Now，formypart，Ihadratherbetroublesomeandindiscreetthanaflattererandadissembler。IconfessthattheremaybesomemixtureofprideandobstinacyinkeepingmyselfsouprightandopenasIdo，withoutanyconsiderationofothers;andmethinksIamalittletoofree，whereIoughtleasttobeso，andthatIgrowhotbytheoppositionofrespect;anditmaybealso，thatIsuffermyselftofollowthepropensionofmyownnatureforwantofart;usingthesameliberty，speech，andcountenancetowardsgreatpersons，thatIbringwithmefrommyownhouse:Iamsensiblehowmuchitdeclinestowardsincivilityandindiscretionbut，besidesthatIamsobred，Ihavenotawitsuppleenoughtoevadeasuddenquestion，andtoescapebysomeevasion，nortofeignatruth，normemoryenoughtoretainitsofeigned;nor，truly，assuranceenoughtomaintainit，andsoplaythebraveoutofweakness。
AndthereforeitisthatIabandonmyselftocandour，alwaystospeakasIthink，bothbycomplexionanddesign，leavingtheeventtofortune。
Aristippuswaswonttosay，thattheprincipalbenefithehadextractedfromphilosophywasthathespokefreelyandopenlytoall。
Memoryisafacultyofwonderfuluse，andwithoutwhichthejudgmentcanveryhardlyperformitsoffice:formypartIhavenoneatall。Whatanyonewillpropoundtome，hemustdoitpiecemeal，fortoansweraspeechconsistingofseveralheadsIamnotable。Icouldnotreceiveacommissionbywordofmouthwithoutanote—book。AndwhenIhaveaspeechofconsequencetomake，ifitbelong，Iamreducedtothemiserablenecessityofgettingbyheartwordforword，whatIamtosay;
Ishouldotherwisehaveneithermethodnorassurance，beinginfearthatmymemorywouldplaymeaslipperytrick。Butthiswayisnolessdifficulttomethantheother;Imusthavethreehourstolearnthreeverses。Andbesides，inaworkofaman’sown，thelibertyandauthorityofalteringtheorder，ofchangingaword，incessantlyvaryingthematter，makesithardertostickinthememoryoftheauthor。ThemoreImistrustittheworseitis;itservesmebestbychance;Imustsolicititnegligently;forifIpressit，’tisconfused，andafteritoncebeginstostagger，themoreIsoundit，themoreitisperplexed;
itservesmeatitsownhour，notatmine。
AndthesamedefectIfindinmymemory，Ifindalsoinseveralotherparts。Iflycommand，obligation，andconstraint;thatwhichIcanotherwisenaturallyandeasilydo，ifIimposeituponmyselfbyanexpressandstrictinjunction，Icannotdoit。Eventhemembersofmybody，whichhaveamoreparticularjurisdictionoftheirown，sometimesrefusetoobeyme，ifIenjointhemanecessaryserviceatacertainhour。Thistyrannicalandcompulsiveappointmentbafflesthem;theyshrinkupeitherthroughfearorspite，andfallintoatrance。Beingonceinaplacewhereitislookeduponasbarbarousdiscourtesynottopledgethosewhodrinktoyou，thoughIhadtherealllibertyallowedme，Itriedtoplaythegoodfellow，outofrespecttotheladieswhowerethere，accordingtothecustomofthecountry;buttherewassportenoughforthispressureandpreparation，toforcemyselfcontrarytomycustomandinclination，sostoppedmythroatthatIcouldnotswallowonedrop，andwasdeprivedofdrinkingsomuchaswithmymeat;Ifoundmyselfgorged，andmy，thirstquenchedbythequantityofdrinkthatmyimaginationhadswallowed。Thiseffectismostmanifestinsuchashavethemostvehementandpowerfulimagination:butitisnatural，notwithstanding，andthereisnoonewhodoesnotinsomemeasurefeelit。Theyofferedanexcellentarcher，condemnedtodie，tosavehislife，ifhewouldshowsomenotableproofofhisart，butherefusedtotry，fearinglestthetoogreatcontentionofhiswillshouldmakehimshootwide，andthatinsteadofsavinghislife，heshouldalsolosethereputationhehadgotofbeingagoodmarksman。Amanwhothinksofsomethingelse，willnotfailtotakeoverandoveragainthesamenumberandmeasureofsteps，eventoaninch，intheplacewherehewalks;butifhemadeithisbusinesstomeasureandcountthem，hewillfindthatwhathedidbynatureandaccident，hecannotsoexactlydobydesign。
Mylibrary，whichisafineoneamongthoseofthevillagetype，issituatedinacornerofmyhouse;ifanythingcomesintomyheadthatI
haveamindtosearchortowrite，lestIshouldforgetitinbutgoingacrossthecourt，Iamfaintocommitittothememoryofsomeother。
IfIventureinspeakingtodigressneversolittlefrommysubject，Iaminfalliblylost，whichisthereasonthatIkeepmyself，indiscourse，strictlyclose。Iamforcedtocallthemenwhoservemeeitherbythenamesoftheirofficesortheircountry;fornamesareveryhardformetoremember。Icantellindeedthattherearethreesyllables，thatithasaharshsound，andthatitbeginsorendswithsuchaletter;butthat’sall;andifIshouldlivelong，IdonotdoubtbutIshouldforgetmyownname，assomeothershavedone。MessalaCorvinuswastwoyearswithoutanytraceofmemory，whichisalsosaidofGeorgiusTrapezuntius。
Formyowninterest，Ioftenmeditatewhatakindoflifetheirswas，andif，withoutthisfaculty，Ishouldhaveenoughlefttosupportmewithanymannerofease;andpryingnarrowlyintoit，Ifearthatthisprivation，ifabsolute，destroysalltheotherfunctionsofthesoul:
"Plenusrimarumsum，hacatqueiliacperfluo。"
["I’mfullofchinks，andleakouteveryway。"
——Ter。，Eunuchus，ii。2，23。]
IthasbefallenmemorethanoncetoforgetthewatchwordIhadthreehoursbeforegivenorreceived，andtoforgetwhereIhadhiddenmypurse;whateverCiceroispleasedtosay，IhelpmyselftolosewhatI
haveaparticularcaretolocksafeup:
"MemoriacertenonmodoPhilosophiamsedomnisvitaeusum，omnesqueartes，unamaximecontinet。"
["Itiscertainthatmemorycontainsnotonlyphilosophy，butalltheartsandallthatappertaintotheuseoflife。"
——Cicero，Acad。，ii。7。]
Memoryisthereceptacleandcaseofscience:andthereforeminebeingsotreacherous，ifIknowlittle，Icannotmuchcomplain。Iknow，ingeneral，thenamesofthearts，andofwhattheytreat，butnothingmore。
Iturnoverbooks;Idonotstudythem。WhatIretainInolongerrecogniseasanother’s;’tisonlywhatmyjudgmenthasmadeitsadvantageof，thediscoursesandimaginationsinwhichithasbeeninstructed:theauthor，place，words，andothercircumstances，Iimmediatelyforget;andIamsoexcellentatforgetting，thatInolessforgetmyownwritingsandcompositionsthantherest。Iamveryoftenquotedtomyself，andamnotawareofit。WhoevershouldinquireofmewhereIhadtheversesandexamples，thatIhaveherehuddledtogether，wouldpuzzlemetotellhim，andyetIhavenotborrowedthembutfromfamousandknownauthors，notcontentingmyselfthattheywererich，ifI，moreover，hadthemnotfromrichandhonourablehands，wherethereisaconcurrenceofauthoritywithreason。Itisnogreatwonderifmybookrunthesamefortunethatotherbooksdo，ifmymemorylosewhatIhavewrittenaswellaswhatIhaveread，andwhatIgive，aswellaswhatIreceive。
Besidesthedefectofmemory，Ihaveotherswhichverymuchcontributetomyignorance;Ihaveaslowandheavywit，theleastcloudstopsitsprogress，sothat，forexample，Ineverproposetoitanyneversoeasyariddlethatitcouldfindout;thereisnottheleastidlesubtletythatwillnotgravelme;ingames，wherewitisrequired，aschess，draughts，andthelike，Iunderstandnomorethanthecommonmovements。Ihaveaslowandperplexedapprehension，butwhatitonceapprehends，itapprehendswell，forthetimeitretainsit。Mysightisperfect，entire，anddiscoversataverygreatdistance，butissoonwearyandheavyatwork，whichoccasionsthatIcannotreadlong，butamforcedtohaveonetoreadtome。TheyoungerPlinycaninformsuchashavenotexperimenteditthemselves，howimportantanimpedimentthisistothosewhodevotethemselvestothisemployment。
Thereisnosowretchedandcoarseasoul，whereinsomeparticularfacultyisnotseentoshine;nosoulsoburiedinslothandignorance，butitwillsallyatoneendoranother;andhowitcomestopassthatamanblindandasleeptoeverythingelse，shallbefoundsprightly，clear，andexcellentinsomeoneparticulareffect，wearetoinquireofourmasters:butthebeautifulsoulsaretheythatareuniversal，open，andreadyforallthings;ifnotinstructed，atleastcapableofbeingso;
whichIsaytoaccusemyown;forwhetheritbethroughinfirmityornegligence（andtoneglectthatwhichliesatourfeet，whichwehaveinourhands，andwhatnearestconcernstheuseoflife，isfarfrommydoctrine）thereisnotasoulintheworldsoawkwardasmine，andsoignorantofmanycommonthings，andsuchasamancannotwithoutshamefailtoknow。Imustgivesomeexamples。
Iwasbornandbredupinthecountry，andamongsthusbandmen;Ihavehadbusinessandhusbandryinmyownhandseversincemypredecessors，whowerelordsoftheestateInowenjoy，leftmetosucceedthem;andyetI
canneithercastaccounts，norreckonmycounters:mostofourcurrentmoneyIdonotknow，northedifferencebetwixtonegrainandanother，eithergrowingorinthebarn，ifitbenottooapparent，andscarcelycandistinguishbetweenthecabbageandlettuceinmygarden。Idonotsomuchasunderstandthenamesofthechiefinstrumentsofhusbandry，northemostordinaryelementsofagriculture，whichtheverychildrenknow:muchlessthemechanicarts，traffic，merchandise，thevarietyandnatureoffruits，wines，andviands，norhowtomakeahawkfly，nortophysicahorseoradog。And，sinceImustpublishmywholeshame，’tisnotaboveamonthago，thatIwastrappedinmyignoranceoftheuseofleaventomakebread，ortowhatenditwastokeepwineinthevat。
TheyconjecturedofoldatAthens，anaptitudeforthemathematicsinhimtheysawingeniouslybavinupaburthenofbrushwood。Inearnest，theywoulddrawaquitecontraryconclusionfromme，forgivemethewholeprovisionandnecessariesofakitchen，Ishouldstarve。Bythesefeaturesofmyconfessionmenmayimagineotherstomyprejudice:butwhateverIdelivermyselftobe，provideditbesuchasIreallyam，Ihavemyend;neitherwillImakeanyexcuseforcommittingtopapersuchmeanandfrivolousthingsasthese:themeannessofthesubjectcompellsmetoit。Theymay，iftheyplease，accusemyproject，butnotmyprogress:soitis，thatwithoutanybody’sneedingtotellme，I
sufficientlyseeofhowlittleweightandvalueallthisis，andthefollyofmydesign:’tisenoughthatmyjudgmentdoesnotcontradictitself，ofwhichthesearetheessays。
"Nasutussisusquelicet，sisdeniquenasus，QuantumnolueritferrerogatusAtlas;
EtpossisipsumtoderidereLatinum，Nonpotesinnugasdicerepluramess，Ipseegoquamdixi:quiddentemdentejuvabitRodere？carneopusest，sisaturessevelis。
Neperdasoperam;quisemirantur，inillosVirushabe;noshaecnovimusessenihil。"
["Letyournosebeaskeenasitwill，beallnose，andevenanosesogreatthatAtlaswillrefusetobearit:ifasked，CouldyouevenexcelLatinusinscoffing;againstmytriflesyoucouldsaynomorethanImyselfhavesaid:thentowhatendcontendtoothagainsttooth？Youmusthaveflesh，ifyouwanttobefull;losenotyourlabourthen;castyourvenomuponthosethatadmirethemselves;I
knowalreadythatthesethingsareworthless。"——Mart。，xiii。2。]
Iamnotobligednottoutterabsurdities，providedIamnotdeceivedinthemandknowthemtobesuch:andtotripknowingly，issoordinarywithme，thatIseldomdoitotherwise，andrarelytripbychance。’Tisnogreatmattertoaddridiculousactionstothetemerityofmyhumour，sinceIcannotordinarilyhelpsupplyingitwiththosethatarevicious。
IwaspresentonedayatBarleduc，whenKingFrancisII。，foramemorialofRene，kingofSicily，waspresentedwithaportraithehaddrawnofhimself:whyisitnotinlikemannerlawfulforeveryonetodrawhimselfwithapen，ashedidwithacrayon？Iwillnot，therefore，omitthisblemishthoughveryunfittobepublished，whichisirresolution;averygreateffectandveryincommodiousinthenegotiationsoftheaffairsoftheworld;indoubtfulenterprises，Iknownotwhichtochoose:
"Nesi，neno，nelcormisuonaintero。"
["Myheartdoesnottellmeeitheryesorno。"——Petrarch。]
Icanmaintainanopinion，butIcannotchooseone。Byreasonthatinhumanthings，towhatsectsoeverweincline，manyappearancespresentthemselvesthatconfirmusinit;andthephilosopherChrysippussaid，thathewouldofZenoandCleanthes，hismasters，learntheirdoctrinesonly;for，astoproofsandreasons，heshouldfindenoughofhisown。
WhichwaysoeverIturn，Istillfurnishmyselfwithcauses，andlikelihoodenoughtofixmethere;whichmakesmedetaindoubtandthelibertyofchoosing，tilloccasionpresses;andthen，toconfessthetruth，I，forthemostpart，throwthefeatherintothewind，asthesayingis，andcommitmyselftothemercyoffortune;averylightinclinationandcircumstancecarriesmealongwithit。
"Dumindubioestanimus，paulomomentohucatqueIllucimpellitur。"
["Whilethemindisindoubt，inashorttimeitisimpelledthiswayandthat。"——Terence，Andr。，i。6，32。]
Theuncertaintyofmyjudgmentissoequallybalancedinmostoccurrences，thatIcouldwillinglyreferittobedecidedbythechanceofadie:andIobserve，withgreatconsiderationofourhumaninfirmity，theexamplesthatthedivinehistoryitselfhasleftusofthiscustomofreferringtofortuneandchancethedeterminationofelectionindoubtfulthings:
"SorsceciditsuperMatthiam。"
["ThelotfelluponMatthew。"——Actsi。26。]
Humanreasonisatwo—edgedanddangeroussword:observeinthehandsofSocrates，hermostintimateandfamiliarfriend，howmanyseveralpointsithas。Iamthusgoodfornothingbuttofollowandsuffermyselftobeeasilycarriedawaywiththecrowd;Ihavenotconfidenceenoughinmyownstrengthtotakeuponmetocommandandlead;Iamverygladtofindthewaybeatenbeforemebyothers。IfImustrunthehazardofanuncertainchoice，IamratherwillingtohaveitundersuchaoneasismoreconfidentinhisopinionsthanIaminmine，whosegroundandfoundationIfindtobeveryslipperyandunsure。
YetIdonoteasilychange，byreasonthatIdiscernthesameweaknessincontraryopinions:
"Ipsaconsuetudoassentiendipericulosaessevidetur，etlubrica;"
["Theverycustomofassentingseemstobedangerousandslippery。"——Cicero，Acad。，ii。21。]
especiallyinpoliticalaffairs，thereisalargefieldopenforchangesandcontestation:
"Justaparipremiturveluticumponderelibra，Prona，nechacpluspanesedet，necsurgitabilla。"
["Asajustbalance，pressedwithequalweight，neitherdipsnorrisesoneitherside。"——Tibullus，iv。41。]
Machiavelli’swritings，forexample，weresolidenoughforthesubject，yetweretheyeasyenoughtobecontroverted;andtheywhohavedoneso，haveleftasgreatafacilityofcontrovertingtheirs;therewasneverwantinginthatkindofargumentrepliesandrepliesuponreplies，andasinfiniteacontextureofdebatesasourwranglinglawyershaveextendedinfavouroflongsuits:
"Caedimurettotidemplagisconsumimushostem;"
["Weareslain，andwithasmanyblowskilltheenemy"（or），"Itisafightwhereinweexhausteachotherbymutualwounds。"
——Horace，Epist。，ii。2，97。]
thereasonshavelittleotherfoundationthanexperience，andthevarietyofhumaneventspresentinguswithinfiniteexamplesofallsortsofforms。Anunderstandingpersonofourtimessays:Thatwhoeverwould，incontradictiontoouralmanacs，writecoldwheretheysayhot，andwetwheretheysaydry，andalwaysputthecontrarytowhattheyforetell;ifheweretolayawager，hewouldnotcarewhichsidehetook，exceptingwherenouncertaintycouldfallout，astopromiseexcessiveheatsatChristmas，orextremityofcoldatMidsummer。Ihavethesameopinionofthesepoliticalcontroversies;beonwhichsideyouwill，youhaveasfairagametoplayasyouradversary，providedyoudonotproceedsofarastoshockprinciplesthatarebroadandmanifest。Andyet，inmyconceit，inpublicaffairs，thereisnogovernmentsoill，provideditbeancientandhasbeenconstant，thatisnotbetterthanchangeandalteration。
Ourmannersareinfinitelycorrupt，andwonderfullyinclinetotheworse;
ofourlawsandcustomstherearemanythatarebarbarousandmonstrousnevertheless，byreasonofthedifficultyofreformation，andthedangerofstirringthings，ifIcouldputsomethingundertostopthewheel，andkeepitwhereitis，Iwoulddoitwithallmyheart:
"Numquamadeofoedis，adeoquepudendisUtimurexemplis，utnonpejorasupersint。"
["Theexamplesweusearenotsoshamefulandfoulbutthatworseremainbehind。"——Juvenal，viii。183。]
TheworstthingIfindinourstateisinstability，andthatourlaws，nomorethanourclothes，cannotsettleinanycertainform。Itisveryeasytoaccuseagovernmentofimperfection，forallmortalthingsarefullofit:itisveryeasytobegetinapeopleacontemptofancientobservances;neveranymanundertookitbuthedidit;buttoestablishabetterregimeninthesteadofthatwhichamanhasoverthrown，manywhohaveattemptedithavefoundered。Iverylittleconsultmyprudenceinmyconduct;Iamwillingtoletitbeguidedbythepublicrule。Happythepeoplewhodowhattheyarecommanded，betterthantheywhocommand，withouttormentingthemselvesastothecauses;whosufferthemselvesgentlytorollafterthecelestialrevolution！Obedienceisneverpurenorcalminhimwhoreasonsanddisputes。
Infine，toreturntomyself:theonlythingbywhichIsomethingesteemmyself，isthatwhereinneveranymanthoughthimselftobedefective;myrecommendationisvulgar，common，andpopular;forwhoeverthoughthewantedsense？Itwouldbeapropositionthatwouldimplyacontradictioninitself;’tisadiseasethatneveriswhereitisdiscerned;’tistenaciousandstrong，butwhatthefirstrayofthepatient’ssightneverthelesspiercesthroughanddisperses，asthebeamsofthesundothickandobscuremists;toaccuseone’sselfwouldbetoexcuseinthiscase，andtocondemn，toabsolve。Thereneverwasporterorthesilliestgirl，thatdidnotthinktheyhadsenseenoughtodotheirbusiness。
Weeasilyenoughconfessinothersanadvantageofcourage，strength，experience，activity，andbeauty，butanadvantageinjudgmentweyieldtonone;andthereasonsthatproceedsimplyfromthenaturalconclusionsofothers，wethink，ifwehadbutturnedourthoughtsthatway，weshouldourselveshavefoundoutaswellasthey。Knowledge，style，andsuchpartsasweseeinothers’works，wearesoonawareof，iftheyexcelourown:butforthesimpleproductsoftheunderstanding，everyonethinkshecouldhavefoundoutthelikeinhimself，andishardlysensibleoftheweightanddifficulty，ifnot（andthenwithmuchado），inanextremeandincomparabledistance。Andwhoevershouldbeableclearlytodiscerntheheightofanother’sjudgment，wouldbealsoabletoraisehisowntothesamepitch。Sothatitisasortofexercise，fromwhichamanistoexpectverylittlepraise;akindofcompositionofsmallrepute。And，besides，forwhomdoyouwrite？Thelearned，towhomtheauthorityappertainsofjudgingbooks，knownoothervaluebutthatoflearning，andallowofnootherproceedingofwitbutthatoferuditionandart:ifyouhavemistakenoneoftheScipiosforanother，whatisalltherestyouhavetosayworth？WhoeverisignorantofAristotle，accordingtotheirrule，isinsomesortignorantofhimself;vulgarsoulscannotdiscernthegraceandforceofaloftyanddelicatestyle。
Nowthesetwosortsofmentakeuptheworld。Thethirdsortintowhosehandsyoufall，ofsoulsthatareregularandstrongofthemselves，issorare，thatitjustlyhasneithernamenorplaceamongstus;and’tissomuchtimelosttoaspireuntoit，ortoendeavourtopleaseit。
’TiscommonlysaidthatthejustestportionNaturehasgivenusofherfavoursisthatofsense;forthereisnoonewhoisnotcontentedwithhisshare:isitnotreason？whoevershouldseebeyondthat，wouldseebeyondhissight。Ithinkmyopinionsaregoodandsound，butwhodoesnotthinkthesameofhisown？OneofthebestproofsIhavethatminearesoisthesmallesteemIhaveofmyself;forhadtheynotbeenverywellassured，theywouldeasilyhavesufferedthemselvestohavebeendeceivedbythepeculiaraffectionIhavetomyself，asonethatplacesitalmostwhollyinmyself，anddonotletmuchrunout。Allthatothersdistributeamongstaninfinitenumberoffriendsandacquaintance，totheirgloryandgrandeur，Idedicatetothereposeofmyownmindandtomyself;thatwhichescapesthenceisnotproperlybymydirection:
"Mihinempevalereetviveredoctus。"
["Toliveandtodowellformyself。"
——Lucretius，v。959。]
NowIfindmyopinionsveryboldandconstantincondemningmyownimperfection。And，tosaythetruth，’tisasubjectuponwhichI
exercisemyjudgmentasmuchasuponanyother。Theworldlooksalwaysopposite;Iturnmysightinwards，andtherefixandemployit。Ihavenootherbusinessbutmyself，Iameternallymeditatinguponmyself，consideringandtastingmyself。Othermen’sthoughtsareeverwanderingabroad，iftheywillbutseeit;theyarestillgoingforward:
"Nemoinsesetentatdescendere;"
["Noonethinksofdescendingintohimself。"
——Persius，iv。23。]
formypart，Icirculateinmyself。Thiscapacityoftryingthetruth，whateveritbe，inmyself，andthisfreehumourofnotovereasilysubjectingmybelief，Ioweprincipallytomyself;forthestrongestandmostgeneralimaginationsIhavearethosethat，asamanmaysay，werebornwithme;theyarenaturalandentirelymyown。Iproducedthemcrudeandsimple，withastrongandboldproduction，butalittletroubledandimperfect;Ihavesinceestablishedandfortifiedthemwiththeauthorityofothersandthesoundexamplesoftheancients，whomI
havefoundofthesamejudgment:theyhavegivenmefasterhold，andamoremanifestfruitionandpossessionofthatIhadbeforeembraced。Thereputationthateveryonepretendstoofvivacityandpromptnessofwit，Iseekinregularity;theglorytheypretendtofromastrikingandsignalaction，orsomeparticularexcellence，Iclaimfromorder，correspondence，andtranquillityofopinionsandmanners:
"Omninosiquidquamestdecorum，nihilestprofectomagis，quamaequabilitasuniversaevitae，tumsingularumactionum，quamconservarenonpossis，si，aliorumnaturamimitans，omittastuam。"
["Ifanythingbeentirelydecorous，nothingcertainlycanbemoresothananequabilityalikeinthewholelifeandineveryparticularaction;whichthoucanstnotpossiblyobserveif，imitatingothermen’snatures，thoulayestasidethyown。"——Cicero，DeOf。，i。31。]
Here，then，youseetowhatdegreeIfindmyselfguiltyofthisfirstpart，thatIsaidwastheviceofpresumption。Astothesecond，whichconsistsinnothavingasufficientesteemforothers，IknownotwhetherornoIcansowellexcusemyself;butwhatevercomeson’tIamresolvedtospeakthetruth。Andwhether，peradventure，itbethatthecontinualfrequentationIhavehadwiththehumoursoftheancients，andtheideaofthosegreatsoulsofpastages，putmeoutoftastebothwithothersandmyself，orthat，intruth，theageweliveinproducesbutveryindifferentthings，yetsoitisthatIseenothingworthyofanygreatadmiration。Neither，indeed，haveIsogreatanintimacywithmanymenasisrequisitetomakearightjudgmentofthem;andthosewithwhommyconditionmakesmethemostfrequent，are，forthemostpart，menwhohavelittlecareofthecultureofthesoul，butthatlookuponhonourasthesumofallblessings，andvalourastheheightofallperfection。
WhatIseethatisfineinothersIveryreadilycommendandesteem:nay，IoftensaymoreintheircommendationthanIthinktheyreallydeserve，andgivemyselfsofarleavetolie，forIcannotinventafalsesubject:
mytestimonyisneverwantingtomyfriendsinwhatIconceivedeservespraise，andwhereafootisdueIamwillingtogivethemafootandahalf;buttoattributetothemqualitiesthattheyhavenot，Icannotdoit，noropenlydefendtheirimperfections。Nay，Ifranklygivemyveryenemiestheirduetestimonyofhonour;myaffectionalters，myjudgmentdoesnot，andIneverconfoundmyanimositywithothercircumstancesthatareforeigntoit;andIamsojealousofthelibertyofmyjudgmentthatIcanveryhardlypartwithitforanypassionwhatever。IdomyselfagreaterinjuryinlyingthanIdohimofwhomItellalie。ThiscommendableandgenerouscustomisobservedofthePersiannation，thattheyspokeoftheirmortalenemiesandwithwhomtheywereatdeadlywar，ashonourablyandjustlyastheirvirtuesdeserved。
Iknowmenenoughthathaveseveralfineparts;onewit，anothercourage，anotheraddress，anotherconscience，anotherlanguage:onescience，another，another;butagenerallygreatman，andwhohasallthesebravepartstogether，oranyoneofthemtosuchadegreeofexcellencethatweshouldadmirehimorcomparehimwiththosewehonouroftimespast，myfortuneneverbroughtmeacquaintedwith;andthegreatestIeverknew，I
meanforthenaturalpartsofthesoul，wasEtienneDelaBoetie;hiswasafullsoulindeed，andthathadeverywayabeautifulaspect:asouloftheoldstamp，andthathadproducedgreateffectshadhisfortunebeensopleased，havingaddedmuchtothosegreatnaturalpartsbylearningandstudy。
ButhowitcomestopassIknownot，andyetitiscertainlyso，thereisasmuchvanityandweaknessofjudgmentinthosewhoprofessthegreatestabilities，whotakeuponthemlearnedcallingsandbookishemploymentsasinanyothersortofmenwhatever;eitherbecausemoreisrequiredandexpectedfromthem，andthatcommondefectsareexcusableinthem，orbecausetheopiniontheyhaveoftheirownlearningmakesthemmoreboldtoexposeandlaythemselvestooopen，bywhichtheyloseandbetraythemselves。Asanartificermoremanifestshiswantofskillinarichmatterhehasinhand，ifhedisgracetheworkbyillhandlingandcontrarytotherulesrequired，thaninamatteroflessvalue;andmenaremoredispleasedatadisproportioninastatueofgoldthaninoneofplaster;sodothesewhentheyadvancethingsthatinthemselvesandintheirplacewouldbegood;fortheymakeuseofthemwithoutdiscretion，honouringtheirmemoriesattheexpenseoftheirunderstandings，andmakingthemselvesridiculousbyhonouringCicero，Galen，Ulpian，andSt。
Jeromealike。
Iwillinglyfallagainintothediscourseofthevanityofoureducation，theendofwhichisnottorenderusgoodandwise，butlearned，andshehasobtainedit。Shehasnottaughtustofollowandembracevirtueandprudence，butshehasimprintedinustheirderivationandetymology;weknowhowtodeclineVirtue，ifweknownothowtoloveit;ifwedonotknowwhatprudenceisreallyandineffect，andbyexperience，wehaveithoweverbyjargonandheart:wearenotcontenttoknowtheextraction，kindred，andalliancesofourneighbours;wedesire，moreover，tohavethemourfriendsandtoestablishacorrespondenceandintelligencewiththem;butthiseducationofourshastaughtusdefinitions，divisions，andpartitionsofvirtue，assomanysurnamesandbranchesofagenealogy，withoutanyfurthercareofestablishinganyfamiliarityorintimacybetwixtherandus。Ithasculledoutforourinitiatoryinstructionnotsuchbooksascontainthesoundestandtruestopinions，butthosethatspeakthebestGreekandLatin，andbytheirfinewordshasinstilledintoourfancythevainesthumoursofantiquity。
Agoodeducationaltersthejudgmentandmanners;asithappenedtoPolemon，alewdanddebauchedyoungGreek，whogoingbychancetohearoneofXenocrates’lectures，didnotonlyobservetheeloquenceandlearningofthereader，andnotonlybroughtaway，theknowledgeofsomefinematter，butamoremanifestandmoresolidprofit，whichwasthesuddenchangeandreformationofhisformerlife。Whoeverfoundsuchaneffectofourdiscipline？
"Faciasne，quodolimMutatusPolemon？ponasinsigniamorbiFasciolas，cubital，focalia;potusutilleDiciturexcollofurtimcarpsissecoronas，Postquamestimpransicorreptusvocemagistri？"
["WillyoudowhatreformedPolemondidofold？willyoulayasidethejoysofyourdisease，yourgarters，capuchin，muffler，asheinhiscupsissaidtohavesecretlytornoffhisgarlandsfromhisneckwhenheheardwhatthattemperateteachersaid？"
——Horace，Sat。，ii。3，253]
Thatseemstometobetheleastcontemptibleconditionofmen，whichbyitsplainnessandsimplicityisseatedinthelowestdegree，andinvitesustoamoreregularcourse。Ifindtherudemannersandlanguageofcountrypeoplecommonlybettersuitedtotheruleandprescriptionoftruephilosophy，thanthoseofourphilosophersthemselves:
"Plussapitvulgus，quiatantum，quantumopusest，sapit。"
["Thevulgararesomuchthewiser，becausetheyonlyknowwhatisneedfulforthemtoknow。"——Lactantms，Instit。Div。，iii。5。]
Themostremarkablemen，asIhavejudgedbyoutwardappearance（fortojudgeofthemaccordingtomyownmethod，Imustpenetrateagreatdealdeeper），forsoldiersandmilitaryconduct，weretheDucdeGuise，whodiedatOrleans，andthelateMarshalStrozzi;andformenofgreatabilityandnocommonvirtue，OlivierandDel’Hospital，ChancellorsofFrance。Poetry，too，inmyopinion，hasflourishedinthisageofours;
wehaveabundanceofverygoodartificersinthetrade:D’Aurat，Beza，Buchanan，L’Hospital，Montdore，Turnebus;astotheFrenchpoets，I
believetheyraisedtheirarttothehighestpitchtowhichitcaneverarrive;andinthosepartsofitwhereinRonsardandDuBellayexcel，I
findthemlittleinferiortotheancientperfection。AdrianTurnebusknewmore，andwhathedidknow，betterthananymanofhistime，orlongbeforehim。ThelivesofthelastDukeofAlva，andofourConstabledeMontmorency，werebothofthemgreatandnoble，andthathadmanyrareresemblancesoffortune;butthebeautyandgloryofthedeathofthelast，inthesightofParisandofhisking，intheirservice，againsthisnearestrelations，attheheadofanarmythroughhisconductvictorious，andbyasuddenstroke，insoextremeoldage，meritsmethinkstoberecordedamongstthemostremarkableeventsofourtimes。
Asalsotheconstantgoodness，sweetnessofmanners，andconscientiousfacilityofMonsieurdelaNoue，insogreataninjusticeofarmedparties（thetrueschooloftreason，inhumanity，androbbery），whereinhealwayskeptupthereputationofagreatandexperiencedcaptain。
IhavetakenadelighttopublishinseveralplacesthehopesIhaveofMariedeGournayleJars，[Shewasadoptedbyhimin1588。SeeLeonFeugere’sMademoiselledeGournay:’EtudesursaVieetsesOuvrages’。]
myadopteddaughter;andcertainlybelovedbymemorethanpaternally，andenvelopedinmyretirementandsolitudeasoneofthebestpartsofmyownbeing:Ihavenolongerregardtoanythinginthisworldbuther。
Andifamanmaypresagefromheryouth，hersoulwillonedaybecapableofverygreatthings;andamongstothers，oftheperfectionofthatsacredfriendship，towhichwedonotreadthatanyofhersexcouldeveryetarrive;thesincerityandsolidityofhermannersarealreadysufficientforit，andheraffectiontowardsmemorethansuperabundant，andsuch，inshort，asthatthereisnothingmoretobewished，ifnotthattheapprehensionshehasofmyend，beingnowfive—and—fiftyyearsold，mightnotsomuchafflicther。ThejudgmentshemadeofmyfirstEssays，beingawoman，soyoung，andinthisage，andaloneinherowncountry;andthefamousvehemencewherewithshelovedme，anddesiredmyacquaintancesolelyfromtheesteemshehadthenceofme，beforesheeversawmyface，isanincidentveryworthyofconsideration。
Othervirtueshavehadlittleornocreditinthisage;butvalourisbecomepopularbyourcivilwars;andinthis，wehavesoulsbraveeventoperfection，andinsogreatnumberthatthechoiceisimpossibletomake。
Thisisallofextraordinaryanduncommongrandeurthathashithertoarrivedatmyknowledge。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V12
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME12。
XVIII。Ofgivingthelie。
XIX。Oflibertyofconscience。
XX。Thatwetastenothingpure。
XXI。Againstidleness。
XXII。OfPosting。
XXIII。Ofillmeansemployedtoagoodend。
XXIV。OftheRomangrandeur。
XXV。Nottocounterfeitbeingsick。
XXVI。Ofthumbs。
XXVII。Cowardicethemotherofcruelty。
XXVIII。Allthingshavetheirseason。
XXIX。Ofvirtue。
XXX。Ofamonstrouschild。
XXXI。Ofanger。
CHAPTERXVIII
OFGIVINGTHELIE
Well，butsomeonewillsaytome，thisdesignofmakingaman’sselfthesubjectofhiswriting，wereindeedexcusableinrareandfamousmen，whobytheirreputationhadgivenothersacuriositytobefullyinformedofthem。Itismosttrue，Iconfessandknowverywell，thatamechanicwillscarcelifthiseyesfromhisworktolookatanordinaryman，whereasamanwillforsakehisbusinessandhisshoptostareataneminentpersonwhenhecomesintoatown。Itmisbecomesanyothertogivehisowncharacter，buthimwhohasqualitiesworthyofimitation，andwhoselifeandopinionsmayserveforexample:CaesarandXenophonhadajustandsolidfoundationwhereontofoundtheirnarrations，thegreatnessoftheirownperformances;andweretobewishedthatwehadthejournalsofAlexandertheGreat，thecommentariesthatAugustus，Cato，Sylla，Brutus，andothersleftoftheiractions;ofsuchpersonsmenloveandcontemplatetheverystatuesevenincopperandmarble。
Thisremonstranceisverytrue;butitverylittleconcernsme:
"Nonrecitocuiquam，nisiamicis，idquecoactus;
Nonubivis，coramvequibuslibet，inmedioquiScriptafororecitant，suntmulti，quiquelavantes。"
["Irepeatmypoemsonlytomyfriends，andwhenboundtodoso;
notbeforeeveryoneandeverywhere;thereareplentyofrecitersintheopenmarket—placeandatthebaths。"——Horace，sat。i。4，73。]
Idonothereformastatuetoerectinthegreatsquareofacity，inachurch，oranypublicplace:
"Nonequidemhocstudeo，bullatisutmihinugis，Paginaturgescat……
Secretiloquimur:"
["Istudynottomakemypagesswellwithemptytrifles;
youandIaretalkinginprivate。"——Persius，Sat。，v。19。]
’tisforsomecornerofalibrary，ortoentertainaneighbour，akinsman，afriend，whohasamindtorenewhisacquaintanceandfamiliaritywithmeinthisimageofmyself。Othershavebeenencouragedtospeakofthemselves，becausetheyfoundthesubjectworthyandrich;
I，onthecontrary，amthebolder，byreasonthesubjectissopoorandsterilethatIcannotbesuspectedofostentation。Ijudgefreelyoftheactionsofothers;Igivelittleofmyowntojudgeof，becausetheyarenothing:Idonotfindsomuchgoodinmyself，thatIcannottellitwithoutblushing。
Whatcontentmentwoulditnotbetometohearanyonethusrelatetomethemanners，faces，countenances，theordinarywordsandfortunesofmyancestors？howattentivelyshouldIlistentoit！Inearnest，itwouldbeevilnaturetodespisesomuchasthepicturesofourfriendsandpredecessors，thefashionoftheirclothesandarms。Ipreservetheirwriting，seal，andaparticularswordtheywore，andhavenotthrownthelongstavesmyfatherusedtocarryinhishand，outofmycloset"Paternavestis，etannulus，tantochariorestposteris，quantoergaparentesmajoraffectus。"
["Afather’sgarmentandringisbysomuchdearertohisposterity，asthereisthegreateraffectiontowardsparents。"
——St。Aug。，DeCivat。Dei，i。13。]
Ifmyposterity，nevertheless，shallbeofanothermind，Ishallbeavengedonthem;fortheycannotcarelessformethanIshallthendoforthem。AllthetrafficthatIhaveinthiswiththepublicis，thatI
borrowtheirutensilsofwriting，whicharemoreeasyandmostathand;
andinrecompenseshall，peradventure，keepapoundofbutterinthemarketfrommeltinginthesun:——[Montaignesemi—seriouslyspeculatesonthepossibilityofhisMS。beingusedtowrapupbutter。]
"Netogacordyllis，nepenuladesitolivis;
Etlaxasscombrissaepedabotunicas;"
[Letnotwrappersbewantingtotunny—fish，norolives;
andIshallsupplyloosecoveringstomackerel。"
——Martial，xiii。I，I。]
Andthoughnobodyshouldreadme，haveIwastedtimeinentertainingmyselfsomanyidlehoursinsopleasingandusefulthoughts？Inmouldingthisfigureuponmyself，Ihavebeensooftenconstrainedtotemperandcomposemyselfinarightposture，thatthecopyistrulytaken，andhasinsomesortformeditself;paintingmyselfforothers，Irepresentmyselfinabettercolouringthanmyownnaturalcomplexion。