BesidesthatIamveryignorantinmyownaffairs，Iamstruckbytheassurancethateveryonehasofhimself:whereasthereisscarcelyanythingthatIamsureIknow，orthatIdareberesponsibletomyselfthatIcando:Ihavenotmymeansofdoinganythinginconditionandready，andamonlyinstructedthereinaftertheeffect;asdoubtfulofmyownforceasIamofanother’s。WhenceitcomestopassthatifIhappentodoanythingcommendable，Iattributeitmoretomyfortunethanindustry，forasmuchasIdesigneverythingbychanceandinfear。Ihavethis，also，ingeneral，thatofalltheopinionsantiquityhasheldofmeningross，Imostwillinglyembraceandadheretothosethatmostcontemnandundervalueus，andmostpushustonaught;methinks，philosophyhasneversofairagametoplayaswhenitfallsuponourvanityandpresumption;whenitmostlaysopenourirresolution，weakness，andignorance。Ilookuponthetoogoodopinionthatmanhasofhimselftobethenursingmotherofallthemostfalseopinions，bothpublicandprivate。ThosepeoplewhorideastrideupontheepicycleofMercury，whoseesofarintotheheavens，areworsetomethanatooth—
　　drawerthatcomestodrawmyteeth;forinmystudy，thesubjectofwhichisman，findingsogreatavarietyofjudgments，soprofoundalabyrinthofdifficulties，oneuponanother，sogreatdiversityanduncertainty，evenintheschoolofwisdomitself，youmayjudge，seeingthesepeoplecouldnotresolveupontheknowledgeofthemselvesandtheirowncondition，whichiscontinuallybeforetheireyes，andwithinthem，seeingtheydonotknowhowthatmoveswhichtheythemselvesmove，norhowtogiveusadescriptionofthespringstheythemselvesgovernandmakeuseof，howcanIbelievethemabouttheebbingandflowingoftheNile？Thecuriosityofknowingthingshasbeengiventomanforascourge，saystheHolyScripture。
　　Buttoreturntowhatconcernsmyself;Ithinkitwouldbeverydifficultforanyothermantohaveameaneropinionofhimself;nay，foranyothertohaveameaneropinionofmethanofmyself:Ilookuponmyselfasoneofthecommonsort，savinginthis，thatIhavenobetteranopinionofmyself;guiltyofthemeanestandmostpopulardefects，butnotdisowningorexcusingthem;andIdonotvaluemyselfuponanyotheraccountthanbecauseIknowmyownvalue。Iftherebeanyvanityinthecase，’tissuperficiallyinfusedintomebythetreacheryofmycomplexion，andhasnobodythatmyjudgmentcandiscern:Iamsprinkled，butnotdyed。Forintruth，astotheeffectsofthemind，thereisnopartofme，beitwhatitwill，withwhichIamsatisfied;andtheapprobationofothersmakesmenotthinkthebetterofmyself。Myjudgmentistenderandnice，especiallyinthingsthatconcernmyself。
　　Ieverrepudiatemyself，andfeelmyselffloatandwaverbyreasonofmyweakness。Ihavenothingofmyownthatsatisfiesmyjudgment。Mysightisclearandregularenough，but，atworking，itisapttodazzle;asI
　　mostmanifestlyfindinpoetry:Iloveitinfinitely，andamabletogiveatolerablejudgmentofothermen’sworks;but，ingoodearnest，whenI
　　applymyselftoit，Iplaythechild，andamnotabletoenduremyself。
　　Amanmayplaythefoolineverythingelse，butnotinpoetry;
　　"MediocribusessepoetisNondii，nonhomines，nonconcesserecolumnae。"
　　["Neithermen，norgods，northepillars（onwhichthepoetsofferedtheirwritings）permitmediocrityinpoets。"
　　——Horace，DeArtePoet。，372。]
　　IwouldtoGodthissentencewaswrittenoverthedoorsofallourprinters，toforbidtheentranceofsomanyrhymesters！
　　"VerumNihilsecuriusestmalopoetae。"
　　["Thetruthis，thatnothingismoreconfidentthanabadpoet。"
　　——Martial，xii。63，13。]
　　Whyhavenotwesuchpeople？——[Asthoseabouttobementioned。]——
　　Dionysiusthefathervaluedhimselfuponnothingsomuchashispoetry;
　　attheOlympicgames，withchariotssurpassingalltheothersinmagnificence，hesentalsopoetsandmusicianstopresenthisverses，withtentandpavilionsroyallygiltandhungwithtapestry。Whenhisversescametoberecited，theexcellenceofthedeliveryatfirstattractedtheattentionofthepeople;butwhentheyafterwardscametopoisethemeannessofthecomposition，theyfirstenteredintodisdain，andcontinuingtonettletheirjudgments，presentlyproceededtofury，andrantopulldownandteartopiecesallhispavilions:and，thathischariotsneitherperformedanythingtopurposeintherace，andthattheshipwhichbroughtbackhispeoplefailedofmakingSicily，andwasbythetempestdrivenandwreckeduponthecoastofTarentum，theycertainlybelievedwasthroughtheangerofthegods，incensed，astheythemselveswere，againstthepaltryPoem;andeventhemarinerswhoescapedfromthewrecksecondedthisopinionofthepeople:towhichalsotheoraclethatforetoldhisdeathseemedtosubscribe;whichwas，"thatDionysiusshouldbenearhisend，whenheshouldhaveovercomethosewhowerebetterthanhimself，"whichheinterpretedoftheCarthaginians，whosurpassedhiminpower;andhavingwarwiththem，oftendeclinedthevictory，nottoincurthesenseofthisprediction;butheunderstooditill;forthegodindicatedthetimeoftheadvantage，thatbyfavourandinjusticeheobtainedatAthensoverthetragicpoets，betterthanhimself，havingcausedhisownplaycalledtheLeneianstobeactedinemulation;
　　presentlyafterwhichvictoryhedied，andpartlyoftheexcessivejoyheconceivedatthesuccess。
　　[DiodorusSiculus，xv。7。——Theplay，however，wascalledthe"RansomofHector。"ItwasthegamesatwhichitwasactedthatwerecalledLeneian;theywereoneofthefourDionysiacfestivals。]
　　WhatIfindtolerableofmine，isnotsoreallyandinitself，butincomparisonofotherworsethings，thatIseewellenoughreceived。I
　　envythehappinessofthosewhocanpleaseandhugthemselvesinwhattheydo;for’tisaneasythingtobesopleased，becauseamanextractsthatpleasurefromhimself，especiallyifhebeconstantinhisself—
　　conceit。Iknowapoet，againstwhomtheintelligentandtheignorant，abroadandathome，bothheavenandearthexclaimthathehasbutverylittlenotionofit;andyet，forallthat，hehasneverawhittheworseopinionofhimself;butisalwaysfallinguponsomenewpiece，alwayscontrivingsomenewinvention，andstillpersistsinhisopinion，bysomuchthemoreobstinately，asitonlyconcernshimtomaintainit。
　　Myworksaresofarfrompleasingme，thatasoftenasIreviewthem，theydisgustme:
　　"Cumrelego，scripsissepudet;quiaplurimacerno，Mequoque，quifeci，judice，dignalini。"
　　["WhenIreperuse，IblushatwhatIhavewritten;IeverseeonepassageafteranotherthatI，theauthor，beingthejudge，considershouldbeerased。"——Ovid，DePonto，i。5，15。]
　　Ihavealwaysanideainmysoul，andasortofdisturbedimagewhichpresentsmeasinadreamwithabetterformthanthatIhavemadeuseof;butIcannotcatchitnorfitittomypurpose;andeventhatideaisbutofthemeanersort。HenceIconcludethattheproductionsofthosegreatandrichsoulsofformertimesareverymuchbeyondtheutmoststretchofmyimaginationormywish;theirwritingsdonotonlysatisfyandfillme，buttheyastoundme，andravishmewithadmiration;Ijudgeoftheirbeauty;Iseeit，ifnottotheutmost，yetsofaratleastas’tispossibleformetoaspire。WhateverIundertake，IoweasacrificetotheGraces，asPlutarchsaysofsomeone，toconciliatetheirfavour:
　　"Siquidenimplacet，Siquiddulcehorninumsensibusinfluit，DebenturlepidisomniaGratiis。"
　　["IfanythingpleasethatIwrite，ifitinfusedelightintomen’sminds，allisduetothecharmingGraces。"Theversesareprobablybysomemodernpoet。]
　　Theyabandonmethroughout;allIwriteisrude;polishandbeautyarewanting:Icannotsetthingsofftoanyadvantage;myhandlingaddsnothingtothematter;forwhichreasonImusthaveitforcible，veryfull，andthathaslustreofitsown。IfIpitchuponsubjectsthatarepopularandgay，’tistofollowmyowninclination，whodonotaffectagraveandceremoniouswisdom，astheworlddoes;andtomakemyselfmoresprightly，butnotmystylemorewanton，whichwouldratherhavethemgraveandsevere;atleastifImaycallthatastylewhichisaninformandirregularwayofspeaking，apopularjargon，aproceedingwithoutdefinition，division，conclusion，perplexedlikethatAmafaniusandRabirius。——[Cicero，Acad。，i。2。]——Icanneitherpleasenordelight，noreventicklemyreaders:thebeststoryintheworldisspoiledbymyhandling，andbecomesflat;Icannotspeakbutinroughearnest，andamtotallyunprovidedofthatfacilitywhichIobserveinmanyofmyacquaintance，ofentertainingthefirstcomersandkeepingawholecompanyinbreath，ortakinguptheearofaprincewithallsortsofdiscoursewithoutwearyingthemselves:theyneverwantmatterbyreasonofthefacultyandgracetheyhaveintakingholdofthefirstthingthatstartsup，andaccommodatingittothehumourandcapacityofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodo。Princesdonotmuchaffectsoliddiscourses，norI
　　totellstories。Thefirstandeasiestreasons，whicharecommonlythebesttaken，Iknownothowtoemploy:Iamanilloratortothecommonsort。IamaptofeverythingtosaytheextremestthatIknow。Ciceroisofopinionthatintreatisesofphilosophytheexordiumisthehardestpart;ifthisbetrue，Iamwiseinstickingtotheconclusion。Andyetwearetoknowhowtowindthestringtoallnotes，andthesharpestisthatwhichisthemostseldomtouched。Thereisatleastasmuchperfectioninelevatinganemptyasinsupportingaweightything。Amanmustsometimessuperficiallyhandlethings，andsometimespushthemhome。
　　Iknowverywellthatmostmenkeepthemselvesinthislowerformfromnotconceivingthingsotherwisethanbythisoutwardbark;butIlikewiseknowthatthegreatestmasters，andXenophonandPlatoareoftenseentostooptothislowandpopularmannerofspeakingandtreatingofthings，butsupportingitwithgraceswhichneverfailthem。
　　Farther，mylanguagehasnothinginitthatisfacileandpolished;’tisrough，free，andirregular，andassuchpleases，ifnotmyjudgment，atalleventsmyinclination，butIverywellperceivethatIsometimesgivemyselftoomuchrein，andthatbyendeavouringtoavoidartandaffectationIfallintotheotherinconvenience:
　　"Brevisesselaboro，Obscurusfio。"
　　[Endeavouringtobebrief，Ibecomeobscure。"
　　——Hor。，Art。Poet。，25。]
　　Platosays，thatthelongortheshortarenotproperties，thateithertakeawayorgivevaluetolanguage。ShouldIattempttofollowtheothermoremoderate，united，andregularstyle，Ishouldneverattaintoit;andthoughtheshortroundperiodsofSallustbestsuitwithmyhumour，yetIfindCaesarmuchgranderandhardertoimitate;andthoughmyinclinationwouldratherpromptmetoimitateSeneca’swayofwriting，yetIdoneverthelessmoreesteemthatofPlutarch。BothindoingandspeakingIsimplyfollowmyownnaturalway;whence，peradventure，itfallsoutthatIambetteratspeakingthanwriting。Motionandactionanimatewords，especiallyinthosewholayaboutthembriskly，asIdo，andgrowhot。Thecomportment，thecountenance;thevoice，therobe，theplace，willsetoffsomethingsthatofthemselveswouldappearnobetterthanprating。MessallacomplainsinTacitusofthestraitnessofsomegarmentsinhistime，andofthefashionofthebencheswheretheoratorsweretodeclaim，thatwereadisadvantagetotheireloquence。
　　MyFrenchtongueiscorrupted，bothinthepronunciationandotherwise，bythebarbarismofmycountry。Ineversawamanwhowasanativeofanyoftheprovincesonthissideofthekingdomwhohadnotatwangofhisplaceofbirth，andthatwasnotoffensivetoearsthatwerepurelyFrench。AndyetitisnotthatIamsoperfectinmyPerigordin:forI
　　cannomorespeakitthanHighDutch，nordoImuchcare。’Tisalanguage（astherestaboutmeoneveryside，ofPoitou，Xaintonge，Angoumousin，Limousin，Auvergne），apoor，drawling，scurvylanguage。
　　Thereis，indeed，aboveustowardsthemountainsasortofGasconspoken，thatIammightilytakenwith:blunt，brief，significant，andintruthamoremanlyandmilitarylanguagethananyotherIamacquaintedwith，assinewy，powerful，andpertinentastheFrenchisgraceful，neat，andluxuriant。
　　AstotheLatin，whichwasgivenmeformymothertongue，Ihavebydiscontinuancelosttheuseofspeakingit，and，indeed，ofwritingittoo，whereinIformerlyhadaparticularreputation，bywhichyoumayseehowinconsiderableIamonthatside。
　　Beautyisathingofgreatrecommendationinthecorrespondenceamongstmen;’tisthefirstmeansofacquiringthefavourandgoodlikingofoneanother，andnomanissobarbarousandmoroseasnottoperceivehimselfinsomesortstruckwithitsattraction。Thebodyhasagreatshareinourbeing，hasaneminentplacethere，andthereforeitsstructureandcompositionareofveryjustconsideration。Theywhogoabouttodisuniteandseparateourtwoprincipalpartsfromoneanotheraretoblame;wemust，onthecontrary，reuniteandrejointhem。Wemustcommandthesoulnottowithdrawandentertainitselfapart，nottodespiseandabandonthebody（neithercanshedoitbutbysomeapishcounterfeit），buttouniteherselfclosetoit，toembrace，cherish，assist，govern，andadviseit，andtobringitbackandsetitintothetruewaywhenitwanders;insum，toespouseandbeahusbandtoit，sothattheireffectsmaynotappeartobediverseandcontrary，butuniformandconcurring。Christianshaveaparticularinstructionconcerningthisconnection，fortheyknowthattheDivinejusticeembracesthissocietyandjunctureofbodyandsoul，eventothemakingthebodycapableofeternalrewards;andthatGodhasaneyetothewholeman’sways，andwillsthathereceiveentirechastisementorrewardaccordingtohisdemeritsormerits。ThesectofthePeripatetics，ofallsectsthemostsociable，attributetowisdomthissolecareequallytoprovideforthegoodofthesetwoassociateparts:andtheothersects，innotsufficientlyapplyingthemselvestotheconsiderationofthismixture，showthemselvestobedivided，oneforthebodyandtheotherforthesoul，withequalerror，andtohavelostsightoftheirsubject，whichisMan，andtheirguide，whichtheygenerallyconfesstobeNature。Thefirstdistinctionthateverwasamongstmen，andthefirstconsiderationthatgavesomepre—eminenceoverothers，’tislikelywastheadvantageofbeauty:
　　"AgrosdivisereatquededereProfaciecujusque，etviribusingenioque;
　　Namfaciesmultumvaluit，viresquevigebant。"
　　["Theydistributedandconferredthelandstoeverymanaccordingtohisbeautyandstrengthandunderstanding，forbeautywasmuchesteemedandstrengthwasinfavour。"——Lucretius，V。1109。]
　　NowIamofsomethinglowerthanthemiddlestature，adefectthatnotonlybordersupondeformity，butcarrieswithalagreatdealofinconveniencealongwithit，especiallyforthosewhoareinofficeandcommand;fortheauthoritywhichagracefulpresenceandamajesticmienbegetiswanting。C。Mariusdidnotwillinglyenlistanysoldierswhowerenotsixfeethigh。TheCourtierhas，indeed，reasontodesireamoderatestatureinthegentlemenheissettingforth，ratherthananyother，andtorejectallstrangenessthatshouldmakehimbepointedat。
　　ButifIweretochoosewhetherthismediummustberatherbelowthanabovethecommonstandard，Iwouldnothaveitsoinasoldier。Littlemen，saysAristotle，arepretty，butnothandsome;andgreatnessofsoulisdiscoveredinagreatbody，asbeautyisinaconspicuousstature:theEthiopiansandIndians，sayshe，inchoosingtheirkingsandmagistrates，hadregardtothebeautyandstatureoftheirpersons。Theyhadreason;
　　foritcreatesrespectinthosewhofollowthem，andisaterrortotheenemy，toseealeaderofabraveandgoodlystaturemarchattheheadofabattalion:
　　"IpseinterprimospraestanticorporeTurnusVertiturarma，tenens，ettotoverticesupraest。"
　　["InthefirstrankmarchesTurnus，brandishinghisweapon，tallerbyaheadthanalltherest。"——Virgil，AEneid，vii。783。]
　　Ourholyandheavenlyking，ofwhomeverycircumstanceismostcarefullyandwiththegreatestreligionandreverencetobeobserved，hasnothimselfrejectedbodilyrecommendation，"Speciosusformapraefiliishominum。"
　　["Heisfairerthanthechildrenofmen。"——Psalmxiv。3。]
　　AndPlato，togetherwithtemperanceandfortitude，requiresbeautyintheconservatorsofhisrepublic。ItwouldvexyouthatamanshouldapplyhimselftoyouamongstyourservantstoinquirewhereMonsieuris，andthatyoushouldonlyhavetheremainderofthecomplimentofthehatthatismadetoyourbarberoryoursecretary;asithappenedtopoorPhilopoemen，whoarrivingthefirstofallhiscompanyataninnwherehewasexpected，thehostess，whoknewhimnot，andsawhimanunsightlyfellow，employedhimtogohelphermaidsalittletodrawwater，andmakeafireagainstPhilopoemen’scoming;thegentlemenofhistrainarrivingpresentlyafter，andsurprisedtoseehimbusyinthisfineemployment，forhefailednottoobeyhislandlady’scommand，askedhimwhathewasdoingthere:"Iam，"saidhe，"payingthepenaltyofmyugliness。"Theotherbeautiesbelongtowomen;thebeautyofstatureistheonlybeautyofmen。Wherethereisacontemptiblestature，neitherthelargenessandroundnessoftheforehead，northewhitenessandsweetnessoftheeyes，northemoderateproportionofthenose，northelittlenessoftheearsandmouth，northeevennessandwhitenessoftheteeth，northethicknessofawell—setbrownbeard，shininglikethehuskofachestnut，norcurledhair，northejustproportionofthehead，norafreshcomplexion，norapleasingairofaface，norabodywithoutanyoffensivescent，northejustproportionoflimbs，canmakeahandsomeman。Iam，astotherest，strongandwellknit;myfaceisnotpuffed，butfull，andmycomplexionbetwixtjovialandmelancholic，moderatelysanguineandhot，"Underigentsetismihicrura，etpectoravillis;"
　　["Whence’tismylegsandbreastbristlewithhair。"
　　——Martial，ii。36，5。]
　　myhealthvigorousandsprightly，eventoawelladvancedage，andrarelytroubledwithsickness。SuchIwas，forIdonotnowmakeanyaccountofmyself，nowthatIamengagedintheavenuesofoldage，beingalreadypastforty:
　　"MinutatimviresetroburadultumFrangit，etinpartempejoremliquituraetas:"
　　["Timebydegreesbreaksourstrengthandmakesusgrowfeeble。
　　——"Lucretius，ii。1131。]
　　whatshallbefromthistimeforward，willbebutahalf—being，andnomoreme:Ieverydayescapeandstealawayfrommyself:
　　"Singuladenobisannipraedantureuntes。"
　　["Ofthefleetingyearseachstealssomethingfromme。"
　　——Horace，Ep。，ii。2。]
　　AgilityandaddressIneverhad，andyetamthesonofaveryactiveandsprightlyfather，whocontinuedtobesotoanextremeoldage。Ihavescarceknownanymanofhiscondition，hisequalinallbodilyexercises，asIhaveseldommetwithanywhohavenotexcelledme，exceptinrunning，atwhichIwasprettygood。Inmusicorsinging，forwhichI
　　haveaveryunfitvoice，ortoplayonanysortofinstrument，theycouldneverteachmeanything。Indancing，tennis，orwrestling，Icouldneverarrivetomorethananordinarypitch;inswimming，fencing，vaulting，andleaping，tononeatall。MyhandsaresoclumsythatIcannotevenwritesoastoreaditmyself，sothatIhadratherdowhatIhavescribbledoveragain，thantakeuponmethetroubletomakeitout。IdonotreadmuchbetterthanIwrite，andfeelthatIwearymyauditorsotherwise（Iam）notabadclerk。Icannotdecentlyfoldupaletter，norcouldevermakeapen，orcarveattableworthapin，norsaddleahorse，norcarryahawkandflyher，norhuntthedogs，norlureahawk，norspeaktoahorse。Infine，mybodilyqualitiesareverywellsuitedtothoseofmysoul;thereisnothingsprightly，onlyafullandfirmvigour:Iampatientenoughoflabourandpains，butitisonlywhenIgovoluntarytowork，andonlysolongasmyowndesirepromptsmetoit:
　　"Molliterausterumstudiofallentelaborem。"
　　["Studysoftlybeguilingseverelabour。"
　　——Horace，Sat。，ii。2，12。]
　　otherwise，ifIamnotalluredwithsomepleasure，orhaveotherguidethanmyownpureandfreeinclination，Iamgoodfornothing:forIamofahumourthat，lifeandhealthexcepted，thereisnothingforwhichI
　　willbitemynails，andthatIwillpurchaseatthepriceoftormentofmindandconstraint:
　　"TantimihinonsitopaciOmnisarenaTagi，quodqueinmarevolvituraurum。"
　　["IwouldnotbuyrichTagussandssodear，norallthegoldthatliesinthesea。"——Juvenal，Sat。，iii。54。]
　　Extremelyidle，extremelygivenuptomyowninclinationbothbynatureandart，Iwouldaswillinglylendamanmybloodasmypains。Ihaveasoulfreeandentirelyitsown，andaccustomedtoguideitselfafteritsownfashion;havinghithertoneverhadeithermasterorgovernorimposeduponme:IhavewalkedasfarasIwould，andatthepacethatbestpleasedmyself;thisisitthathasrenderedmeunfitfortheserviceofothers，andhasmademeofnousetoanyonebutmyself。
　　Norwasthereanyneedofforcingmyheavyandlazydisposition;forbeingborntosuchafortuneasIhadreasontobecontentedwith（areason，nevertheless，thatathousandothersofmyacquaintancewouldhaverathermadeuseofforaplankuponwhichtopassoverinsearchofhigherfortune，totumultanddisquiet），andwithasmuchintelligenceasIrequired，Isoughtfornomore，andalsogotnomore:
　　"NonagimurtumidisvelisAquilonesecundo，NontamenadversisaetatemducimusAustrisViribus，ingenio，specie，virtute，loco，re，Extremiprimorum，extremisusquepriores。"
　　["Thenorthernwinddoesnotagitateoursails;norAustertroubleourcoursewithstorms。Instrength，talent，figure，virtue，honour，wealth，weareshortoftheforemost，butbeforethelast。"—
　　—Horace，Ep。，ii。2，201。]
　　Ihadonlyneedofwhatwassufficienttocontentme:whichneverthelessisagovernmentofsoul，totakeitright，equallydifficultinallsortsofconditions，andthat，ofcustom，weseemoreeasilyfoundinwantthaninabundance:forasmuch，peradventure，asaccordingtothecourseofourotherpassions，thedesireofrichesismoresharpenedbytheirusethanbytheneedofthem:andthevirtueofmoderationmorerarethanthatofpatience;andIneverhadanythingtodesire，buthappilytoenjoytheestatethatGodbyHisbountyhadputintomyhands。Ihaveneverknownanythingoftrouble，andhavehadlittletodoinanythingbutthemanagementofmyownaffairs:or，ifIhave，ithasbeenuponconditiontodoitatmyownleisureandaftermyownmethod;committedtomytrustbysuchashadaconfidenceinme，whodidnotimportuneme，andwhoknewmyhumour;forgoodhorsemenwillmakeshifttogetserviceoutofarustyandbroken—windedjade。
　　Evenmyinfancywastrainedupafteragentleandfreemanner，andexemptfromanyrigoroussubjection。Allthishashelpedmetoacomplexiondelicateandincapableofsolicitude，eventothatdegreethatIlovetohavemylossesandthedisorderswhereinIamconcerned，concealedfromme。Intheaccountofmyexpenses，Iputdownwhatmynegligencecostsmeinfeedingandmaintainingit;
　　"Haecnempesupersunt，Quaedominumfallunt，quaeprosuntfuribus。"
　　["Thatoverplus，whichtheownerknowsnotof，butwhichbenefitsthethieves"——Horace，Ep。，i。645]
　　IlovenottoknowwhatIhave，thatImaybelesssensibleofmyloss;
　　Ientreatthosewhoserveme，whereaffectionandintegrityareabsent，todeceivemewithsomethinglikeadecentappearance。Forwantofconstancyenoughtosupporttheshockofadverseaccidentstowhichwearesubject，andofpatienceseriouslytoapplymyselftothemanagementofmyaffairs，InourishasmuchasIcanthisinmyself，whollyleavingalltofortune"totakeallthingsattheworst，andtoresolvetobearthatworstwithtemperandpatience";thatistheonlythingIaimat，andtowhichIapplymywholemeditation。Inadanger，IdonotsomuchconsiderhowIshallescapeit，asofhowlittleimportanceitis，whetherIescapeitorno:shouldIbeleftdeadupontheplace，whatmatter？Notbeingabletogovernevents，Igovernmyself，andapplymyselftothem，iftheywillnotapplythemselvestome。Ihavenogreatarttoevade，escapefromorforcefortune，andbyprudencetoguideandinclinethingstomyownbias。Ihavestilllesspatiencetoundergothetroublesomeandpainfulcarethereinrequired;andthemostuneasyconditionformeistobesuspendedonurgentoccasions，andtobeagitatedbetwixthopeandfear。
　　Deliberation，eveninthingsoflightestmoment，isverytroublesometome;andIfindmymindmoreputtoittoundergothevarioustumblingsandtossingsofdoubtandconsultation，thantosetupitsrestandtoacquiesceinwhatevershallhappenafterthedieisthrown。Fewpassionsbreakmysleep，butofdeliberations，theleastwilldoit。Asinroads，Ipreferablyavoidthosethatareslopingandslippery，andputmyselfintothebeatentrackhowdirtyordeepsoever，whereIcanfallnolower，andthereseekmysafety:soIlovemisfortunesthatarepurelyso，thatdonottormentandteasemewiththeuncertaintyoftheirgrowingbetter;butthatatthefirstpushplungemedirectlyintotheworstthatcanbeexpected"Dubiaplustorquentmala。"
　　[Doubtfulillsplagueusworst。"
　　——Seneca，Agamemnon，iii。1，29。]
　　IneventsIcarrymyselflikeaman;inconduct，likeachild。Thefearofthefallmorefeversmethanthefallitself。Thegameisnotworththecandle。Thecovetousmanfaresworsewithhispassionthanthepoor，andthejealousmanthanthecuckold;andamanofttimeslosesmorebydefendinghisvineyardthanifhegaveitup。Thelowestwalkisthesafest;’tistheseatofconstancy;youhavethereneedofnoonebutyourself;’tistherefoundedandwhollystandsuponitsownbasis。Hasnotthisexampleofagentlemanverywellknown，someairofphilosophyinit？Hemarried，beingwelladvancedinyears，havingspenthisyouthingoodfellowship，agreattalkerandagreatjeerer，callingtomindhowmuchthesubjectofcuckoldryhadgivenhimoccasiontotalkandscoffatothers。Topreventthemfrompayinghiminhisowncoin，hemarriedawifefromaplacewhereanyonefindswhathewantsforhismoney:"Goodmorrow，strumpet";"Goodmorrow，cuckold";andtherewasnotanythingwherewithhemorecommonlyandopenlyentertainedthosewhocametoseehimthanwiththisdesignofhis，bywhichhestoppedtheprivatechatteringofmockers，andbluntedallthepointfromthisreproach。
　　Astoambition，whichisneighbour，orratherdaughter，topresumption，fortune，toadvanceme，musthavecomeandtakenmebythehand;fortotroublemyselfforanuncertainhope，andtohavesubmittedmyselftoallthedifficultiesthataccompanythosewhoendeavourtobringthemselvesintocreditinthebeginningoftheirprogress，Icouldneverhavedoneit:
　　"Spempretiononemo。"
　　["Iwillnotpurchasehopewithreadymoney，"（or），"Idonotpurchasehopeataprice。"
　　——Terence，Adelphi，ii。3，11。]
　　IapplymyselftowhatIseeandtowhatIhaveinmyhand，andgonotveryfarfromtheshore，"Alterremusaquas，altertibiradatarenas:"
　　["Oneoarplungingintothesea，theotherrakingthesands。"
　　——Propertius，iii。3，23。]
　　andbesides，amanrarelyarrivesattheseadvancementsbutinfirsthazardingwhathehasofhisown;andIamofopinionthatifamanhavesufficienttomaintainhimintheconditionwhereinhewasbornandbroughtup，’tisagreatfollytohazardthatupontheuncertaintyofaugmentingit。Hetowhomfortunehasdeniedwhereontosethisfoot，andtosettleaquietandcomposedwayofliving，istobeexcusedifheventurewhathehas，because，happenwhatwill，necessityputshimuponshiftingforhimself:
　　"Capiendarebusinmalispraecepsviaest:"
　　["Acourseistobetakeninbadcases。"（or），"Adesperatecasemusthaveadesperatecourse。"
　　———Seneca，Agamemnon，ii。1，47。]
　　andIratherexcuseayoungerbrotherforexposingwhathisfriendshavelefthimtothecourtesyoffortune，thanhimwithwhomthehonourofhisfamilyisentrusted，whocannotbenecessitousbutbyhisownfault。
　　Ihavefoundamuchshorterandmoreeasyway，bytheadviceofthegoodfriendsIhadinmyyoungerdays，tofreemyselffromanysuchambition，andtositstill:
　　"Cuisitconditiodulcissinepulverepalmae:"
　　[Whatconditioncancomparewiththatwhereonehasgainedthepalmwithoutthedustofthecourse。"——Horace，Ep。，i。I，51。]
　　judgingrightlyenoughofmyownstrength，thatitwasnotcapableofanygreatmatters;andcallingtomindthesayingofthelateChancellorOlivier，thattheFrenchwerelikemonkeysthatswarmupatreefrombranchtobranch，andneverstoptilltheycometothehighest，andthereshewtheirbreech。
　　"Turpeest，quodnequeas，capiticommitterepondus，Etpressuminflexomoxdaretergagenu。"
　　["Itisashametoloadtheheadsothatitcannotbeartheburthen，andthekneesgiveway。"——Propertius，iii。9，5。]
　　IshouldfindthebestqualitiesIhaveuselessinthisage;thefacilityofmymannerswouldhavebeencalledweaknessandnegligence;myfaithandconscience，scrupulosityandsuperstition;mylibertyandfreedomwouldhavebeenreputedtroublesome，inconsiderate，andrash。Illluckisgoodforsomething。Itisgoodtobeborninaverydepravedage;forso，incomparisonofothers，youshallbereputedvirtuousgoodcheap;hewhoinourdaysisbutaparricideandasacrilegiouspersonisanhonestmanandamanofhonour:
　　"Nunc，sidepositumnoninficiaturamicus，Sireddatveteremcumtotaaeruginefollem，Prodigiosafides，etTuscisdignalibellis，Quaequecoronatalustraridebeatagna:"
　　["Now，ifafrienddoesnotdenyhistrust，butrestorestheoldpursewithallitsrust;’tisaprodigiousfaith，worthytobeenrolledinamongsttheTuscanannals，andacrownedlambshouldbesacrificedtosuchexemplaryintegrity。"——Juvenal，Sat。，xiii。611。]
　　andneverwastimeorplacewhereinprincesmightproposetothemselvesmoreassuredorgreaterrewardsforvirtueandjustice。Thefirstwhoshallmakeithisbusinesstogethimselfintofavourandesteembythoseways，Iammuchdeceivedifhedonotandbythebesttitleoutstriphiscompetitors:forceandviolencecandosomething，butnotalwaysall。
　　Weseemerchants，countryjustices，andartisansgocheekbyjowlwiththebestgentryinvalourandmilitaryknowledge:theyperformhonourableactions，bothinpublicengagementsandprivatequarrels;theyfightduels，theydefendtownsinourpresentwars;aprincestifleshisspecialrecommendation，renown，inthiscrowd;lethimshinebrightinhumanity，truth，loyalty，temperance，andespeciallyinjustice;marksrare，unknown，andexiled;’tisbynoothermeansbutbythesolegoodwillofthepeoplethathecandohisbusiness;andnootherqualitiescanattracttheirgoodwilllikethose，asbeingofthegreatestutilitytothem:
　　"Nilesttampopulare，quambonitas。"
　　["Nothingissopopularasanagreeablemanner（goodness）。"
　　——Cicero，ProLigar。，c。12。]
　　BythisstandardIhadbeengreatandrare，justasIfindmyselfnowpigmyandvulgarbythestandardofsomepastages，wherein，ifnootherbetterqualitiesconcurred，itwasordinaryandcommontoseeamanmoderateinhisrevenges，gentleinresentinginjuries，religiousofhisword，neitherdoublenorsupple，noraccommodatinghisfaithtothewillofothers，ortheturnsofthetimes:Iwouldratherseeallaffairsgotowreckandruinthanfalsifymyfaithtosecurethem。Forastothisnewvirtueoffeigninganddissimulation，whichisnowinsogreatcredit，Imortallyhateit;andofallvicesfindnonethatevidencessomuchbasenessandmeannessofspirit。’Tisacowardlyandservilehumourtohideanddisguiseaman’sselfunderavisor，andnottodaretoshowhimselfwhatheis;’tisbythisourservantsaretraineduptotreachery;beingbroughtuptospeakwhatisnottrue，theymakenoconscienceofalie。Agenerousheartoughtnottobelieitsownthoughts;itwillmakeitselfseenwithin;allthereisgood，oratleasthuman。Aristotlereputesittheofficeofmagnanimityopenlyandprofessedlytoloveandhate;tojudgeandspeakwithallfreedom;andnottovaluetheapprobationordislikeofothersincomparisonoftruth。
　　Apolloniussaiditwasforslavestolie，andforfreementospeaktruth:
　　’tisthechiefandfundamentalpartofvirtue;wemustloveitforitself。Hewhospeakstruthbecauseheisobligedsotodo，andbecauseitserveshim，andwhoisnotafraidtoliewhenitsignifiesnothingtoanybody，isnotsufficientlytrue。Mysoulnaturallyabominateslying，andhatestheverythoughtofit。Ihaveaninwardshameandasharpremorse，ifsometimesalieescapesme:assometimesitdoes，beingsurprisedbyoccasionsthatallowmenopremeditation。Amanmustnotalwaystellall，forthatwerefolly:butwhatamansaysshouldbewhathethinks，otherwise’tisknavery。Idonotknowwhatadvantagemenpretendtobyeternallycounterfeitinganddissembling，ifnotnevertobebelievedwhentheyspeakthetruth;itmayonceortwicepasswithmen;buttoprofesstheconcealingtheirthought，andtobrag，assomeofourprinceshavedone，thattheywouldburntheirshirtsiftheyknewtheirtrueintentions，whichwasasayingoftheancientMetelliusofMacedon;andthattheywhoknownothowtodissembleknownothowtorule，istogivewarningtoallwhohaveanythingtodowiththem，thatalltheysayisnothingbutlyinganddeceit:
　　"Quoquisversutioretcallidiorest，hocinvisioretsuspectior，detractoopinioneprobitatis:"
　　["Byhowmuchanyoneismoresubtleandcunning，bysomuchishehatedandsuspected，theopinionofhisintegritybeingwithdrawn。"
　　——Cicero，DeOff。，ii。9。]
　　itwereagreatsimplicityinanyonetolayanystresseitheronthecountenanceorwordofamanwhohasputonaresolutiontobealwaysanotherthingwithoutthanheiswithin，asTiberiusdid;andIcannotconceivewhatpartsuchpersonscanhaveinconversationwithmen，seeingtheyproducenothingthatisreceivedastrue:whoeverisdisloyaltotruthisthesametofalsehoodalso。
　　Thoseofourtimewhohaveconsideredintheestablishmentofthedutyofaprincethegoodofhisaffairsonly，andhavepreferredthattothecareofhisfaithandconscience，mighthavesomethingtosaytoaprincewhoseaffairsfortunehadputintosuchaposturethathemightforeverestablishthembyonlyoncebreakinghisword:butitwillnotgoso;
　　theyoftenbuyinthesamemarket;theymakemorethanonepeaceandenterintomorethanonetreatyintheirlives。Gaintemptstothefirstbreachoffaith，andalmostalwayspresentsitself，asinallotherillacts，sacrileges，murders，rebellions，treasons，asbeingundertakenforsomekindofadvantage;butthisfirstgainhasinfinitemischievousconsequences，throwingthisprinceoutofallcorrespondenceandnegotiation，bythisexampleofinfidelity。Soliman，oftheOttomanrace，aracenotverysolicitousofkeepingtheirwordsorcompacts，when，inmyinfancy，hemadehisarmylandatOtranto，beinginformedthatMercurinode’GratinareandtheinhabitantsofCastroweredetainedprisoners，afterhavingsurrenderedtheplace，contrarytothearticlesoftheircapitulation，sentorderstohavethemsetatliberty，saying，thathavingothergreatenterprisesinhandinthoseparts，thedisloyalty，thoughitcarriedashowofpresentutility，wouldforthefuturebringonhimadisreputeanddistrustofinfiniteprejudice。