberedingeneralthatinourtimestherewerecivilwarsinFrance。TheLacedaemonians，enteringintobattle，sacrificedtotheMuses，totheendthattheiractionsmightbewellandworthilywritten，lookinguponitasadivineandnocommonfavour，thatbraveactsshouldfindwitnessesthatcouldgivethemlifeandmemory。Doweexpectthatateverymusket—shotwereceive，andateveryhazardwerun，theremustbearegisterreadytorecordit？and，besides，ahundredregistersmayenrolthemwhosecommentarieswillnotlastabovethreedays，andwillnevercometothesightofanyone。Wehavenotthethousandthpartofancientwritings;
’tisfortunethatgivesthemashorterorlongerlife，accordingtoherfavour;and’tispermissibletodoubtwhetherthosewehavebenottheworst，nothavingseentherest。Mendonotwritehistoriesofthingsofsolittlemoment:amanmusthavebeengeneralintheconquestofanempireorakingdom;hemusthavewontwo—and—fiftysetbattles，andalwaystheweakerinnumber，asCaesardid:tenthousandbravefellowsandmanygreatcaptainslosttheirlivesvaliantlyinhisservice，whosenameslastednolongerthantheirwivesandchildrenlived:
"Quosfamaobscurarecondit。"
["Whomanobscurereputationconceals。"——AEneid，v。302。]
Eventhosewhomweseebehavethemselveswell，threemonthsorthreeyearsaftertheyhavedepartedhence，arenomorementionedthaniftheyhadneverbeen。Whoeverwilljustlyconsider，andwithdueproportion，ofwhatkindofmenandofwhatsortofactionstheglorysustainsitselfintherecordsofhistory，willfindthatthereareveryfewactionsandveryfewpersonsofourtimeswhocantherepretendanyright。Howmanyworthymenhaveweknowntosurvivetheirownreputation，whohaveseenandsufferedthehonourandglorymostjustlyacquiredintheiryouth，extinguishedintheirownpresence？Andforthreeyearsofthisfantasticandimaginarylifewemustgoandthrowawayourtrueandessentiallife，andengageourselvesinaperpetualdeath！Thesagesproposetothemselvesanoblerandmorejustendinsoimportantanenterprise:
"Rectefacti，fecissemercesest:officiifructus，ipsumofficiumest。"
["Therewardofathingwelldoneistohavedoneit;thefruitofagoodserviceistheserviceitself。"——Seneca，Ep。，8。]
Itwere，peradventure，excusableinapainterorotherartisan，orinarhetoricianoragrammarian，toendeavourtoraisehimselfanamebyhisworks;buttheactionsofvirtuearetoonobleinthemselvestoseekanyotherrewardthanfromtheirownvalue，andespeciallytoseekitinthevanityofhumanjudgments。
Ifthisfalseopinion，nevertheless，beofsuchusetothepublicastokeepmenintheirduty;ifthepeoplearetherebystirreduptovirtue;
ifprincesaretouchedtoseetheworldblessthememoryofTrajan，andabominatethatofNero;ifitmovesthemtoseethenameofthatgreatbeast，oncesoterribleandfeared，sofreelycursedandreviledbyeveryschoolboy，letitbyallmeansincrease，andbeasmuchaspossiblenursedupandcherishedamongstus;andPlato，bendinghiswholeendeavourtomakehiscitizensvirtuous，alsoadvisesthemnottodespisethegoodreputeandesteemofthepeople;andsaysitfallsout，byacertainDivineinspiration，thateventhewickedthemselvesoft—times，aswellbywordasopinion，canrightlydistinguishthevirtuousfromthewicked。Thispersonandhistutorarebothmarvellousandboldartificerseverywheretoadddivineoperationsandrevelationswherehumanforceiswanting:
"Uttragicipoetaeconfugiuntaddeum，cumexplicareargumentiexitumnonpossunt:"
["Astragicpoetsflytosomegodwhentheycannotexplaintheissueoftheirargument。"——Cicero，DeNat。Deor。，i。20。]
andperadventure，forthisreasonitwasthatTimon，railingathim，calledhimthegreatforgerofmiracles。Seeingthatmen，bytheirinsufficiency，cannotpaythemselveswellenoughwithcurrentmoney，letthecounterfeitbesuperadded。’Tisawaythathasbeenpractisedbyallthelegislators:andthereisnogovernmentthathasnotsomemixtureeitherofceremonialvanityoroffalseopinion，thatservesforacurbtokeepthepeopleintheirduty。’Tisforthisthatmostofthemhavetheiroriginalsandbeginningsfabulous，andenrichedwithsupernaturalmysteries;’tisthisthathasgivencredittobastardreligions，andcausedthemtobecountenancedbymenofunderstanding;andforthis，thatNumaandSertorius，topossesstheirmenwithabetteropinionofthem，fedthemwiththisfoppery;one，thatthenymphEgeria，theotherthathiswhitehind，broughtthemalltheircounselsfromthegods。
AndtheauthoritythatNumagavetohislaws，underthetitleofthepatronageofthisgoddess，Zoroaster，legislatoroftheBactriansandPersians，gavetohisunderthenameoftheGodOromazis:Trismegistus，legislatoroftheEgyptians，underthatofMercury;Xamolxis，legislatoroftheScythians，underthatofVesta;Charondas，legislatoroftheChalcidians，underthatofSaturn;Minos，legislatoroftheCandiots，underthatofJupiter;Lycurgus，legislatoroftheLacedaemonians，underthatofApollo;andDracoandSolon，legislatorsoftheAthenians，underthatofMinerva。Andeverygovernmenthasagodattheheadofit;
theothersfalsely，thattruly，whichMosessetovertheJewsattheirdepartureoutofEgypt。ThereligionoftheBedouins，astheSiredeJoinvillereports，amongstotherthings，enjoinedabeliefthatthesoulofhimamongstthemwhodiedforhisprince，wentintoanotherbodymorehappy，morebeautiful，andmorerobustthantheformer;bywhichmeanstheymuchmorewillinglyventuredtheirlives:
"Inferrummenspronaviris，animaequecapacesMortis，etignavumestredituraeparcerevitae。"
["Men’smindsarepronetothesword，andtheirsoulsabletobeardeath;anditisbasetosparealifethatwillberenewed。"
——Lucan，i。461。]
Thisisaverycomfortablebelief，howevererroneous。Everynationhasmanysuchexamplesofitsown;butthissubjectwouldrequireatreatisebyitself。
Toaddonewordmoretomyformerdiscourse，Iwouldadvisetheladiesnolongertocallthathonourwhichisbuttheirduty:
"Utenimconsuetudoloquitur，idsolumdiciturhonestum，quodestpopularifamagloriosum;"
["Ascustomputsit，thatonlyiscalledhonestwhichisgloriousbythepublicvoice。"——Cicero，DeFinibus，ii。15。]
theirdutyisthemark，theirhonourbuttheoutwardrind。NeitherwouldIadvisethemtogivethisexcuseforpaymentoftheirdenial:forI
presupposethattheirintentions，theirdesire，andwill，whicharethingswhereintheirhonourisnotatallconcerned，forasmuchasnothingthereofappearswithout，aremuchbetterregulatedthantheeffects:
"Quxquianonliceat，nonfacit，illafacit:"
["Shewhoonlyrefuses，because’tisforbidden，consents。"
——Ovid，Amor。，ii。4，4。]
Theoffence，bothtowardsGodandintheconscience，wouldbeasgreattodesireastodoit;and，besides，theyareactionssoprivateandsecretofthemselves，aswouldbeeasilyenoughkeptfromtheknowledgeofothers，whereinthehonourconsists，iftheyhadnotanotherrespecttotheirduty，andtheaffectiontheybeartochastity，foritself。Everywomanofhonourwillmuchratherchoosetoloseherhonourthantohurtherconscience。
CHAPTERXVII
OFPRESUMPTION
Thereisanothersortofglory，whichisthehavingtoogoodanopinionofourownworth。’Tisaninconsiderateaffectionwithwhichweflatterourselves，andthatrepresentsustoourselvesotherthanwetrulyare:
likethepassionoflove，thatlendsbeautiesandgracestotheobject，andmakesthosewhoarecaughtbyit，withadepravedandcorruptjudgment，considerthethingwhichtheyloveotherandmoreperfectthanitis。
Iwouldnot，nevertheless，forfearoffailingonthisside，thatamanshouldnotknowhimselfaright，orthinkhimselflessthanheis;thejudgmentoughtinallthingstomaintainitsrights;’tisallthereasonintheworldheshoulddiscerninhimself，aswellasinothers，whattruthsetsbeforehim;ifitbeCaesar，lethimboldlythinkhimselfthegreatestcaptainintheworld。Wearenothingbutceremony:ceremonycarriesusaway，andweleavethesubstanceofthings:weholdbythebranches，andquitthetrunkandthebody;wehavetaughttheladiestoblushwhentheyhearthatbutnamedwhichtheyarenotatallafraidtodo:wedarenotcallourmembersbytheirrightnames，yetarenotafraidtoemploytheminallsortsofdebauchery:ceremonyforbidsustoexpressbywordsthingsthatarelawfulandnatural，andweobeyit:reasonforbidsustodothingsunlawfulandill，andnobodyobeysit。Ifindmyselfherefetteredbythelawsofceremony;foritneitherpermitsamantospeakwellofhimself，norill:wewillleaveherthereforthistime。
Theywhomfortune（callitgoodorill）hasmadeto，passtheirlivesinsomeeminentdegree，maybytheirpublicactionsmanifestwhattheyare;
buttheywhomshehasonlyemployedinthecrowd，andofwhomnobodywillsayawordunlesstheyspeakthemselves，aretobeexcusediftheytaketheboldnesstospeakofthemselvestosuchasareinterestedtoknowthem;bytheexampleofLucilius:
"IllevelutfidisarcanasodalibusolimCredebatlibris，nequesimalecesserat，usquamDecurrensalio，nequesibene:quofit，utomnis，VotivapateatveluridescriptatabellaVitasenis;"
["Heformerlyconfidedhissecretthoughtstohisbooks，astotriedfriends，andforgoodandevil，resortednotelsewhere:henceitcametopass，thattheoldman’slifeisthereallseenasonavotivetablet。"——Horace，Sat。，ii。I，30。]
healwayscommittedtopaperhisactionsandthoughts，andthereportrayedhimselfsuchashefoundhimselftobe:
"NecidRutilioetScaurocitrafidem;autobtrectationifuit。"
["NorwasthisconsideredabreachofgoodfaithoradisparagementtoRutiliusorScaurus。"——Tacitus，Agricola，c。I。]
Iremember，then，thatfrommyinfancytherewasobservedinmeIknownotwhatkindofcarriageandbehaviour，thatseemedtorelishofprideandarrogance。Iwillsaythis，bytheway，thatitisnotunreasonabletosupposethatwehavequalitiesandinclinationssomuchourown，andsoincorporateinus，thatwehavenotthemeanstofeelandrecognisethem:andofsuchnaturalinclinationsthebodywillretainacertainbent，withoutourknowledgeorconsent。ItwasanaffectationconformablewithhisbeautythatmadeAlexandercarryhisheadononeside，andcausedAlcibiadestolisp;JuliusCaesarscratchedhisheadwithonefinger，whichisthefashionofamanfulloftroublesomethoughts;andCicero，asIremember，waswonttopuckeruphisnose，asignofamangiventoscoffing;suchmotionsasthesemayimperceptiblyhappeninus。ThereareotherartificialoneswhichImeddlenotwith，assalutationsandcongees，bywhichmenacquire，forthemostpartunjustly，thereputationofbeinghumbleandcourteous:onemaybehumbleoutofpride。Iamprodigalenoughofmyhat，especiallyinsummer，andneveramsosalutedbutthatIpayitagainfrompersonsofwhatqualitysoever，unlesstheybeinmyownservice。IshouldmakeitmyrequesttosomeprinceswhomIknow，thattheywouldbemoresparingofthatceremony，andbestowthatcourtesywhereitismoredue;forbeingsoindiscreetlyandindifferentlyconferredonall，itisthrownawaytonopurpose;ifitbewithoutrespectofpersons，itlosesitseffect。
Amongstirregulardeportment，letusnotforgetthathaughtyoneoftheEmperorConstantius，whoalwaysinpublicheldhisheaduprightandstiff，withoutbendingorturningoneitherside，notsomuchastolookuponthosewhosalutedhimononeside，plantinghisbodyinarigidimmovableposture，withoutsufferingittoyieldtothemotionofhiscoach，notdaringsomuchastospit，blowhisnose，orwipehisfacebeforepeople。Iknownotwhetherthegesturesthatwereobservedinmewereofthisfirstquality，andwhetherIhadreallyanyoccultpronenesstothisvice，asitmightwellbe;andIcannotberesponsibleforthemotionsofthebody;butastothemotionsofthesoul，ImusthereconfesswhatIthinkofthematter。
Thisgloryconsistsoftwoparts;theoneinsettingtoogreatavalueuponourselves，andtheotherinsettingtoolittleavalueuponothers。
Astotheone，methinkstheseconsiderationsought，inthefirstplace，tobeofsomeforce:Ifeelmyselfimportunedbyanerrorofthesoulthatdispleasesme，bothasitisunjust，andstillmoreasitistroublesome;Iattempttocorrectit，butIcannotrootitout;andthisis，thatIlessenthejustvalueofthingsthatIpossess，andovervaluethings，becausetheyareforeign，absent，andnoneofmine;thishumourspreadsveryfar。Astheprerogativeoftheauthoritymakeshusbandslookupontheirownwiveswithaviciousdisdain，andmanyfatherstheirchildren;soI，betwixttwoequalmerits，shouldalwaysbeswayedagainstmyown;notsomuchthatthejealousyofmyadvancementandbetteringtroublesmyjudgment，andhindersmefromsatisfyingmyself，asthatofitselfpossessionbegetsacontemptofwhatitholdsandrules。Foreigngovernments，manners，andlanguagesinsinuatethemselvesintomyesteem;
andIamsensiblethatLatinalluresmebythefavourofitsdignitytovalueitaboveitsdue，asitdoeswithchildren，andthecommonsortofpeople:thedomesticgovernment，house，horse，ofmyneighbour，thoughnobetterthanmyown，Iprizeabovemyown，becausetheyarenotmine。