CHAPTERIV
THATTHESOULEXPENDSITSPASSIONSUPONFALSEOBJECTS，WHERETHETRUEARE
WANTING
Agentlemanofmycountry，marvellouslytormentedwiththegout，beingimportunedbyhisphysicianstotallytoabstainfromallmannerofsaltmeats，waswontpleasantlytoreply，thatintheextremityofhisfitshemustneedshavesomethingtoquarrelwith，andthatrailingatandcursing，onewhiletheBolognasausages，andanotherthedriedtonguesandthehams，wassomemitigationtohispain。But，ingoodearnest，asthearmwhenitisadvancedtostrike，ifitmisstheblow，andgoesbythewind，itpainsus;andasalso，that，tomakeapleasantprospect，thesightshouldnotbelostanddilatedinvagueair，buthavesomeboundandobjecttolimitandcircumscribeitatareasonabledistance，"Ventusutamittitvires，nisiroboredensaOccurrantsylvae，spatiodiffususinani。"
["Asthewindlosesitsforcediffusedinvoidspace，unlessitinitsstrengthencountersthethickwood。"——Lucan，iii。362。]
Soitseemsthatthesoul，beingtransportedanddiscomposed，turnsitsviolenceuponitself，ifnotsuppliedwithsomethingtoopposeit，andthereforealwaysrequiresanobjectatwhichtoaim，andwhereontoact。
Plutarchsaysofthosewhoaredelightedwithlittledogsandmonkeys，thattheamorouspartthatisinus，forwantofalegitimateobject，ratherthanlieidle，doesafterthatmannerforgeandcreateonefalseandfrivolous。Andweseethatthesoul，initspassions，inclinesrathertodeceiveitself，bycreatingafalseandfantasticalasubject，evencontrarytoitsownbelief，thannottohavesomethingtoworkupon。
Afterthismannerbrutebeastsdirecttheirfurytofalluponthestoneorweaponthathashurtthem，andwiththeirteethaevenexecuterevengeuponthemselvesfortheinjurytheyhavereceivedfromanother:
"Pannonishaudaliter，postictumsaeviorursa，CuijaculumparvaLybisamentavithabena，Serotatinvulnus，telumqueiratareceptumImpetit，etsecumfugientemcircuithastam。"
[Sotheshe—bear，fierceraftertheblowfromtheLybian’sthong—
hurleddart，turnsrounduponthewound，andattackingthereceivedspear，twistsit，assheflies。"——Lucan，vi。220。]
Whatcausesofthemisadventuresthatbefallusdowenotinvent？whatisitthatwedonotlaythefaultto，rightorwrong，thatwemayhavesomethingtoquarrelwith？Itisnotthosebeautifultressesyoutear，norisitthewhitebosomthatinyourangeryousounmercifullybeat，thatwithanunluckybullethaveslainyourbelovedbrother;quarrelwithsomethingelse。Livy，speakingoftheRomanarmyinSpain，saysthatforthelossofthetwobrothers，theirgreatcaptains:
"Flereomnesrepente，etoffensarecapita。"
["Allatonceweptandtoretheirhair。"—Livy，xxv。37。]
’Tisacommonpractice。AndthephilosopherBionsaidpleasantlyoftheking，whobyhandsfulpulledhishairoffhisheadforsorrow，"Doesthismanthinkthatbaldnessisaremedyforgrief？"——[Cicero，Tusc。Quest。，iii。26。]——Whohasnotseenpeevishgamesterschewandswallowthecards，andswallowthedice，inrevengeforthelossoftheirmoney？
Xerxeswhippedthesea，andwroteachallengetoMountAthos;Cyrusemployedawholearmyseveraldaysatwork，torevengehimselfoftheriverGyndas，forthefrightithadputhimintoinpassingoverit;andCaligulademolishedaverybeautifulpalaceforthepleasurehismotherhadonceenjoyedthere。
——[Pleasure——unless’plaisir’wereoriginally’deplaisir’——mustbeunderstoodhereironically，forthehousewasoneinwhichshehadbeenimprisoned。——Seneca，DeIra。iii。22]——
Iremembertherewasastorycurrent，whenIwasaboy，thatoneofourneighbouringkings——[ProbablyAlfonsoXI。ofCastile]——havingreceivedablowfromthehandofGod，sworehewouldberevenged，andinordertoit，madeproclamationthatfortenyearstocomenooneshouldpraytoHim，orsomuchasmentionHimthroughouthisdominions，or，sofarashisauthoritywent，believeinHim;bywhichtheymeanttopaintnotsomuchthefollyasthevaingloryofthenationofwhichthistalewastold。Theyarevicesthatalwaysgotogether，butintruthsuchactionsasthesehaveinthemstillmoreofpresumptionthanwantofwit。
AugustusCaesar，havingbeentossedwithatempestatsea，felltodefyingNeptune，andinthepompoftheCircensiangames，toberevenged，deposedhisstatuefromtheplaceithadamongsttheotherdeities。
Whereinhewasstilllessexcusablethantheformer，andlessthanhewasafterwardswhen，havinglostabattleunderQuintiliusVarusinGermany，inrageanddespairhewentrunninghisheadagainstthewall，cryingout，"OVarus！givemebackmylegions！"fortheseexceedallfolly，forasmuchasimpietyisjoinedtherewith，invadingGodHimself，oratleastFortune，asifshehadearsthatweresubjecttoourbatteries;
liketheThracians，whowhenitthundersorlightens，falltoshootingagainstheavenwithTitanianvengeance，asifbyflightsofarrowstheyintendedtobringGodtoreason。ThoughtheancientpoetinPlutarchtellsus——
"Pointnesefautcouroucerauxaffaires，Ilneleurchaultdetoutesnoscholeres。"
["Wemustnottroublethegodswithouraffairs;theytakenoheedofourangersanddisputes。"——Plutarch。]
Butwecanneverenoughdecrythedisorderlysalliesofourminds。
CHAPTERV
WHETHERTHEGOVERNOROFAPLACEBESIEGEDOUGHTHIMSELF
TOGOOUTTOPARLEY
QuintusMarcius，theRomanlegateinthewaragainstPerseus，KingofMacedon，togaintimewhereintoreinforcehisarmy，setonfootsomeoverturesofaccommodation，withwhichthekingbeinglulledasleep，concludedatruceforsomedays，bythismeansgivinghisenemyopportunityandleisuretorecruithisforces，whichwasafterwardstheoccasionoftheking’sfinalruin。Yettheeldersenators，mindfuloftheirforefathers’manners，condemnedthisproceedingasdegeneratingfromtheirancientpractice，which，theysaid，wastofightbyvalour，andnotbyartifice，surprises，andnight—encounters;neitherbypretendedflightnorunexpectedralliestoovercometheirenemies;nevermakingwartillhavingfirstproclaimedit，andveryoftenassignedboththehourandplaceofbattle。OutofthisgenerousprincipleitwasthattheydelivereduptoPyrrhushistreacherousphysician，andtotheEtrurianstheirdisloyalschoolmaster。Thiswas，indeed，aproceduretrulyRoman，andnothingalliedtotheGreciansubtlety，nortothePuniccunning，whereitwasreputedavictoryoflessglorytoovercomebyforcethanbyfraud。Deceitmayserveforaneed，butheonlyconfesseshimselfovercomewhoknowsheisneithersubduedbypolicynormisadventure，butbydintofvalour，mantoman，inafairandjustwar。
Itverywellappears，bythediscourseofthesegoodoldsenators，thatthisfinesentencewasnotyetreceivedamongstthem。
"Dolus，anvirtus，quisinhosterequirat？"
["Whatmatterswhetherbyvalourorbystrategemweovercometheenemy？"——Aeneid，ii。390]
TheAchaians，saysPolybius，abhorredallmannerofdouble—dealinginwar，notreputingitavictoryunlesswherethecourageoftheenemywasfairlysubdued:
"Eamvirsanctusetsapiensscietveramessevictoriam，quae，salvafideetintegradignitate，parabitur。"——["Anhonestandprudentmanwillacknowledgethatonlytobeatruevictorywhichshallbeobtainedsavinghisowngoodfaithanddignity。"——Florus，i。12。]——Saysanother:
"Vosnevelit，anme，regnarehera，quidveferat，forsvirtuteexperiamur。"
["WhetheryouorIshallrule，orwhatshallhappen，letusdeterminebyvalour。"——Cicero，DeOffic。，i。12]
InthekingdomofTernate，amongstthosenationswhichwesobroadlycallbarbarians，theyhaveacustomnevertocommencewar，tillitbefirstproclaimed;addingwithalanampledeclarationofwhatmeanstheyhavetodoitwith，withwhatandhowmanymen，whatammunitions，andwhat，bothoffensiveanddefensive，arms;butalso，thatbeingdone，iftheirenemiesdonotyieldandcometoanagreement，theyconceiveitlawfultoemploywithoutreproachintheirwarsanymeanswhichmayhelpthemtoconquer。
TheancientFlorentinesweresofarfromseekingtoobtainanyadvantageovertheirenemiesbysurprise，thattheyalwaysgavethemamonth’swarningbeforetheydrewtheirarmyintothefield，bythecontinualtollingofabelltheycalledMartinella。——[AfterSt。Martin。]
Forwhatconcernsourselves，whoarenotsoscrupulousinthisaffair，andwhoattributethehonourofthewartohimwhohastheprofitofit，andwhoafterLysandersay，"Wherethelion’sskinistooshort，wemustekeitoutwithabitfromthatofafox";themostusualoccasionsofsurprisearederivedfromthispractice，andweholdthattherearenomomentswhereinachiefoughttobemorecircumspect，andtohavehiseyesomuchatwatch，asthoseofparleysandtreatiesofaccommodation;anditis，therefore，becomeageneralruleamongstthemartialmenoftheselattertimes，thatagovernorofaplaceneverought，inatimeofsiege，togoouttoparley。Itwasforthisthatinourfathers’daystheSeigneursdeMontmordanddel’Assigni，defendingMoussonagainsttheCountofNassau，weresohighlycensured。Butyet，astothis，itwouldbeexcusableinthatgovernorwho，goingout，should，notwithstanding，doitinsuchmannerthatthesafetyandadvantageshouldbeonhisside;
asCountGuidodiRangonedidatReggio（ifwearetobelieveDuBellay，forGuicciardinisaysitwashehimself）whentheSeigneurdel’Escutapproachedtoparley，whosteppedsolittleawayfromhisfort，thatadisorderhappeningintheinterimofparley，notonlyMonsieurdel’Escutandhispartywhowereadvancedwithhim，foundthemselvesbymuchtheweaker，insomuchthatAlessandroTrivulciowasthereslain，buthehimselffollowtheCount，and，relyinguponhishonour，tosecurehimselffromthedangeroftheshotwithinthewallsofthetown。
Eumenes，beingshutupinthecityofNorabyAntigonus，andbyhimimportunedtocomeouttospeakwithhim，ashesenthimworditwasfitheshouldtoagreatermanthanhimself，andonewhohadnowanadvantageoverhim，returnedthisnobleanswer。"Tellhim，"saidhe，"thatIshallneverthinkanymangreaterthanmyselfwhilstIhavemyswordinmyhand，"andwouldnotconsenttocomeouttohimtillfirst，accordingtohisowndemand，AntigonushaddeliveredhimhisownnephewPtolomeusinhostage。
Andyetsomehavedoneverywellingoingoutinpersontoparley，onthewordoftheassailant:witnessHenrydeVaux，acavalierofChampagne，whobeingbesiegedbytheEnglishintheCastleofCommercy，andBartholomewdeBrunes，whocommandedattheLeaguer，havingsosappedthegreatestpartofthecastlewithout，thatnothingremainedbutsettingfiretothepropstoburythebesiegedundertheruins，herequestedthesaidHenrytocomeouttospeakwithhimforhisowngood，whichhedidwiththreemoreincompany;and，hisruinbeingmadeapparenttohim，heconceivedhimselfsingularlyobligedtohisenemy，towhosediscretionheandhisgarrisonsurrenderedthemselves;andfirebeingpresentlyappliedtothemine，thepropsnosoonerbegantofail，butthecastlewasimmediatelyblownupfromitsfoundations，noonestonebeingleftuponanother。
Icould，anddo，withgreatfacility，relyuponthefaithofanother;butIshouldveryunwillinglydoitinsuchacase，asitshouldtherebybejudgedthatitwasratheraneffectofmydespairandwantofcouragethanvoluntarilyandoutofconfidenceandsecurityinthefaithofhimwithwhomIhadtodo。
CHAPTERVI
THATTHEHOUROFPARLEYDANGEROUS
Isaw，notwithstanding，latelyatMussidan，aplacenotfarfrommyhouse，thatthosewhoweredrivenoutthencebyourarmy，andothersoftheirparty，highlycomplainedoftreachery，forthatduringatreatyofaccommodation，andintheveryinterimthattheirdeputiesweretreating，theyweresurprisedandcuttopieces:athingthat，peradventure，inanotherage，mighthavehadsomecolouroffoulplay;but，asIhavejustsaid，thepracticeofarmsinthesedaysisquiteanotherthing，andthereisnownoconfidenceinanenemyexcusabletillthetreatyisfinallysealed;andeventhentheconquerorhasenoughtodotokeephisword:sohazardousathingitistoentrusttheobservationofthefaithamanhasengagedtoatownthatsurrendersuponeasyandfavourableconditions，tothelicenceofavictoriousarmy，andtogivethesoldierfreeentranceintoitintheheatofblood。
LuciusAEmiliusRegillus，theRomanpraetor，havinglosthistimeinattemptingtotakethecityofPhocaeabyforce，byreasonofthesingularvalourwherewiththeinhabitantsdefendedthemselves，conditioned，atlast，toreceivethemasfriendstothepeopleofRome，andtoenterthetown，asintoaconfederatecity，withoutanymannerofhostility，ofwhichhegavethemallassurance;buthaving，forthegreaterpomp，broughthiswholearmyinwithhim，itwasnomoreinhispower，withalltheendeavourhecoulduse，torestrainhispeople:sothat，avariceandrevengetramplingunderfootbothhisauthorityandallmilitarydiscipline，hetheresawaconsiderablepartofthecitysackedandruinedbeforehisface。
Cleomeneswaswonttosay，"thatwhatmischiefsoeveramancoulddohisenemyintimeofwarwasabovejustice，andnothingaccountabletoitinthesightofgodsandmen。"Andso，havingconcludedatrucewiththoseofArgosforsevendays，thethirdnightafterhefelluponthemwhentheywereallburiedinsleep，andputthemtothesword，allegingthattherehadnonightsbeenmentionedinthetruce;butthegodspunishedthissubtleperfidy。
Inatimeofparleyalso;andwhilethecitizenswererelyingupontheirsafetywarrant，thecityofCasilinumwastakenbysurprise，andthatevenintheageofthejustestcaptainsandthemostperfectRomanmilitarydiscipline;foritisnotsaidthatitisnotlawfulforus，intimeandplace，tomakeadvantageofourenemies’wantofunderstanding，aswellastheirwantofcourage。
And，doubtless，warhasnaturallymanyprivilegesthatappearreasonableeventotheprejudiceofreason。Andthereforeheretherulefails，"Neminemidagereutexalteriuspraedeturinscitia。"——["Nooneshouldpreysuponanother’sfolly。"——Cicero，De0ffic。，iii。17。]——ButIamastonishedatthegreatlibertyallowedbyXenophoninsuchcases，andthatbothbypreceptandbytheexampleofseveralexploitsofhiscompleteemperor;anauthorofverygreatauthority，Iconfess，inthoseaffairs，asbeinginhisownpersonbothagreatcaptainandaphilosopherofthefirstformofSocrates’disciples;andyetIcannotconsenttosuchameasureoflicenceashedispensesinallthingsandplaces。
Monsieurd’Aubigny，besiegingCapua，andafterhavingdirectedafuriousbatteryagainstit，SignorFabricioColonna，governorofthetown，havingfromabastionbeguntoparley，andhissoldiersinthemeantimebeingalittlemoreremissintheirguard，ourpeopleenteredtheplaceatunawares，andputthemalltothesword。Andoflatermemory，atYvoy，SignorJulianoRomerohavingplayedthatpartofanovicetogoouttoparleywiththeConstable，athisreturnfoundhisplacetaken。But，thatwemightnotscapescot—free，theMarquessofPescarahavinglaidsiegetoGenoa，whereDukeOttavianoFregosacommandedunderourprotection，andthearticlesbetwixtthembeingsofaradvancedthatitwaslookeduponasadonething，anduponthepointtobeconcluded，theSpaniardsinthemeantimehavingslippedin，madeuseofthistreacheryasanabsolutevictory。Andsince，atLigny，inBarrois，wheretheCountdeBriennecommanded，theemperorhavinginhisownpersonbeleagueredthatplace，andBertheville，thesaidCount’slieutenant，goingouttoparley，whilsthewascapitulatingthetownwastaken。
"Fuilvincersempremailaudabilcosa，Vincasioperfortuna，operingegno，"
["Victoryiseverworthyofpraise，whetherobtainedbyvalourorwisdom。"——Ariosto，xv。I。]
ButthephilosopherChrysippuswasofanotheropinion，whereinIalsoconcur;forhewasusedtosaythatthosewhorunaraceoughttoemployalltheforcetheyhaveinwhattheyareabout，andtorunasfastastheycan;butthatitisbynomeansfairinthemtolayanyhandupontheiradversarytostophim，nortosetalegbeforehimtothrowhimdown。AndyetmoregenerouswastheanswerofthatgreatAlexandertoPolyperconwhowaspersuadinghimtotaketheadvantageofthenight’sobscuritytofalluponDarius。"Bynomeans，"saidbe;"itisnotforsuchamanasIamtostealavictory，’Malomefortunaepoeniteat，quamvictoriapudeat。’"——["Ihadrathercomplainofill—fortunethanbeashamedofvictory。"Quint。Curt，iv。13]——
"AtqueidemfugientembaudestdignatusOrodenSternere，necjactacaecumdarecuspidevulnusObvius，adversoqueoccurrit，sequevirovirContulit，haudfurtomelior，sedfortibusarmis。"
["HedeignednottothrowdownOrodesashefled，orwiththedartedspeartogivehimawoundunseen;butovertakinghim，heconfrontedhimfacetoface，andencounteredmantoman:superior，notinstratagem，butinvaliantarms。"——AEneid，x。732。]
CHAPTERVII
THATTHEINTENTIONISJUDGEOFOURACTIONS
’Tisasaying，"Thatdeathdischargesusofallourobligations。"Iknowsomewhohavetakenitinanothersense。HenryVII。，KingofEngland，articledwithDonPhilip，sontoMaximiliantheemperor，or（toplacehimmorehonourably）fathertotheEmperorCharlesV。，thatthesaidPhilipshoulddeliveruptheDukeofSuffolkoftheWhiteRose，hisenemy，whowasfledintotheLowCountries，intohishands;whichPhilipaccordinglydid，butuponcondition，nevertheless，thatHenryshouldattemptnothingagainstthelifeofthesaidDuke;butcomingtodie，thekinginhislastwillcommandedhissontoputhimtodeathimmediatelyafterhisdecease。Andlately，inthetragedythattheDukeofAlvapresentedtousinthepersonsoftheCountsHornandEgmontatBrussels，——[Decapitated4thJune1568]——therewereveryremarkablepassages，andoneamongsttherest，thatCountEgmont（uponthesecurityofwhosewordandfaithCountHornhadcomeandsurrenderedhimselftotheDukeofAlva）earnestlyentreatedthathemightfirstmountthescaffold，totheendthatdeathmightdisengagehimfromtheobligationhehadpassedtotheother。Inwhichcase，methinks，deathdidnotacquittheformerofhispromise，andthatthesecondwasdischargedfromitwithoutdying。
Wecannotbeboundbeyondwhatweareabletoperform，byreasonthateffectandperformancearenotatallinourpower，andthat，indeed，wearemastersofnothingbutthewill，inwhich，bynecessity，alltherulesandwholedutyofmankindarefoundedandestablished:thereforeCountEgmont，conceivinghissoulandwillindebtedtohispromise，althoughhehadnotthepowertomakeitgood，haddoubtlessbeenabsolvedofhisduty，eventhoughhehadoutlivedtheother;buttheKingofEnglandwilfullyandpremeditatelybreakinghisfaith，wasnomoretobeexcusedfordeferringtheexecutionofhisinfidelitytillafterhisdeaththanthemasoninHerodotus，whohavinginviolably，duringthetimeofhislife，keptthesecretofthetreasureoftheKingofEgypt，hismaster，athisdeathdiscoveredittohischildren。——[Herod。，ii。121。]
Ihavetakennoticeofseveralinmytime，who，convictedbytheirconsciencesofunjustlydetainingthegoodsofanother，haveendeavouredtomakeamendsbytheirwill，andaftertheirdecease;buttheyhadasgooddonothing，aseitherintakingsomuchtimeinsopressinganaffair，oringoingabouttoremedyawrongwithsolittledissatisfactionorinjurytothemselves。Theyowe，overandabove，somethingoftheirown;andbyhowmuchtheirpaymentismorestrictandincommodioustothemselves，bysomuchistheirrestitutionmorejustmeritorious。Penitencyrequirespenalty;buttheyyetdoworsethanthese，whoreservetheanimosityagainsttheirneighbourtothelastgasp，havingconcealeditduringtheirlife;whereintheymanifestlittleregardoftheirownhonour，irritatingthepartyoffendedintheirmemory;andlesstotheirthepower，evenoutoftomaketheirmalicediewiththem，butextendingthelifeoftheirhatredevenbeyondtheirown。
Unjustjudges，whodeferjudgmenttoatimewhereintheycanhavenoknowledgeofthecause！Formypart，Ishalltakecare，ifIcan，thatmydeathdiscovernothingthatmylifehasnotfirstandopenlydeclared。
CHAPTERVIII
OFIDLENESS
Asweseesomegroundsthathavelonglainidleanduntilled，whengrownrichandfertilebyrest，toaboundwithandspendtheirvirtueintheproductofinnumerablesortsofweedsandwildherbsthatareunprofitable，andthattomakethemperformtheirtrueoffice，wearetocultivateandpreparethemforsuchseedsasareproperforourservice;
andasweseewomenthat，withoutknowledgeofman，dosometimesofthemselvesbringforthinanimateandformlesslumpsofflesh，butthattocauseanaturalandperfectgenerationtheyaretobehusbandedwithanotherkindofseed:evensoitiswithminds，whichifnotappliedtosomecertainstudythatmayfixandrestrainthem，runintoathousandextravagances，eternallyrovinghereandthereinthevagueexpanseoftheimagination——
"Sicutaquatremulumlabrisubilumenahenis，Solerepercussum，autradiantisimaginelunae，Omniapervolitatlateloca;jamquesubaurasErigitur，summiqueferitlaqueariatecti。"
["Aswheninbrazenvatsofwaterthetremblingbeamsoflight，reflectedfromthesun，orfromtheimageoftheradiantmoon，swiftlyfloatovereveryplacearound，andnowaredarteduponhigh，andstriketheceilingsoftheupmostroof。"——
AEneid，viii。22。]
——inwhichwildagitationthereisnofolly，noridlefancytheydonotlightupon:——
"Velutaegrisomnia，vanaeFingunturspecies。"
["Asasickman’sdreams，creatingvainphantasms。"——
Hor。，DeArtePoetica，7。]
Thesoulthathasnoestablishedaimlosesitself，for，asitissaid——
"Quisquisubiquehabitat，Maxime，nusquamhabitat。"
["Hewholiveseverywhere，livesnowhere。"——Martial，vii。73。]
WhenIlatelyretiredtomyownhouse，witharesolution，asmuchaspossiblyIcould，toavoidallmannerofconcerninaffairs，andtospendinprivacyandreposethelittleremainderoftimeIhavetolive，I
fanciedIcouldnotmoreobligemymindthantosufferitatfullleisuretoentertainanddivertitself，whichInowhopeditmighthenceforthdo，asbeingbytimebecomemoresettledandmature;butIfind——
"Variamsemperdantotiamentem，"
["Leisureevercreatesvariedthought。"——Lucan，iv。704]
that，quitecontrary，itislikeahorsethathasbrokefromhisrider，whovoluntarilyrunsintoamuchmoreviolentcareerthananyhorsemanwouldputhimto，andcreatesmesomanychimaerasandfantasticmonsters，oneuponanother，withoutorderordesign，that，thebetteratleisuretocontemplatetheirstrangenessandabsurdity，Ihavebeguntocommitthemtowriting，hopingintimetomakeitashamedofitself。
CHAPTERIX
OFLIARS
Thereisnotamanlivingwhomitwouldsolittlebecometospeakfrommemoryasmyself，forIhavescarcelyanyatall，anddonotthinkthattheworldhasanothersomarvellouslytreacherousasmine。Myotherfacultiesareallsufficientlyordinaryandmean;butinthisIthinkmyselfveryrareandsingular，anddeservingtobethoughtfamous。
BesidesthenaturalinconvenienceIsufferbyit（for，certes，thenecessaryuseofmemoryconsidered，Platohadreasonwhenhecalleditagreatandpowerfulgoddess），inmycountry，whentheywouldsayamanhasnosense，theysay，suchanonehasnomemory;andwhenIcomplainofthedefectofmine，theydonotbelieveme，andreproveme，asthoughI
accusedmyselfforafool:notdiscerningthedifferencebetwixtmemoryandunderstanding，whichistomakemattersstillworseforme。Buttheydomewrong;forexperience，rather，dailyshowsus，onthecontrary，thatastrongmemoryiscommonlycoupledwithinfirmjudgment。Theydo，me，moreover（whoamsoperfectinnothingasinfriendship），agreatwronginthis，thattheymakethesamewordswhichaccusemyinfirmity，representmeforanungratefulperson;theybringmyaffectionsintoquestionupontheaccountofmymemory，andfromanaturalimperfection，makeoutadefectofconscience。"Hehasforgot，"saysone，"thisrequest，orthatpromise;henomoreremembershisfriends;hehasforgottosayordo，orconcealsuchandsuchathing，formysake。"And，truly，Iamaptenoughtoforgetmanythings，buttoneglectanythingmyfriendhasgivenmeincharge，Ineverdoit。Anditshouldbeenough，methinks，thatIfeelthemiseryandinconvenienceofit，withoutbrandingmewithmalice，avicesocontrarytomyhumour。
However，Iderivethesecomfortsfrommyinfirmity:first，thatitisanevilfromwhichprincipallyIhavefoundreasontocorrectaworse，thatwouldeasilyenoughhavegrownuponme，namely，ambition;thedefectbeingintolerableinthosewhotakeuponthempublicaffairs。That，likeexamplesintheprogressofnaturedemonstratetous，shehasfortifiedmeinmyotherfacultiesproportionablyasshehasleftmeunfurnishedinthis;Ishouldotherwisehavebeenaptimplicitlytohavereposedmymindandjudgmentuponthebarereportofothermen，withouteversettingthemtoworkupontheirownforce，hadtheinventionsandopinionsofothersbeeneverbeenpresentwithmebythebenefitofmemory。ThatbythismeansIamnotsotalkative，forthemagazineofthememoryiseverbetterfurnishedwithmatterthanthatoftheinvention。Hadminebeenfaithfultome，Ihaderethisdeafenedallmyfriendswithmybabble，thesubjectsthemselvesarousingandstirringupthelittlefacultyI
haveofhandlingandemployingthem，heatinganddistendingmydiscourse，whichwereapity:asIhaveobservedinseveralofmyintimatefriends，who，astheirmemoriessupplythemwithanentireandfullviewofthings，begintheirnarrativesofarback，andcrowditwithsomanyimpertinentcircumstances，thatthoughthestorybegoodinitself，theymakeashifttospoilit;andifotherwise，youareeithertocursethestrengthoftheirmemoryortheweaknessoftheirjudgment:anditisahardthingtocloseupadiscourse，andtocutitshort，whenyouhaveoncestarted;thereisnothingwhereintheforceofahorseissomuchseenasinaroundandsuddenstop。Iseeeventhosewhoarepertinentenough，whowould，butcannotstopshortintheircareer;forwhilsttheyareseekingoutahandsomeperiodtoconcludewith，theygoonatrandom，stragglingaboutuponimpertinenttrivialities，asmenstaggeringuponweaklegs。But，aboveall，oldmenwhoretainthememoryofthingspast，andforgethowoftentheyhavetoldthem，aredangerouscompany;andI
haveknownstoriesfromthemouthofamanofverygreatquality，otherwiseverypleasantinthemselves，becomeverywearisomebybeingrepeatedahundredtimesoverandoveragaintothesamepeople。
Secondly，that，bythismeans，IthelessremembertheinjuriesIhavereceived;insomuchthat，astheancientsaid，——[Cicero，ProLigar。
c。12。]——Ishouldhavearegisterofinjuries，oraprompter，asDarius，who，thathemightnotforgettheoffencehehadreceivedfromthoseofAthens，sooftashesatdowntodinner，orderedoneofhispagesthreetimestorepeatinhisear，"Sir，remembertheAthenians";——[Herod。，v。
105。]——andthen，again，theplaceswhichIrevisit，andthebooksIreadoveragain，stillsmileuponmewithafreshnovelty。
Itisnotwithoutgoodreasonsaid"thathewhohasnotagoodmemoryshouldnevertakeuponhimthetradeoflying。"Iknowverywellthatthegrammarians——[Nigidius，AulusGellius，xi。ii;Nonius，v。80。]——
distinguishbetwixtanuntruthandalie，andsaythattotellanuntruthistotellathingthatisfalse，butthatweourselvesbelievetobetrue;andthatthedefinitionofthewordtolieinLatin，fromwhichourFrenchistaken，istotellathingwhichweknowinourconsciencetobeuntrue;anditisofthislastsortofliarsonlythatInowspeak。Now，thesedoeitherwhollycontriveandinventtheuntruthstheyutter，orsoalteranddisguiseatruestorythatitendsinalie。Whentheydisguiseandoftenalterthesamestory，accordingtotheirownfancy，’tisveryhardforthem，atonetimeoranother，toescapebeingtrapped，byreasonthattherealtruthofthething，havingfirsttakenpossessionofthememory，andbeingtherelodgedimpressedbythemediumofknowledgeandscience，itwillbedifficultthatitshouldnotrepresentitselftotheimagination，andshoulderoutfalsehood，whichcannottherehavesosureandsettledfootingastheother;andthecircumstancesofthefirsttrueknowledgeevermorerunningintheirminds，willbeapttomakethemforgetthosethatareillegitimate，andonly，forgedbytheirownfancy。Inwhatthey，whollyinvent，forasmuchasthereisnocontraryimpressiontojostletheirinventionthereseemstobelessdangeroftripping;andyeteventhisbyreasonitisavainbodyandwithoutanyhold，isveryapttoescapethememory，ifitbenotwellassured。OfwhichIhadverypleasantexperience，attheexpenseofsuchasprofessonlytoformandaccommodatetheirspeechtotheaffairtheyhaveinhand，ortohumourofthegreatfolkstowhomtheyarespeaking;
forthecircumstancestowhichthesemensticknottoenslavetheirfaithandconsciencebeingsubjecttoseveralchanges，theirlanguagemustvaryaccordingly:whenceithappensthatofthesamethingtheytellonemanthatitisthis，andanotherthatitisthat，givingitseveralcolours;
whichmen，iftheyoncecometoconfernotes，andfindoutthecheat，whatbecomesofthisfineart？Towhichmaybeadded，thattheymustofnecessityveryoftenridiculouslytrapthemselves;forwhatmemorycanbesufficienttoretainsomanydifferentshapesastheyhaveforgedupononeandthesamesubject？Ihaveknownmanyinmytimeveryambitiousofthereputeofthisfinewit;buttheydonotseethatiftheyhavethereputationofit，theeffectcannolongerbe。
Inplaintruth，lyingisanaccursedvice。Wearenotmen，norhaveothertieupononeanother，butbyourword。Ifwedidbutdiscoverthehorrorandgravityofit，weshouldpursueitwithfireandsword，andmorejustlythanothercrimes。Iseethatparentscommonly，andwithindiscretionenough，correcttheirchildrenforlittleinnocentfaults，andtormentthemforwantontricks，thathaveneitherimpressionnorconsequence;whereas，inmyopinion，lyingonly，and，whichisofsomethingalowerform，obstinacy，arethefaultswhicharetobeseverelywhippedoutofthem，bothintheirinfancyandintheirprogress，otherwisetheygrowupandincreasewiththem;andafteratonguehasoncegottheknackoflying，’tisnottobeimaginedhowimpossibleitistoreclaimitwhenceitcomestopassthatweseesome，whoareotherwiseveryhonestmen，sosubjectandenslavedtothisvice。
Ihaveanhonestladtomytailor，whomIneverknewguiltyofonetruth，no，notwhenithadbeentohisadvantage。Iffalsehoodhad，liketruth，butonefaceonly，weshouldbeuponbetterterms;forweshouldthentakeforcertainthecontrarytowhattheliarsays:butthereverseoftruthhasahundredthousandforms，andafieldindefinite，withoutboundorlimit。ThePythagoreansmakegoodtobecertainandfinite，andevil，infiniteanduncertain。Thereareathousandwaystomissthewhite，thereisonlyonetohitit。Formyownpart，Ihavethisviceinsogreathorror，thatIamnotsureIcouldprevailwithmyconsciencetosecuremyselffromthemostmanifestandextremedangerbyanimpudentandsolemnlie。Anancientfathersays"thatadogweknowisbettercompanythanamanwhoselanguagewedonotunderstand。"
"Utexternusalienopenenonsithominisvice。"