Thisopinionandcommonusagetoobserveothersmorethanourselveshasverymuchrelievedusthatway:’tisaverydispleasingobject:wecanthereseenothingbutmiseryandvanity:nature，thatwemaynotbedejectedwiththesightofourowndeformities，haswiselythrusttheactionofseeingoutward。Wegoforwardwiththecurrent，buttoturnbacktowardsourselvesisapainfulmotion;soistheseamovedandtroubledwhenthewavesrushagainstoneanother。Observe，sayseveryone，themotionsoftheheavens，ofpublicaffairs;observethequarrelofsuchaperson，takenoticeofsuchaone’spulse，ofsuchanother’slastwillandtestament;insum，bealwayslookinghighorlow，ononeside，beforeorbehindyou。ItwasaparadoxicalcommandancientlygivenusbythatgodofDelphos:"Lookintoyourself;discoveryourself;keepclosetoyourself;callbackyourmindandwill，thatelsewhereconsumethemselvesintoyourself;yourunout，youspillyourself;carryamoresteadyhand:menbetrayyou，menspillyou，menstealyoufromyourself。
Dostthounotseethatthisworldweliveinkeepsallitssightconfinedwithin，anditseyesopentocontemplateitself？’Tisalwaysvanityforthee，bothwithinandwithout;but’tislessvanitywhenlessextended。
Exceptingthee，Oman，saidthatgod，everythingstudiesitselffirst，andhasboundstoitslaboursanddesires，accordingtoitsneed。Thereisnothingsoemptyandnecessitousasthou，whoembracesttheuniverse;
thouarttheinvestigatorwithoutknowledge，themagistratewithoutjurisdiction，and，afterall，thefoolofthefarce。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V18
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME18。
X。OfManagingtheWill。
XI。OfCripples。
XII。OfPhysiognomy。
CHAPTERX
OFMANAGINGTHEWILL
Fewthings，incomparisonofwhatcommonlyaffectothermen，move，or，tosaybetter，possessme:for’tisbutreasonthey，shouldconcernaman，providedtheydonotpossesshim。Iamverysolicitous，bothbystudyandargument，toenlargethisprivilegeofinsensibility，whichisinmenaturallyraisedtoaprettydegree，sothatconsequentlyIespouseandamverymuchmovedwithveryfewthings。Ihaveaclearsightenough，butIfixituponveryfewobjects;Ihaveasensedelicateandtenderenough;butanapprehensionandapplicationhardandnegligent。Iamveryunwillingtoengagemyself;asmuchasinmelies，Iemploymyselfwhollyonmyself，andeveninthatsubjectshouldratherchoosetocurbandrestrainmyaffectionfromplungingitselfoverheadandearsintoit，itbeingasubjectthatIpossessatthemercyofothers，andoverwhichfortunehasmorerightthanI;sothatevenastohealth，whichI
somuchvalue，’tisallthemorenecessaryformenotsopassionatelytocovetandheedit，thantofinddiseasessoinsupportable。Amanoughttomoderatehimselfbetwixtthehatredofpainandtheloveofpleasure:
andPlatosetsdownamiddlepathoflifebetwixtthetwo。Butagainstsuchaffectionsaswhollycarrymeawayfrommyselfandfixmeelsewhere，againstthose，Isay，Iopposemyselfwithmyutmostpower。’Tismyopinionthatamanshouldlendhimselftoothers，andonlygivehimselftohimself。Weremywilleasytolenditselfoutandtobeswayed，I
shouldnotstickthere;Iamtootenderbothbynatureanduse:
"Fugaxrerum，securaqueinotianatus。"
["Avoidingaffairsandborntosecureease。"
——Ovid，DeTrist。，iii。2，9。]
Hotandobstinatedisputes，whereinmyadversarywouldatlasthavethebetter，theissuethatwouldrendermyheatandobstinacydisgracefulwouldperadventurevexmetothelastdegree。ShouldIsetmyselftoitattheratethatothersdo，mysoulwouldneverhavetheforcetobeartheemotionandalarmsofthosewhograspatsomuch;itwouldimmediatelybedisorderedbythisinwardagitation。If，sometimes，I
havebeenputuponthemanagementofothermen’saffairs，Ihavepromisedtotaketheminhand，butnotintomylungsandliver;totakethemuponme，nottoincorporatethem;totakepains，yes:tobeimpassionedaboutit，bynomeans;Ihaveacareofthem，butIwillnotsituponthem。
IhaveenoughtodotoorderandgovernthedomesticthrongofthosethatIhaveinmyownveinsandbowels，withoutintroducingacrowdofothermen’saffairs;andamsufficientlyconcernedaboutmyownproperandnaturalbusiness，withoutmeddlingwiththeconcernsofothers。Suchasknowhowmuchtheyowetothemselves，andhowmanyofficestheyareboundtooftheirown，，findthatnaturehascutthemoutworkenoughoftheirowntokeepthemfrombeingidle。"Thouhastbusinessenoughathome:
looktothat。"
Menletthemselvesouttohire;theirfacultiesarenotforthemselves，butforthosetowhomtheyhaveenslavedthemselves;’tistheirtenantsoccupythem，notthemselves。Thiscommonhumourpleasesnotme。Wemustbethriftyofthelibertyofoursouls，andneverletitoutbutuponjustoccasions，whichareveryfew，ifwejudgearight。Dobutobservesuchashaveaccustomedthemselvestobeateveryone’scall:theydoitindifferentlyuponall，aswelllittleasgreat，occasions;inthatwhichnothingconcernsthem;asmuchasinwhatimportsthemmost。Theythrustthemselvesinindifferentlywhereverthereisworktodoandobligation，andarewithoutlifewhennotintumultuousbustle:
"Innegotiissunt，negotiicause，"
["Theyareinbusinessforbusiness’sake。"——Seneca，Ep。，22。]
Itisnotsomuchthattheywillgo，asitisthattheycannotstandstill:likearollingstonethatcannotstoptillitcangonofurther。
Occupation，withacertainsortofmen，isamarkofunderstandinganddignity:theirsoulsseekreposeinagitation，aschildrendobybeingrockedinacradle;theymaypronouncethemselvesasserviceabletotheirfriends，astheyaretroublesometothemselves。Noonedistributeshismoneytoothers，buteveryonedistributeshistimeandhislife:thereisnothingofwhichwearesoprodigalasofthesetwothings，ofwhichtobethriftywouldbebothcommendableanduseful。Iamofaquitecontraryhumour;Ilooktomyself，andcommonlycovetwithnogreatardourwhatIdodesire，anddesirelittle;andIemployandbusymyselfatthesamerate，rarelyandtemperately。Whatevertheytakeinhand，theydoitwiththeirutmostwillandvehemence。Therearesomanydangeroussteps，that，forthemoresafety，wemustalittlelightlyandsuperficiallyglideovertheworld，andnotrushthroughit。Pleasureitselfispainfulinprofundity:
"Incedisperignes，Suppositoscineridoloso。"
["Youtreadonfire，hiddenunderdeceitfulashes。"
——Horace，Od。，ii。i，7。]
TheParliamentofBordeauxchosememayoroftheircityatatimewhenI
wasatadistancefromFrance，——[AtBagnoDellaVilla，nearLucca，September1581]——andstillmoreremotefromanysuchthought。
Ientreatedtobeexcused，butIwastoldbymyfriendsthatIhadcommittedanerrorinsodoing，andthegreaterbecausethekinghad，moreover，interposedhiscommandinthataffair。’Tisanofficethatoughttobelookeduponsomuchmorehonourable，asithasnoothersalarynoradvantagethanthebarehonourofitsexecution。Itcontinuestwoyears，butmaybeextendedbyasecondelection，whichveryrarelyhappens;itwastome，andhadneverbeensobuttwicebefore:someyearsagotoMonsieurdeLansac，andlatelytoMonsieurdeBiron，MarshalofFrance，inwhoseplaceIsucceeded;and，IleftminetoMonsieurdeMatignon，MarshalofFrancealso:proudofsonobleafraternity——
"Uterquebonuspacisbelliqueminister。"
["Eitheroneagoodministerinpeaceandwar。"
——AEneid，xi。658。]
Fortunewouldhaveahandinmypromotion，bythisparticularcircumstancewhichsheputinofherown，notaltogethervain;forAlexanderdisdainedtheambassadorsofCorinth，whocametoofferhimaburgess—shipoftheircity;butwhentheyproceededtolaybeforehimthatBacchusandHerculeswerealsointheregister，hegraciouslythankedthem。
Atmyarrival，IfaithfullyandconscientiouslyrepresentedmyselftothemforsuchasIfindmyselftobe——amanwithoutmemory，withoutvigilance，withoutexperience，andwithoutvigour;butwithal，withouthatred，withoutambition，withoutavarice，andwithoutviolence;thattheymightbeinformedofmyqualities，andknowwhattheyweretoexpectfrommyservice。Andwhereastheknowledgetheyhadhadofmylatefather，andthehonourtheyhadforhismemory，hadaloneincitedthemtoconferthisfavouruponme，IplainlytoldthemthatIshouldbeverysorryanythingshouldmakesogreatanimpressionuponmeastheiraffairsandtheconcernsoftheircityhadmadeuponhim，whilstheheldthegovernmenttowhichtheyhadpreferredme。Iremembered，whenaboy，tohaveseenhiminhisoldagecruellytormentedwiththesepublicaffairs，neglectingthesoftreposeofhisownhouse，towhichthedeclensionofhisagehadreducedhimforseveralyearsbefore，themanagementofhisownaffairs，andhishealth;andcertainlydespisinghisownlife，whichwasingreatdangerofbeinglost，bybeingengagedinlongandpainfuljourneysontheirbehalf。Suchwashe;andthishumourofhisproceededfromamarvellousgoodnature;neverwasthereamorecharitableandpopularsoul。YetthisproceedingwhichIcommendinothers，Idonotlovetofollowmyself，andamnotwithoutexcuse。
Hehadlearnedthatamanmustforgethimselfforhisneighbour，andthattheparticularwasofnomannerofconsiderationincomparisonwiththegeneral。Mostoftherulesandpreceptsoftheworldrunthisway;todriveusoutofourselvesintothestreetforthebenefitofpublicsociety;theythoughttodoagreatfeattodivertandremoveusfromourselves，assumingwewerebuttoomuchfixedthere，andbyatoonaturalinclination;andhavesaidalltheycouldtothatpurpose:for’tisnonewthingforthesagestopreachthingsastheyserve，notastheyare。Truthhasitsobstructions，inconveniences，andincompatibilitieswithus;wemustoftendeceivethatwemaynotdeceiveourselves;andshutoureyesandourunderstandingstoredressandamendthem:
"Imperitienimjudicant，etquifrequenterinhocipsumfallendisunt，neerrent。"
["Fortheignorantjudge，andthereforeareofttobedeceived，lesstheyshoulderr。"——Quintil。，Inst。Orat。，xi。17。]
Whentheyorderustolovethree，four，orfiftydegreesofthingsaboveourselves，theydolikearchers，who，tohitthewhite，taketheiraimagreatdealhigherthanthebutt;tomakeacrookedstickstraight，webenditthecontraryway。
IbelievethatintheTempleofPallas，asweseeinallotherreligions，therewereapparentmysteriestobeexposedtothepeople;andothers，moresecretandhigh，thatwereonlytobeshowntosuchaswereprofessed;’tislikelythatinthesethetruepointoffriendshipthateveryoneowestohimselfistobefound;notafalsefriendship，thatmakesusembraceglory，knowledge，riches，andthelike，withaprincipalandimmoderateaffection，asmembersofourbeing;noranindiscreetandeffeminatefriendship，whereinithappens，aswithivy，thatitdecaysandruinsthewallsitembraces;butasoundandregularfriendship，equallyusefulandpleasant。HewhoknowsthedutiesofthisfriendshipandpractisesthemistrulyofthecabinetoftheMuses，andhasattainedtotheheightofhumanwisdomandofourhappiness，suchanone，exactlyknowingwhatheowestohimself，willonhispartfindthatheoughttoapplytohimselftheuseoftheworldandofothermen;andtodothis，tocontributetopublicsocietythedutiesandofficesappertainingtohim。Hewhodoesnotinsomesortliveforothers，doesnotlivemuchforhimself:
"Quisibiamicusest，scitohuncamicumomnibusesse。"
["Hewhoishisownfriend，isafriendtoeverybodyelse。"
——Seneca，Ep。，6。]
Theprincipalchargewehaveis，toeveryonehisownconduct;and’tisforthisonlythatwehereare。Ashewhoshouldforgettoliveavirtuousandholylife，andshouldthinkheacquittedhimselfofhisdutyininstructingandtrainingothersuptoit，wouldbeafool;evensohewhoabandonshisownparticularhealthfulandpleasantlivingtoserveotherstherewith，takes，inmyopinion，awrongandunnaturalcourse。
Iwouldnotthatmenshouldrefuse，intheemploymentstheytakeuponthem，theirattention，pains，eloquence，sweat，andbloodifneedbe:
"NonipseprocarisamicisAutpatria，timidusperire:"
["Himselfnotafraidtodieforbelovedfriends，orforhiscountry。"——Horace，Od。，iv。9，51。]
but’tisonlyborrowed，andaccidentally;hismindbeingalwaysinreposeandinhealth;notwithoutaction，butwithoutvexation，withoutpassion。
Tobesimplyactingcostshimsolittle，thatheactsevensleeping;
butitmustbesetongoingwithdiscretion;forthebodyreceivestheofficesimposeduponitjustaccordingtowhattheyare;themindoftenextendsandmakesthemheavieratitsownexpense，givingthemwhatmeasureitpleases。Menperformlikethingswithseveralsortsofendeavour，anddifferentcontentionofwill;theonedoeswellenoughwithouttheother;forhowmanypeoplehazardthemselveseverydayinwarwithoutanyconcernwhichwayitgoes;andthrustthemselvesintothedangersofbattles，thelossofwhichwillnotbreaktheirnextnight’ssleep？andsuchamanmaybeathome，outofthedangerwhichhedurstnothavelookedupon，whoismorepassionatelyconcernedfortheissueofthiswar，andwhosesoulismoreanxiousabouteventsthanthesoldierwhothereinstakeshisbloodandhislife。Icouldhaveengagedmyselfinpublicemploymentswithoutquittingmyownmattersanail’sbreadth，andhavegivenmyselftootherswithoutabandoningmyself。Thissharpnessandviolenceofdesiresmorehinderthantheyadvancetheexecutionofwhatweundertake;filluswithimpatienceagainstsloworcontraryevents，andwithheatandsuspicionagainstthosewithwhomwehavetodo。Wenevercarryonthatthingwellbywhichweareprepossessedandled:
"MalecunctaministratImpetus。"
["Impulsemanagesallthingsill。"——Statius，Thebaid，x。704。]
Hewhothereinemploysonlyhisjudgmentandaddressproceedsmorecheerfully:hecounterfeits，hegivesway，hedefersquiteathisease，accordingtothenecessitiesofoccasions;hefailsinhisattemptwithouttroubleandaffliction，readyandentireforanewenterprise;
healwaysmarcheswiththebridleinhishand。Inhimwhoisintoxicatedwiththisviolentandtyrannicalintention，wediscover，ofnecessity，muchimprudenceandinjustice;theimpetuosityofhisdesirecarrieshimaway;thesearerashmotions，and，iffortunedonotverymuchassist，ofverylittlefruit。Philosophydirectsthat，intherevengeofinjuriesreceived，weshouldstripourselvesofcholer;notthatthechastisementshouldbeless，but，onthecontrary，thattherevengemaybethebetterandmoreheavilylaidon，which，itconceives，willbebythisimpetuosityhindered。Forangernotonlydisturbs，but，ofitself，alsoweariesthearmsofthosewhochastise;thisfirebenumbsandwastestheirforce;asinprecipitation，"festinatiotardaest，"——hastetripsupitsownheels，fetters，andstopsitself:
"Ipsasevelocitasimplicat。"——Seneca，Ep。44
Forexample，accordingtowhatIcommonlysee，avaricehasnogreaterimpedimentthanitself;themorebentandvigorousitis，thelessitrakestogether，andcommonlysoonergrowsrichwhendisguisedinavisorofliberality。
Averyexcellentgentleman，andafriendofmine，ranariskofimpairinghisfacultiesbyatoopassionateattentionandaffectiontotheaffairsofacertainprincehismaster;——[ProbablytheKingofNavarre，afterwardHenryIV。]——whichmasterhasthusportrayedhimselftome;"thatheforeseestheweightofaccidentsaswellasanother，butthatinthoseforwhichthereisnoremedy，hepresentlyresolvesuponsuffering;inothers，havingtakenallthenecessaryprecautionswhichbythevivacityofhisunderstandinghecanpresentlydo，hequietlyawaitswhatmayfollow。"And，intruth，Ihaveaccordinglyseenhimmaintainagreatindifferencyandlibertyofactionsandserenityofcountenanceinverygreatanddifficultaffairs:Ifindhimmuchgreater，andofgreatercapacityinadversethaninprosperousfortune;hisdefeatsaretohimmoregloriousthanhisvictories，andhismourningthanhistriumph。
Consider，thateveninvainandfrivolousactions，asatchess，tennis，andthelike，thiseagerandardentengagingwithanimpetuousdesire，immediatelythrowsthemindandmembersintoindiscretionanddisorder:amanastoundsandhindershimself;hewhocarrieshimselfmoremoderately，bothtowardsgainandloss，hasalwayshiswitsabouthim;thelesspeevishandpassionateheisatplay，heplaysmuchmoreadvantageouslyandsurely。
Astotherest，wehinderthemind’sgraspandhold，ingivingitsomanythingstoseizeupon;somethingsweshouldonlyoffertoit;tieittoothers，andwithothersincorporateit。Itcanfeelanddiscernallthings，butoughttofeeduponnothingbutitself;andshouldbeinstructedinwhatproperlyconcernsitself，andthatisproperlyofitsownhavingandsubstance。Thelawsofnatureteachuswhatjustlyweneed。Afterthesageshavetoldusthatnooneisindigentaccordingtonature，andthateveryoneissoaccordingtoopinion，theyverysubtlydistinguishbetwixtthedesiresthatproceedfromher，andthosethatproceedfromthedisorderofourownfancy:thoseofwhichwecanseetheendarehers;thosethatflybeforeus，andofwhichwecanseenoend，areourown:thepovertyofgoodsiseasilycured;thepovertyofthesoulisirreparable:
"Namsi，quodsatisesthomini，idsatisessepotessetHocsaterat:nunc，quumhocnonest，quicredimusporroDivitiasullasanimummiexplerepotesse？"
["Forifwhatisformanenough，couldbeenough，itwereenough;
butsinceitisnotso，howcanIbelievethatanywealthcangivemymindcontent。"——LuciliusapedNoniumMarcellinum，V。sec。98。]
Socrates，seeingagreatquantityofriches，jewels，andfurniturecarriedinpompthroughhiscity:"Howmanythings，"saidhe，"Idonotdesire！"——[Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，V。32。]——Metrodoruslivedontwelveouncesaday，Epicurusuponless;Metroclessleptinwinterabroadamongstsheep，insummerinthecloistersofchurches:
"Sufficitadidnatura，quodposcit。"
["Naturesufficesforwhatherequires。"——Seneca，Ep。，90。]
Cleantheslivedbythelabourofhisownhands，andboastedthatCleanthes，ifhewould，couldyetmaintainanotherCleanthes。
Ifthatwhichnatureexactlyandoriginallyrequiresofusfortheconservationofourbeingbetoolittle（asintruthwhatitis，andhowgoodcheaplifemaybemaintained，cannotbebetterexpressedthanbythisconsideration，thatitissolittlethatbyitslittlenessitescapesthegripeandshockoffortune），letusallowourselvesalittlemore;letuscalleveryoneofourhabitsandconditionsnature;letusrateandtreatourselvesbythismeasure;letusstretchourappurtenancesandaccountssofar;forsofar，Ifancy，wehavesomeexcuse。Customisasecondnature，andnolesspowerful。Whatiswantingtomycustom，Ireckoniswantingtome;andIshouldbealmostaswellcontentthattheytookawaymylifeascutmeshortinthewaywhereinIhavesolonglived。Iamnolongerinconditionforanygreatchange，nortoputmyselfintoanewandunwontedcourse，noteventoaugmentation。’TispastthetimeformetobecomeotherthanwhatIam;
andasIshouldcomplainofanygreatgoodhapthatshouldnowbefallme，thatitcamenotintimetobeenjoyed:
"Quomihifortunas，sinonconcedituruti？"
["Whatisthegoodfortunetome，ifitisnotgrantedtometouseit。"——Horace，Ep。，i。5，12。]
soshouldIcomplainofanyinwardacquisition。Itwerealmostbetternever，thansolate，tobecomeanhonestman，andwellfittolive，whenonehasnolongertolive。I，whoamabouttomakemyexitoutoftheworld，wouldeasilyresigntoanynewcomer，whoshoulddesireit，alltheprudenceIamnowacquiringintheworld’scommerce;aftermeat，mustard。
IhavenoneedofgoodsofwhichIcanmakenouse;ofwhatuseisknowledgetohimwhohaslosthishead？’Tisaninjuryandunkindnessinfortunetotenderuspresentsthatwillonlyinspireuswithajustdespitethatwehadthemnotintheirdueseason。Guidemenomore;I
cannolongergo。Ofsomanypartsasmakeupasufficiency，patienceisthemostsufficient。Givethecapacityofanexcellenttrebletothechoristerwhohasrottenlungs，andeloquencetoahermitexiledintothedesertsofArabia。Thereneedsnoarttohelpafall;theendfindsitselfofitselfattheconclusionofeveryaffair。Myworldisatanend，myformexpired;Iamtotallyofthepast，andamboundtoauthoriseit，andtoconformmyoutgoingtoit。Iwillheredeclare，bywayofexample，thatthePope’slatetendays’diminution[GregoryXIII。，in1582，reformedtheCalendar，and，inconsequence，inFrancetheyallatoncepassedfromthe9thtothe20thDecember。]
hastakenmesoabackthatIcannotwellreconcilemyselftoit;Ibelongtotheyearswhereinwekeptanotherkindofaccount。Soancientandsolongacustomchallengesmyadherencetoit，sothatIamconstrainedtobesomewhathereticalonthatpointincapableofany，thoughcorrective，innovation。Myimagination，inspiteofmyteeth，alwayspushesmetendaysforwardorbackward，andisevermurmuringinmyears:"Thisruleconcernsthosewhoaretobegintobe。"Ifhealthitself，sweetasitis，returnstomebyfits，’tisrathertogivemecauseofregretthanpossessionofit;Ihavenoplacelefttokeepitin。Timeleavesme;
withoutwhichnothingcanbepossessed。Oh，whatlittleaccountshouldI
makeofthosegreatelectivedignitiesthatIseeinsuchesteemintheworld，thatareneverconferredbutuponmenwhoaretakingleaveofit;
whereintheydonotsomuchregardhowwellthemanwilldischargehistrust，ashowshorthisadministrationwillbe:fromtheveryentrytheylookattheexit。Inshort，Iamaboutfinishingthisman，andnotrebuildinganother。Bylonguse，thisformisinmeturnedintosubstance，andfortuneintonature。
Isay，therefore，thateveryoneofusfeeblecreaturesisexcusableinthinkingthattobehisownwhichiscomprisedunderthismeasure;butwithal，beyondtheselimits，’tisnothingbutconfusion;’tisthelargestextentwecangranttoourownclaims。Themoreweamplifyourneedandourpossession，somuchthemoredoweexposeourselvestotheblowsofFortuneandadversities。Thecareerofourdesiresoughttobecircumscribedandrestrainedtoashortlimitofthenearestandmostcontiguouscommodities;andtheircourseought，moreover，tobeperformednotinarightline，thatendselsewhere，butinacircle，ofwhichthetwopoints，byashortwheel，meetandterminateinourselves。Actionsthatarecarriedonwithoutthisreflection——anearandessentialreflection，Imean——suchasthoseofambitiousandavariciousmen，andsomanymoreasrunpoint—blank，andtowhosecareeralwayscarriesthembeforethemselves，suchactions，Isay;areerroneousandsickly。
Mostofourbusinessisfarce:
"Mundusuniversusexercethistrioniam。"
——[PetroniusArbiter，iii。8。]
Wemustplayourpartproperly，butwithalasapartofaborrowedpersonage;wemustnotmakerealessenceofamaskandoutwardappearance;norofastrangeperson，ourown;wecannotdistinguishtheskinfromtheshirt:’tisenoughtomealtheface，withoutmealingthebreast。Iseesomewhotransformandtransubstantiatethemselvesintoasmanynewshapesandnewbeingsastheyundertakenewemployments;andwhostrutandfumeeventotheheartandliver，andcarrytheirstatealongwiththemeventotheclose—stool:Icannotmakethemdistinguishthesalutationsmadetothemselvesfromthosemadetotheircommission，theirtrain，ortheirmule:
"Tantumsefortunxpermittunt，etiamutnaturamdediscant。"
["Theysomuchgivethemselvesuptofortune，aseventounlearnnature。"——QuintusCurtius，iii。2。]
Theyswellandpuffuptheirsouls，andtheirnaturalwayofspeaking，accordingtotheheightoftheirmagisterialplace。TheMayorofBordeauxandMontaignehaveeverbeentwobyverymanifestseparation。
Becauseoneisanadvocateorafinancier，hemustnotignoretheknaverythereisinsuchcallings;anhonestmanisnotaccountablefortheviceorabsurdityofhisemployment，andoughtnotonthataccountrefusetotakethecallinguponhim:’tistheusageofhiscountry，andthereismoneytobegotbyit;amanmustlivebytheworld;andmakehisbestofit，suchasitis。Butthejudgmentofanemperoroughttobeabovehisempire，andseeandconsideritasaforeignaccident;andheoughttoknowhowtoenjoyhimselfapartfromit，andtocommunicatehimselfasJamesandPeter，tohimself，atallevents。
Icannotengagemyselfsodeepandsoentire;whenmywillgivesmetoanything，’tisnotwithsoviolentanobligationthatmyjudgmentisinfectedwithit。Inthepresentbroilsofthiskingdom，myowninteresthasnotmademeblindtothelaudablequalitiesofouradversaries，nortothosethatarereproachableinthosemenofourparty。Othersadorealloftheirownside;formypart，Idonotsomuchasexcusemostthingsinthoseofmine:agoodworkhasnevertheworstgracewithmeforbeingmadeagainstme。Theknotofthecontroversyexcepted，Ihavealwayskeptmyselfinequanimityandpureindifference:
"Nequeextranecessitatesbellipraecipuumodiumgero;"
["Norbearparticularhatredbeyondthenecessitiesofwar。"]
forwhichIampleasedwithmyself;andthemorebecauseIseeotherscommonlyfailinthecontrarydirection。Suchasextendtheirangerandhatredbeyondthedisputeinquestion，asmostmendo，showthattheyspringfromsomeotheroccasionandprivatecause;likeonewho，beingcuredofanulcer，hasyetafeverremaining，bywhichitappearsthattheulcerhadanothermoreconcealedbeginning。Thereasonisthattheyarenotconcernedinthecommoncause，becauseitiswoundingtothestateandgeneralinterest;butareonlynettledbyreasonoftheirparticularconcern。Thisiswhytheyaresoespeciallyanimated，andtoadegreesofarbeyondjusticeandpublicreason:
"Nontamomniauniversi，quamea，quaeadquemquepertinent，singulicarpebant。"
["Everyonewasnotsomuchangryagainstthingsingeneral，asagainstthosethatparticularlyconcernhimself。"
——Livy，xxxiv。36。]
Iwouldhavetheadvantageonourside;butifitbenot，Ishallnotrunmad。Iamheartilyfortherightparty;butIdonotwanttobetakennoticeofasanespecialenemytoothers，andbeyondthegeneralquarrel。
Imarvellouslychallengethisviciousformofopinion:"HeisoftheLeaguebecauseheadmiresthegraciousnessofMonsieurdeGuise;heisastonishedattheKingofNavarre’senergy，thereforeheisaHuguenot;
hefindsthistosayofthemannersoftheking，heisthereforeseditiousinhisheart。"AndIdidnotgranttothemagistratehimselfthathedidwellincondemningabookbecauseithadplacedaheretic——
[TheodoredeBeza。]——amongstthebestpoetsofthetime。Shallwenotdaretosayofathiefthathehasahandsomeleg？Ifawomanbeastrumpet，mustitneedsfollowthatshehasafoulsmell？DidtheyinthewisestagesrevoketheproudtitleofCapitolinustheyhadbeforeconferredonMarcusManliusasconservatorofreligionandthepublicliberty，andstiflethememoryofhisliberality，hisfeatsofarms，andmilitaryrecompensesgrantedtohisvalour，becausehe，afterwardsaspiredtothesovereignty，totheprejudiceofthelawsofhiscountry？
Ifwetakeahatredagainstanadvocate，hewillnotbeallowedthenextdaytobeeloquent。Ihaveelsewherespokenofthezealthatpushedonworthymentothelikefaults。Formypart，Icansay，"Suchanonedoesthisthingill，andanotherthingvirtuouslyandwell。"Sointheprognosticationorsinistereventsofaffairstheywouldhaveeveryoneinhispartyblindorablockhead，andthatourpersuasionandjudgmentshouldsubservenottruth，buttotheprojectofourdesires。Ishouldratherinclinetowardstheotherextreme;somuchIfearbeingsubornedbymydesire;towhichmaybeaddedthatIamalittletenderlydistrustfulofthingsthatIwish。
Ihaveinmytimeseenwondersintheindiscreetandprodigiousfacilityofpeopleinsufferingtheirhopesandbelieftobeledandgoverned，whichwaybestpleasedandservedtheirleaders，despiteahundredmistakesoneuponanother，despitemeredreamsandphantasms。InomorewonderatthosewhohavebeenblindedandseducedbythefooleriesofApolloniusandMahomet。Theirsenseandunderstandingareabsolutelytakenawaybytheirpassion;theirdiscretionhasnomoreanyotherchoicethanthatwhichsmilesuponthemandencouragestheircause。
Ihadprincipallyobservedthisinthebeginningofourintestinedistempers;thatother，whichhassprungupsince，inimitating，hassurpassedit;bywhichIamsatisfiedthatitisaqualityinseparablefrompopularerrors;afterthefirst，thatrolls，opinionsdriveononeanotherlikewaveswiththewind:amanisnotamemberofthebody，ifitbeinhispowertoforsakeit，andifhedonotrollthecommonway。
But，doubtless，theywrongthejustsidewhentheygoabouttoassistitwithfraud;Ihaveeverbeenagainstthatpractice:’tisonlyfittoworkuponweakheads;forthesound，therearesurerandmorehonestwaystokeepuptheircourageandtoexcuseadverseaccidents。
HeavenneversawagreateranimositythanthatbetwixtCaesarandPompey，norevershall;andyetIobserve，methinks，inthosebravesouls，agreatmoderationtowardsoneanother:itwasajealousyofhonourandcommand，whichdidnottransportthemtoafuriousandindiscreethatred，andwaswithoutmalignityanddetraction:intheirhottestexploitsupononeanother，Idiscoversomeremainsofrespectandgood—will:andamthereforeofopinionthat，had，itbeenpossible，eachofthemwouldratherhavedonehisbusinesswithouttheruinoftheotherthanwithit。
TakenoticehowmuchotherwisematterswentwithMariusandSylla。
Wemustnotprecipitateourselvessoheadlongafterouraffectionsandinterests。As，whenIwasyoung，IopposedmyselftotheprogressoflovewhichIperceivedtoadvancetoofastuponme，andhadacarelestitshouldatlastbecomesopleasingastoforce，captivate，andwhollyreducemetoitsmercy:soIdothesameuponallotheroccasionswheremywillisrunningonwithtoowarmanappetite。Ileanoppositetothesideitinclinesto;asIfinditgoingtoplungeandmakeitselfdrunkwithitsownwine;Ievadenourishingitspleasuresofar，thatIcannotrecoveritwithoutinfiniteloss。Soulsthat，throughtheirownstupidity，onlydiscernthingsbyhalves，havethishappiness，thattheysmartlesswithhurtfulthings:’tisaspiritualleprosythathassomeshowofhealth，andsuchahealthasphilosophydoesnotaltogethercontemn;butyetwehavenoreasontocallitwisdom，asweoftendo。
AndafterthismannersomeoneancientlymockedDiogeries，who，inthedepthofwinterandquitenaked，wentembracinganimageofsnowforatrialofhisendurance:theotherseeinghiminthisposition，"Artthounowverycold？"saidhe。"Notatall，"repliedDiogenes。"Why，then，"
pursuedtheother，"whatdifficultandexemplarythingdostthouthinkthoudoestinembracingthatsnow？"Totakeatruemeasureofconstancy，onemustnecessarilyknowwhatthesufferingis。
Butsoulsthataretomeetwithadverseeventsandtheinjuriesoffortune，intheirdepthandsharpness，thataretoweighandtastethemaccordingtotheirnaturalweightandbitterness，letsuchshowtheirskillinavoidingthecausesanddivertingtheblow。WhatdidKingCotysdo？Hepaidliberallyfortherichandbeautifulvesselthathadbeenpresentedtohim，but，seeingitwasexceedinglybrittle，heimmediatelybrokeitbetimes，topreventsoeasyamatterofdispleasureagainsthisservants。Inlikemanner，Ihavewillinglyavoidedallconfusioninmyaffairs，andnevercovetedtohavemyestatecontiguoustothoseofmyrelations，andsuchwithwhomIcovetedastrictfriendship;forthencematterofunkindnessandfallingoutoftenproceeds。Iformerlylovedhazardousgamesofcardsanddice;buthavelongsinceleftthemoff，onlyforthisreasonthat，withwhatevergoodairIcarriedmylosses，Icouldnothelpfeelingvexedwithin。Amanofhonour，whooughttobetouchilysensibleofthelieorofaninsult，andwhoisnottotakeascurvyexcuseforsatisfaction，shouldavoidoccasionsofdispute。
Ishunmelancholy，crabbedmen，asIwouldtheplague;andinmattersI
cannottalkofwithoutemotionandconcernInevermeddle，ifnotcompelledbymyduty:
"Meliusnonincipient，quamdesinent。"
["Theyhadbetternevertobeginthantohavetodesist。"
——Seneca，Ep。，72。]
Thesurestway，therefore，istoprepareone’sselfbeforehandforoccasions。
Iknowverywellthatsomewisemenhavetakenanotherway，andhavenotfearedtograppleandengagetotheutmostuponseveralsubjectstheseareconfidentoftheirownstrength，underwhichtheyprotectthemselvesinallillsuccesses，makingtheirpatiencewrestleandcontendwithdisaster:
"Velutrupes，vastumquaeproditinaequor，Obviaventorumfuriis，expostaqueponto，Vimcunctamatqueminasperfertcoeliquemarisque;
Ipsaimmotamanens。"
["Asarock，whichprojectsintothevastocean，exposedtothefuriouswindsandtheragingsea，defiestheforceandmenacesofskyandsea，itselfunshaken。"——Virgil，AEneid，x。693。]
Letusnotattempttheseexamples;weshallnevercomeuptothem。Theysetthemselvesresolutely，andwithoutagitation，tobeholdtheruinoftheircountry，whichpossessedandcommandedalltheirwill:thisistoomuch，andtoohardataskforourcommonersouls。Catogaveupthenoblestlifethateverwasuponthisaccount;wemeanerspiritsmustflyfromthestormasfaraswecan;wemustprovideforsentiment，andnotforpatience，andevadetheblowswecannotmeet。Zeno，seeingChremonides，ayoungmanwhomheloved，drawneartositdownbyhim，suddenlystartedup;andCleanthesdemandingofhimthereasonwhyhedidso，"Ihear，"saidhe，"thatphysiciansespeciallyorderrepose，andforbidemotioninalltumours。"Socratesdoesnotsay:"Donotsurrendertothecharmsofbeauty;standyourground，anddoyourutmosttoopposeit。""Flyit，"sayshe;"shunthefightandencounterofit，asofapowerfulpoisonthatdartsandwoundsatadistance。"Andhisgooddisciple，feigningorreciting，but，inmyopinion，ratherrecitingthanfeigning，therareperfectionsofthegreatCyrus，makeshimdistrustfulofhisownstrengthtoresistthecharmsofthedivinebeautyofthatillustrousPanthea，hiscaptive，andcommittingthevisitingandkeepinghertoanother，whocouldnothavesomuchlibertyashimself。AndtheHolyGhostinlikemanner:
"Nenosinducasintentationem。"
["Leadusnotintotemptation。"——St。Matthew，vi。13。]
Wedonotpraythatourreasonmaynotbecombatedandovercomebyconcupiscence，butthatitshouldnotbesomuchastriedbyit;thatweshouldnotbebroughtintoastatewhereinwearesomuchastosuffertheapproaches，solicitations，andtemptationsofsin:andwebegofAlmightyGodtokeepourconsciencesquiet，fullyandperfectlydeliveredfromallcommerceofevil。
Suchassaythattheyhavereasonfortheirrevengingpassion，oranyothersortoftroublesomeagitationofmind，oftensaytrue，asthingsnoware，butnotastheywere:theyspeaktouswhenthecausesoftheirerrorarebythemselvesnourishedandadvanced;butlookbackward——recallthesecausestotheirbeginning——andthereyouwillputthemtoanonplus。Willtheyhavetheirfaultsless，forbeingoflongercontinuance;andthatofanunjustbeginning，thesequelcanbejust？
Whoevershalldesirethegoodofhiscountry，asIdo，withoutfrettingorpininghimself，willbetroubled，butwillnotswoontoseeitthreateningeitheritsownruin，oranolessruinouscontinuance;poorvessel，thatthewaves，thewinds，andthepilottossandsteertosocontrarydesigns！
"IntamdiversamagisterVentusetundatrahunt。"