Iincitemycouragetopatience，butIreinitasmuchasIcantowardsdesire。Ihaveasmuchtowishforasanother，andallowmywishesasmuchlibertyandindiscretion;butyetitneverbefellmetowishforeitherempireorroyalty，ortheeminencyofthosehighandcommandingfortunes:Idonotaimthatway;Ilovemyselftoowell。WhenIthinktogrowgreater，’tisbutverymoderately，andbyacompelledandtimorousadvancement，suchasisproperformeinresolution，inprudence，inhealth，inbeauty，andeveninrichestoo;butthissupremereputation，thismightyauthority，oppressmyimagination;and，quitecontrarytothatother，——[JuliusCaesar。]——Ishould，peradventure，ratherchoosetobethesecondorthirdinPerigordthanthefirstatParisatleast，withoutlying，ratherthethirdatParisthanthefirst。Iwouldneitherdisputewithaporter，amiserableunknown，normakecrowdsopeninadorationasIpass。Iamtraineduptoamoderatecondition，aswellbymychoiceasfortune;andhavemadeitappear，inthewholeconductofmylifeandenterprises，thatIhaveratheravoidedthanotherwisetheclimbingabovethedegreeoffortunewhereinGodhasplacedmebymybirth;allnaturalconstitutionisequallyjustandeasy。Mysoulissuchapoltroon，thatImeasurenotgoodfortunebytheheight，butbythefacility。
　　Butifmyheartbenotgreatenough，’tisopenenoughtomakeamends，atanyone’srequest，freelytolayopenitsweakness。ShouldanyoneputmeuponcomparingthelifeofL。ThoriusBalbus，abraveman，handsome，learned，healthful，understanding，andaboundinginallsortsofconveniencesandpleasures，leadingaquietlife，andallhisown，hismindwellpreparedagainstdeath，superstition，pain，andotherincumbrancesofhumannecessity，dying，atlast，inbattle，withhisswordinhishand，forthedefenceofhiscountry，ontheonepart;andontheotherpart，thelifeofM。Regulus，sogreatandhighasisknowntoeveryone，andhisendadmirable;theonewithoutnameandwithoutdignity，theotherexemplaryandglorioustoawonder。Ishoulddoubtlesssay，asCicerodid，couldIspeakaswellashe。
　　[Cicero，DeFinibus，ii。20，givesthepreferencetoRegulus，andproclaimshimthehappierman。]
　　ButifIwastocomparethemwithmyown，Ishouldthenalsosaythatthefirstisasmuchaccordingtomycapacity，andfromdesire，whichI
　　conformtomycapacity，asthesecondisfarbeyondit;thatIcouldnotapproachthelastbutwithveneration，theotherIcouldreadilyattainbyuse。
　　Letusreturntoourtemporalgreatness，fromwhichwearedigressed。I
　　disrelishalldominion，whetheractiveorpassive。Otanes，oneofthesevenwhohadrighttopretendtothekingdomofPersia，didasIshouldwillinglyhavedone，whichwas，thathegaveuptohiscompetitorshisrightofbeingpromotedtoit，eitherbyelectionorbylot，providedthatheandhismightliveintheempireoutofallauthorityandsubjection，thoseoftheancientlawsexcepted，andmightenjoyalllibertythatwasnotprejudicialtothese，beingasimpatientofcommandingasofbeingcommanded。
　　Themostpainfulanddifficultemploymentintheworld，inmyopinion，isworthilytodischargetheofficeofaking。Iexcusemoreoftheirmistakesthanmencommonlydo，inconsiderationoftheintolerableweightoftheirfunction，whichastoundsme。’Tishardtokeepmeasureinsoimmeasurableapower;yetsoitisthatitis，eventothosewhoarenotofthebestnature，asingularincitementtovirtuetobeseatedinaplacewhereyoucannotdotheleastgoodthatshallnotbeputuponrecord，andwheretheleastbenefitredoundstosomanymen，andwhereyourtalentofadministration，likethatofpreachers，principallyaddressesitselftothepeople，noveryexactjudge，easytodeceive，andeasilycontent。Therearefewthingswhereinwecangiveasincerejudgment，byreasonthattherearefewwhereinwehavenot，insomesort，aprivateinterest。Superiorityandinferiority，dominionandsubjectionareboundtoanaturalenvyandcontest，andmustofnecessityperpetuallyintrenchupononeanother。Ibelieveneithertheonenortheothertouchingtherightsoftheotherparty;letreasontherefore，whichisinflexibleandwithoutpassion，determinewhenwecanavailourselvesofit。’TisnotaboveamonthagothatIreadover，twoScottishauthorscontendinguponthissubject，ofwhomhewhostandsforthepeoplemakesthekingtobeinaworseconditionthanacarter;hewhowritesformonarchyplaceshimsomedegreesaboveGodinpowerandsovereignty。
　　Now，theincommodityofgreatnessthatIhavetakentoremarkinthisplace，uponsomeoccasionthathaslatelyputitintomyhead，isthis:
　　thereisnot，peradventure，anythingmorepleasantinthecommerceofmanythanthetrialsthatwemakeagainstoneanother，outofemulationofhonourandworth，whetherintheexercisesofthebodyorinthoseofthemind，whereinsovereigngreatnesscanhavenotruepart。And，inearnest，Ihaveoftenthoughtthatbyforceofrespectitselfmenuseprincesdisdainfullyandinjuriouslyinthatparticular;forthethingI
　　wasinfinitelyoffendedatinmychildhood，thattheywhoexercisedwithmeforboretodotheirbestbecausetheyfoundmeunworthyoftheirutmostendeavour，iswhatweseehappentothemdaily，everyonefindinghimselfunworthytocontendwiththem。Ifwediscoverthattheyhavetheleastdesiretogetthebetterofus，thereisnoonewhowillnotmakeithisbusinesstogiveitthem，andwhowillnotratherbetrayhisownglorythanoffendtheirs;andwillthereinemploysomuchforceonlyasisnecessarytosavetheirhonour。Whatsharehavethey，then，intheengagement，whereeveryoneisontheirside？MethinksIseethosepaladinsofancienttimespresentingthemselvestojoustsandbattlewithenchantedarmsandbodies。Brisson，[Plutarch，OnSatisfactionorTranquillityoftheMind。Butinhisessay，HowaManmayDistinguishaFlattererfromaFriend，hecallshimChriso。]
　　runningagainstAlexander，purposelymissedhisblow，andmadeafaultinhiscareer;Alexanderchidhimforit，butheoughttohavehadhimwhipped。UponthisconsiderationCarneadessaid，that"thesonsofprinceslearnednothingrightbuttomanagehorses;byreasonthat，inalltheirotherexercises，everyonebendsandyieldstothem;butahorse，thatisneitheraflatterernoracourtier，throwsthesonofakingwithnomoreceremonythanhewouldthrowthatofaporter。"
　　HomerwasfaintoconsentthatVenus，sosweetanddelicateagoddessasshewas，shouldbewoundedatthebattleofTroy，therebytoascribecourageandboldnesstoherqualitiesthatcannotpossiblybeinthosewhoareexemptfromdanger。Thegodsaremadetobeangry，tofear，torunaway，tobejealous，togrieve，tobetransportedwithpassions，tohonourthemwiththevirtuesthat，amongstus，arebuiltupontheseimperfections。Whodoesnotparticipateinthehazardanddifficulty，canclaimnointerestinthehonourandpleasurethataretheconsequentsofhazardousactions。’Tispityamanshouldbesopotentthatallthingsmustgivewaytohim;fortunethereinsetsyoutooremotefromsociety，andplacesyouintoogreatasolitude。Thiseasinessandmeanfacilityofmakingallthingsbowunderyou，isanenemytoallsortsofpleasure:
　　’tistoslide，nottogo;’tistosleep，andnottolive。Conceivemanaccompaniedwithomnipotence:youoverwhelmhim;hemustbegdisturbanceandoppositionasanalms:hisbeingandhisgoodareinindigence。Eviltomanisinitsturngood，andgoodevil。Neitherispainalwaystobeshunned，norpleasurealwaystobepursued。
　　Theirgoodqualitiesaredeadandlost;fortheycanonlybeperceivedbycomparison，andweputthemoutofthis:theyhavelittleknowledgeoftruepraise，havingtheirearsdeafenedwithsocontinualanduniformanapprobation。Havetheytodowiththestupidestofalltheirsubjects？
　　theyhavenomeanstotakeanyadvantageofhim;ifhebutsay:"’Tisbecauseheismyking，"hethinkshehassaidenoughtoexpressthathethereforesufferedhimselftobeovercome。Thisqualitystiflesandconsumestheothertrueandessentialqualities:theyaresunkintheroyalty，andleavethemnothingtorecommendthemselveswithbutactionsthatdirectlyconcernandservethefunctionoftheirplace;’tissomuchtobeaking，thatthisaloneremainstothem。Theouterglarethatenvironshimconcealsandshroudshimfromus;oursightisthererepelledanddissipated，beingfilledandstoppedbythisprevailinglight。ThesenateawardedtheprizeofeloquencetoTiberius;herefusedit，esteemingthatthoughithadbeenjust，hecouldderivenoadvantagefromajudgmentsopartial，andthatwassolittlefreetojudge。
　　Aswegivethemalladvantagesofhonour，sodowesootheandauthorisealltheirvicesanddefects，notonlybyapprobation，butbyimitationalso。EveryoneofAlexander’sfollowerscarriedhisheadononeside，ashedid;andtheflatterersofDionysiusranagainstoneanotherinhispresence，andstumbledatandoverturnedwhateverwasunderfoot，toshewtheywereaspurblindashe。Herniaitselfhasalsoservedtorecommendamantofavour;Ihaveseendeafnessaffected;andbecausethemasterhatedhiswife，Plutarch——[who，however，onlygivesoneinstance;andinthishetellsusthatthemanvisitedhiswifeprivately。]——hasseenhiscourtiersrepudiatetheirs，whomtheyloved;and，whichisyetmore，uncleanlinessandallmannerofdissolutenesshavesobeeninfashion;asalsodisloyalty，blasphemy，cruelty，heresy，superstition，irreligion，effeminacy，andworse，ifworsetherebe;andbyanexampleyetmoredangerousthanthatofMithridates’flatterers，who，astheirmasterpretendedtothehonourofagoodphysician，cametohimtohaveincisionsandcauteriesmadeintheirlimbs;fortheseotherssufferedthesoul，amoredelicateandnoblepart，tobecauterised。
　　ButtoendwhereIbegan:theEmperorAdrian，disputingwiththephilosopherFavorinusabouttheinterpretationofsomeword，Favorinussoonyieldedhimthevictory;forwhichhisfriendsrebukinghim，"Youtalksimply，"saidhe;"wouldyounothavehimwiserthanI，whocommandsthirtylegions？"AugustuswroteversesagainstAsiniusPollio，and"I，"
　　saidPollio，"saynothing，foritisnotprudencetowriteincontestwithhimwhohaspowertoproscribe。"Andtheywereright。ForDionysius，becausehecouldnotequalPhiloxenusinpoesyandPlatoindiscourse，condemnedtheonetothequarries，andsenttheothertobesoldforaslaveintotheislandofAEgina。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　OFTHEARTOFCONFERENCE
　　’Tisacustomofourjusticetocondemnsomeforawarningtoothers。Tocondemnthemforhavingdoneamiss，werefolly，asPlatosays，[DiogenesLaertius，however，inhisLifeofPlato，iii。181，saysthatPlato’soffencewasthespeakingtoofreelytothetyrant。]
　　forwhatisdonecanneverbeundone;but’tistotheendtheymayoffendnomore，andthatothersmayavoidtheexampleoftheiroffence:wedonotcorrectthemanwehang;wecorrectothersbyhim。Idothesame;myerrorsaresometimesnatural，incorrigible，andirremediable:butthegoodwhichvirtuousmendotothepublic，inmakingthemselvesimitated，I，peradventure，maydoinmakingmymannersavoided:
　　"Nonnevides，Albiutmalevivatfilius？utqueBarrusinops？magnumdocumentum，nepatriamreinPerdereguisvelit;"
　　["DostthounotseehowillthesonofAlbuslives？andhowtheindigentBarrus？agreatwarninglestanyoneshouldinclinetodissipatehispatrimony。"——Horace，Sat。，i。4，109。]
　　publishingandaccusingmyownimperfections，someonewilllearntobeafraidofthem。ThepartsthatImostesteeminmyself，derivemorehonourfromdecrying，thanforcommendingmyselfwhichisthereasonwhyIsooftenfallinto，andsomuchinsistuponthatstrain。But，whenallissummedup，amanneverspeaksofhimselfwithoutloss;aman’saccusationsofhimselfarealwaysbelieved;hispraisesnever:Theremay，peradventure，besomeofmyowncomplexionwhobetterinstructmyselfbycontrarietythanbysimilitude，andbyavoidingthanbyimitation。TheelderCatowasregardingthissortofdiscipline，whenhesaid，"thatthewisemaylearnmoreoffools，thanfoolscanofthewise";andPausaniastellsusofanancientplayerupontheharp，whowaswonttomakehisscholarsgotohearonewhoplayedveryill，wholivedoveragainsthim，thattheymightlearntohatehisdiscordsandfalsemeasures。Thehorrorofcrueltymoreinclinesmetoclemency，thananyexampleofclemencycouldpossiblydo。Agoodriderdoesnotsomuchmendmyseat，asanawkwardattorneyoraVenetian，onhorseback;andaclownishwayofspeakingmorereformsminethanthemostcorrect。Theridiculousandsimplelookofanotheralwayswarnsandadvisesme;thatwhichpricks，rousesandincitesmuchbetterthanthatwhichtickles。Thetimeisnowproperforustoreformbackward;morebydissentingthanbyagreeing;bydifferingmorethanbyconsent。Profitinglittlebygoodexamples，I
　　makeuseofthosethatareill，whichareeverywheretobefound:I
　　endeavourtorendermyselfasagreeableasIseeothersoffensive;asconstantasIseeothersfickle;asaffableasIseeothersrough;asgoodasIseeothersevil:butIproposetomyselfimpracticablemeasures。
　　Themostfruitfulandnaturalexerciseofthemind，inmyopinion，isconversation;Ifindtheuseofitmoresweetthanofanyotheractionoflife;andforthatreasonitisthat，ifIwerenowcompelledtochoose，Ishouldsooner，Ithink，consenttolosemysight，thanmyhearingandspeech。TheAthenians，andalsotheRomans，keptthisexerciseingreathonourintheiracademies;theItaliansretainsometracesofittothisday，totheirgreatadvantage，asismanifestbythecomparisonofourunderstandingswiththeirs。Thestudyofbooksisalanguishingandfeeblemotionthatheatsnot，whereasconversationteachesandexercisesatonce。IfIconversewithastrongmindandaroughdisputant，hepressesuponmyflanks，andpricksmerightandleft;hisimaginationsstirupmine;jealousy，glory，andcontention，stimulateandraisemeuptosomethingabovemyself;andacquiescenceisaqualityaltogethertediousindiscourse。But，asourmindfortifiesitselfbythecommunicationofvigorousandregularunderstandings，’tisnottobeexpressedhowmuchitlosesanddegeneratesbythecontinualcommerceandfamiliaritywehavewithmeanandweakspirits;thereisnocontagionthatspreadslikethat;Iknowsufficientlybyexperiencewhat’tisworthayard。Ilovetodiscourseanddispute，butitiswithbutfewmen，andformyself;fortodoitasaspectacleandentertainmenttogreatpersons，andtomakeofaman’switandwordscompetitiveparadeis，inmyopinion，veryunbecomingamanofhonour。
　　Follyisabadquality;butnottobeabletoendureit，tofretandvexatit，asIdo，isanothersortofdiseaselittlelesstroublesomethanfollyitself;andisthethingthatIwillnowaccuseinmyself。Ienterintoconference，anddisputewithgreatlibertyandfacility，forasmuchasopinionmeetsinmewithasoilveryunfitforpenetration，andwhereintotakeanydeeproot;nopropositionsastonishme，nobeliefoffendsme，thoughneversocontrarytomyown;thereisnosofrivolousandextravagantfancythatdoesnotseemtomesuitabletotheproductionofhumanwit。We，whodepriveourjudgmentoftherightofdetermining，lookindifferentlyuponthediverseopinions，andifweinclinenotourjudgmenttothem，yetweeasilygivethemthehearing:Whereonescaleistotallyempty，Ilettheotherwaverunderanoldwife’sdreams;andI
　　thinkmyselfexcusable，ifIprefertheoddnumber;ThursdayratherthanFriday;ifIhadratherbethetwelfthorfourteenththanthethirteenthattable;ifIhadrather，onajourney，seeaharerunbymethancrossmyway，andrathergivemymanmyleftfootthanmyright，whenhecomestoputonmystockings。Allsuchreveriesasareincreditaroundus，deserveatleastahearing:formypart，theyonlywithmeimportinanity，buttheyimportthat。Moreover，vulgarandcasualopinionsaresomethingmorethannothinginnature;andhewhowillnotsufferhimselftoproceedsofar，falls，peradventure，intotheviceofobstinacy，toavoidthatofsuperstition。
　　Thecontradictionsofjudgments，then，neitheroffendnoralter，theyonlyrouseandexercise，me。Weevadecorrection，whereasweoughttoofferandpresentourselvestoit，especiallywhenitappearsintheformofconference，andnotofauthority。Ateveryopposition，wedonotconsiderwhetherornoitbedust，but，rightorwrong，howtodisengageourselves:insteadofextendingthearms，wethrustoutourclaws。I
　　couldsuffermyselftoberudelyhandledbymyfriend，somuchastotellmethatIamafool，andtalkIknownotofwhat。Ilovestoutexpressionsamongstgentlemen，andtohavethemspeakastheythink;wemustfortifyandhardenourhearingagainstthistendernessoftheceremonioussoundofwords。Iloveastrongandmanlyfamiliarityandconversation:afriendshipthatpleasesitselfinthesharpnessandvigourofitscommunication，likeloveinbitingandscratching:itisnotvigorousandgenerousenough，ifitbenotquarrelsome，ifitbecivilisedandartificial，ifittreadsnicelyandfearstheshock:
　　"Nequeenimdisputarisinereprehensionepotest。"
　　["Neithercanamandispute，buthemustcontradict。"
　　（Or:）"Norcanpeopledisputewithoutreprehension。"
　　——Cicero，DeFinib。，i。8。]
　　Whenanyonecontradictsme，heraisesmyattention，notmyanger:I
　　advancetowardshimwhocontroverts，whoinstructsme;thecauseoftruthoughttobethecommoncausebothoftheoneandtheother。Whatwilltheangrymananswer？Passionhasalreadyconfoundedhisjudgment;
　　agitationhasusurpedtheplaceofreason。Itwerenotamissthatthedecisionofourdisputesshouldpassbywager:thattheremightbeamaterialmarkofourlosses，totheendwemightthebetterrememberthem;andthatmymanmighttellme:"Yourignoranceandobstinacycostyoulastyear，atseveraltimes，ahundredcrowns。"IhailandcaresstruthinwhatquartersoeverIfindit，andcheerfullysurrendermyself，andopenmyconqueredarmsasfaroffasIcandiscoverit;and，provideditbenottooimperiously，takeapleasureinbeingreproved，andaccommodatemyselftomyaccusers，veryoftenmorebyreasonofcivilitythanamendment，lovingtogratifyandnourishthelibertyofadmonitionbymyfacilityofsubmittingtoit，andthisevenatmyownexpense。
　　Nevertheless，itishardtobringthemenofmytimetoit:theyhavenotthecouragetocorrect，becausetheyhavenotthecouragetosufferthemselvestobecorrected;andspeakalwayswithdissimulationinthepresenceofoneanother:Itakesogreatapleasureinbeingjudgedandknown，thatitisalmostindifferenttomeinwhichofthetwoformsIamso:myimaginationsooftencontradictsandcondemnsitself，that’tisallonetomeifanotherdoit，especiallyconsideringthatIgivehisreprehensionnogreaterauthoritythanIchoose;butIbreakwithhim，whocarrieshimselfsohigh，asIknowofonewhorepentshisadvice，ifnotbelieved，andtakesitforanaffrontifitbenotimmediatelyfollowed。ThatSocratesalwaysreceivedsmilinglythecontradictionsofferedtohisarguments，amanmaysayarosefromhisstrengthofreason;andthat，theadvantagebeingcertaintofallonhisside，heacceptedthemasamatterofnewvictory。Butwesee，onthecontrary，thatnothinginargumentrendersoursentimentsodelicate，astheopinionofpre—eminence，anddisdainoftheadversary;andthat，inreason，’tisratherfortheweakertotakeingoodparttheoppositionsthatcorrecthimandsethimright。Inearnest，Iratherchoosethecompanyofthosewhorufflemethanofthosewhofearme;’tisadullandhurtfulpleasuretohavetodowithpeoplewhoadmireusandapproveofallwesay。Antisthenescommandedhischildrennevertotakeitkindlyorforafavour，whenanymancommendedthem。IfindIammuchprouderofthevictoryIobtainovermyself，when，intheveryardourofdispute，Imakemyselfsubmittomyadversary’sforceofreason，thanIampleasedwiththevictoryIobtainoverhimthroughhisweakness。Infine，I
　　receiveandadmitofallmannerofattacksthataredirect，howweaksoever;butIamtooimpatientofthosethataremadeoutofform。I
　　carenotwhatthesubjectis，theopinionsaretomeallone，andIamalmostindifferentwhetherIgetthebetterortheworse。Icanpeaceablyargueawholedaytogether，iftheargumentbecarriedonwithmethod;Idonotsomuchrequireforceandsubtletyasorder;Imeantheorderwhichweeverydayobserveinthewranglingsofshepherdsandshop—
　　boys，butneveramongstus:iftheystartfromtheirsubject，’tisoutofincivility，andso’tiswithus;buttheirtumultandimpatienceneverputthemoutoftheirtheme;theirargumentstillcontinuesitscourse;
　　iftheyinterrupt，anddonotstayforoneanother，theyatleastunderstandoneanother。Anyoneanswerstoowellforme，ifheanswerswhatIsay:whenthedisputeisirregularanddisordered，Ileavethethingitself，andinsistupontheformwithangerandindiscretion;
　　fallingintowilful，malicious，andimperiouswayofdisputation，ofwhichIamafterwardsashamed。’Tisimpossibletodealfairlywithafool:myjudgmentisnotonlycorruptedunderthehandofsoimpetuousamaster，butmyconsciencealso。
　　Ourdisputesoughttobeinterdictedandpunishedaswellasotherverbalcrimes:whatvicedotheynotraiseandheapup，beingalwaysgovernedandcommandedbypassion？Wefirstquarrelwiththeirreasons，andthenwiththemen。Weonlylearntodisputethatwemaycontradict;andso，everyonecontradictingandbeingcontradicted，itfallsoutthatthefruitofdisputationistoloseandannihilatetruth。ThereforeitisthatPlatoinhisRepublicprohibitsthisexercisetofoolsandill—bredpeople。Towhatenddoyougoabouttoinquireofhim，whoknowsnothingtothepurpose？Amandoesnoinjurytothesubject，whenheleavesittoseekhowhemaytreatit;Idonotmeanbyanartificialandscholasticway，butbyanaturalone，withasoundunderstanding。Whatwillitbeintheend？Onefliestotheeast，theothertothewest;
　　theylosetheprincipal，dispersingitinthecrowdofincidentsafteranhouroftempest，theyknownotwhattheyseek:oneislow，theotherhigh，andathirdwide。Onecatchesatawordandasimile;anotherisnolongersensibleofwhatissaidinoppositiontohim，andthinksonlyofgoingonathisownrate，notofansweringyou:another，findinghimselftooweaktomakegoodhisrest，fearsall，refusesall，attheverybeginning，confoundsthesubject;or，intheveryheightofthedispute，stopsshortandissilent，byapeevishignoranceaffectingaproudcontemptorafoolishlymodestavoidanceoffurtherdebate:
　　providedthismanstrikes，hecaresnothowmuchhelayshimselfopen;
　　theothercountshiswords，andweighsthemforreasons;anotheronlybrawls，andusestheadvantageofhislungs。Here’sonewholearnedlyconcludesagainsthimself，andanotherwhodeafensyouwithprefacesandsenselessdigressions:anotherfallsintodownrightrailing，andseeksaquarrelaftertheGermanfashion，todisengagehimselffromawitthatpressestooharduponhim:andalastmanseesnothingintothereasonofthething，butdrawsalineofcircumvallationaboutyouofdialecticclauses，andtheformulasofhisart。
　　Now，whowouldnotenterintodistrustofsciences，anddoubtwhetherhecanreapfromthemanysolidfruitfortheserviceoflife，consideringtheuseweputthemto？
　　"Nihilsanantibuslitteris。"
　　["Letterswhichcurenothing。"——Seneca，Ep。，59。]
　　Whohasgotunderstandingbyhislogic？Whereareallherfairpromises？
　　"Necadmeliusvivendum，necadcommodiusdisserendum。"
　　["Itneithermakesamanlivebetternortalkbetter。"
　　——Cicero，DeFin。，i。19。]
　　Istheremorenoiseorconfusioninthescoldingofherring—wivesthaninthepublicdisputesofmenofthisprofession？Ihadrathermysonshouldlearninatap—housetospeak，thanintheschoolstoprate。Takeamasterofarts，andconferwithhim:whydoeshenotmakeussensibleofthisartificialexcellence？andwhydoeshenotcaptivatewomenandignoramuses，asweare，withadmirationatthesteadinessofhisreasonsandthebeautyofhisorder？whydoeshenotswayandpersuadeustowhathewill？whydoesaman，whohassomuchadvantageinmatterandtreatment，mixrailing，indiscretion，andfuryinhisdisputations？
　　Striphimofhisgown，hishood，andhisLatin，lethimnotbatterourearswithAristotle，pureandsimple，youwilltakehimforoneofus，orworse。Whilsttheytormentuswiththiscomplicationandconfusionofwords，itfareswiththem，methinks，aswithjugglers;theirdexterityimposesuponoursenses，butdoesnotatallworkuponourbeliefthislegerdemainexcepted，theyperformnothingthatisnotveryordinaryandmean:forbeingthemorelearned，theyarenonethelessfools。
　　[SoHobbessaidthatifhehadreadasmuchastheacademicalpedantsheshouldhaveknownaslittle。]
　　Iloveandhonourknowledgeasmuchastheythathaveit，andinitstrueuse’tisthemostnobleandthegreatestacquisitionofmen;butinsuchasIspeakof（andthenumberofthemisinfinite），whobuildtheirfundamentalsufficiencyandvalueuponit，whoappealfromtheirunderstandingtotheirmemory:
　　"Subalienaumbralatentes，"
　　["Shelteringundertheshadowofothers。"——Seneca，Ep。，33。]
　　andwhocandonothingbutbybook，Ihateit，ifIdaretosayso，worsethanstupidity。Inmycountry，andinmytime，learningimprovesfortunesenough，butnotminds;ifitmeetwiththosethataredullandheavy，itoverchargesandsuffocatesthem，leavingthemacrudeandundigestedmass;ifairyandfine，itpurifies，clarifies，andsubtilisesthem，eventoexinanition。’Tisathingofalmostindifferentquality;
　　averyusefulaccessiontoawell—bornsoul，buthurtfulandpernicioustoothers;orratherathingofveryprecioususe，thatwillnotsufferitselftobepurchasedatanunderrate;inthehandofsome’tisasceptre，inthatofothersafool’sbauble。
　　Butletusproceed。Whatgreatervictorydoyouexpectthantomakeyourenemyseeandknowthatheisnotabletoencounteryou？Whenyougetthebetterofyourargument;’tistruththatwins;whenyougettheadvantageofformandmethod，’tisthenyouwhowin。Iamofopinionthatin，PlatoandXenophonSocratesdisputesmoreinfavourofthedisputantsthaninfavourofthedispute，andmoretoinstructEuthydemusandProtagorasinthe，knowledgeoftheirimpertinence，thanintheimpertinenceoftheirart。Hetakesholdofthefirstsubjectlikeonewhohasamoreprofitableendthantoexplainit——namely，tocleartheunderstandingsthathetakesuponhimtoinstructandexercise。Tohuntaftertruthisproperlyourbusiness，andweareinexcusableifwecarryonthechaseimpertinentlyandill;tofailofseizingitisanotherthing，forweareborntoinquireaftertruth:itbelongstoagreaterpowertopossessit。Itisnot，asDemocritussaid，hidinthebottomofthedeeps，butratherelevatedtoaninfiniteheightinthedivineknowledge。Theworldisbutaschoolofinquisition:itisnotwhoshallenterthering，butwhoshallrunthebestcourses。Hemayaswellplaythefoolwhospeakstrue，ashewhospeaksfalse，forweareuponthemanner，notthematter，ofspeaking。’Tismyhumourasmuchtoregardtheformasthesubstance，andtheadvocateasmuchasthecause，asAlcibiadesorderedweshould:andeverydaypassawaymytimeinreadingauthorswithoutanyconsiderationoftheirlearning;theirmanneriswhatIlookafter，nottheirsubject:AndjustsodoIhuntaftertheconversationofanyeminentwit，notthathemayteachme，butthatImayknowhim，andthatknowinghim，ifIthinkhimworthyofimitation，Imayimitatehim。Everymanmayspeaktruly，buttospeakmethodically，prudently，andfully，isatalentthatfewmenhave。Thefalsitythatproceedsfromignorancedoesnotoffendme，butthefopperyofit。I
　　havebrokenoffseveraltreatiesthatwouldhavebeenofadvantagetome，byreasonoftheimpertinentcontestationsofthosewithwhomI
　　treated。IamnotmovedonceinayearatthefaultsofthoseoverwhomIhaveauthority，butupontheaccountoftheridiculousobstinacyoftheirallegations，denials，excuses，weareeverydaygoingtogetherbytheears;theyneitherunderstandwhatissaid，norwhy，andansweraccordingly;’tisenoughtodriveamanmad。Ineverfeelanyhurtuponmyheadbutwhen’tisknockedagainstanother，andmoreeasilyforgivethevicesofmyservantsthantheirboldness，importunity，andfolly;letthemdoless，providedtheyunderstandwhattheydo:youliveinhopetowarmtheiraffectiontoyourservice，butthereisnothingtobehadortobeexpectedfromastock。
　　Butwhat，ifItakethingsotherwisethantheyare？PerhapsIdo;andthereforeitisthatIaccusemyownimpatience，andhold，inthefirstplace，thatitisequallyviciousbothinhimthatisintheright，andinhimthatisinthewrong;for’tisalwaysatyrannicsournessnottoendureaformcontrarytoone’sown:and，besides，therecannot，intruth，beagreater，moreconstant，normoreirregularfollythantobemovedandangryatthefolliesoftheworld，foritprincipallymakesusquarrelwithourselves;andtheoldphilosopherneverwantedanoccasionforhistearswhilstheconsideredhimself。Miso，oneofthesevensages，ofaTimonianandDemocritichumour，beingasked，"whathelaughedat，beingalone？"——"ThatIdolaughalone，"answeredhe。Howmanyridiculousthings，inmyownopinion，doIsayandanswereverydaythatcomesovermyhead？andthenhowmanymore，accordingtotheopinionofothers？IfIbitemyownlips，whatoughtotherstodo？Infine，wemustliveamongsttheliving，andlettheriverrununderthebridgewithoutourcare，or，atleast，withoutourinterference。Intruth，whydowemeetamanwithahunch—back，oranyotherdeformity，withoutbeingmoved，andcannotenduretheencounterofadeformedmindwithoutbeingangry？thisvicioussournesssticksmoretothejudgethantothecrime。LetusalwayshavethissayingofPlatoinourmouths:"DonotIthinkthingsunsound，becauseIamnotsoundinmyself？AmInotmyselfinfault？maynotmyobservationsreflectuponmyself？"——awiseanddivinesaying，thatlashesthemostuniversalandcommonerrorofmankind。Notonlythereproachesthatwethrowinthefaceofoneanother，butourreasonsalso，ourargumentsandcontroversies，arereboundableuponus，andwewoundourselveswithourownweapons:ofwhichantiquity。hasleftmeenoughgraveexamples。Itwasingeniouslyandhome—saidbyhim，whowastheinventorofthissentence:
　　"Stercuscuiquesuumbeneolet。"
　　["Toeverymanhisownexcrementssmellwell。"——Erasmus]
　　Weseenothingbehindus;wemockourselvesanhundredtimesaday;whenwederideourneighbours;andwedetestinothersthedefectswhicharemoremanifestinus，andwhichweadmirewithmarvellousinadvertencyandimpudence。ItwasbutyesterdaythatIheardamanofunderstandingandofgoodrank，aspleasantlyasjustlyscoffingatthefollyofanother，whodidnothingbuttormenteverybodywiththecatalogueofhisgenealogyandalliances，abovehalfofthemfalse（fortheyaremostapttofallintosuchridiculousdiscourses，whosequalitiesaremostdubiousandleastsure），andyet，wouldhehavelookedintohimself，hewouldhavediscernedhimselftobenolessintemperatearidwearisomeinextollinghiswife’spedigree。Oimportunatepresumption，withwhichthewifeseesherselfarmedbythehandsofherownhusband。DidheunderstandLatin，weshouldsaytohim:
　　"Age，sihicnoninsanitsatissuasponte，instiga。"
　　["Come！ifofhimselfheisnotmadenough，urgehimon。"
　　——Terence，And。，iv。2，9。]
　　Idonotsaythatnomanshouldaccuseanother，whoisnotcleanhimself，——forthennoonewouldeveraccuse，——cleanfromthesamesortofspot;butImeanthatourjudgment，fallinguponanotherwhoistheninquestion，shouldnot，atthesametime，spareourselves，butsentenceuswithaninwardandsevereauthority。’Tisanofficeofcharity，thathewhocannotreclaimhimselffromavice，should，nevertheless，endeavourtoremoveitfromanother，inwhom，peradventure，itmaynothavesodeepandsomalignantaroot;neitherdohimwhoreprovesmeformyfaultthathehimselfisguiltyofthesame。Whatofthat？Thereproofis，notwithstanding，trueandofverygooduse。Hadweagoodnose，ourownordurewouldstinkworsetous，forasmuchasitisourown:andSocratesisofopinionthatwhoevershouldfindhimself，hisson，andastrangerguiltyofanyviolenceandwrong，oughttobeginwithhimself，presenthimselffirsttothesentenceofjustice，andimplore，topurgehimself，theassistanceofthehandoftheexecutioner;inthenextplace，heshouldproceedtohisson，andlastly，tothestranger。Ifthispreceptseemtoosevere，heoughtatleasttopresenthimselfthefirst，tothepunishmentofhisownconscience。
　　Thesensesareourfirstandproperjudges，whichperceivenotthingsbutbyexternalaccidents;and’tisnowonder，ifinallthepartsoftheserviceofoursociety，thereissoperpetualanduniversalamixtureofceremoniesandsuperficialappearances;insomuchthatthebestandmosteffectualpartofourpolitiesthereinconsist。’Tisstillmanwithwhomwehavetodo，ofwhomtheconditioniswonderfullycorporal。Letthosewho，oftheselateyears，woulderectforussuchacontemplativeandimmaterialanexerciseofreligion，notwonderiftherebesomewhothinkithadvanishedandmeltedthroughtheirfingershaditnotmoreuphelditselfamongusasamark，title，andinstrumentofdivisionandfaction，thanbyitself。Asinconference，thegravity，robe，andfortuneofhimwhospeaks，ofttimesgivesreputationtovainargumentsandidlewords，itisnottobepresumedbutthataman，soattendedandfeared，hasnotinhimmorethanordinarysufficiency;andthathetowhomthekinghasgivensomanyofficesandcommissionsandcharges，hesosuperciliousandproud，hasnotagreatdealmoreinhim，thananotherwhosaluteshimatsogreatadistance，andwhohasnoemploymentatall。Notonlythewords，butthegrimacesalsoofthesepeople，areconsideredandputintotheaccount;everyonemakingithisbusinesstogivethemsomefineandsolidinterpretation。Iftheystooptothecommonconference，andthatyouofferanythingbutapprobationandreverence，theythenknockyoudownwiththeauthorityoftheirexperience:theyhaveheard，theyhaveseen，theyhavedonesoandso:youarecrushedwithexamples。Ishouldwillinglytellthem，thatthefruitofasurgeon’sexperience，isnotthehistoryofhispracticeandhisrememberingthathehascuredfourpeopleoftheplagueandthreeofthegout，unlessheknowshowthencetoextractsomethingwhereontoformhisjudgment，andtomakeussensiblethathehasthencebecomemoreskillfulinhisart。Asinaconcertofinstruments，wedonothearalute，aharpsichord，oraflutealone，butoneentireharmony，theresultofalltogether。Iftravelandofficeshaveimprovedthem，’tisaproductoftheirunderstandingtomakeitappear。’Tisnotenoughtoreckonexperiences，theymustweigh，sortanddistilthem，toextractthereasonsandconclusionstheycarryalongwiththem。Therewereneversomanyhistorians:itis，indeed，goodandofusetoreadthem，fortheyfurnishuseverywherewithexcellentandlaudableinstructionsfromthemagazineoftheirmemory，which，doubtless，isofgreatconcerntothehelpoflife;but’tisnotthatweseekfornow:weexaminewhethertheserelatersandcollectorsofthingsarecommendablethemselves。
　　Ihateallsortsoftyranny，bothinwordanddeed。Iamveryreadytoopposemyselfagainstthosevaincircumstancesthatdeludeourjudgmentsbythesenses;andkeepingmyeyecloseuponthoseextraordinarygreatnesses，Ifindthatatbesttheyaremen，asothersare:
　　"RarusenimfermesensuscommunisinillaFortuna。"
　　["Forinthosehighfortunes，commonsenseisgenerallyrare。"
　　——Juvenal，viii。73。]
　　Peradventure，weesteemandlookuponthemforlessthantheyare，byreasontheyundertakemore，andmoreexposethemselves;theydonotanswertothechargetheyhaveundertaken。Theremustbemorevigourandstrengthinthebearerthanintheburden;hewhohasnotliftedasmuchashecan，leavesyoutoguessthathehasstillastrengthbeyondthat，andthathehasnotbeentriedtotheutmostofwhatheisabletodo;hewhosinksunderhisload，makesadiscoveryofhisbest，andtheweaknessofhisshoulders。Thisisthereasonthatweseesomanysillysoulsamongstthelearned，andmorethanthoseofthebettersort:theywouldhavemadegoodhusbandmen，goodmerchants，andgoodartisans:theirnaturalvigourwascutouttothatproportion。Knowledgeisathingofgreatweight，theyfaintunderit:theirunderstandinghasneithervigournordexterityenoughtosetforthanddistribute，toemployormakeuseofthisrichandpowerfulmatter;ithasnoprevailingvirtuebutinastrongnature;andsuchnaturesareveryrare——andtheweakones，saysSocrates，corruptthedignityofphilosophyinthehandling，itappearsuselessandvicious，whenlodgedinanill—contrivedmind。Theyspoilandmakefoolsofthemselves:
　　"Humaniqualissimulatorsimiusoris，QuernpuerarridenspretiosostamineserumVelavit，nudasquenatesactergareliquit，Ludibriummensis。"
　　["Justlikeanape，simulatorofthehumanface，whomawantonboyhasdizenedupinrichsilksabove，butleftthelowerpartsbare，foralaughing—stockforthetables。"
　　——Claudian，inEutrop。，i303。]
　　Neitherisitenoughforthosewhogovernandcommandus，andhavealltheworldintheirhands，tohaveacommonunderstanding，andtobeabletodothesamethatwecan;theyareverymuchbelowus，iftheybenotinfinitelyaboveus:astheypromisemore，sotheyaretoperformmore。
　　Andyetsilenceistothem，notonlyacountenanceofrespectandgravity，butveryoftenofgoodadvantagetoo:forMegabyzus，going’toseeApellesinhispainting—room，stoodagreatwhilewithoutspeakingaword，andatlastbegantotalkofhispaintings，forwhichhereceivedthisrudereproof:"Whilstthouwastsilent，thouseemedsttobesomegreatthing，byreasonofthychainsandrichhabit;butnowthatwehaveheardtheespeak，thereisnotthemeanestboyinmyworkshopthatdoesnotdespisethee。"Thoseprincelyornaments，thatmightystate，didnotpermithimtobeignorantwithacommonignorance，andtospeakimpertinentlyofpainting;heoughttohavekeptthisexternalandpresumptiveknowledgebysilence。Tohowmanyfoolishfellowsofmytimehasasullenandsilentmienprocuredthecreditofprudenceandcapacity！
　　Dignitiesandofficesareofnecessityconferredmorebyfortunethanupontheaccountofmerit;andweareoftentoblame，tocondemnkingswhenthesearemisplaced:onthecontrary，’tisawondertheyshouldhavesogoodluck，wherethereissolittleskill:
　　"Principisestvirtusmaximanossesuos;"
　　["’Tisthechiefvirtueofaprincetoknowhispeople。"
　　——Martial，viii。15。]
　　fornaturehasnotgiventhemasightthatcanextendtosomanypeople，todiscernwhichexcelstherest，nortopenetrateintoourbosoms，wheretheknowledgeofourwillsandbestvalueliestheymustchooseusbyconjectureandbygroping;bythefamily，wealth，learning，andthevoiceofthepeople，whichareallveryfeeblearguments。Whoevercouldfindoutawaybywhichtheymightjudgebyjustice，andchoosemenbyreason，would，inthisonething，establishaperfectformofgovernment。
　　"Ay，buthebroughtthatgreataffairtoaverygoodpass。"Thisis，indeed，tosaysomething，butnottosayenough:forthissentenceisjustlyreceived，"Thatwearenottojudgeofcounselsbyevents。"
　　TheCarthaginianspunishedtheillcounselsoftheircaptains，thoughtheywererectifiedbyasuccessfulissue;andtheRomanpeopleoftendeniedatriumphforgreatandveryadvantageousvictoriesbecausetheconductoftheirgeneralwasnotanswerabletohisgoodfortune。
　　Weordinarilysee，intheactionsoftheworld，thatFortune，toshewusherpowerinallthings，andwhotakesaprideinabatingourpresumption，seeingshecouldnotmakefoolswise，hasmadethemfortunateinemulationofvirtue;andmostfavoursthoseoperationsthewebofwhichismostpurelyherown;whenceitisthatthesimplestamongstusbringtopassgreatbusiness，bothpublicandprivate;and，asSeiramnes，thePersian，answeredthosewhowonderedthathisaffairssucceededsoill，consideringthathisdeliberationsweresowise，"thathewassolemasterofhisdesigns，butthatsuccesswaswhollyinthepoweroffortune";thesemayanswerthesame，butwithacontraryturn。
　　Mostworldlyaffairsareperformedbythemselves"Fataviaminveniunt;"
　　[Thedestiniesfindtheway。"——AEneid，iii。395]
　　theeventoftenjustifiesaveryfoolishconduct;ourinterpositionislittlemorethanasitwerearunningonbyrote，andmorecommonlyaconsiderationofcustomandexample，thanofreason。Beingformerlyastonishedatthegreatnessofsomeaffair，Ihavebeenmadeacquaintedwiththeirmotivesandaddressbythosewhohadperformedit，andhavefoundnothinginitbutveryordinarycounsels;andthemostcommonandusualareindeed，perhaps，themostsureandconvenientforpractice，ifnotforshow。Whatiftheplainestreasonsarethebestseated？themeanest，lowest，andmostbeatenmoreadaptedtoaffairs？Tomaintaintheauthorityofthecounselsofkings，itneedsnotthatprofanepersonsshouldparticipateofthem，orseefurtherintothemthantheoutmostbarrier;hewhowillhusbanditsreputationmustbereverenceduponcreditandtakenaltogether。Myconsultationsomewhatrough—hewsthematter，andconsidersitlightlybythefirstfaceitpresents:thestressandmainofthebusinessIhavebeenwonttorefertoheaven;
　　"Permittediviscaetera。"
　　["Leavetheresttothegods。"——Horace，Od。，i。9，9。]
　　Goodandillfortuneare，inmyopinion，twosovereignpowers;’tisfollytothinkthathumanprudencecanplaythepartofFortune;andvainishisattemptwhopresumestocomprehendbothcausesandconsequences，andbythehandtoconducttheprogressofhisdesign;andmostespeciallyvaininthedeliberationsofwar。Therewasnevergreatercircumspectionandmilitaryprudencethansometimesisseenamongstus:canitbethatmenareafraidtolosethemselvesbytheway，thattheyreservethemselvestotheendofthegame？Imoreoveraffirmthatourwisdomitselfandconsultation，forthemostpartcommitthemselvestotheconductofchance;mywillandmyreasonaresometimesmovedbyonebreath，andsometimesbyanother;andmanyofthesemovementstherearethatgovernthemselveswithoutme:myreasonhasuncertainandcasualagitationsandimpulsions:
　　"Vertunturspeciesanimorum，etpectoramotusNuncalios，alios，dumnubilaventusagebat，Concipiunt。"
　　[Theaspectsoftheirmindschange;andtheyconceivenowsuchideas，nowsuch，justsolongasthewindagitatedtheclouds。"
　　——Virgil，Georg。，i。42。]