Theyhaveathirdwayofsavingtheirowncredit，ofriddingtheirhandsofusandsecuringthemselvesfromthereproacheswemightcastintheirteethofourlittleamendment，whentheyhavehadussolongintheirhandsthattheyhavenotonemoreinventionleftwherewithtoamuseus，whichistosendustothebetterairofsomeothercountry。This，Madame，isenough;Ihopeyouwillgivemeleavetoreturntomydiscourse，fromwhichIhavesofardigressed，thebettertodivertyou。"
　　Itwas，Ithink，Pericles，whobeingaskedhowhedid:"Youmayjudge，"
　　sayshe，"bythese，"showingsomelittlescrollsofparchmenthehadtiedabouthisneckandarms。Bywhichhewouldinferthathemustneedsbeverysickwhenhewasreducedtoanecessityofhavingrecoursetosuchidleandvainfopperies，andofsufferinghimselftobesoequipped。
　　IdarenotpromisebutthatImayonedaybesomuchafoolastocommitmylifeanddeathtothemercyandgovernmentofphysicians;Imayfallintosuchafrenzy;Idarenotberesponsibleformyfutureconstancy:
　　butthen，ifanyoneaskmehowIdo，Imayalsoanswer，asPericlesdid，"Youmayjudgebythis，"shewingmyhandclutchingsixdrachmsofopium。
　　Itwillbeaveryevidentsignofaviolentsickness:myjudgmentwillbeverymuchoutoforder;ifoncefearandimpatiencegetsuchanadvantageoverme，itmayverywellbeconcludedthatthereisadreadfulfeverinmymind。
　　Ihavetakenthepainstopleadthiscause，whichIunderstandindifferently，alittletobackandsupportthenaturalaversiontodrugsandthepracticeofphysicIhavederivedfrommyancestors，totheenditmaynotbeamerestupidandinconsiderateaversion，buthavealittlemoreform;andalso，thattheywhoshallseemesoobstinateinmyresolutionagainstallexhortationsandmenacesthatshallbegivenme，whenmyinfirmityshallpresshardestuponme，maynotthink’tismereobstinacyinme;oranyonesoill—naturedastojudgeittobeanymotiveofglory:foritwouldbeastrangeambitiontoseektogainhonourbyanactionmygardenerormygroomcanperformaswellasI。
　　Certainly，Ihavenotaheartsotumorousandwindy，thatIshouldexchangesosolidapleasureashealthforanairyandimaginarypleasure:glory，eventhatoftheFourSonsofAymon，istoodearboughtbyamanofmyhumour，ifitcosthimthreeswingingfitsofthestone。
　　Givemehealth，inGod’sname！Suchaslovephysic，mayalsohavegood，great，andconvincingconsiderations;Idonothateopinionscontrarytomyown:Iamso，farfrombeingangrytoseeadiscrepancybetwixtmineandothermen’sjudgments，andfromrenderingmyselfunfitforthesocietyofmen，frombeingofanothersenseandpartythanmine，thatonthecontrary（themostgeneralwaythatnaturehasfollowedbeingvariety，andmoreinsoulsthanbodies，forasmuchastheyareofamoresupplesubstance，andmoresusceptibleofforms）Ifinditmuchmoreraretoseeourhumoursanddesignsjumpandagree。Andthereneverwere，intheworld，twoopinionsalike，nomorethantwohairs，ortwograins:
　　theirmostuniversalqualityisdiversity。
　　EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V14
　　byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
　　CONTENTSOFVOLUME14。
　　I。OfProfitandHonesty。
　　II。OfRepentance。
　　III。OfThreeCommerces。
　　IV。OfDiversion。
　　ESSAYSOFMONTAIGNE
　　BOOKTHETHIRD
　　CHAPTERI
　　OFPROFITANDHONESTY
　　Nomanisfreefromspeakingfoolishthings;buttheworston’tis，whenamanlabourstoplaythefool:
　　"Naeistemagnoconatumagnasnugasdixerit。"
　　["Trulyhe，withagreateffortwillshortlysayamightytrifle。"
　　———Terence，Heaut。，actiii。，s。4。]
　　Thisdoesnotconcernme;mineslipfrommewithaslittlecareastheyareoflittlevalue，and’tisthebetterforthem。Iwouldpresentlypartwiththemforwhattheyareworth，andneitherbuynorsellthem，butastheyweigh。Ispeakonpaper，asIdotothefirstpersonImeet;
　　andthatthisistrue，observewhatfollows。
　　Towhomoughtnottreacherytobehateful，whenTiberiusrefuseditinathingofsogreatimportancetohim？HehadwordsenthimfromGermanythatifhethoughtfit，theywouldridhimofArminiusbypoison:thiswasthemostpotentenemytheRomanshad，whohaddefeatedthemsoignominiouslyunderVarus，andwhoalonepreventedtheiraggrandisementinthoseparts。
　　Hereturnedanswer，"thatthepeopleofRomewerewonttorevengethemselvesoftheirenemiesbyopenways，andwiththeirswordsintheirhands，andnotclandestinelyandbyfraud":whereinhequittedtheprofitableforthehonest。Youwilltellmethathewasabraggadocio;I
　　believesotoo:and’tisnogreatmiracleinmenofhisprofession。Buttheacknowledgmentofvirtueisnotlessvalidinthemouthofhimwhohatesit，forasmuchastruthforcesitfromhim，andifhewillnotinwardlyreceiveit，heatleastputsitonforadecoration。
　　Ouroutwardandinwardstructureisfullofimperfection;butthereisnothinguselessinnature，noteveninutilityitself;nothinghasinsinuateditselfintothisuniversethathasnotthereinsomefitandproperplace。Ourbeingiscementedwithsicklyqualities:ambition，jealousy，envy，revenge，superstition，anddespairhavesonaturalapossessioninus，thatitsimageisdiscernedinbeasts;nay，andcruelty，sounnaturalavice;foreveninthemidstofcompassionwefeelwithin，Iknownotwhattart—sweettitillationofill—naturedpleasureinseeingotherssuffer;andthechildrenfeelit:
　　"Suavemarimagno，turbantibusaequoraventis，Eterramagnumalteriusspectarelaborem:"
　　[Itissweet，whenthewindsdisturbthewatersofthevastsea，towitnessfromlandtheperilofotherpersons。"——Lucretius，ii。I。]
　　oftheseedsofwhichqualities，whoevershoulddivestman，woulddestroythefundamentalconditionsofhumanlife。Likewise，inallgovernmentstherearenecessaryoffices，notonlyabject，butviciousalso。Vicestherehelptomakeuptheseaminourpiecing，aspoisonsareusefulfortheconservationofhealth。Iftheybecomeexcusablebecausetheyareofusetous，andthatthecommonnecessitycoverstheirtruequalities，wearetoresignthisparttothestrongestandboldestcitizens，whosacrificetheirhonourandconscience，asothersofoldsacrificedtheirlives，forthegoodoftheircountry:we，whoareweaker，takeuponuspartsboththataremoreeasyandlesshazardous。Thepublicwealrequiresthatmenshouldbetray，andlie，andmassacre;letusleavethiscommissiontomenwhoaremoreobedientandmoresupple。
　　Inearnest，Ihaveoftenbeentroubledtoseejudges，byfraudandfalsehopesoffavourorpardon，allureacriminaltoconfesshisfact，andthereintomakeuseofcozenageandimpudence。Itwouldbecomejustice，andPlatohimself，whocountenancesthismannerofproceeding，tofurnishmewithothermeansmoresuitabletomyownliking:thisisamaliciouskindofjustice，andIlookuponitasnolesswoundedbyitselfthanbyothers。Isaidnotlongsincetosomecompanyindiscourse，thatI
　　shouldhardlybedrawntobetraymyprinceforaparticularman，whoshouldbemuchashamedtobetrayanyparticularmanformyprince;andI
　　donotonlyhatedeceivingmyself，butthatanyoneshoulddeceivethroughme;Iwillneitheraffordmatternoroccasiontoanysuchthing。
　　InthelittleIhavehadtomediatebetwixtourprinces——[BetweentheKingofNavarre，afterwardsHenryIV。，andtheDucdeGuise。SeeDeThou，DeVitaSua，iii。9。]——inthedivisionsandsubdivisionsbywhichweareatthistimetorntopieces，Ihavebeenverycarefulthattheyshouldneitherbedeceivedinmenordeceiveothersbyme。Peopleofthatkindoftradingareveryreserved，andpretendtobethemostmoderateimaginableandnearesttotheopinionsofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodo;Iexposemyselfinmystiffopinion，andafteramethodthemostmyown;atendernegotiator，anovice，whohadratherfailintheaffairthanbewantingtomyself。Andyetithasbeenhithertowithsogoodluck（forfortunehasdoubtlessthebestshareinit），thatfewthingshavepassedfromhandtohandwithlesssuspicionormorefavourandprivacy。IhaveafreeandopenwaythateasilyinsinuatesitselfandobtainsbeliefwiththosewithwhomIamtodealatthefirstmeeting。Sincerityandpuretruth，inwhatagesoever，passforcurrent;
　　andbesides，thelibertyandfreedomofamanwhotreatswithoutanyinterestofhisownisneverhatefulorsuspected，andhemayverywellmakeuseoftheanswerofHyperidestotheAthenians，whocomplainedofhisbluntwayofspeaking:"Messieurs，donotconsiderwhetherornoIamfree，butwhetherIamsowithoutabribe，orwithoutanyadvantagetomyownaffairs。"Mylibertyofspeakinghasalsoeasilyclearedmefromallsuspicionofdissemblingbyitsvehemency，leavingnothingunsaid，howhomeandbittersoever（sothatIcouldhavesaidnoworsebehindtheirbacks），andinthatitcarriedalongwithitamanifestshowofsimplicityandindifference。Ipretendtonootherfruitbyactingthantoact，andaddtoitnolongargumentsorpropositions;everyactionplaysitsowngame，winifitcan。
　　Astotherest，Iamnotswayedbyanypassion，eitherofloveorhatred，towardsthegreat，norhasmywillcaptivatedeitherbyparticularinjuryorobligation。Ilookuponourkingswithanaffectionsimplyloyalandrespectful，neitherpromptednorrestrainedbyanyprivateinterest，andIlovemyselfforit。Nordoesthegeneralandjustcauseattractmeotherwisethanwithmoderation，andwithoutheat。Iamnotsubjecttothosepenetratingandclosecompactsandengagements。Angerandhatredarebeyondthedutyofjustice;andarepassionsonlyusefultothosewhodonotkeepthemselvesstrictlytotheirdutybysimplereason:
　　"Utaturmotuanimi，quiutirationenonpotest。"
　　["Hemayemployhispassion，whocanmakenouseofhisreason。"
　　——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。25。]
　　Alllegitimateintentionsaretemperateandequableofthemselves;ifotherwise，theydegenerateintoseditiousandunlawful。Thisisitwhichmakesmewalkeverywherewithmyheaderect，myfaceandmyheartopen。
　　Intruth，andIamnotafraidtoconfessit，Ishouldeasily，incaseofneed，holduponecandletoSt。Michaelandanothertohisdragon，liketheoldwoman;Iwillfollowtherightsideeventothefire，butexclusively，ifIcan。LetMontaignebeoverwhelmedinthepublicruinifneedbe;butiftherebenoneed，Ishouldthinkmyselfobligedtofortunetosaveme，andIwillmakeuseofallthelengthoflinemydutyallowsforhispreservation。WasitnotAtticuswho，beingofthejustbutlosingside，preservedhimselfbyhismoderationinthatuniversalshipwreckoftheworld，amongstsomanymutationsanddiversities？Forprivateman，ashewas，itismoreeasy;andinsuchkindofwork，I
　　thinkamanmayjustlynotbeambitioustoofferandinsinuatehimself。
　　Foraman，indeed，tobewaveringandirresolute，tokeephisaffectionunmovedandwithoutinclinationinthetroublesofhiscountryandpublicdivisions，Ineitherthinkithandsomenorhonest:
　　"Eanonmedia，sednullaviaest，veluteventumexspectantium，quofortunaeconsiliasuaapplicent。"
　　["Thatisnotamiddleway，butnoway，toawaitevents，bywhichtheyrefertheirresolutionstofortune。"——Livy，xxxii。21。]
　　Thismaybeallowedinourneighbours’affairs;andthusGelo，thetyrantofSyracuse，suspendedhisinclinationinthewarbetwixttheGreeksandbarbarians，keepingaresidentambassadorwithpresentsatDelphos，towatchandseewhichwayfortunewouldincline，andthentakefitoccasiontofallinwiththevictors。Itwouldbeakindoftreasontoproceedafterthismannerinourowndomesticaffairs，whereinamanmustofnecessitybeoftheonesideortheother;thoughforamanwhohasnoofficeorexpresscommandtocallhimout，tositstillIholditmoreexcusable（andyetIdonotexcusemyselfupontheseterms）thaninforeignexpeditions，towhich，however，accordingtoourlaws，nomanispressedagainsthiswill。Andyeteventhosewhowhollyengagethemselvesinsuchawarmaybehavethemselveswithsuchtemperandmoderation，thatthestormmayflyovertheirheadswithoutdoingthemanyharm。HadwenotreasontohopesuchanissueinthepersonofthelateBishopofOrleans，theSieurdeMorvilliers？
　　[Anablenegotiator，who，thoughprotectedbytheGuises，andstronglysupportingthem，wasyetveryfarfrompersecutingtheReformists。Hedied1577。]
　　AndIknow，amongstthosewhobehavethemselvesmostbravelyinthepresentwar，somewhosemannersaresogentle，obliging，andjust，thattheywillcertainlystandfirm，whatevereventHeavenispreparingforus。Iamofopinionthatitproperlybelongstokingsonlytoquarrelwithkings;andIlaughatthosespiritswho，outoflightnessofheart，lendthemselvestosodisproportioneddisputes;foramanhasneverthemoreparticularquarrelwithaprince，bymarchingopenlyandboldlyagainsthimforhisownhonourandaccordingtohisduty;ifhedoesnotlovesuchaperson，hedoesbetter，heesteemshim。Andnotablythecauseofthelawsandoftheancientgovernmentofakingdom，hasthisalwaysannexedtoit，thateventhosewho，fortheirownprivateinterest，invadethem，excuse，iftheydonothonour，thedefenders。
　　Butwearenot，aswenowadaysdo，tocallpeevishnessandinwarddiscontent，thatspringfromprivateinterestandpassion，duty，noratreacherousandmaliciousconduct，courage;theycalltheirpronenesstomischiefandviolencezeal;’tisnotthecause，buttheirinterest，thatinflamesthem;theykindleandbeginawar，notbecauseitisjust，butbecauseitiswar。
　　Amanmayverywellbehavehimselfcommodiouslyandloyallytooamongstthoseoftheadverseparty;carryyourself，ifnotwiththesameequalaffection（forthatiscapableofdifferentmeasure），atleastwithanaffectionmoderate，welltempered，andsuchasshallnotsoengageyoutooneparty，thatitmaydemandallyouareabletodoforthatside，contentyourselfwithamoderateproportionoftheir，favourandgoodwill;andtoswimintroubledwaterswithoutfishinginthem。
　　Theotherway，ofofferingaman’sselfandtheutmostserviceheisabletodo，bothtoonepartyandtheother，hasstilllessofprudenceinitthanconscience。Doesnothetowhomyoubetrayanother，towhomyouwereaswelcomeastohimself，knowthatyouwillatanothertimedoasmuchforhim？Heholdsyouforavillain;andinthemeantimehearswhatyouwillsay，gathersintelligencefromyou，andworkshisownendsoutofyourdisloyalty;double—dealingmenareusefulforbringingin，butwemusthaveacaretheycarryoutaslittleasispossible。
　　IsaynothingtoonepartythatImaynot，uponoccasion，saytotheother，withalittlealterationofaccent;andreportnothingbutthingseitherindifferentorknown，orwhatisofcommonconsequence。Icannotpermitmyself，foranyconsideration，totellthemalie。Whatisintrustedtomysecrecy，Ireligiouslyconceal;butItakeasfewtrustsofthatnatureuponmeasIcan。Thesecretsofprincesareatroublesomeburthentosuchasarenotinterestedinthem。Iverywillinglybargainthattheytrustmewithlittle，butconfidentlyrelyuponwhatItellthem。IhaveeverknownmorethanIdesired。Oneopenwayofspeakingintroducesanotheropenwayofspeaking，anddrawsoutdiscoveries，likewineandlove。Philippides，inmyopinion，answeredKingLysimachusverydiscreetly，who，askinghimwhatofhisestateheshouldbestowuponhim？"Whatyouwill，"saidhe，"provideditbenoneofyoursecrets。"Iseeeveryoneisdispleasedifthebottomoftheaffairbeconcealedfromhimwhereinheisemployed，orthattherebeanyreservationinthething;formypart，Iamcontenttoknownomoreofthebusinessthanwhattheywouldhavemeemploymyselfin，nordesirethatmyknowledgeshouldexceedorrestrictwhatIhavetosay。IfI
　　mustserveforaninstrumentofdeceit，let1tbeatleastwithasafeconscience:Iwillnotbereputedaservanteithersoaffectionateorsoloyalastobefittobetrayanyone:hewhoisunfaithfultohimself，isexcusablysotohismaster。Buttheyareprinceswhodonotacceptmenbyhalves，anddespiselimitedandconditionalservices:Icannothelpit:IfranklytellthemhowfarIcango;foraslaveIshouldnotbe，buttoreason，andIcanhardlysubmiteventothat。Andtheyalsoaretoblametoexactfromafreemanthesamesubjectionandobligationtotheirservicethattheydofromhimtheyhavemadeandbought，orwhosefortuneparticularlyandexpresslydependsupontheirs。Thelawshavedeliveredmefromagreatanxiety;theyhavechosenasideforme，andgivenmeamaster;allothersuperiorityandobligationoughttoberelativetothat，andcut，offfromallother。Yetthisisnottosay，thatifmyaffectionshouldotherwiseinclineme，myhandshouldpresentlyobeyit;thewillanddesirearealawtothemselves;butactionsmustreceivecommissionfromthepublicappointment。
　　Allthisproceedingofmineisalittledissonantfromtheordinaryforms;itwouldproducenogreateffects，norbeofanylongduration;
　　innocenceitselfcouldnot，inthisageofours，eithernegotiatewithoutdissimulation，ortrafficwithoutlying;and，indeed，publicemploymentsarebynomeansformypalate:whatmyprofessionrequires，IperformafterthemostprivatemannerthatIcan。Beingyoung，Iwasengageduptotheearsinbusiness，anditsucceededwell;butIdisengagedmyselfingoodtime。Ihaveoftensinceavoidedmeddlinginit，rarelyaccepted，andneveraskedit;keepingmybackstillturnedtoambition;
　　butifnotlikerowerswhosoadvancebackward，yetso，atthesametime，thatIamlessobligedtomyresolutionthantomygoodfortune，thatI
　　wasnotwhollyembarkedinit。Fortherearewayslessdispleasingtomytaste，andmoresuitabletomyability，bywhich，ifshehadformerlycalledmetothepublicservice，andmyownadvancementtowardstheworld’sopinion，IknowIshould，inspiteofallmyownargumentstothecontrary，havepursuedthem。Suchascommonlysay，inoppositiontowhatIprofess，thatwhatIcallfreedom，simplicity，andplainnessinmymanners，isartandsubtlety，andratherprudencethangoodness，industrythannature，goodsensethangoodluck，domemorehonourthandisgrace:
　　but，certainly，theymakemysubtletytoosubtle;，andwhoeverhasfollowedmeclose，andpryednarrowlyintome，Iwillgivehimthevictory，ifhedoesnotconfessthatthereisnoruleintheirschoolthatcouldmatchthisnaturalmotion，andmaintainanappearanceoflibertyandlicence，soequalandinflexible，throughsomanyvariousandcrookedpaths，andthatalltheirwitandendeavourcouldneverhaveledthemthrough。Thewayoftruthisoneandsimple;thatofparticularprofit，andthecommodityofaffairsamanisentrustedwith，isdouble，unequal，andcasual。Ihaveoftenseenthesecounterfeitandartificiallibertiespractised，but，forthemostpart，withoutsuccess;theyrelishofAEsop’sasswho，inemulationofthedog，obliginglyclappedhistwofore—feetuponhismaster’sshoulders;butasmanycaressesasthedoghadforsuchanexpressionofkindness，twicesomanyblowswithacudgelhadthepoorassforhiscompliment:
　　"Idmaximequemquedecet，quodestcujusquesuummaxime。"
　　["Thatbestbecomeseverymanwhichbelongsmosttohim;"
　　——Cicero，DeOffic。，i。31。]
　　Iwillnotdeprivedeceitofitsdue;thatwerebutilltounderstandtheworld:Iknowithasoftenbeenofgreatuse，andthatitmaintainsandsuppliesmostmen’semployment。Therearevicesthatarelawful，astherearemanyactions，eithergoodorexcusable，thatarenotlawfulinthemselves。
　　Thejusticewhichinitselfisnaturalanduniversalisotherwiseandmorenoblyorderedthanthatotherjusticewhichisspecial，national，andconstrainedtotheendsofgovernment，"Verijurisgermanaequejustitiaesolidametexpressameffigiemnullamtenemus;umbraetimaginibusutimur;"
　　["Weretainnosolidandexpressportraitureoftruerightandgermanejustice;wehaveonlytheshadowandimageofit。"
　　——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。17。]
　　insomuchthatthesageDandamis，hearingthelivesofSocrates，Pythagoras，andDiogenesread，judgedthemtobegreatmeneveryway，exceptingthattheyweretoomuchsubjectedtothereverenceofthelaws，which，tosecondandauthorise，truevirtuemustabateverymuchofitsoriginalvigour;manyviciousactionsareintroduced，notonlybytheirpermission，butbytheiradvice:
　　"Exsenatusconsultisplebisquescitissceleraexercentur。"
　　["CrimesarecommittedbythedecreesoftheSenateandthepopularassembly。"——Seneca，Ep。，95。]
　　Ifollowthecommonphrasethatdistinguishesbetwixtprofitableandhonestthings，soastocallsomenaturalactions，thatarenotonlyprofitablebutnecessary，dishonestandfoul。
　　ButletusproceedinourexamplesoftreacherytwopretenderstothekingdomofThrace——[RhescuporisandCotys。Tacitus，Annal。，ii。65]——
　　werefallenintodisputeabouttheirtitle;theemperorhinderedthemfromproceedingtoblows:butoneofthem，undercolourofbringingthingstoafriendlyissuebyaninterview，havinginvitedhiscompetitortoanentertainmentinhisownhouse，imprisonedandkilledhim。JusticerequiredthattheRomansshouldhavesatisfactionforthisoffence;buttherewasadifficultyinobtainingitbyordinaryways;what，therefore，theycouldnotdolegitimately，withoutwarandwithoutdanger，theyresolvedtodobytreachery;andwhattheycouldnothonestlydo，theydidprofitably。Forwhichend，onePomponiusFlaccuswasfoundtobeafitinstrument。Thisman，bydissembledwordsandassurances，havingdrawntheotherintohistoils，insteadofthehonourandfavourhehadpromisedhim，senthimboundhandandfoottoRome。Hereonetraitorbetrayedanother，contrarytocommoncustom:fortheyarefullofmistrust，and’tishardtooverreachthemintheirownart:witnessthesadexperiencewehavelatelyhad。——[MontaignehereprobablyreferstothefeignedreconciliationbetweenCatherinedeMediciandHenri，DucdeGuise，in1588。]
　　LetwhowillbePomponiusFlaccus，andthereareenoughwhowould:formypart，bothmywordandmyfaithare，likealltherest，partsofthiscommonbody:theirbesteffectisthepublicservice;thisItakeforpresupposed。Butshouldonecommandmetotakechargeofthecourtsoflawandlawsuits，Ishouldmakeanswer，thatIunderstooditnot;ortheplaceofaleaderofpioneers，Iwouldsay，thatIwascalledtoamorehonourableemployment;solikewise，hethatwouldemploymetolie，betray，andforswearmyself，thoughnottoassassinateortopoison，forsomenotableservice，Ishouldsay，"IfIhaverobbedorstolenanythingfromanyman，sendmerathertothegalleys。"Foritispermissibleinamanofhonourtosay，astheLacedaemoniansdid，——[Plutarch，DifferencebetweenaFlattererandaFriend，c。21。]——havingbeendefeatedbyAntipater，whenjustuponconcludinganagreement:"Youmayimposeasheavyandruinoustaxesuponusasyouplease，buttocommandustodoshamefulanddishonestthings，youwillloseyourtime，foritistonopurpose。"EveryoneoughttomakethesamevowtohimselfthatthekingsofEgyptmadetheirjudgessolemnlyswear，thattheywouldnotdoanythingcontrarytotheirconsciences，thoughneversomuchcommandedtoitbythemselves。Insuchcommissionsthereisevidentmarkofignominyandcondemnation;andhewhogivesitatthesametimeaccusesyou，andgivesit，ifyouunderstanditright，foraburdenandapunishment。
　　Asmuchasthepublicaffairsarebetteredbyyourexploit，somuchareyourowntheworse，andthebetteryoubehaveyourselfinit，’tissomuchtheworseforyourself;anditwillbenonewthing，nor，peradventure，withoutsomecolourofjustice，ifthesamepersonruinyouwhosetyouonwork。
　　Iftreacherycanbeinanycaseexcusable，itmustbeonlysowhenitispractisedtochastiseandbetraytreachery。Thereareexamplesenoughoftreacheries，notonlyrejected，butchastisedandpunishedbythoseinfavourofwhomtheywereundertaken。WhoisignorantofFabriciussentenceagainstthephysicianofPyrrhus？
　　Butthiswealsofindrecorded，thatsomepersonshavecommandedathing，whoafterwardhaveseverelyavengedtheexecutionofituponhimtheyhademployed，rejectingthereputationofsounbridledanauthority，anddisowningsoabandonedandbaseaservitudeandobedience。Jaropelk，DukeofRussia，tamperedwithagentlemanofHungarytobetrayBoleslaus，kingofPoland，eitherbykillinghim，orbygivingtheRussiansopportunitytodohimsomenotablemischief。Thisworthywentablytowork:hewasmoreassiduousthanbeforeintheserviceofthatking，sothatheobtainedthehonourtobeofhiscouncil，andoneofthechiefestinhistrust。Withtheseadvantages，andtakinganopportuneoccasionofhismaster’sabsence，hebetrayedVislicza，agreatandrichcity，totheRussians，whichwasentirelysackedandburned，andnotonlyalltheinhabitantsofbothsexes，youngandold，puttothesword，butmoreoveragreatnumberofneighbouringgentry，whomhehaddrawnthithertothatend。Jaropelk，hisrevengebeingthussatisfiedandhisangerappeased，whichwasnot，indeed，withoutpretence（forBoleslaushadhighlyoffendedhim，andafterthesamemanner），andsatedwiththefruitofthistreachery，comingtoconsiderthefulnessofit，withasoundjudgmentandclearfrompassion，lookeduponwhathadbeendonewithsomuchhorrorandremorsethathecausedtheeyestobeboredoutandthetongueandshamefulpartstobecutoffofhimwhohadperformedit。
　　AntigonuspersuadedtheArgyraspidestobetrayEumenes，theirgeneral，hisadversary，intohishands;butafterhehadcausedhim，sodelivered，tobeslain，hewouldhimselfbethecommissionerofthedivinejusticeforthepunishmentofsodetestableacrime，andcommittedthemintothehandsofthegovernoroftheprovince，withexpresscommand，bywhatevermeans，todestroyandbringthemalltoanevilend，sothatofthatgreatnumberofmen，notsomuchasoneeverreturnedagainintoMacedonia:thebetterhehadbeenserved，themorewickedlyhejudgedittobe，andmeritinggreaterpunishment。
　　Theslavewhobetrayedtheplacewherehismaster，P。Sulpicius，layconcealed，was，accordingtothepromiseofSylla’sproscription，manumittedforhispains;butaccordingtothepromiseofthepublicjustice，whichwasfreefromanysuchengagement，hewasthrownheadlongfromtheTarpeianrock。
　　OurKingClovis，insteadofthearmsofgoldhehadpromisedthem，causedthreeofCararie’sservantstobehangedaftertheyhadbetrayedtheirmastertohim，thoughhehaddebauchedthemtoit:hehangedthemwiththepurseoftheirrewardabouttheirnecks;afterhavingsatisfiedhissecondandspecialfaith，hesatisfiedthegeneralandfirst。
　　MohammedII。havingresolvedtoridhimselfofhisbrother，outofjealousyofstate，accordingtothepracticeoftheOttomanfamily，heemployedoneofhisofficersintheexecution，who，pouringaquantityofwatertoofastintohim，chokedhim。Thisbeingdone，toexpiatethemurder，hedeliveredthemurdererintothehandsofthemotherofhimhehadsocausedtobeputtodeath，fortheywereonlybrothersbythefather’sside;she，inhispresence，rippedupthemurderer’sbosom，andwithherownhandsrifledhisbreastforhisheart，toreitout，andthrewittothedogs。Andeventotheworstpeopleitisthesweetestthingimaginable，havingoncegainedtheirendbyaviciousaction，tofoist，inallsecurity，intoitsomeshowofvirtueandjustice，asbywayofcompensationandconscientiouscorrection;towhichmaybeadded，thattheylookupontheministersofsuchhorridcrimesasuponmenwhoreproachthemwiththem，andthinkbytheirdeathstoerasethememoryandtestimonyofsuchproceedings。
　　Orif，perhaps，youarerewarded，nottofrustratethepublicnecessityforthatextremeanddesperateremedy，hewhodoesitcannotforallthat，ifhebenotsuchhimself，butlookuponyouasanaccursedandexecrablefellow，andconcludeyouagreatertraitorthanhedoes，againstwhomyouareso:forhetriesthemalignityofyourdispositionbyyourownhands，wherehecannotpossiblybedeceived，youhavingnoobjectofprecedinghatredtomoveyoutosuchanact;butheemploysyouastheydocondemnedmalefactorsinexecutionsofjustice，anofficeasnecessaryasdishonourable。Besidesthebasenessofsuchcommissions，thereis，moreover，aprostitutionofconscience。SeeingthatthedaughterofSejanuscouldnotbeputtodeathbythelawofRome，becauseshewasavirgin，shewas，tomakeitlawful，firstravishedbythehangmanandthenstrangled:notonlyhishandbuthissoulisslavetothepublicconvenience。
　　WhenAmurathI。，moregrievouslytopunishhissubjectswhohadtakenpartintheparriciderebellionofhisson，ordainedthattheirnearestkindredshouldassistintheexecution，Ifinditveryhandsomeinsomeofthemtohaveratherchosentobeunjustlythoughtguiltyoftheparricideofanotherthantoservejusticebyaparricideoftheirown。
　　AndwhereIhaveseen，atthetakingofsomelittlefortbyassaultinmytime，somerascalswho，tosavetheirownlives，wouldconsenttohangtheirfriendsandcompanions，Ihavelookeduponthemtobeofworseconditionthanthosewhowerehanged。’Tissaid，thatWitold，PrinceofLithuania，introducedintothenationthepracticethatthecriminalcondemnedtodeathshouldwithhisownhandexecutethesentence，thinkingitstrangethatathirdperson，innocentofthefault，shouldbemadeguiltyofhomicide。
　　Aprince，whenbysomeurgentcircumstanceorsomeimpetuousandunforeseenaccidentthatverymuchconcernshisstate，compelledtoforfeithiswordandbreakhisfaith，orotherwiseforcedfromhisordinaryduty，oughttoattributethisnecessitytoalashofthedivinerod:viceitisnot，forhehasgivenuphisownreasontoamoreuniversalandmorepowerfulreason;butcertainly’tisamisfortune:sothatifanyoneshouldaskmewhatremedy？"None，"sayI，"ifhewerereallyrackedbetweenthesetwoextremes:’sedvideat，nequoeraturlatebyaperjurio’，hemustdoit:butifhediditwithoutregret，ifitdidnotweighonhimtodoit，’tisasignhisconscienceisinasorrycondition。"Iftherebeapersontobefoundofsotenderaconscienceastothinknocurewhateverworthsoimportantaremedy，Ishalllikehimnevertheworse;hecouldnotmoreexcusablyormoredecentlyperish。
　　Wecannotdoallwewould，sothatwemustoften，asthelastanchorage，committheprotectionofourvesselstothesimpleconductofheaven。
　　Towhatmorejustnecessitydoeshereservehimself？Whatislesspossibleforhimtodothanwhathecannotdobutattheexpenseofhisfaithandhonour，thingsthat，perhaps，oughttobedearertohimthanhisownsafety，oreventhesafetyofhispeople。Thoughheshould，withfoldedarms，onlycallGodtohisassistance，hashenotreasontohopethatthedivinegoodnesswillnotrefusethefavourofanextraordinaryarmtojustandpurehands？Thesearedangerousexamples，rareandsicklyexceptionstoournaturalrules:wemustyieldtothem，butwithgreatmoderationandcircumspection:noprivateutilityisofsuchimportancethatweshoulduponthataccountstrainourconsciencestosuchadegree:thepublicmaybe，whenverymanifestandofverygreatconcern。
　　Timoleonmadeatimelyexpiationforhisstrangeexploitbythetearsheshed，callingtomindthatitwaswithafraternalhandthathehadslainthetyrant;anditjustlyprickedhisconsciencethathehadbeennecessitatedtopurchasethepublicutilityatsogreatapriceastheviolationofhisprivatemorality。EventheSenateitself，byhismeansdeliveredfromslavery，durstnotpositivelydetermineofsohighafact，anddividedintotwosoimportantandcontraryaspects;buttheSyracusans，sendingatthesametimetotheCorinthianstosolicittheirprotection，andtorequireofthemacaptainfittore—establishtheircityinitsformerdignityandtoclearSicilyofseverallittletyrantsbywhomitwasoppressed，theydeputedTimoleonforthatservice，withthiscunningdeclaration;"thataccordingasheshouldbehavehimselfwellorillinhisemployment，theirsentenceshouldinclineeithertofavourthedelivererofhiscountry，ortodisfavourthemurdererofhisbrother。"Thisfantasticconclusioncarriesalongwithitsomeexcuse，byreasonofthedangeroftheexample，andtheimportanceofsostrangeanaction:andtheydidwelltodischargetheirownjudgmentofit，andtoreferittootherswhowerenotsomuchconcerned。ButTimoleon’scomportmentinthisexpeditionsoonmadehiscausemoreclear，soworthilyandvirtuouslyhedemeanedhimselfuponalloccasions;andthegoodfortunethataccompaniedhiminthedifficultieshehadtoovercomeinthisnobleemployment，seemedtobestrewedinhiswaybythegods，favourablyconspiringforhisjustification。
　　Theendofthismatterisexcusable，ifanycanbeso;buttheprofitoftheaugmentationofthepublicrevenue，thatservedtheRomanSenateforapretencetothefoulconclusionIamgoingtorelate，isnotsufficienttowarrantanysuchinjustice。
　　Certaincitieshadredeemedthemselvesandtheirlibertybymoney，bytheorderandconsentoftheSenate，outofthehandsofL。Sylla:thebusinesscomingagaininquestion，theSenatecondemnedthemtobetaxableastheywerebefore，andthatthemoneytheyhaddisbursedfortheirredemptionshouldbelosttothem。Civilwaroftenproducessuchvillainousexamples;thatwepunishprivatemenforconfidinginuswhenwewerepublicministers:andtheself—samemagistratemakesanothermanpaythepenaltyofhischangethathasnothingtodowithit;thepedagoguewhipshisscholarforhisdocility;andtheguidebeatstheblindmanwhomheleadsbythehand;ahorridimageofjustice。
　　Therearerulesinphilosophythatarebothfalseandweak。Theexamplethatisproposedtousforpreferringprivateutilitybeforefaithgiven，hasnotweightenoughbythecircumstancestheyputtoit;robbershaveseizedyou，andafterhavingmadeyousweartopaythemacertainsumofmoney，dismissyou。’Tisnotwelldonetosay，thatanhonestmancanbequitofhisoathwithoutpayment，beingoutoftheirhands。’Tisnosuchthing:whatfearhasoncemademewillingtodo，IamobligedtodoitwhenIamnolongerinfear;andthoughthatfearonlyprevailedwithmytonguewithoutforcingmywill，yetamIboundtokeepmyword。Formypart，whenmytonguehassometimesinconsideratelysaidsomethingthatI
　　didnotthink，Ihavemadeaconscienceofdisowningit:otherwise，bydegrees，weshallabolishalltherightanotherderivesfromourpromisesandoaths:
　　"Quasiverofortivirovispossitadhiberi。"
　　["Asthoughamanoftruecouragecouldbecompelled。"
　　——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。30。]
　　And’tisonlylawful，upontheaccountofprivateinterest，toexcusebreachofpromise，whenwehavepromisedsomethingthatisunlawfulandwickedinitself;fortherightofvirtueoughttotakeplaceoftherightofanyobligationofours。
　　IhaveformerlyplacedEpaminondasinthefirstrankofexcellentmen，anddonotrepentit。Howhighdidhestretchtheconsiderationofhisownparticularduty？hewhoneverkilledamanwhomhehadovercome;who，fortheinestimablebenefitofrestoringthelibertyofhiscountry，madeconscienceofkillingatyrantorhisaccompliceswithoutdueformofjustice:andwhoconcludedhimtobeawickedman，howgoodacitizensoeverotherwise，whoamongsthisenemiesinbattlesparednothisfriendandhisguest。Thiswasasoulofarichcomposition:hemarriedgoodnessandhumanity，nay，eventhetenderestandmostdelicateinthewholeschoolofphilosophy，totheroughestandmostviolenthumanactions。Wasitnatureorartthathadinteneratedthatgreatcourageofhis，sofull，soobstinateagainstpainanddeathandpoverty，tosuchanextremedegreeofsweetnessandcompassion？Dreadfulinarmsandblood，heoverranandsubduedanationinvinciblebyallothersbutbyhimalone;andyetintheheatofanencounter，couldturnasidefromhisfriendandguest。Certainlyhewasfittocommandinwarwhocouldsoreinhimselfwiththecurbofgoodnature，intheheightandheatofhisfury，afuryinflamedandfoamingwithbloodandslaughter。’Tisamiracletobeabletomixanyimageofjusticewithsuchviolentactions:
　　anditwasonlypossibleforsuchasteadfastnessofmindasthatofEpaminondasthereintomixsweetnessandthefacilityofthegentlestmannersandpurestinnocence。AndwhereasonetoldtheMamertinithatstatuteswereofnoefficacyagainstarmedmen;andanothertoldthetribuneofthepeoplethatthetimeofjusticeandofwarweredistinctthings;andathirdsaidthatthenoiseofarmsdeafenedthevoiceoflaws，thismanwasnotprecludedfromlisteningtothelawsofcivilityandpurecourtesy。HadhenotborrowedfromhisenemiesthecustomofsacrificingtotheMuseswhenhewenttowar，thattheymightbytheirsweetnessandgaietysoftenhismartialandrigorousfury？Letusnotfear，bytheexampleofsogreatamaster，tobelievethatthereissomethingunlawful，evenagainstanenemy，andthatthecommonconcernoughtnottorequireallthingsofallmen，againstprivateinterest:
　　"Manentememoria，etiamindissidiopublicorumfoederum，privatijuris:"
　　["Thememoryofprivaterightremainingevenamidpublicdissensions。"——Livy，xxv。18。]
　　"EtnullapotentiaviresPraestandi，nequidpeccetamicus，habet;"
　　["Nopoweronearthcansanctiontreacheryagainstafriend。"
　　——Ovid，DePonto，i。7，37。]
　　andthatallthingsarenotlawfultoanhonestmanfortheserviceofhisprince，thelaws，orthegeneralquarrel:
　　"Nonenimpatriapraestatomnibusofficiis……
　　etipsiconducitpioshaberecivesinparentes。"
　　["Thedutytoone’scountrydoesnotsupersedeallotherduties。
　　Thecountryitselfrequiresthatitscitizensshouldactpiouslytowardtheirparents。"——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。23。]
　　Tisaninstructionproperforthetimewhereinwelive:weneednothardenourcouragewiththesearmsofsteel;’tisenoughthatourshouldersareinuredtothem:’tisenoughtodipourpensininkwithoutdippingtheminblood。Ifitbegrandeurofcourage，andtheeffectofarareandsingularvirtue，tocontemnfriendship，privateobligations，aman’swordandrelationship，forthecommongoodandobediencetothemagistrate，’tiscertainlysufficienttoexcuseus，that’tisagrandeurthatcanhavenoplaceinthegrandeurofEpaminondas’courage。
　　Iabominatethosemadexhortationsofthisotherdiscomposedsoul，"Dumtelamicant，nonvospietatisimagoUlla，necadversaconspectifronteparentesCommoveant;vultusgladioturbateverendos。"
　　["Whileswordsglitter，letnoideaofpiety，northefaceevenofafatherpresentedtoyou，moveyou:mutilatewithyourswordthosevenerablefeatures"——Lucan，vii。320。]
　　Letusdeprivewicked，bloody，andtreacherousnaturesofsuchapretenceofreason:letussetasidethisguiltyandextravagantjustice，andsticktomorehumanimitations。Howgreatthingscantimeandexampledo！InanencounterofthecivilwaragainstCinna，oneofPompey’ssoldiershavingunawareskilledhisbrother，whowasofthecontraryparty，heimmediatelyforshameandsorrowkilledhimself:andsomeyearsafter，inanothercivilwarofthesamepeople，asoldierdemandedarewardofhisofficerforhavingkilledhisbrother。
　　Amanbutillprovesthehonourandbeautyofanactionbyitsutility:
　　andveryerroneouslyconcludesthateveryoneisobligedtoit，andthatitbecomeseveryonetodoit，ifitbeofutility:
　　"Omnianonpariterrerumsuntomnibusapta。"
　　["Allthingsarenotequallyfitforallmen。"
　　——Propertius，iii。9，7。]
　　Letustakethatwhichismostnecessaryandprofitableforhumansociety;itwillbemarriage;andyetthecouncilofthesaintsfindthecontrarymuchbetter，excludingfromitthemostvenerablevocationofman:aswedesignthosehorsesforstallionsofwhichwehavetheleastesteem。