Ihavenomoremademybookthanmybookhasmademe:’tisabookconsubstantialwiththeauthor，ofapeculiardesign，aparcelofmylife，andwhosebusinessisnotdesignedforothers，asthatofallotherbooksis。Ingivingmyselfsocontinualandsoexactanaccountofmyself，haveIlostmytime？Fortheywhosometimescursorilysurveythemselvesonly，donotsostrictlyexaminethemselves，norpenetratesodeep，ashewhomakesithisbusiness，hisstudy，andhisemployment，whointendsalastingrecord，withallhisfidelity，andwithallhisforce:
Themostdeliciouspleasuresdigestedwithin，avoidleavinganytraceofthemselves，andavoidthesightnotonlyofthepeople，butofanyotherperson。Howoftenhasthisworkdivertedmefromtroublesomethoughts？
andallthatarefrivolousshouldbereputedso。Naturehaspresenteduswithalargefacultyofentertainingourselvesalone;andoftencallsustoit，toteachusthatweoweourselvesinparttosociety，butchieflyandmostlytoourselves。ThatImayhabituatemyfancyeventomeditateinsomemethodandtosomeend，andtokeepitfromlosingitselfandrovingatrandom，’tisbuttogivetobodyandtorecordallthelittlethoughtsthatpresentthemselvestoit。Igiveeartomywhimsies，becauseIamtorecordthem。Itoftenfallsout，thatbeingdispleasedatsomeactionthatcivilityandreasonwillnotpermitmeopenlytoreprove，Iheredisgorgemyself，notwithoutdesignofpublicinstruction:andalsothesepoeticallashes，"Zonzurl’oeil，ionsurlegroin，ZonzurledosduSagoin，"
["Aslaponhiseye，aslaponhissnout，aslaponSagoin’sback。"——Marot。Fripelippes，ValetdeMarotaSagoin。]
imprintthemselvesbetteruponpaperthanupontheflesh。WhatifI
listentobooksalittlemoreattentivelythanordinary，sinceIwatchifIcanpurloinanythingthatmayadornorsupportmyown？Ihavenotatallstudiedtomakeabook;butIhaveinsomesortstudiedbecauseIhadmadeit;ifitbestudyingtoscratchandpinchnowoneauthor，andthenanother，eitherbytheheadorfoot，notwithanydesigntoformopinionsfromthem，buttoassist，second，andfortifythoseIalreadyhaveembraced。Butwhomshallwebelieveinthereporthemakesofhimselfinsocorruptanage？consideringtherearesofew，if，anyatall，whomwecanbelievewhenspeakingofothers，wherethereislessinteresttolie。
Thefirstthingdoneinthecorruptionofmannersisbanishingtruth;
for，asPindarsays，tobetrueisthebeginningofagreatvirtue，andthefirstarticlethatPlatorequiresinthegovernorofhisRepublic。
Thetruthofthesedaysisnotthatwhichreallyis，butwhateverymanpersuadesanothermantobelieve;aswegenerallygivethenameofmoneynotonlytopiecesofthedustalloy，buteventothefalsealso，iftheywillpass。Ournationhaslongbeenreproachedwiththisvice;forSalvianusofMarseilles，wholivedinthetimeoftheEmperorValentinian，saysthatlyingandforswearingthemselvesiswiththeFrenchnotavice，butawayofspeaking。Hewhowouldenhancethistestimony，mightsaythatitisnowavirtueinthem;menformandfashionthemselvestoitastoanexerciseofhonour;fordissimulationisoneofthemostnotablequalitiesofthisage。
Ihaveoftenconsideredwhencethiscustomthatwesoreligiouslyobserveshouldspring，ofbeingmorehighlyoffendedwiththereproachofavicesofamiliartousthanwithanyother，andthatitshouldbethehighestinsultthatcaninwordsbedoneustoreproachuswithalie。Uponexamination，Ifindthatitisnaturalmosttodefendthedefectswithwhichwearemosttainted。Itseemsasifbyresentingandbeingmovedattheaccusation，weinsomesortacquitourselvesofthefault;thoughwehaveitineffect，wecondemnitinoutwardappearance。Mayitnotalsobethatthisreproachseemstoimplycowardiceandfeeblenessofheart？ofwhichcantherebeamoremanifestsignthantoeataman’sownwords——nay，tolieagainstaman’sownknowledge？Lyingisabasevice;
avicethatoneoftheancientsportraysinthemostodiouscolourswhenhesays，"thatitistomanifestacontemptofGod，andwithalafearofmen。"Itisnotpossiblemorefullytorepresentthehorror，baseness，andirregularityofit;forwhatcanamanimaginemorehatefulandcontemptiblethantobeacowardtowardsmen，andvaliantagainsthisMaker？Ourintelligencebeingbynootherwaycommunicabletooneanotherbutbyaparticularword，hewhofalsifiesthatbetrayspublicsociety。’Tistheonlywaybywhichwecommunicateourthoughtsandwills;’tistheinterpreterofthesoul，andifitdeceiveus，wenolongerknownorhavefurthertieupononeanother;ifthatdeceiveus，itbreaksallourcorrespondence，anddissolvesallthetiesofgovernment。
CertainnationsofthenewlydiscoveredIndies（Ineednotgivethemnames，seeingtheyarenomore;for，bywonderfulandunheardofexample，thedesolationofthatconquesthasextendedtotheutterabolitionofnamesandtheancientknowledgeofplaces）offeredtotheirgodshumanblood，butonlysuchaswasdrawnfromthetongueandears，toexpiateforthesinoflying，aswellheardaspronounced。ThatgoodfellowofGreece——[Plutarch，LifeofLysander，c。4。]——saidthatchildrenareamusedwithtoysandmenwithwords。
Astoourdiverseusagesofgivingthelie，andthelawsofhonourinthatcase，andthealterationtheyhavereceived，IdefersayingwhatI
knowofthemtoanothertime，andshalllearn，ifIcan，inthemeanwhile，atwhattimethecustomtookbeginningofsoexactlyweighingandmeasuringwords，andofmakingourhonourinterestedinthem;foritiseasytojudgethatitwasnotancientlyamongsttheRomansandGreeks。
Andithasoftenseemedtomestrangetoseethemrailatandgiveoneanothertheliewithoutanyquarrel。Theirlawsofdutysteeredsomeothercoursethanours。Caesarissometimescalledthief，andsometimesdrunkard，tohisteeth。Weseethelibertyofinvectivetheypractisedupononeanother，Imeanthegreatestchiefsofwarofbothnations，wherewordsareonlyrevengedwithwords，anddonotproceedanyfarther。
CHAPTERXIX
OFLIBERTYOFCONSCIENCE
’Tisusualtoseegoodintentions，ifcarriedonwithoutmoderation，pushmenontoveryviciouseffects。InthisdisputewhichhasatthistimeengagedFranceinacivilwar，thebetterandthesoundestcausenodoubtisthatwhichmaintainstheancientreligionandgovernmentofthekingdom。Nevertheless，amongstthegoodmenofthatparty（forIdonotspeakofthosewhoonlymakeapretenceofit，eithertoexecutetheirownparticularrevengesortogratifytheiravarice，ortoconciliatethefavourofprinces，butofthosewhoengageinthequarreloutoftruezealtoreligionandaholydesiretomaintainthepeaceandgovernmentoftheircountry），ofthese，Isay，weseemanywhompassiontransportsbeyondtheboundsofreason，andsometimesinspireswithcounselsthatareunjustandviolent，and，moreover，rash。
Itiscertainthatinthosefirsttimes，whenourreligionbegantogainauthoritywiththelaws，zealarmedmanyagainstallsortsofpaganbooks，bywhichthelearnedsufferedanexceedinggreatloss，adisorderthatIconceivetohavedonemoreprejudicetolettersthanalltheflamesofthebarbarians。OfthisCorneliusTacitusisaverygoodtestimony;forthoughtheEmperorTacitus，hiskinsman，had，byexpressorder，furnishedallthelibrariesintheworldwithit，neverthelessoneentirecopycouldnotescapethecuriousexaminationofthosewhodesiredtoabolishitforonlyfiveorsixidleclausesthatwerecontrarytoourbelief。
Theyhadalsothetrickeasilytolendunduepraisestoalltheemperorswhomadeforus，anduniversallytocondemnalltheactionsofthosewhowereadversaries，asisevidentlymanifestintheEmperorJulian，surnamedtheApostate，[ThecharacteroftheEmperorJulianwascensured，whenMontaignewasatRomein1581，bytheMasteroftheSacredPalace，who，however，asMontaignetellsusinhisjournal（ii。35），referredittohisconsciencetoalterwhatheshouldthinkinbadtaste。ThisMontaignedidnotdo，andthischaptersuppliedVoltairewiththegreaterpartofthepraiseshebestowedupontheEmperor。——Leclerc。]
whowas，intruth，averygreatandrareman，amaninwhosesoulphilosophywasimprintedinthebestcharacters，bywhichheprofessedtogovernallhisactions;and，intruth，thereisnosortofvirtueofwhichhehasnotleftbehindhimverynotableexamples:inchastity（ofwhichthewholeofhislifegavemanifestproof）wereadthesameofhimthatwassaidofAlexanderandScipio，thatbeingintheflowerofhisage，forhewasslainbytheParthiansatone—and—thirty，ofagreatmanyverybeautifulcaptives，hewouldnotsomuchaslookuponone。Astohisjustice，hetookhimselfthepainstoheartheparties，andalthoughhewouldoutofcuriosityinquirewhatreligiontheywereof，nevertheless，theantipathyhehadtooursnevergaveanycounterpoisetothebalance。Hemadehimselfseveralgoodlaws，andrepealedagreatpartofthesubsidiesandtaxesleviedbyhispredecessors。
Wehavetwogoodhistorianswhowereeyewitnessesofhisactions:oneofwhom，Marcellinus，inseveralplacesofhishistorysharplyreprovesanedictofhiswherebyheinterdictedallChristianrhetoriciansandgrammarianstokeepschoolortoteach，andsayshecouldwishthatactofhishadbeenburiedinsilence:itisprobablethathadhedoneanymoreseverethingagainstus，he，soaffectionateashewastoourparty，wouldnothavepasseditoverinsilence。Hewasindeedsharpagainstus，butyetnocruelenemy;forourownpeopletellthisstoryofhim，thatoneday，walkingaboutthecityofChalcedon，Maris，bishopoftheplace;wassoboldastotellhimthathewasimpious，andanenemytoChrist，atwhich，theysay，hewasnofurthermovedthantoreply，"Go，poorwretch，andlamentthelossofthyeyes，"towhichthebishoprepliedagain，"IthankJesusChristfortakingawaymysight，thatImaynotseethyimpudentvisage，"affectinginthat，theysay，aphilosophicalpatience。Butthisactionofhisbearsnocomparisontothecrueltythatheissaidtohaveexercisedagainstus。"Hewas，"saysEutropius，myotherwitness，"anenemytoChristianity，butwithoutputtinghishandtoblood。"And，toreturntohisjustice，thereisnothinginthatwhereofhecanbeaccused，theseverityexceptedhepractisedinthebeginningofhisreignagainstthosewhohadfollowedthepartyofConstantius，hispredecessor。Astohissobriety，helivedalwaysasoldier—likelife;andobservedadietandroutine，likeonethatpreparedandinuredhimselftotheausteritiesofwar。Hisvigilancewassuch，thathedividedthenightintothreeorfourparts，ofwhichtheleastwasdedicatedtosleep;therestwasspenteitherinvisitingthestateofhisarmyandguardsinperson，orinstudy;foramongstotherrarequalities，hewasveryexcellentinallsortsoflearning。’TissaidofAlexandertheGreat，thatbeinginbed，forfearlestsleepshoulddiverthimfromhisthoughtsandstudies，hehadalwaysabasinsetbyhisbedside，andheldoneofhishandsoutwithaballofcopperinit，totheend，that，beginningtofallasleep，andhisfingersleavingtheirhold，theballbyfallingintothebasin，mightawakehim。
Buttheotherhadhissoulsobentuponwhathehadamindtodo，andsolittledisturbedwithfumesbyreasonofhissingularabstinence，thathehadnoneedofanysuchinvention。Astohismilitaryexperience，hewasexcellentinallthequalitiesofagreatcaptain，asitwaslikelyheshould，beingalmostallhislifeinacontinualexerciseofwar，andmostofthattimewithusinFrance，againsttheGermansandFranks:wehardlyreadofanymanwhoeversawmoredangers，orwhomademorefrequentproofsofhispersonalvalour。
HisdeathhassomethinginitparallelwiththatofEpaminondas，forhewaswoundedwithanarrow，andtriedtopullitout，andhaddoneso，butthat，beingedged，itcutanddisabledhishand。Heincessantlycalledoutthattheyshouldcarryhimagainintotheheatofthebattle，toencouragehissoldiers，whoverybravelydisputedthefightwithouthim，tillnightpartedthearmies。Hestoodobligedtohisphilosophyforthesingularcontempthehadforhislifeandallhumanthings。Hehadafirmbeliefoftheimmortalityofsouls。
Inmatterofreligionhewaswrongthroughout，andwassurnamedtheApostateforhavingrelinquishedours:nevertheless，theopinionseemstomemoreprobable，thathehadneverthoroughlyembracedit，buthaddissembledoutofobediencetothelaws，tillhecametotheempire。
Hewasinhisownsosuperstitious，thathewaslaughedatforitbythoseofhisowntime，ofthesameopinion，whojeeringlysaid，thathadhegotthevictoryovertheParthians，hehaddestroyedthebreedofoxenintheworldtosupplyhissacrifices。Hewas，moreover，besottedwiththeartofdivination，andgaveauthoritytoallsortsofpredictions。
Hesaid，amongstotherthingsathisdeath，thathewasobligedtothegods，andthankedthem，inthattheywouldnotcuthimoffbysurprise，havinglongbeforeadvertisedhimoftheplaceandhourofhisdeath，norbyameanandunmanlydeath，morebecominglazyanddelicatepeople;norbyadeaththatwaslanguishing，long，andpainful;andthattheyhadthoughthimworthytodieafterthatnoblemanner，intheprogressofhisvictories，intheflowerofhisglory。HehadavisionlikethatofMarcusBrutus，thatfirstthreatenedhiminGaul，andafterwardappearedtohiminPersiajustbeforehisdeath。Thesewordsthatsomemakehimsaywhenhefelthimselfwounded:"Thouhastovercome，Nazarene";orasothers，"Contentthyself，Nazarene";wouldhardlyhavebeenomitted，hadtheybeenbelieved，bymywitnesses，who，beingpresentinthearmy，havesetdowntotheleastmotionsandwordsofhisend;nomorethancertainothermiraclesthatarereportedaboutit。
Andtoreturntomysubject，helongnourished，saysMarcellinus，paganisminhisheart;butallhisarmybeingChristians，hedurstnotownit。Butintheend，seeinghimselfstrongenoughtodaretodiscoverhimself，hecausedthetemplesofthegodstobethrownopen，anddidhisuttermosttosetonfootandtoencourageidolatry。Whichthebettertoeffect，havingatConstantinoplefoundthepeopledisunited，andalsotheprelatesofthechurchdividedamongstthemselves，havingconvenedthemallbeforehim，heearnestlyadmonishedthemtocalmthosecivildissensions，andthateveryonemightfreely，andwithoutfear，followhisownreligion。Whichhethemoresedulouslysolicited，inhopethatthislicencewouldaugmenttheschismsandfactionsoftheirdivision，andhinderthepeoplefromreuniting，andconsequentlyfortifyingthemselvesagainsthimbytheirunanimousintelligenceandconcord;
havingexperiencedbythecrueltyofsomeChristians，thatthereisnobeastintheworldsomuchtobefearedbymanasman;theseareverynearlyhiswords。
Whereinthisisveryworthyofconsideration，thattheEmperorJulianmadeuseofthesamereceiptoflibertyofconsciencetoinflamethecivildissensionsthatourkingsdotoextinguishthem。Sothatamanmaysayononeside，thattogivethepeoplethereinstoentertaineverymanhisownopinion，istoscatterandsowdivision，and，asitwere，tolendahandtoaugmentit，therebeingnolegalimpedimentorrestrainttostoporhindertheircareer;but，ontheotherside，amanmayalsosay，thattogivethepeoplethereinstoentertaineverymanhisownopinion，istomollifyandappeasethembyfacilityandtoleration，andtodullthepointwhichiswhettedandmadesharperbysingularity，novelty，anddifficulty:andIthinkitisbetterforthehonourofthedevotionofourkings，thatnothavingbeenabletodowhattheywould，theyhavemadeashowofbeingwillingtodowhattheycould。
CHAPTERXX
THATWETASTENOTHINGPURE
Thefeeblenessofourconditionissuchthatthingscannot，intheirnaturalsimplicityandpurity，fallintoouruse;theelementsthatweenjoyarechanged，andso’tiswithmetals;andgoldmustbedebasedwithsomeothermattertofititforourservice。Neitherhasvirtue，sosimpleasthatwhichAristo，Pyrrho，andalsotheStoics，madetheendoflife;northeCyrenaicandAristippicpleasure，beenwithoutmixtureusefultoit。Ofthepleasureandgoodsthatweenjoy，thereisnotoneexemptfromsomemixtureofillandinconvenience:
"Mediodefonteleporum，Surgitamarialiquid，quodinipsisfioribusangat。"
["Fromtheveryfountainofourpleasure，somethingrisesthatisbitter，whicheveninflowersdestroys。"——Lucretius，iv。1130。]
Ourextremestpleasurehassomesortofgroaningandcomplaininginit;
wouldyounotsaythatitisdyingofpain？Nay，whenweframetheimageofitinitsfullexcellence，westuffitwithsicklyandpainfulepithetsandqualities，languor，softness，feebleness，faintness，’morbidezza’:agreattestimonyoftheirconsanguinityandconsubstantiality。Themostprofoundjoyhasmoreofseveritythangaiety，init。Thehighestandfullestcontentmentoffersmoreofthegravethanofthemerry:
"Ipsafelicitas，senisitemperat，premit。"
["Evenfelicity，unlessitmoderateitself，oppresses？
——Seneca，Ep。74。]
Pleasurechewsandgrindsus;accordingtotheoldGreekverse，whichsaysthatthegodssellusallthegoodstheygiveus;thatistosay，thattheygiveusnothingpureandperfect，andthatwedonotpurchasebutatthepriceofsomeevil。
Labourandpleasure，veryunlikeinnature，associate，nevertheless，byIknownotwhatnaturalconjunction。Socratessays，thatsomegodtriedtomixinonemassandtoconfoundpainandpleasure，butnotbeingabletodoit;hebethoughthimatleasttocouplethembythetail。
Metrodorussaid，thatinsorrowthereissomemixtureofpleasure。I
knownotwhetherornoheintendedanythingelsebythatsaying;butformypart，Iamofopinionthatthereisdesign，consent，andcomplacencyingivingaman’sselfuptomelancholy。Isay，thatbesidesambition，whichmayalsohaveastrokeinthebusiness，thereissomeshadowofdelightanddelicacywhichsmilesuponandflattersusevenintheverylapofmelancholy。Aretherenotsomeconstitutionsthatfeeduponit？
"Estquaedamflerevoluptas;"
["’Tisacertainkindofpleasuretoweep。"
——Ovid，Trist。，iv。3，27。]
andoneAttalusinSenecasays，thatthememoryofourlostfriendsisasgratefultous，asbitternessinwine，whentooold，istothepalate:
"Ministervetuli，puer，FalerniInger’micalicesamariores"——
["Boy，whenyoupouroutoldFalernianwine，thebitterestputintomybowl。"——Catullus，xxvii。I。]
andasapplesthathaveasweettartness。
Naturediscoversthisconfusiontous;paintersholdthatthesamemotionsandgrimacesofthefacethatserveforweeping;serveforlaughtertoo;andindeed，beforetheoneortheotherbefinished，dobutobservethepainter’smannerofhandling，andyouwillbeindoubttowhichofthetwothedesigntends;andtheextremeoflaughterdoesatlastbringtears:
"Nullumsineauctoramentomalumest。"
["Noeviliswithoutitscompensation。"——Seneca，Ep。，69。]
WhenIimaginemanaboundingwithalltheconveniencesthataretobedesired（letusputthecasethatallhismemberswerealwaysseizedwithapleasurelikethatofgeneration，initsmostexcessiveheight）Ifeelhimmeltingundertheweightofhisdelight，andseehimutterlyunabletosupportsopure，socontinual，andsouniversalapleasure。Indeed，heisrunningawaywhilstheisthere，andnaturallymakeshastetoescape，asfromaplacewherehecannotstandfirm，andwhereheisafraidofsinking。
WhenIreligiouslyconfessmyselftomyself，IfindthatthebestvirtueIhavehasinitsometinctureofvice;andIamafraidthatPlato，inhispurestvirtue（I，whoamassincereandloyalaloverofvirtueofthatstampasanyotherwhatever），ifhehadlistenedandlaidhisearclosetohimselfandhedidsonodoubt——wouldhaveheardsomejarringnoteofhumanmixture，butfaintandonlyperceptibletohimself。Maniswhollyandthroughoutbutpatchandmotley。Eventhelawsofjusticethemselvescannotsubsistwithoutmixtureofinjustice;insomuchthatPlatosays，theyundertaketocutoffthehydra’shead，whopretendtoclearthelawofallinconveniences:
"Omnemagnumexemplumhabetaliquidexiniquo，quodcontrasingulosutilitatepublicsrependitur，"
["Everygreatexamplehasinitsomemixtureofinjustice，whichrecompensesthewrongdonetoparticularmenbythepublicutility。"
——Annals，xiv。44。]
saysTacitus。
Itislikewisetrue，thatfortheuseoflifeandtheserviceofpubliccommerce，theremaybesomeexcessesinthepurityandperspicacityofourminds;thatpenetratinglighthasinittoomuchofsubtletyandcuriosity:wemustalittlestupefyandbluntthemtorenderthemmoreobedienttoexampleandpractice，andalittleveilandobscurethem，thebettertoproportionthemtothisdarkandearthlylife。Andthereforecommonandlessspeculativesoulsarefoundtobemoreproperforandmoresuccessfulinthemanagementofaffairs，andtheelevatedandexquisiteopinionsofphilosophyunfitforbusiness。Thissharpvivacityofsoul，andthesuppleandrestlessvolubilityattendingit，disturbournegotiations。Wearetomanagehumanenterprisesmoresuperficiallyandroughly，andleaveagreatparttofortune;itisnotnecessarytoexamineaffairswithsomuchsubtletyandsodeep:amanloseshimselfintheconsiderationofmanycontrarylustres，andsomanyvariousforms:
"Volutantibusresintersepugnantes，obtorpuerunt……animi。"
["Whilsttheyconsideredofthingssoindifferentinthemselves，theywereastonished，andknewnotwhattodo。"——Livy，xxxii。20。]
’TiswhattheancientssayofSimonides，thatbyreasonhisimaginationsuggestedtohim，uponthequestionKingHierohadputtohim——[WhatGodwas。——Cicero，DeNat。Deor。，i。22。]——（toanswerwhichhehadhadmanydaysforthought），severalsharpandsubtleconsiderations，whilsthedoubtedwhichwasthemostlikely，hetotallydespairedofthetruth。
Hewhodivesintoandinhisinquisitioncomprehendsallcircumstancesandconsequences，hindershiselection:alittleenginewellhandledissufficientforexecutions，whetheroflessorgreaterweight。Thebestmanagersarethosewhocanworstgiveaccounthowtheyareso;whilethegreatesttalkers，forthemostpart，donothingtopurpose;Iknowoneofthissortofmen，andamostexcellentdiscourseruponallsortsofgoodhusbandry，whohasmiserablyletahundredthousandlivresyearlyrevenueslipthroughhishands;Iknowanotherwhotalks，whobetteradvisesthananymanofhiscounsel，andthereisnotintheworldafairershowofsoulandunderstandingthanhehas;nevertheless，whenhecomestothetest，hisservantsfindhimquiteanotherthing;nottomakeanymentionofhismisfortunes。
CHAPTERXXI
AGAINSTIDLENESS
TheEmperorVespasian，beingsickofthediseasewhereofhedied，didnotforallthatneglecttoinquireafterthestateoftheempire，andeveninbedcontinuallydespatchedverymanyaffairsofgreatconsequence;forwhich，beingreprovedbyhisphysician，asathingprejudicialtohishealth，"Anemperor，"saidhe，"mustdiestanding。"Afinesaying，inmyopinion，andworthyagreatprince。TheEmperorAdriansincemadeuseofthesamewords，andkingsshouldbeoftenputinmindofthem，tomakethemknowthatthegreatofficeconferreduponthemofthecommandofsomanymen，isnotanemploymentofease;andthatthereisnothingcansojustlydisgustasubject，andmakehimunwillingtoexposehimselftolabouranddangerfortheserviceofhisprince，thantoseehim，inthemeantime，devotedtohiseaseandfrivolousamusement，andtobesolicitousofhispreservationwhosomuchneglectsthatofhispeople。
Whoeverwilltakeuponhimtomaintainthat’tisbetterforaprincetocarryonhiswarsbyothers，thaninhisownperson，fortunewillfurnishhimwithexamplesenoughofthosewhoselieutenantshavebroughtgreatenterprisestoahappyissue，andofthosealsowhosepresencehasdonemorehurtthangood:butnovirtuousandvaliantprincecanwithpatienceenduresodishonourablecouncils。Undercolourofsavinghishead，likethestatueofasaint，forthehappinessofhiskingdom，theydegradehimfromanddeclarehimincapableofhisoffice，whichismilitarythroughout:Iknowone——[ProbablyHenryIV。]——whohadmuchratherbebeaten，thantosleepwhilstanotherfightsforhim;andwhoneverwithoutjealousyheardofanybravethingdoneevenbyhisownofficersinhisabsence。AndSolimanI。said，withverygoodreason，inmyopinion，thatvictoriesobtainedwithoutthemasterwerenevercomplete。
Muchmorewouldhehavesaidthatthatmasteroughttoblushforshame，topretendtoanyshareinthehonour，havingcontributednothingtothework，buthisvoiceandthought;norevensomuchasthese，consideringthatinsuchworkasthat，thedirectionandcommandthatdeservehonourareonlysuchasaregivenuponthespot，andintheheatofthebusiness。Nopilotperformshisofficebystandingstill。TheprincesoftheOttomanfamily，thechiefestintheworldinmilitaryfortune，havewarmlyembracedthisopinion，andBajazetII。，withhisson，whoswervedfromit，spendingtheirtimeinscienceandotherretiredemployments，gavegreatblowstotheirempire;andAmurathIII。，nowreigning，followingtheirexample，beginstofindthesame。WasitnotEdwardIII。，KingofEngland，whosaidthisofourCharlesV。:"Thereneverwaskingwhososeldomputonhisarmour，andyetneverkingwhogavemesomuchtodo。"Hehadreasontothinkitstrange，asaneffectofchancemorethanofreason。Andletthoseseekoutsomeothertojoinwiththemthanme，whowillreckontheKingsofCastileandPortugalamongstthewarlikeandmagnanimousconquerors，becauseatthedistanceoftwelvehundredleaguesfromtheirlazyabode，bytheconductoftheircaptains，theymadethemselvesmastersofbothIndies;ofwhichithastobeknowniftheywouldhavehadeventhecouragetogoandinpersonenjoythem。
TheEmperorJuliansaidyetfurther，thataphilosopherandabravemanoughtnotsomuchastobreathe;thatistosay，nottoallowanymoretobodilynecessitiesthanwhatwecannotrefuse;keepingthesoulandbodystillintentandbusyabouthonourable，great，andvirtuousthings。Hewasashamedifanyoneinpublicsawhimspit，orsweat（whichissaidbysome，also，oftheLacedaemonianyoungmen，andwhichXenophonsaysofthePersian），forasmuchasheconceivedthatexercise，continuallabour，andsobriety，oughttohavedriedupallthosesuperfluities。WhatSenecasayswillnotbeunfitforthisplace;whichis，thattheancientRomanskepttheiryouthalwaysstanding，andtaughtthemnothingthattheyweretolearnsitting。
’Tisagenerousdesiretowishtodieusefullyandlikeaman，buttheeffectliesnotsomuchinourresolutionasinourgoodfortune;athousandhaveproposedtothemselvesinbattle，eithertoovercomeortodie，whohavefailedbothintheoneandtheother，woundsandimprisonmentcrossingtheirdesignandcompellingthemtoliveagainsttheirwill。Therearediseasesthatoverthrowevenourdesires，andourknowledge。FortuneoughtnottosecondthevanityoftheRomanlegions，whoboundthemselvesbyoath，eithertoovercomeordie:
"Victor，MarceFabi，revertarexacie:sifallo，Jovempatrem，GradivumqueMartemaliosqueiratosinvocodeos。"
["Iwillreturn，MarcusFabius，aconqueror，fromthefight:
andifIfail，IinvokeFatherJove，MarsGradivus，andtheotherangrygods。"——Livy，ii。45。]
ThePortuguesesaythatinacertainplaceoftheirconquestoftheIndies，theymetwithsoldierswhohadcondemnedthemselves，withhorribleexecrations，toenterintonoothercompositionbuteithertocausethemselvestobeslain，ortoremainvictorious;andhadtheirheadsandbeardsshavedintokenofthisvow。’Tistomuchpurposeforustohazardourselvesandtobeobstinate:itseemsasifblowsavoidedthosewhopresentthemselvestoobrisklytothem，anddonotwillinglyfalluponthosewhotoowillinglyseekthem，andsodefeatthemoftheirdesign。Suchtherehavebeen，who，afterhavingtriedallways，nothavingbeenablewithalltheirendeavourtoobtainthefavourofdyingbythehandoftheenemy，havebeenconstrained，tomakegoodtheirresolutionofbringinghomethehonourofvictoryoroflosingtheirlives，tokillthemselvesevenintheheatofbattle。Ofwhichthereareotherexamples，butthisisone:Philistus，generalofthenavalarmyofDionysiustheyoungeragainsttheSyracusans，presentedthembattlewhichwassharplydisputed，theirforcesbeingequal:inthisengagement，hehadthebetteratthefirst，throughhisownvalour:buttheSyracusansdrawingabouthisgallytoenvironhim，afterhavingdonegreatthingsinhisownpersontodisengagehimselfandhopingfornorelief，withhisownhandhetookawaythelifehehadsoliberally，andinvain，exposedtotheenemy。
MuleMoloch，kingofFez，wholatelywonagainstSebastian，kingofPortugal，thebattlesofamousforthedeathofthreekings，andforthetransmissionofthatgreatkingdomtothecrownofCastile，wasextremelysickwhenthePortugueseenteredinanhostilemannerintohisdominions;
andfromthatdayforwardgrewworseandworse，stilldrawingnearertoandforeseeinghisend;yetneverdidmanbetteremployhisownsufficiencymorevigorouslyandbravelythanhediduponthisoccasion。
Hefoundhimselftooweaktoundergothepompandceremonyofentering。
intohiscamp，whichaftertheirmannerisverymagnificent，andthereforeresignedthathonourtohisbrother;butthiswasalloftheofficeofageneralthatheresigned;alltherestofgreatestutilityandnecessityhemost，exactlyandgloriouslyperformedinhisownperson;hisbodylyinguponacouch，buthisjudgmentandcourageuprightandfirmtohislastgasp，andinsomesortbeyondit。Hemighthavewastedhisenemy，indiscreetlyadvancedintohisdominions，withoutstrikingablow;anditwasaveryunhappyoccurrence，thatforwantofalittlelifeorsomebodytosubstituteintheconductofthiswarandtheaffairsofatroubledstate，hewascompelledtoseekadoubtfulandbloodyvictory，havinganotherbyabetterandsurerwayalreadyinhishands。Notwithstanding，hewonderfullymanagedthecontinuanceofhissicknessinconsumingtheenemy，andindrawingthemfarfromtheassistanceofthenavyandtheportstheyhadonthecoastofAfrica，eventillthelastdayofhislife，whichhedesignedlyreservedforthisgreatbattle。Hearrangedhisbattalionsinacircularform，environingthePortuguesearmyoneveryside，whichroundcirclecomingtocloseinandtodrawupclosetogether，notonlyhinderedthemintheconflict（whichwasverysharpthroughthevalouroftheyounginvadingking），consideringthattheyhadeverywaytopresentafront，butpreventedtheirflightafterthedefeat，sothatfindingallpassagespossessedandshutupbytheenemy，theywereconstrainedtocloseuptogetheragain:
"Coacerventurquenonsolumcaede，sedetiamfuga，"
["Piledupnotonlyinslaughterbutinflight。"]
andtheretheywereslaininheapsupononeanother，leavingtotheconqueroraverybloodyandentirevictory。Dying，hecausedhimselftobecarriedandhurriedfromplacetoplacewheremostneedwas，andpassingalongthefiles，encouragedthecaptainsandsoldiersoneafteranother;butacornerofhismainbattalionsbeingbroken，hewasnottobeheldfrommountingonhorsebackwithhisswordinhishand;hedidhisutmosttobreakfromthoseabouthim，andtorushintothethickestofthebattle，theyallthewhilewithholdinghim，somebythebridle，somebyhisrobe，andothersbyhisstirrups。Thislastefforttotallyoverwhelmedthelittlelifehehadleft;theyagainlaidhimuponhisbed;butcomingtohimself，andstartingasitwereoutofhisswoon，allotherfacultiesfailing，togivehispeoplenoticethattheyweretoconcealhisdeaththemostnecessarycommandhehadthentogive，thathissoldiersmightnotbediscouragedwiththenews）heexpiredwithhisfingeruponhismouth，theordinarysignofkeepingsilence。Whoeverlivedsolongandsofarintodeath？whoeverdiedsoerect，ormorelikeaman？
Themostextremedegreeofcourageouslytreatingdeath，andthemostnatural，istolookuponitnotonlywithoutastonishmentbutwithoutcare，continuingthewontedcourseoflifeevenintoit，asCatodid，whoentertainedhimselfinstudy，andwenttosleep，havingaviolentandbloodydeathinhisheart，andtheweaponinhishandwithwhichhewasresolvedtodespatchhimself。
CHAPTERXXII
OFPOSTING
Ihavebeennoneoftheleastableinthisexercise，whichisproperformenofmypitch，well—knitandshort;butIgiveitover;itshakesustoomuchtocontinueitlong。Iwasatthismomentreading，thatKingCyrus，thebettertohavenewsbroughthimfromallpartsoftheempire，whichwasofavastextent，causedittobetriedhowfarahorsecouldgoinadaywithoutbaiting，andatthatdistanceappointedmen，whosebusinessitwastohavehorsesalwaysinreadiness，tomountthosewhoweredespatchedtohim;andsomesay，thatthisswiftwayofpostingisequaltothatoftheflightofcranes。
Caesarsays，thatLuciusVibulliusRufus，beingingreathastetocarryintelligencetoPompey，rodenightandday，stilltakingfreshhorsesforthegreaterdiligenceandspeed;andhehimself，asSuetoniusreports，travelledahundredmilesadayinahiredcoach;buthewasafuriouscourier，forwheretheriversstoppedhiswayhepassedthembyswimming，withoutturningoutofhiswaytolookforeitherbridgeorford。
TiberiusNero，goingtoseehisbrotherDrusus，whowassickinGermany，travelledtwohundredmilesinfour—and—twentyhours，havingthreecoaches。InthewaroftheRomansagainstKingAntiochus，T。SemproniusGracchus，saysLivy:
"PerdispositosequospropeincredibiliceleritateabAmphissatertiodiePellampervenit。"
["Bypre—arrangedrelaysofhorses，he，withanalmostincrediblespeed，rodeinthreedaysfromAmphissatoPella。"
——Livy，xxxvii。7。]
Anditappearsthattheywereestablishedposts，andnothorsespurposelylaidinuponthisoccasion。
Cecina’sinventiontosendbacknewstohisfamilywasmuchmorequick，forhetookswallowsalongwithhimfromhome，andturnedthemouttowardstheirnestswhenhewouldsendbackanynews;settingamarkofsomecolouruponthemtosignifyhismeaning，accordingtowhatheandhispeoplehadbeforeagreedupon。
AtthetheatreatRomemastersoffamiliescarriedpigeonsintheirbosomstowhichtheytiedletterswhentheyhadamindtosendanyorderstotheirpeopleathome;andthepigeonsweretraineduptobringbackananswer。D。BrutusmadeuseofthesamedevicewhenbesiegedinModena，andotherselsewherehavedonethesame。
InPerutheyrodepostuponmen，whotookthemupontheirshouldersinacertainkindoflittersmadeforthatpurpose，andranwithsuchagilitythat，intheirfullspeed，thefirstcourierstransferredtheirloadtothesecondwithoutmakinganystop。
IunderstandthattheWallachians，thegrandSignior’scouriers，performwonderfuljourneys，byreasontheyhavelibertytodismountthefirstpersontheymeetupontheroad，givinghimtheirowntiredhorses;andthattopreservethemselvesfrombeingweary，theygirdthemselvesstraightaboutthemiddlewithabroadgirdle;butIcouldneverfindanybenefitfromthis。
CHAPTERXXIII
OFILLMEANSEMPLOYEDTOAGOODEND
Thereiswonderfulrelationandcorrespondenceinthisuniversalgovernmentoftheworksofnature，whichverywellmakesitappearthatitisneitheraccidentalnorcarriedonbydiversmasters。Thediseasesandconditionsofourbodiesare，inlikemanner，manifestinstatesandgovernments;kingdomsandrepublicsarefounded，flourish，anddecaywithageaswedo。Wearesubjecttoarepletionofhumours，uselessanddangerous:whetherofthosethataregood（foreventhosethephysiciansareafraidof;andseeingwehavenothinginusthatisstable，theysaythatatoobriskandvigorousperfectionofhealthmustbeabatedbyart，lestournature，unabletorestinanycertaincondition，andnothavingwhithertorisetomenditself，maketoosuddenandtoodisorderlyaretreat;andthereforeprescribewrestlerstopurgeandbleed，toqualifythatsuperabundanthealth），orelsearepletionofevilhumours，whichistheordinarycauseofsickness。Statesareveryoftensickofthelikerepletion，andvarioussortsofpurgationshavecommonlybeenapplied。
Sometimesagreatmultitudeoffamiliesareturnedouttoclearthecountry，whoseekoutnewabodeselsewhereandencroachuponothers。
AfterthismannerourancientFrankscamefromtheremotestpartofGermanytoseizeuponGaul，andtodrivethencethefirstinhabitants;
sowasthatinfinitedelugeofmenmadeupwhocameintoItalyundertheconductofBrennusandothers;sotheGothsandVandals，andalsothepeoplewhonowpossessGreece，lefttheirnativecountrytogosettleelsewhere，wheretheymighthavemoreroom;andtherearescarcetwoorthreelittlecornersintheworldthathavenotfelttheeffectofsuchremovals。TheRomansbythismeanserectedtheircolonies;for，perceivingtheircitytogrowimmeasurablypopulous，theyeaseditofthemostunnecessarypeople，andsentthemtoinhabitandcultivatethelandsconqueredbythem;sometimesalsotheypurposelymaintainedwarswithsomeoftheirenemies，notonlytokeeptheirownmeninaction，forfearlestidleness，themotherofcorruption，shouldbringuponthemsomeworseinconvenience:
"Etpatimurlongaepacismala;saeviorarmisLuxuriaincumbit。"