[Whotellsuswhatisgood，whatevil，whatuseful，whatnot，moreclearlyandbetterthanChrysippusandCrantor？"
　　——Horace，Ep。，i。2，3。]
　　andasthisothersays，"Aquo，ceufonteperenni，VatumPieriisorariganturaquis"
　　["Fromwhich，asfromaperennialspring，thelipsofthepoetsaremoistenedbyPierianwaters。"——Ovid，Amoy。，iii。9，25。]
　　andtheother，"AddeHeliconiadumcomites，quorumunusHomerusSceptrapotitus;"
　　["AddthecompanionsoftheMuses，whosesceptreHomerhassolelyobtained。"——Lucretius，iii。1050。]
　　andtheother:
　　"CujusqueexoreprofusosOmnisposteritaslaticesincarminaduxit，Amnemqueintenuesausaestdeducererivos。
　　Uniusfoecundabonis。"
　　["Fromwhosemouthallposterityhasdrawnoutcopiousstreamsofverse，andhasmadeboldtoturnthemightyriverintoitslittlerivulets，fertileinthepropertyofoneman。"
　　——Manilius，Astyon。，ii。8。]
　　’Tiscontrarytotheorderofnaturethathehasmadethemostexcellentproductionthatcanpossiblybe;fortheordinarybirthofthingsisimperfect;theythriveandgatherstrengthbygrowing，whereasherenderedtheinfancyofpoesyandseveralothersciencesmature，perfect，andaccomplishedatfirst。Andforthisreasonhemaybecalledthefirstandthelastofthepoets，accordingtothefinetestimonyantiquityhasleftusofhim，"thatastherewasnonebeforehimwhomhecouldimitate，sotherehasbeennonesincethatcouldimitatehim。"
　　Hiswords，accordingtoAristotle，aretheonlywordsthathavemotionandaction，theonlysubstantialwords。AlexandertheGreat，havingfoundarichcabinetamongstDarius’spoils，gaveorderitshouldbereservedforhimtokeephisHomerin，saying:thathewasthebestandmostfaithfulcounsellorhehadinhismilitaryaffairs。ForthesamereasonitwasthatCleomenes，thesonofAnaxandridas，saidthathewasthepoetoftheLacedaemonians，forthathewasanexcellentmasterforthedisciplineofwar。ThissingularandparticularcommendationisalsoleftofhiminthejudgmentofPlutarch，thatheistheonlyauthorintheworldthatnevergluttednordisgustedhisreaders，presentinghimselfalwaysanotherthing，andalwaysflourishinginsomenewgrace。
　　ThatwantonAlcibiades，havingaskedone，whopretendedtolearning，forabookofHomer，gavehimaboxoftheearbecausehehadnone，whichhethoughtasscandalousasweshouldifwefoundoneofourpriestswithoutaBreviary。XenophanescomplainedonedaytoHiero，thetyrantofSyracuse，thathewassopoorhehadnotwherewithaltomaintaintwoservants。"What！"repliedhe，"Homer，whowasmuchpoorerthanthouart，keepsabovetenthousand，thoughheisdead。WhatdidPanaetiusleaveunsaidwhenhecalledPlatotheHomerofthephilosophers？Besideswhatglorycanbecomparedtohis？Nothingissofrequentinmen’smouthsashisnameandworks，nothingsoknownandreceivedasTroy，Helen，andthewarabouther，whenperhapstherewasneveranysuchthing。Ourchildrenarestillcalledbynamesthatheinventedabovethreethousandyearsago;whodoesnotknowHectorandAchilles？Notonlysomeparticularfamilies，butmostnationsalsoseektheirorigininhisinventions。Mohammed，thesecondofthatname，emperoroftheTurks，writingtoourPopePiusII。，"Iamastonished，"sayshe，"thattheItaliansshouldappearagainstme，consideringthatwehaveourcommondescentfromtheTrojans，andthatitconcernsmeaswellasitdoesthemtorevengethebloodofHectorupontheGreeks，whomtheycountenanceagainstme。"Isitnotanoblefarcewhereinkings，republics，andemperorshavesomanyagesplayedtheirparts，andtowhichthevastuniverseservesforatheatre？SevenGreciancitiescontendedforhisbirth，somuchhonourevenhisobscurityhelpedhimto！
　　"Smyrna，Rhodos，Colophon，Salamis，Chios，Argos，Athenm。"
　　TheotherisAlexandertheGreat。Forwhoeverwillconsidertheageatwhichhebeganhisenterprises，thesmallmeansbywhichheeffectedsogloriousadesign，theauthorityheobtainedinsuchmereyouthwiththegreatestandmostexperiencedcaptainsoftheworld，bywhomhewasfollowed，theextraordinaryfavourwherewithfortuneembracedandfavouredsomanyhazardous，nottosayrash，exploits，"ImpellensquicquidsibisummapetentiObstaret，gaudensqueviamfecisseruins;"
　　["Bearingdownallwhosoughttowithstandhim，andpleasedtoforcehiswaybyruin。"——Lucan，i。149。]
　　thatgreatness，tohaveattheageofthree—and—thirtyyears，passedvictoriousthroughthewholehabitableearth，andinhalfalifetohaveattainedtotheutmostofwhathumannaturecando;sothatyoucannotimagineitsjustdurationandthecontinuationofhisincreaseinvalourandfortune，uptoaduematurityofage，butthatyoumustwithalimaginesomethingmorethanman:tohavemadesomanyroyalbranchestospringfromhissoldiers，leavingtheworld，athisdeath，dividedamongstfoursuccessors，simplecaptainsofhisarmy，whoseposteritysolongcontinuedandmaintainedthatvastpossession;somanyexcellentvirtuesashewasmasterof，justice，temperance，liberality，truthinhisword，lovetowardshisownpeople，andhumanitytowardsthoseheovercame;forhismanners，ingeneral，seemintruthincapableofanymannerofreproach，althoughsomeparticularandextraordinaryactionsofhismayfallundercensure。Butitisimpossibletocarryonsuchgreatthingsashedidwithinthestrictrulesofjustice;suchashearetobejudgedingrossbythemainendoftheiractions。TheruinofThebesandPersepolis，themurderofMenanderandofEphistion’sphysician，themassacreofsomanyPersianprisonersatonetime，ofatroopofIndiansoldiersnotwithoutprejudicetohisword，andoftheCossians，somuchastotheverychildren，areindeedsalliesthatarenotwelltobeexcused。For，astoClytus，thefaultwasmorethanredeemed;andthatveryaction，asmuchasanyotherwhatever，manifeststhegoodnessofhisnature，anaturemostexcellentlyformedtogoodness;anditwasingeniouslysaidofhim，thathehadhisvirtuesfromNature，hisvicesfromFortune。Astohisbeingalittlegiventobragging，alittletooimpatientofhearinghimselfill—spokenof，andastothosemangers，arms，andbitshecausedtobestrewedintheIndies，allthoselittlevanities，methinks，mayverywellbeallowedtohisyouth，andtheprodigiousprosperityofhisfortune。Andwhowillconsiderwithalhissomanymilitaryvirtues，hisdiligence，foresight，patience，discipline，subtlety，magnanimity，resolution，andgoodfortune，wherein（thoughwehadnothadtheauthorityofHannibaltoassureus）hewasthefirstofmen，theadmirablebeautyandsymmetryofhisperson，eventoamiracle，hismajesticportandawfulmien，inafacesoyoung，ruddy，andradiant:
　　"Qualis，ubiOceaniperfususLuciferunda，QuemVenusantealiosastrorumdiligitignes，Extulitossacrumcoelo，tenebrasqueresolvit;"
　　["Aswhen，bathedinthewavesofOcean，Lucifer，whomVenuslovesbeyondtheotherstars，hasdisplayedhissacredcountenancetotheheaven，anddispersesthedarkness"——AEneid，iii。589。]
　　theexcellenceofhisknowledgeandcapacity;thedurationandgrandeurofhisglory，pure，clean，withoutspotorenvy，andthatlongafterhisdeathitwasareligiousbeliefthathisverymedalsbroughtgoodfortunetoallwhocarriedthemaboutthem;andthatmorekingsandprinceshavewrittenhisactionsthanotherhistorianshavewrittentheactionsofanyotherkingorprincewhatever;andthattothisverydaytheMohammedans，whodespiseallotherhistories，admitofandhonourhisalone，byaspecialprivilege:whoever，Isay，willseriouslyconsidertheseparticulars，willconfessthat，allthesethingsputtogether，IhadreasontopreferhimbeforeCaesarhimself，whoalonecouldmakemedoubtfulinmychoice:anditcannotbedeniedthattherewasmoreofhisowninhisexploits，andmoreoffortuneinthoseofAlexander。Theywereinmanythingsequal，andperadventureCaesarhadsomegreaterqualitiestheyweretwofires，ortwotorrents，overrunningtheworldbyseveralways;
　　"AcvelutimmissidiversispartibusignesArenteminsilvam，etvirgultasonantialauroAutubidecursurapidodemontibusaltisDantsonitumspumosiamnes，etinaequoracurrunt，Quisquesuumpopulatusiter:"
　　["Andasfiresappliedinseveralpartstoadrywoodandcracklingshrubsoflaurel，oraswithimpetuousfallfromthesteepmountains，foamingtorrentspourdowntotheocean，eachclearingadestructivecourse。"——AEneid，xii。521。]
　　butthoughCaesar’sambitionhadbeenmoremoderate，itwouldstillbesounhappy，havingtheruinofhiscountryanduniversalmischieftotheworldforitsabominableobject，that，allthingsrakedtogetherandputintothebalance，ImustneedsinclinetoAlexander’sside。
　　Thethirdandinmyopinionthemostexcellent，isEpaminondas。Ofgloryhehasnotnearsomuchastheothertwo（which，forthatmatter，isbutapartofthesubstanceofthething）:ofvalourandresolution，notofthatsortwhichispushedonbyambition，butofthatwhichwisdomandreasoncanplantinaregularsoul，hehadallthatcouldbeimagined。
　　Ofthisvirtueofhis，hehas，inmyidea，givenasampleproofasAlexanderhimselforCaesar:foralthoughhiswarlikeexploitswereneithersofrequentnorsofull，theywereyet，ifdulyconsideredinalltheircircumstances，asimportant，asbravelyfought，andcarriedwiththemasmanifesttestimonyofvalourandmilitaryconduct，asthoseofanywhatever。TheGreekshavedonehimthehonour，withoutcontradiction，topronouncehimthegreatestmanoftheirnation;andtobethefirstofGreece，iseasilytobethefirstoftheworld。Astohisknowledge，wehavethisancientjudgmentofhim，"Thatneveranymanknewsomuch，andspakesolittleashe";——[Plutarch，OntheDemonofSocrates，c。23。]——forhewasofthePythagoreansect;butwhenhedidspeak，neveranymanspakebetter;anexcellentorator，andofpowerfulpersuasion。Butastohismannersandconscience，heinfinitelysurpassedallmenwhoeverundertookthemanagementofaffairs;forinthisonething，whichoughtchieflytobeconsidered，whichalonetrulydenotesusforwhatweare，andwhichaloneImakecounterbalancealltherestputtogether，hecomesnotshortofanyphilosopherwhatever，notevenofSocrateshimself。Innocence，inthisman，isaqualitypeculiar，sovereign，constant，uniform，incorruptible，comparedwithwhich，itappearsinAlexandersubjecttosomethingelsesubaltern，uncertain，variable，effeminate，andfortuitous。
　　Antiquityhasjudgedthatinthoroughlysiftingalltheothergreatcaptains，thereisfoundineveryonesomepeculiarqualitythatillustrateshisname:inthismanonlythereisafullandequalvirtuethroughout，thatleavesnothingtobewishedforinhim，whetherinprivateorpublicemployment，whetherinpeaceorwar;whethertolivegloriouslyandgrandly，andtodie:IdonotknowanyformorfortuneofmanthatIsomuchhonourandlove。
　　’TistruethatIlookuponhisobstinatepoverty，asitissetoutbyhisbestfriends，asalittletooscrupulousandnice;andthisistheonlyfeature，thoughhighinitselfandwellworthyofadmiration，thatIfindsoruggedasnottodesiretoimitate，tothedegreeitwasinhim。
　　ScipioAEmilianusalone，couldoneattributetohimasbraveandmagnificentanend，andasprofoundanduniversalaknowledge，mightbeputintotheotherscaleofthebalance。Oh，whataninjuryhastimedonemetodeprivemeofthesightoftwoofthemostnobleliveswhich，bythecommonconsentofalltheworld，oneofthegreatestoftheGreeks，andtheotheroftheRomans，wereinallPlutarch。Whatamatter！whataworkman！
　　Foramanthatwasnosaint，but，aswesay，agentleman，ofcivilianandordinarymanners，andofamoderateambition，therichestlifethatI
　　know，andfulloftherichestandmosttobedesiredparts，allthingsconsidered，is，inmyopinion，thatofAlcibiades。
　　ButastowhatconcernsEpaminondas，Iwillhere，fortheexampleofanexcessivegoodness，addsomeofhisopinions:hedeclared，thatthegreatestsatisfactionheeverhadinhiswholelife，wasthecontentmenthegavehisfatherandmotherbyhisvictoryatLeuctra;whereinhisdeferenceisgreat，preferringtheirpleasurebeforehisown，sodustandsofullofsogloriousanaction。Hedidnotthinkitlawful，eventorestorethelibertyofhiscountry，tokillamanwithoutknowingacause:whichmadehimsocoldintheenterpriseofhiscompanionPelopidasforthereliefofThebes。Hewasalsoofopinionthatmeninbattleoughttoavoidtheencounterofafriendwhowasonthecontraryside，andtosparehim。Andhishumanity，eventowardshisenemiesthemselves，havingrenderedhimsuspectedtotheBoeotians，forthat，afterhehadmiraculouslyforcedtheLacedaemonianstoopentohimthepasswhichtheyhadundertakentodefendattheentranceintotheMorea，nearCorinth，hecontentedhimselfwithhavingchargedthroughthem，withoutpursuingthemtotheutmost，hehadhiscommissionofgeneraltakenfromhim，veryhonourablyuponsuchanaccount，andfortheshameitwastothemuponnecessityafterwardstorestorehimtohiscommand，andsotomanifesthowmuchuponhimdependedtheirsafetyandhonour;
　　victorylikeashadowattendinghimwhereverhewent;andindeedtheprosperityofhiscountry，asbeingfromhimderived，diedwithhim。
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　OFTHERESEMBLANCEOFCHILDRENTOTHEIRFATHERS
　　ThisfaggotingupofsomanydiverspiecesissodonethatIneversetpentopaperbutwhenIhavetoomuchidletime，andneveranywherebutathome;sothatitiscompiledafterdiversinterruptionsandintervals，occasionskeepingmesometimesmanymonthselsewhere。Astotherest，Inevercorrectmyfirstbyanysecondconceptions;I，peradventure，mayalterawordorso，but’tisonlytovarythephrase，andnottodestroymyformermeaning。Ihaveamindtorepresenttheprogressofmyhumours，andthateveryonemayseeeachpieceasitcamefromtheforge。
　　IcouldwishIhadbegunsooner，andhadtakenmorenoticeofthecourseofmymutations。AservantofminewhomIemployedtotranscribeforme，thoughthehadgotaprizebystealingseveralpiecesfromme，wherewithhewasbestpleased;butitismycomfortthathewillbenogreateragainerthanIshallbealoserbythetheft。IamgrownolderbysevenoreightyearssinceIbegan;norhasitbeenwithoutsamenewacquisition:Ihave，inthattime，bytheliberalityofyears，beenacquaintedwiththestone:theircommerceandlongconversedonotwellpassawaywithoutsomesuchinconvenience。Icouldhavebeengladthatofotherinfirmitiesagehastopresentlong—livedmenwithal，ithadchosensomeonethatwouldhavebeenmorewelcometome，foritcouldnotpossiblyhavelaiduponmeadiseaseforwhich，evenfrommyinfancy，I
　　havehadsogreatahorror;anditis，intruth，ofalltheaccidentsofoldage，thatofwhichIhaveeverbeenmostafraid。IhaveoftenthoughtwithmyselfthatIwentontoofar，andthatinsolongavoyageIshouldatlastrunmyselfintosomedisadvantage;Iperceived，andhaveoftenenoughdeclared，thatitwastimetodepart，andthatlifeshouldbecutoffinthesoundandlivingpart，accordingtothesurgeon’sruleinamputations;andthatnaturemadehimpayverystrictusurywhodidnotinduetimepaytheprincipal。AndyetIwassofarfrombeingready，thatintheeighteenmonths’timeorthereaboutthatIhavebeeninthisuneasycondition，Ihavesoinuredmyselftoitastobecontenttoliveoninit;andhavefoundwhereintocomfortmyself，andtohope:
　　somucharemenenslavedtotheirmiserablebeing，thatthereisnoconditionsowretchedtheywillnotaccept，providedtheymaylive！HearMaecenas:
　　"Debilemfacitomanu，Debilempede，coxa，Lubricosquatedentes;
　　Vitadumsuperest，beneest。"
　　["Cripplemyhand，foot，hip;shakeoutmylooseteeth:whilethere’slife，’tiswell。"——ApudSeneca，Ep。，101。]
　　AndTamerlane，withafoolishhumanity，palliatedthefantasticcrueltyheexerciseduponlepers，whenheputallhecouldhearoftodeath，todeliverthem，ashepretended，fromthepainfullifetheylived。Fortherewasnotoneofthemwhowouldnotratherhavebeenthricealeperthanbenot。AndAntisthenestheStoic，beingverysick，andcryingout，"Whowilldelivermefromtheseevils？"Diogenes，whohadcometovisithim，"This，"saidhe，presentinghimaknife，"soonenough，ifthouwilt。"——"Idonotmeanfrommylife，"hereplied，"butfrommysufferings。"Thesufferingsthatonlyattackthemind，Iamnotsosensibleofasmostothermen;andthispartlyoutofjudgment，fortheworldlooksuponseveralthingsasdreadfulortobeavoidedattheexpenseoflife，thatarealmostindifferenttome:partly，throughadullandinsensiblecomplexionIhaveinaccidentswhichdonotpoint—
　　blankhitme;andthatinsensibilityIlookuponasoneofthebestpartsofmynaturalcondition;butessentialandcorporealpainsIamverysensibleof。Andyet，havinglongsinceforeseenthem，thoughwithasightweakanddelicateandsoftenedwiththelongandhappyhealthandquietthatGodhasbeenpleasedtogivemethegreatestpartofmytime，Ihadinmyimaginationfanciedthemsoinsupportable，that，intruth，I
　　wasmoreafraidthanIhavesincefoundIhadcause:bywhichIamstillmorefortifiedinthisbelief，thatmostofthefacultiesofthesoul，asweemploythem，moretroublethereposeoflifethantheyareanywayusefultoit。
　　Iaminconflictwiththeworst，themostsudden，themostpainful，themostmortal，andthemostirremediableofalldiseases;Ihavealreadyhadthetrialoffiveorsixverylongandverypainfulfits;andyetI
　　eitherflattermyself，orthereiseveninthisstatewhatisverywelltobeenduredbyamanwhohashissoulfreefromthefearofdeath，andofthemenaces，conclusions，andconsequenceswhichphysiciseverthunderinginourears;buttheeffectevenofpainitselfisnotsosharpandintolerableastoputamanofunderstandingintorageanddespair。Ihaveatleastthisadvantagebymystone，thatwhatIcouldnothithertoprevailuponmyselftoresolveupon，astoreconcilingandacquaintingmyselfwithdeath，itwillperfect;forthemoreitpressesuponandimportunesme，Ishallbesomuchthelessafraidtodie。Ihadalreadygonesofarasonlytolovelifeforlife’ssake，butmypainwilldissolvethisintelligence;andGodgrantthatintheend，shouldthesharpnessofitbeoncegreaterthanIshallbeabletobear，itdoesnotthrowmeintotheothernolessviciousextremetodesireandwishtodie！
　　"Summumnecmetuasdiem，necoptes:"
　　["Neithertowish，norfeartodie。"（Or:）
　　"Thoushouldestneitherfearnordesirethelastday。"
　　——Martial，x。7。]
　　theyaretwopassionstobefeared;buttheonehasitsremedymuchnearerathandthantheother。
　　Astotherest，Ihavealwaysfoundthepreceptthatsorigorouslyenjoinsaresolutecountenanceanddisdainfulandindifferentcomportmentinthetolerationofinfirmitiestobeceremonial。Whyshouldphilosophy，whichonlyhasrespecttolifeandeffects，troubleitselfabouttheseexternalappearances？Letusleavethatcaretoactorsandmastersofrhetoric，whosetsogreatavalueuponourgestures。Letherallowthisvocalfrailtytodisease，ifitbeneithercordialnorstomachic，andpermittheordinarywaysofexpressinggriefbysighs，sobs，palpitations，andturningpale，thatnaturehasputoutofourpower;providedthecouragebeundaunted，andthetonesnotexpressiveofdespair，letherbesatisfied。Whatmatterthewringingofourhands，ifwedonotwringourthoughts？Sheformsusforourselves，notforothers;tobe，nottoseem;letherbesatisfiedwithgoverningourunderstanding，whichshehastakenuponherthecareofinstructing;
　　that，inthefuryofthecolic，shemaintainthesoulinaconditiontoknowitself，andtofollowitsaccustomedway，contendingwith，andenduring，notmeanlytrucklingunderpain;movedandheated，notsubduedandconquered，inthecontention;capableofdiscourseandotherthings，toacertaindegree。Insuchextremeaccidents，’tiscrueltytorequiresoexactacomposedness。’Tisnogreatmatterthatwemakeawryface，ifthemindplaysitspartwell:ifthebodyfinditselfrelievedbycomplainingletitcomplain:ifagitationeaseit，letittumbleandtossatpleasure;ifitseemtofindthediseaseevaporate（assomephysiciansholdthatithelpswomenindelivery）inmakingloudoutcries，orifthisdobutdivertitstorments，letitroarasitwill。Letusnotcommandthisvoicetosally，butstopitnot。Epicurus，notonlyforgiveshissageforcryingoutintorments，butadviseshimtoit:
　　"Pugilesetiam，quumferiunt，injactandiscaestibusingemiscunt，quiaprofundendavoceomnecorpusintenditur，venitqueplagavehementior。"
　　["Boxersalso，whentheystrike，groanintheact，becausewiththestrengthofvoicethewholebodyiscarried，andtheblowcomeswiththegreatervehemence。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。23。]
　　Wehaveenoughtodotodealwiththedisease，withouttroublingourselveswiththesesuperfluousrules。
　　WhichIsayinexcuseofthosewhomweordinarilyseeimpatientintheassaultsofthismalady;forastowhatconcernsmyself，Ihavepasseditoverhithertowithalittlebettercountenance，andcontentedmyselfwithgroaningwithoutroaringout;not，nevertheless，thatIputanygreatconstraintuponmyselftomaintainthisexteriordecorum，forImakelittleaccountofsuchanadvantage:Iallowhereinasmuchasthepainrequires;buteithermypainsarenotsoexcessive，orIhavemorethanordinarypatience。Icomplain，Iconfess，andamalittleimpatientinaverysharpfit，butIdonotarrivetosuchadegreeofdespairashewhowith:
　　"Ejulatu，questu，gemitu，fremitibusResonando，multumflebilesvocesrefert:"
　　["Howling，roaring，groaningwithathousandnoises，expressinghistormentinadismalvoice。"（Or:）"Wailing，complaining，groaning，murmuringmuchavaillugubrioussounds。"——VersesofAttius，inhisPhaloctetes，quotedbyCicero，DeFinib。，ii。29;Tusc。Quaes。，ii。14。]
　　Itrymyselfinthedepthofmysuffering，andhavealwaysfoundthatI
　　wasinacapacitytospeak，think，andgivearationalansweraswellasatanyothertime，butnotsofirmly，beingtroubledandinterruptedbythepain。WhenIamlookeduponbymyvisitorstobeinthegreatesttorment，andthattheythereforeforbeartotroubleme，Ioftenessaymyownstrength，andmyselfsetsomediscourseonfoot，themostremoteI
　　cancontrivefrommypresentcondition。Icandoanythinguponasuddenendeavour，butitmustnotcontinuelong。Oh，whatpity’tisIhavenotthefacultyofthatdreamerinCicero，whodreaminghewaslyingwithawench，foundhehaddischargedhisstoneinthesheets。Mypainsstrangelydeadenmyappetitethatway。Intheintervalsfromthisexcessivetorment，whenmyuretersonlylanguishwithoutanygreatdolor，Ipresentlyfeelmyselfinmywontedstate，forasmuchasmysoultakesnootheralarmbutwhatissensibleandcorporal，whichIcertainlyowetothecareIhavehadofpreparingmyselfbymeditationagainstsuchaccidents:
　　"Laborum，Nullamihinovanuncfaciesinopinavesurgit;
　　Omniapraecepi，atqueanimomecumanteperegi。"
　　["Nonewshapeofsufferingcanariseneworunexpected;Ihaveanticipatedall，andactedthemoverbeforehandinmymind。"
　　——AEneid，vi。103。]
　　Iam，however，alittleroughlyhandledforanapprentice，andwithasuddenandsharpalteration，beingfalleninaninstantfromaveryeasyandhappyconditionoflifeintothemostuneasyandpainfulthatcanbeimagined。Forbesidesthatitisadiseaseverymuchtobefearedinitself，itbeginswithmeafteramoresharpandseveremannerthanitisusedtodowithothermen。MyfitscomesothickuponmethatIamscarcelyeveratease;yetIhavehithertokeptmymindsouprightthat，providedIcanstillcontinueit，Ifindmyselfinamuchbetterconditionoflifethanathousandothers，whohavenofewernorotherdiseasebutwhattheycreatetothemselvesforwantofmeditation。
　　Thereisacertainsortofcraftyhumilitythatspringsfrompresumption，asthis，forexample，thatweconfessourignoranceinmanythings，andaresocourteousastoacknowledgethatthereareintheworksofnaturesomequalitiesandconditionsthatareimperceptibletous，andofwhichourunderstandingcannotdiscoverthemeansandcauses;bythissohonestandconscientiousdeclarationwehopetoobtainthatpeopleshallalsobelieveusastothosethatwesaywedounderstand。Weneednottroubleourselvestoseekoutforeignmiraclesanddifficulties;methinks，amongstthethingsthatweordinarilysee，therearesuchincomprehensiblewondersassurpassalldifficultiesofmiracles。Whatawonderfulthingitisthatthedropofseedfromwhichweareproducedshouldcarryinitselftheimpressionnotonlyofthebodilyform，butevenofthethoughtsandinclinationsofourfathers！Wherecanthatdropoffluidmattercontainthatinfinitenumberofforms？andhowcantheycarryontheseresemblanceswithsoprecariousandirregularaprocessthatthesonshallbelikehisgreat—grandfather，thenephewlikehisuncle？InthefamilyofLepidusatRometherewerethree，notsuccessivelybutbyintervals，whowerebornwiththesameeyecoveredwithacartilage。AtThebestherewasaracethatcarriedfromtheirmother’swombtheformoftheheadofalance，andhewhowasnotbornsowaslookeduponasillegitimate。AndAristotlesaysthatinacertainnation，wherethewomenwereincommon，theyassignedthechildrentotheirfathersbytheirresemblance。
　　’TistobebelievedthatIderivethisinfirmityfrommyfather，forhediedwonderfullytormentedwithagreatstoneinhisbladder;hewasneversensibleofhisdiseasetillthesixty—seventhyearofhisage;andbeforethathadneverfeltanymenaceorsymptomsofit，eitherinhisreins，sides，oranyotherpart，andhadlived，tillthen，inahappy，vigorousstateofhealth，littlesubjecttoinfirmities，andhecontinuedsevenyearsafterinthisdisease，draggingonaverypainfulendoflife。Iwasbornaboutfive—and—twentyyearsbeforehisdiseaseseizedhim，andinthetimeofhismostflourishingandhealthfulstateofbody，histhirdchildinorderofbirth:wherecouldhispropensiontothismaladylielurkingallthatwhile？Andhebeingthensofarfromtheinfirmity，howcouldthatsmallpartofhissubstancewherewithhemademe，carryawaysogreatanimpressionforitsshare？andhowsoconcealed，thattillfive—and—fortyyearsafter，Ididnotbegintobesensibleofit？beingtheonlyonetothishour，amongstsomanybrothersandsisters，andallbyonemother，thatwasevertroubledwithit。Hethatcansatisfymeinthispoint，Iwillbelievehiminasmanyothermiraclesashepleases;alwaysprovidedthat，astheirmanneris，hedonotgivemeadoctrinemuchmoreintricateandfantasticthanthethingitselfforcurrentpay。
　　LetthephysiciansalittleexcusethelibertyItake，forbythissameinfusionandfatalinsinuationitisthatIhavereceivedahatredandcontemptoftheirdoctrine;theantipathyIhaveagainsttheirartishereditary。Myfatherlivedthree—scoreandfourteenyears，mygrandfathersixty—nine，mygreat—grandfatheralmostfourscoreyears，withoutevertastinganysortofphysic;and，withthem，whateverwasnotordinarydiet，wasinsteadofadrug。Physicisgroundeduponexperienceandexamples:soismyopinion。Andisnotthisanexpressandveryadvantageousexperience。Idonotknowthattheycanfindmeinalltheirrecordsthreethatwereborn，bred，anddiedunderthesameroof，whohavelivedsolongbytheirconduct。Theymusthereofnecessityconfess，thatifreasonbenot，fortuneatleastisonmyside，andwithphysiciansfortunegoesagreatdealfurtherthanreason。Letthemnottakemenowatadisadvantage;letthemnotthreatenmeinthesubduedconditionwhereinInowam;thatweretreachery。Intruth，Ihaveenoughthebetterofthembythesedomesticexamples，thattheyshouldrestsatisfied。Humanthingsarenotusuallysoconstant;ithasbeentwohundredyears，saveeighteen，thatthistrialhaslasted，forthefirstofthemwasbornintheyear1402:’tisnow，indeed，verygoodreasonthatthisexperienceshouldbegintofailus。Letthemnot，therefore，reproachmewiththeinfirmitiesunderwhichInowsuffer;isitnotenoughthatIformyparthavelivedseven—and—fortyyearsingoodhealth？thoughitshouldbetheendofmycareer;’tisofthelongersort。
　　Myancestorshadanaversiontophysicbysomeoccultandnaturalinstinct;fortheverysightofdrugswasloathsometomyfather。TheSeigneurdeGaviac，myunclebythefather’sside，achurchman，andavaletudinaryfromhisbirth，andyetwhomadethatcrazylifeholdouttosixty—sevenyears，beingoncefallenintoafuriousfever，itwasorderedbythephysiciansheshouldbeplainlytoldthatifhewouldnotmakeuseofhelp（forsotheycallthatwhichisveryoftenanobstacle），hewouldinfalliblybeadeadman。Thatgoodman，thoughterrifiedwiththisdreadfulsentence，yetreplied，"Iamthenadeadman。"ButGodsoonaftermadetheprognosticfalse。Thelastofthebrothers——therewerefourofthem——andbymanyyearsthelast，theSieurdeBussaguet，wastheonlyoneofthefamilywhomadeuseofmedicine，byreason，Isuppose，oftheconcernhehadwiththeotherarts，forhewasacouncillorinthecourtofParliament，anditsucceededsoillwithhim，thatbeinginoutwardappearanceofthestrongestconstitution，heyetdiedlongbeforeanyoftherest，savetheSieurdeSaintMichel。
　　’TispossibleImayhavederivedthisnaturalantipathytophysicfromthem;buthadtherebeennootherconsiderationinthecase，Iwouldhaveendeavouredtohaveovercomeit;foralltheseconditionsthatspringinuswithoutreason，arevicious;’tisakindofdiseasethatweshouldwrestlewith。ItmaybeIhadnaturallythispropension;butIhavesupportedandfortifieditbyargumentsandreasonswhichhaveestablishedinmetheopinionIamof。ForIalsohatetheconsiderationofrefusingphysicforthenauseoustaste。
　　Ishouldhardlybeofthathumourwhoholdhealthtobeworthpurchasingbyallthemostpainfulcauteriesandincisionsthatcanbeapplied。
　　And，withEpicurus，Iconceivethatpleasuresaretobeavoided，ifgreaterpainsbetheconsequence，andpainstobecoveted，thatwillterminateingreaterpleasures。Healthisapreciousthing，andtheonlyone，intruth，meritingthatamanshouldlayout，notonlyhistime，sweat，labour，andgoods，butalsohislifeitselftoobtainit;
　　forasmuchas，withoutit，lifeiswearisomeandinjurioustous:
　　pleasure，wisdom，learning，andvirtue，withoutit，witherawayandvanish;andtothemostlabouredandsoliddiscoursesthatphilosophywouldimprintinustothecontrary，weneednomorebutopposetheimageofPlatobeingstruckwithanepilepsyorapoplexy;and，inthispresupposition，todefyhimtocalltherichfacultiesofhissoultohisassistance。Allmeansthatconducetohealthcanneitherbetoopainfulnortoodeartome。ButIhavesomeotherappearancesthatmakemestrangelysuspectallthismerchandise。Idonotdenybutthattheremaybesomeartinit，thattherearenotamongstsomanyworksofNature，thingsproperfortheconservationofhealth:thatismostcertain:I
　　verywellknowtherearesomesimplesthatmoisten，andothersthatdry;
　　Iexperimentallyknowthatradishesarewindy，andsenna—leavespurging;
　　andseveralothersuchexperiencesIhave，asthatmuttonnourishesme，andwinewarmsme:andSolonsaid"thateatingwasphysicagainstthemaladyhunger。"Idonotdisapprovetheusewemakeofthingstheearthproduces，nordoubt，intheleast，ofthepowerandfertilityofNature，andofitsapplicationtoournecessities:Iverywellseethatpikesandswallowslivebyherlaws;butImistrusttheinventionsofourmind，ourknowledgeandart，tocountenancewhich，wehaveabandonedNatureandherrules，andwhereinwekeepnoboundsnormoderation。Aswecallthepilingupofthefirstlawsthatfallintoourhandsjustice，andtheirpracticeanddispensationveryoftenfoolishandveryunjust;andasthosewhoscoffatandaccuseit，donot，nevertheless，blamethatnoblevirtueitself，butonlycondemntheabuseandprofanationofthatsacredtitle;soinphysicIverymuchhonourthatgloriousname，itspropositions，itspromises，sousefulfortheserviceofmankind;buttheordinancesitfoistsuponus，betwixtourselves，Ineitherhonournoresteem。
　　Inthefirstplace，experiencemakesmedreadit;foramongstallmyacquaintance，Iseenopeoplesosoonsick，andsolongbeforetheyarewell，asthosewhotakemuchphysic;theirveryhealthisalteredandcorruptedbytheirfrequentprescriptions。Physiciansarenotcontenttodealonlywiththesick，buttheywillmoreovercorrupthealthitself，forfearmenshouldatanytimeescapetheirauthority。Dotheynot，fromacontinualandperfecthealth，drawtheargumentofsomegreatsicknesstoensue？Ihavebeensickoftenenough，andhavealwaysfoundmysicknesseseasyenoughtobesupported（thoughIhavemadetrialofalmostallsorts），andasshortasthoseofanyother，withouttheirhelp，orwithoutswallowingtheirill—tastingdoses。ThehealthIhaveisfullandfree，withoutotherruleordisciplinethanmyowncustomandpleasure。Everyplaceservesmewellenoughtostayin，forIneednootherconveniences，whenIamsick，thanwhatImusthavewhenIamwell。
　　IneverdisturbmyselfthatIhavenophysician，noapothecary，noranyotherassistance，whichIseemostothersickmenmoreafflictedatthantheyarewiththeirdisease。What！Dothedoctorsthemselvesshowusmorefelicityanddurationintheirownlives，thatmaymanifesttoussomeapparenteffectoftheirskill？
　　Thereisnotanationintheworldthathasnotbeenmanyageswithoutphysic;andthesethefirstages，thatistosay，thebestandmosthappy;andthetenthpartoftheworldknowsnothingofityet;manynationsareignorantofittothisday，wheremenlivemorehealthfulandlongerthanwedohere，andevenamongstusthecommonpeoplelivewellenoughwithoutit。TheRomansweresixhundredyearsbeforetheyreceivedit;andafterhavingmadetrialofit，banisheditfromthecityattheinstanceofCatotheCensor，whomadeitappearhoweasyitwastolivewithoutit，havinghimselflivedfourscoreandfiveyears，andkepthiswifealivetoanextremeoldage，notwithoutphysic，butwithoutaphysician:foreverythingthatwefindtobehealthfultolifemaybecalledphysic。Hekepthisfamilyinhealth，asPlutarchsaysifI
　　mistakenot，withhare’smilk;asPlinyreports，thattheArcadianscuredallmannerofdiseaseswiththatofacow;andHerodotussays，theLybiansgenerallyenjoyrarehealth，byacustomtheyhave，aftertheirchildrenarearrivedtofouryearsofage，toburnandcauterisetheveinsoftheirheadandtemples，bywhichmeanstheycutoffalldefluxionsofrheumfortheirwholelives。Andthecountrypeopleofourprovincemakeuseofnothing，inallsortsofdistempers，butthestrongestwinetheycanget，mixedwithagreatdealofsaffronandspice，andalwayswiththesamesuccess。
　　Andtosaythetruth，ofallthisdiversityandconfusionofprescriptions，whatotherendandeffectisthereafterall，buttopurgethebelly？whichathousandordinarysimpleswilldoaswell;andIdonotknowwhethersuchevacuationsbesomuchtoouradvantageastheypretend，andwhethernaturedoesnotrequirearesidenceofherexcrementstoacertainproportion，aswinedoesofitsleestokeepitalive:youoftenseehealthfulmenfallintovomitingsandfluxesofthebellybysomeextrinsicaccident，andmakeagreatevacuationofexcrements，withoutanyprecedingneed，oranyfollowingbenefit，butratherwithhurttotheirconstitution。’TisfromthegreatPlato，thatIlatelylearned，thatofthreesortsofmotionswhicharenaturaltous，purgingistheworst，andthatnoman，unlesshebeafool，oughttotakeanythingtothatpurposebutintheextremestnecessity。Mendisturbandirritatethediseasebycontraryoppositions;itmustbethewayoflivingthatmustgentlydissolve，andbringittoitsend。Theviolentgripingsandcontestbetwixtthedrugandthediseaseareevertoourloss，sincethecombatisfoughtwithinourselves，andthatthedrugisanassistantnottobetrusted，beinginitsownnatureanenemytoourhealth，andbytroublehavingonlyaccessintoourcondition。Letitalonealittle;thegeneralorderofthingsthattakescareoffleasandmoles，alsotakescareofmen，iftheywillhavethesamepatiencethatfleasandmoleshave，toleaveittoitself。’Tistomuchpurposewecryout"Bihore，"——[AtermusedbytheLanguedocwaggonerstohastentheirhorses]——’tisawaytomakeushoarse，butnottohastenthematter。
　　’Tisaproudanduncompassionateorder:ourfears，ourdespairdispleaseandstopitfrom，insteadofinvitingitto，ourrelief;itowesitscoursetothedisease，aswellastohealth;andwillnotsufferitselftobecorruptedinfavouroftheonetotheprejudiceoftheother’sright，foritwouldthenfallintodisorder。Letus，inGod’sname，followit;itleadsthosethatfollow，andthosewhowillnotfollow，itdragsalong，boththeirfuryandphysictogether。Orderapurgeforyourbrain，itwilltherebemuchbetteremployedthanuponyourstomach。
　　OneaskingaLacedaemonianwhathadmadehimlivesolong，hemadeanswer，"theignoranceofphysic";andtheEmperorAdriancontinuallyexclaimedashewasdying，thatthecrowdofphysicianshadkilledhim。
　　Abadwrestlerturnedphysician:"Courage，"saysDiogenestohim;"thouhastdonewell，fornowthouwillthrowthosewhohaveformerlythrownthee。"Buttheyhavethisadvantage，accordingtoNicocles，thatthesungiveslighttotheirsuccessandtheearthcoverstheirfailures。And，besides，theyhaveaveryadvantageouswayofmakinguseofallsortsofevents:forwhatfortune，nature，oranyothercause（ofwhichthenumberisinfinite），productsofgoodandhealthfulinus，itistheprivilegeofphysictoattributetoitself;allthehappysuccessesthathappentothepatient，mustbethencederived;theaccidentsthathavecuredme，andathousandothers，whodonotemployphysicians，physiciansusurptothemselves:andastoillaccidents，theyeitherabsolutelydisownthem，inlayingthefaultuponthepatient，bysuchfrivolousreasonsastheyareneveratalossfor;as"helaywithhisarmsoutofbed，"or"hewasdisturbedwiththerattlingofacoach:"
　　"RhedarumtransitusarctoVicoruminflexu:"
　　["Thepassageofthewheelsinthenarrowturningofthestreet"——Juvenal，iii。236。]
　　or"somebodyhadsetopenthecasement，"or"hehadlainuponhisleftside，"or"hehadsomedisagreeablefanciesinhishead":insum，aword，adream，oralook，seemstothemexcusesufficientwherewithtopalliatetheirownerrors:or，iftheysoplease，theyevenmakeuseofourgrowingworse，anddotheirbusinessinthiswaywhichcanneverfailthem:whichisbybuzzingusintheear，whenthediseaseismoreinflamedbytheirmedicaments，thatithadbeenmuchworsebutforthoseremedies;he，whomfromanordinarycoldtheyhavethrownintoadoubletertian—ague，hadbutforthembeeninacontinuedfever。Theydonotmuchcarewhatmischieftheydo，sinceitturnstotheirownprofit。