Hewhodoesnotgapeafterthefavourofprinces，asafterathinghecannotlivewithout，doesnotmuchconcernhimselfatthecoldnessoftheirreceptionandcountenance，norattheinconstancyoftheirwills。
Hewhodoesnotbroodoverhischildrenorhishonourswithaslavishpropension，ceasesnottolivecommodiouslyenoughaftertheirloss。Hewhodoesgoodprincipallyforhisownsatisfactionwillnotbemuchtroubledtoseemenjudgeofhisactionscontrarytohismerit。A
quarterofanounceofpatiencewillprovidesufficientlyagainstsuchinconveniences。Ifindeaseinthisreceipt，redeemingmyselfinthebeginningasgoodcheapasIcan;andfindthatbythismeansIhaveescapedmuchtroubleandmanydifficulties。WithverylittleadoIstopthefirstsallyofmyemotions，andleavethesubjectthatbeginstobetroublesomebeforeittransportsme。Hewhostopsnotthestartwillneverbeabletostopthecourse;hewhocannotkeepthemoutwillnever，getthemoutwhentheyareoncegotin;andhewhocannotarriveatthebeginningwillneverarriveattheendofall。Norwillhebearthefallwhocannotsustaintheshock:
"Etenimipsaeseimpellunt，ubisemelarationediscessumest;
ipsaquesibiimbecillitasindulget，inaltumqueprovehiturimprudens，necreperitlocumconsistendi。"
["Fortheythrowthemselvesheadlongwhenoncetheylosetheirreason;andinfirmitysofarindulgesitself，andfromwantofprudenceiscarriedoutintodeepwater，norfindsaplacetoshelterit。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。18。]
Iambetimessensibleofthelittlebreezesthatbegintosingandwhistlewithin，forerunnersofthestorm:
"CeuflaminaprimaCumdeprensafremuntsylvisetcaecavolutantMurmura，venturosnautisprodentiaventos。"
["Asthebreezes，pentinthewoods，firstsendoutdullmurmurs，announcingtheapproachofwindstomariners。"——AEneid，x。97。]
HowoftenhaveIdonemyselfamanifestinjusticetoavoidthehazardofhavingyetaworsedonemebythejudges，afteranageofvexations，dirtyandvilepractices，moreenemiestomynaturethanfireortherack？
"Convenitalitibus，quantumlicet，etnescioanpauloplusetiamquamlicet，abhorrentemesse:estenimnonmodoliberale，paululumnonnunquamdesuojuredecedere，sedinterdumetiamfructuosum。"
["Amanshouldabhorlawsuitsasmuchashemay，andIknownotwhethernotsomethingmore;for’tisnotonlyliberal，butsometimesalsoadvantageous，too，alittletorecedefromone’sright。
——"Cicero，DeOffic。，ii。18。]
Werewewise，weoughttorejoiceandboast，asIonedayheardayounggentlemanofagoodfamilyveryinnocentlydo，thathismotherhadlosthercause，asifithadbeenacough，afever，orsomethingverytroublesometokeep。Eventhefavoursthatfortunemighthavegivenmethroughrelationshiporacquaintancewiththosewhohavesovereignauthorityinthoseaffairs，Ihaveveryconscientiouslyandverycarefullyavoidedemployingthemtotheprejudiceofothers，andofadvancingmypretensionsabovetheirtrueright。Infine，Ihavesomuchprevailedbymyendeavours（andhappilyImaysayit）thatIamtothisdayavirginfromallsuitsinlaw;thoughIhavehadveryfairoffersmademe，andwithveryjusttitle，wouldIhavehearkenedtothem，andavirginfromquarrelstoo。Ihavealmostpassedoveralonglifewithoutanyoffenceofmoment，eitheractiveorpassive，orwithouteverhearingaworsewordthanmyownname:ararefavourofHeaven。
Ourgreatestagitationshaveridiculousspringsandcauses:whatruindidourlastDukeofBurgundyrunintoaboutacartloadofsheepskins！
Andwasnotthegravingofasealthefirstandprincipalcauseofthegreatestcommotionthatthismachineoftheworldeverunderwent？
——[ThecivilwarbetweenMariusandSylla;seePlutarch’sLifeofMarius，c。3。]——forPompeyandCaesarwerebuttheoffsetsandcontinuationofthetwoothers:andIhaveinmytimeseenthewisestheadsinthiskingdomassembledwithgreatceremony，andatthepublicexpense，abouttreatiesandagreements，ofwhichthetruedecision，inthemeantime，absolutelydependedupontheladies’cabinetcouncil，andtheinclinationofsomebitofawoman。
ThepoetsverywellunderstoodthiswhentheyputallGreeceandAsiatofireandswordaboutanapple。Lookwhythatmanhazardshislifeandhonouruponthefortuneofhisrapieranddagger;lethimacquaintyouwiththeoccasionofthequarrel;hecannotdoitwithoutblushing:theoccasionissoidleandfrivolous。
Alittlethingwillengageyouinit;butbeingonceembarked，allthecordsdraw;greatprovisionsarethenrequired，morehardandmoreimportant。Howmucheasierisitnottoenterinthanitistogetout。？
Nowweshouldproceedcontrarytothereed，which，atitsfirstspringing，producesalongandstraightshoot，butafterwards，asiftiredandoutofbreath，itrunsintothickandfrequentjointsandknots，assomanypauseswhichdemonstratethatithasnomoreitsfirstvigourandfirmness;’twerebettertobegingentlyandcoldly，andtokeepone’sbreathandvigorouseffortsfortheheightandstressofthebusiness。Weguideaffairsintheirbeginnings，andhavetheminourownpower;butafterwards，whentheyareonceatwork，’tistheythatguideandgovernus，andwearetofollowthem。
YetdoInotmeantosaythatthiscounselhasdischargedmeofalldifficulty，andthatIhavenotoftenhadenoughtodotocurbandrestrainmypassions;theyarenotalwaystobegovernedaccordingtothemeasureofoccasions，andoftenhavetheirentriesverysharpandviolent。Butstillgoodfruitandprofitmaythencebereaped;exceptforthosewhoinwell—doingarenotsatisfiedwithanybenefit，ifreputationbewanting;for，intruth，suchaneffectisnotvaluedbutbyeveryonetohimself;youarebettercontented，butnotmoreesteemed，seeingyoureformedyourselfbeforeyougotintothewhirlofthedance，orthattheprovocativematterwasinsight。Yetnotinthisonly，butinallotherdutiesoflifealso，thewayofthosewhoaimathonourisverydifferentfromthattheyproceedby，whoproposetothemselvesorderandreason。Ifindsomewhorashlyandfuriouslyrushintothelistsandcoolinthecourse。AsPlutarchsays，thatthosewho，throughfalseshame，aresoftandfaciletograntwhateverisdesiredofthem，areafterwardsasfaciletobreaktheirwordandtorecant;sohewhoenterslightlyintoaquarrelisapttogoaslightlyoutofit。Thesamedifficultythatkeepsmefromenteringintoit，would，whenoncehotandengagedinquarrel，incitemetomaintainitwithgreatobstinacyandresolution。’Tisthetyrannyofcustom;whenamanisonceengaged;hemustgothroughwithit，ordie。"Undertakecoolly，"saidBias，"butpursuewithardour。"Forwantofprudence，menfallintowantofcourage，whichisstillmoreintolerable。
Mostaccommodationsofthequarrelsofthesedaysofoursareshamefulandfalse;weonlyseektosaveappearances，andinthemeantimebetrayanddisavowourtrueintentions;wesalveoverthefact。Weknowverywellhowwesaidthething，andinwhatsensewespokeit，andthecompanyknowit，andourfriendswhomwehavewishedtomakesensibleofouradvantage，understanditwellenoughtoo:’tisattheexpenseofourfranknessandofthehonourofourcourage，thatwedisownourthoughts，andseekrefugeinfalsities，tomakemattersup。Wegiveourselvesthelie，toexcusetheliewehavegiventoanother。Youarenottoconsiderifyourwordoractionmayadmitofanotherinterpretation;’tisyourowntrueandsincereinterpretation，yourrealmeaninginwhatyousaidordid，thatyouarethenceforwardtomaintain，whateveritcostyou。Menspeaktoyourvirtueandconscience，whicharenotthingstobeputunderamask;letusleavethesepitifulwaysandexpedientstothejugglersofthelaw。TheexcusesandreparationsthatIseeeverydaymadeandgiventorepairindiscretion，seemtomemorescandalousthantheindiscretionitself。Itwerebettertoaffrontyouradversaryasecondtimethantooffendyourselfbygivinghimsounmanlyasatisfaction。Youhavebravedhiminyourheatandanger，andyouwouldflatterandappeasehiminyourcoolerandbettersense;andbythatmeanslayyourselflowerandathisfeet，whombeforeyoupretendedtoovertop。Idonotfindanythingagentlemancansaysoviciousinhimasunsayingwhathehassaidisinfamous，whentounsayitisauthoritativelyextractedfromhim;
forasmuchasobstinacyismoreexcusableinamanofhonourthanpusillanimity。Passionsareaseasyformetoevade，astheyarehardformetomoderate:
"Exscindunturfaciliusammo，quamtemperantur。"
["Theyaremoreeasilytobeeradicatedthangoverned。"]
HewhocannotattainthenobleStoicalimpassibility，lethimsecurehimselfinthebosomofthispopularstolidityofmine;whattheyperformedbyvirtue，Iinuremyselftodobytemperament。Themiddleregionharboursstormsandtempests;thetwoextremes，ofphilosophersandpeasants，concurintranquillityandhappiness:
"Felix，quipotuitrerumcognoscerecausas，AtquemetusomnesetinexorabilefatumSubjecitpedibus，strepitumqueAcherontisavari！
Fortunatusetille，Deosquinovitagrestes，Panaque，Sylvanumquesenem，Nymphasquesorores！"
["Happyishewhocoulddiscoverthecausesofthings，andplaceunderhisfeetallfearsandinexorablefate，andthesoundofrapaciousAcheron:heisblestwhoknowsthecountrygods，andPan，andoldSylvanus，andthesisternymphs。"——Virgil，Georg。，ii。490。]
Thebirthsofallthingsareweakandtender;andthereforeweshouldhaveoureyesintentonbeginnings;foraswhen，initsinfancy，thedangerisnotperceived，sowhenitisgrownup，theremedyisaslittletobefound。Ihadeverydayencounteredamillionofcrosses，hardertodigestintheprogressofambition，thanithasbeenhardformetocurbthenaturalpropensionthatinclinedmetoit:
"JureperhorruiLathconspicuumtollereverticem。"
["Ieverjustlyfearedtoraisemyheadtoohigh。"
——Horace，Od。，iii。16，18。]
Allpublicactionsaresubjecttouncertainandvariousinterpretations;
fortoomanyheadsjudgeofthem。Somesayofthiscivicemploymentofmine（andIamwillingtosayawordortwoaboutit，notthatitisworthsomuch，buttogiveanaccountofmymannersinsuchthings），thatIhavebehavedmyselfinitasamanwhoistoosupineandofalanguidtemperament;andtheyhavesomecolourforwhattheysay。Iendeavouredtokeepmymindandmythoughtsinrepose;
"Cumsempernatura，tumetiamaetatejamquietus;"
["Asbeingalwaysquietbynature，soalsonowbyage。"
——Cicero，DePetit。Consul。，c。2。]
andiftheysometimeslashoutuponsomerudeandsensibleimpression，’tisintruthwithoutmyadvice。Yetfromthisnaturalheavinessofmine，menoughtnottoconcludeatotalinabilityinme（forwantofcareandwantofsensearetwoverydifferentthings），andmuchlessanyunkindnessoringratitudetowardsthatcorporationwhoemployedtheutmostmeanstheyhadintheirpowertoobligeme，bothbeforetheyknewmeandafter;andtheydidmuchmoreformeinchoosingmeanewthaninconferringthathonouruponmeatfirst。Iwishthemallimaginablegood;andassuredlyhadoccasionbeen，thereisnothingIwouldhavesparedfortheirservice;IdidforthemasIwouldhavedoneformyself。
’Tisagood，warlike，andgenerouspeople，butcapableofobedienceanddiscipline，andofwhomthebestusemaybemade，ifwellguided。Theysayalsothatmyadministrationpassedoverwithoutleavinganymarkortrace。Good！Theymoreoveraccusemycessationinatimewheneverybodyalmostwasconvictedofdoingtoomuch。Iamimpatienttobedoingwheremywillspursmeon;butthisitselfisanenemytoperseverance。Lethimwhowillmakeuseofmeaccordingtomyownway，employmeinaffairswherevigourandlibertyarerequired，whereadirect，short，and，moreover，ahazardousconductarenecessary;Imaydosomething;butifitmustbelong，subtle，laborious，artificialandintricate，hehadbettercallinsomebodyelse。Allimportantofficesarenotnecessarilydifficult:Icamepreparedtodosomewhatrougherwork，hadtherebeengreatoccasion;foritisinmypowertodosomethingmorethanIdo，orthanIlovetodo。Ididnot，tomyknowledge，omitanythingthatmydutyreallyrequired。Ieasilyforgotthoseofficesthatambitionmixeswithdutyandpalliateswithitstitle;thesearetheythat，forthemostpart，filltheeyesandears，andgivementhemostsatisfaction;notthethingbuttheappearancecontentsthem;iftheyhearnonoise，theythinkmensleep。Myhumourisnofriendtotumult;Icouldappeaseacommotionwithoutcommotion，andchastiseadisorderwithoutbeingmyselfdisorderly;ifIstandinneedofangerandinflammation，Iborrowit，andputiton。Mymannersarelanguid，ratherfaintthansharp。Idonotcondemnamagistratewhosleeps，providedthepeopleunderhischargesleepaswellashe:thelawsinthatcasesleeptoo。Formypart，I
commendagliding，staid，andsilentlife:
"Nequesubmissametabjectam，nequeseefferentem;"
["Neithersubjectandabject，norobtrusive。"
——Cicero，DeOffic。，i。34]
myfortunewillhaveitso。Iamdescendedfromafamilythathaslivedwithoutlustreortumult，and，timeoutofmind，particularlyambitiousofacharacterforprobity。
Ourpeoplenowadaysaresobreduptobustleandostentation，thatgoodnature，moderation，equability，constancy，andsuchlikequietandobscurequalities，arenomorethoughtonorregarded。Roughbodiesmakethemselvesfelt;thesmoothareimperceptiblyhandled:sicknessisfelt，healthlittleornotatall;nomorethantheoilsthatfomentus，incomparisonofthepainsforwhichwearefomented。’Tisactingforone’sparticularreputationandprofit，notforthepublicgood，toreferthattobedoneinthepublicsquareswhichonemaydointhecouncilchamber;
andtonoondaywhatmighthavebeendonethenightbefore;andtobejealoustodothathimselfwhichhiscolleaguecandoaswellashe;soweresomesurgeonsofGreecewonttoperformtheiroperationsuponscaffoldsinthesightofthepeople，todrawmorepracticeandprofit。
Theythinkthatgoodrulescannotbeunderstoodbutbythesoundoftrumpet。Ambitionisnotaviceoflittlepeople，norofsuchmodestmeansasours。OnesaidtoAlexander:"Yourfatherwillleaveyouagreatdominion，easyandpacific";thisyouthwasemulousofhisfather’svictoriesandofthejusticeofhisgovernment;hewouldnothaveenjoyedtheempireoftheworldineaseandpeace。Alcibiades，inPlato，hadratherdieyoung，beautiful，rich，noble，andlearned，andallthisinfullexcellence，thantostopshortofsuchcondition;thisdiseaseis，peradventure，excusableinsostrongandsofullasoul。Whenwretchedanddwarfishlittlesoulscajoleanddeceivethemselves，andthinktospreadtheirfameforhavinggivenrightjudgmentinanaffair，ormaintainedthedisciplineoftheguardofagateoftheircity，themoretheythinktoexalttheirheadsthemoretheyshowtheirtails。Thislittlewell—doinghasneitherbodynorlife;itvanishesinthefirstmouth，andgoesnofurtherthanfromonestreettoanother。Talkofitbyallmeanstoyoursonoryourservant，likethatoldfellowwho，havingnootherauditorofhispraisesnorapproverofhisvalour，boastedtohischambermaid，crying，"OPerrete，whatabrave，clevermanhastthouforthymaster！"Attheworst，talkofittoyourself，likeacouncillorofmyacquaintance，who，havingdisgorgedawholecartfuloflawjargonwithgreatheatandasgreatfolly，comingoutofthecouncilchambertomakewater，washeardverycomplacentlytomutterbetwixthisteeth:
"Nonnobis，domine，nonnobis，sednominituodagloriam。"
["Notuntous，OLord，nottous:butuntoThynamebetheglory。"
——Psalmcxiii。I。]
Hewhogetsitofnobodyelse，lethimpayhimselfoutofhisownpurse。
Fameisnotprostitutedatsocheaparate:rareandexemplaryactions，towhichitisdue，wouldnotendurethecompanyofthisprodigiouscrowdofpettydailyperformances。Marblemayexaltyourtitles，asmuchasyouplease，forhavingrepairedarodofwallorcleansedapublicsewer;
butnotmenofsense。Renowndoesnotfollowallgooddeeds，ifnoveltyanddifficultybenotconjoined;nay，somuchasmereesteem，accordingtotheStoics，isnotduetoeveryactionthatproceedsfromvirtue;norwilltheyallowhimbarethankswho，outoftemperance，abstainsfromanoldblear—eyedcrone。ThosewhohaveknowntheadmirablequalitiesofScipioAfricanus，denyhimtheglorythatPanaetiusattributestohim，ofbeingabstinentfromgifts，asaglorynotsomuchhisasthatofhisage。Wehavepleasuressuitabletoourlot;letusnotusurpthoseofgrandeur:ourownaremorenatural，andbysomuchmoresolidandsure，astheyarelower。Ifnotforthatofconscience，yetatleastforambition’ssake，letusrejectambition;letusdisdainthatthirstofhonourandrenown，solowandmendicant，thatitmakesusbegitofallsortsofpeople:
"Quaeestistalausquae:possitemacellopeti？"
["Whatpraiseisthatwhichistobegotinthemarket—place（meatmarket？""Cicero，DeFin。，ii。15。]
byabjectmeans，andatwhatcheapratesoever:’tisdishonourtobesohonoured。Letuslearntobenomoregreedy，thanwearecapable，ofglory。Tobepuffedupwitheveryactionthatisinnocentorofuse，isonlyforthosewithwhomsuchthingsareextraordinaryandrare:theywillvalueitasitcoststhem。Themoreagoodeffectmakesanoise，themoredoIabateofitsgoodnessasIsuspectthatitwasmoreperformedforthenoise，thanuponaccountofthegoodness:exposeduponthestall，’tishalfsold。Thoseactionshavemuchmoregraceandlustre，thatslipfromthehandofhimthatdoesthem，negligentlyandwithoutnoise，andthatsomehonestmanthereafterfindsoutandraisesfromtheshade，toproduceittothelightuponitsownaccount，"Mihiquidemlaudabilioravidenturomnia，quaesinevenditatione，etsinepopulotestefiunt，"
["Allthingstrulyseemmorelaudabletomethatareperformedwithoutostentation，andwithoutthetestimonyofthepeople。"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。26。]
saysthemostostentatiousmanthateverlived。
Ihadbuttoconserveandtocontinue，whicharesilentandinsensibleeffects:innovationisofgreatlustre;but’tisinterdictedinthisage，whenwearepresseduponandhavenothingtodefendourselvesfrombutnovelties。Toforbeardoingisoftenasgenerousastodo;but’tislessinthelight，andthelittlegoodIhaveinmeisofthiskind。Infine，occasionsinthisemploymentofminehavebeenconfederatewithmyhumour，andIheartilythankthemforit。Isthereanywhodesirestobesick，thathemayseehisphysicianatwork？andwouldnotthephysiciandeservetobewhippedwhoshouldwishtheplagueamongstus，thathemightputhisartinpractice？Ihaveneverbeenofthatwickedhumour，andcommonenough，todesirethattroublesanddisordersinthiscityshouldelevateandhonourmygovernment;IhaveeverheartilycontributedallIcouldtotheirtranquillityandease。
Hewhowillnotthankmefortheorder，thesweetandsilentcalmthathasaccompaniedmyadministration，cannot，however，deprivemeofthesharethatbelongstomebytitleofmygoodfortune。AndIamofsuchacomposition，thatIwouldaswillinglybeluckyaswise，andhadratherowemysuccessespurelytothefavourofAlmightyGod，thantoanyoperationofmyown。Ihadsufficientlypublishedtotheworldmyunfitnessforsuchpublicoffices;butIhavesomethinginmeyetworsethanincapacityitself;whichis，thatIamnotmuchdispleasedatit，andthatIdonotmuchgoabouttocureit，consideringthecourseoflifethatIhaveproposedtomyself。
NeitherhaveIsatisfiedmyselfinthisemployment;butIhaveveryneararrivedatwhatIexpectedfrommyownperformance，andhavemuchsurpassedwhatIpromisedthemwithwhomIhadtodo:forIamapttopromisesomethinglessthanwhatIamabletodo，andthanwhatIhopetomakegood。IassuremyselfthatIhaveleftnooffenceorhatredbehindme;toleaveregretordesireformeamongstthem，IatleastknowverywellthatInevermuchaimedatit:
"Menehuicconfideremonstro！
Menesalisplacidivultum，fluctusquequietosIgnorare？"
["ShouldIplaceconfidenceinthismonster？ShouldIbeignorantofthedangersofthatseemingplacidsea，thosenowquietwaves？"
——Virgil，Aeneid，V。849。]
CHAPTERXI
OFCRIPPLES
’TisnowtwoorthreeyearsagothattheymadetheyeartendaysshorterinFrance。——[BytheadoptionoftheGregoriancalendar。]——Howmanychangesmayweexpectshouldfollowthisreformation！itwasreallymovingheavenandearthatonce。Yetnothingforallthatstirsfromitsplacemyneighboursstillfindtheirseasonsofsowingandreaping，theopportunitiesofdoingtheirbusiness，thehurtfulandpropitiousdays，dustatthesametimewheretheyhad，timeoutofmind，assignedthem;
therewasnomoreerrorperceivedinourolduse，thanthereisamendmentfoundinthealteration;sogreatanuncertaintythereisthroughout;sogross，obscure，andobtuseisourperception。’Tissaidthatthisregulationmighthavebeencarriedonwithlessinconvenience，bysubtractingforsomeyears，accordingtotheexampleofAugustus，theBissextile，whichisinsomesortadayofimpedimentandtrouble，tillwehadexactlysatisfiedthisdebt，thewhichitselfisnotdonebythiscorrection，andweyetremainsomedaysinarrear:andyet，bythismeans，suchordermightbetakenforthefuture，arrangingthataftertherevolutionofsuchorsuchanumberofyears，thesupernumerarydaymightbealwaysthrownout，sothatwecouldnot，henceforward，errabovefour—
and—twentyhoursinourcomputation。Wehavenootheraccountoftimebutyears;theworldhasformanyagesmadeuseofthatonly;andyetitisameasurethattothisdaywearenotagreedupon，andonethatwestilldoubtwhatformothernationshavevariouslygiventoit，andwhatwasthetrueuseofit。Whatdoesthissayingofsomemean，thattheheavensingrowingoldbowthemselvesdownnearertowardsus，andputusintoanuncertaintyevenofhoursanddays？andthatwhichPlutarchsaysofthemonths，thatastrologyhadnotinhistimedeterminedastothemotionofthemoon;whatafineconditionareweintokeeprecordsofthingspast。
Iwasjustnowruminating，asIoftendo，whatafreeandrovingthinghumanreasonis。Iordinarilyseethatmen，inthingspropoundedtothem，morewillinglystudytofindoutreasonsthantoascertaintruth:
theyslipoverpresuppositions，butarecuriousinexaminationofconsequences;theyleavethethings，andflytothecauses。Pleasanttalkers！Theknowledgeofcausesonlyconcernshimwhohastheconductofthings;notus，whoaremerelytoundergothem，andwhohaveperfectlyfullandaccomplisheduseofthem，accordingtoourneed，withoutpenetratingintotheoriginalandessence;wineisnonethemorepleasanttohimwhoknowsitsfirstfaculties。Onthecontrary，boththebodyandthesoulinterruptandweakentherighttheyhaveoftheuseoftheworldandofthemselves，bymixingwithittheopinionoflearning;effectsconcernus，butthemeansnotatall。Todetermineandtodistributeappertaintosuperiorityandcommand;asitdoestosubjectiontoaccept。
Letmereprehendourcustom。Theycommonlybeginthus:"Howissuchathingdone？"Whereastheyshouldsay，"。Issuchathingdone？"Ourreasonisabletocreateahundredotherworlds，andtofindoutthebeginningsandcontexture;itneedsneithermatternorfoundation:letitbutrunon，itbuildsaswellintheairasontheearth，andwithinanityaswellaswithmatter:
"Darepondusidoneafumo。"
["Abletogiveweighttosmoke。"——Persius，v。20。]
Ifindthatalmostthroughoutweshouldsay，"thereisnosuchthing，"
andshouldmyselfoftenmakeuseofthisanswer，butIdarenot:fortheycrythatitisanevasionproducedfromignoranceandweaknessofunderstanding;andIamfain，forthemostpart，tojuggleforcompany，andprateoffrivoloussubjectsandtalesthatIbelievenotawordof;
besidesthat，intruth，’tisalittlerudeandquarrelsomeflatlytodenyastatedfact;andfewpeoplebutwillaffirm，especiallyinthingshardtobebelieved，thattheyhaveseenthem，oratleastwillnamewitnesseswhoseauthoritywillstopourmouthsfromcontradiction。Inthisway，weknowthefoundationsandmeansofthingsthatneverwere;andtheworldscufflesaboutathousandquestions，ofwhichboththeProandtheConarefalse。
"Itafinitimasuntfalsaveris，utinpraecipitemlocumnondebeatsesapienscommittere。"
["Falsethingsaresonearthetrue，thatawisemanshouldnottrusthimselfinaprecipitousplace"——Cicero，Acad。，ii。21。]
Truthandliesarefacedalike;theirport，taste，andproceedingsarethesame，andwelookuponthemwiththesameeye。Ifindthatwearenotonlyremissindefendingourselvesfromdeceit，butthatweseekandofferourselvestobegulled;welovetoentangleourselvesinvanity，asathingconformabletoourbeing。
Ihaveseenthebirthofmanymiraclesinmytime;which，althoughtheywereabortive，yethavewenotfailedtoforeseewhattheywouldhavecometo，hadtheylivedtheirfullage。’Tisbutfindingtheendoftheclew，andamanmaywindoffasmuchashewill;andthereisagreaterdistancebetwixtnothingandtheleastthingintheworldthanthereisbetwixtthisandthegreatest。Nowthefirstthatareimbuedwiththisbeginningofnovelty，whentheysetoutwiththeirtale，find，bytheoppositionstheymeetwith，wherethedifficultyofpersuasionlies，andsocaulkupthatplacewithsomefalsepiece;
[Voltairesaysofthispassage，"HewhowouldlearntodoubtshouldreadthiswholechapterofMontaigne，theleastmethodicalofallphilosophers，butthewisestandmostamiable。"
——MelangesHistoriques，xvii。694，ed。ofLefevre。]
besidesthat:
"Insitahominibuslibidoalendideindustriarumores，"
["Menhavinganaturaldesiretonourishreports。"
——Livy，xxviii。24。]
wenaturallymakeaconscienceofrestoringwhathasbeenlentus，withoutsomeusuryandaccessionofourown。Theparticularerrorfirstmakesthepublicerror，andafterwards，inturn，thepublicerrormakestheparticularone;andthusallthisvastfabricgoesformingandpilingitselfupfromhandtohand，sothattheremotestwitnessknowsmoreaboutitthanthosewhowerenearest，andthelastinformedisbetterpersuadedthanthefirst。
’Tisanaturalprogress;forwhoeverbelievesanything，thinksitaworkofcharitytopersuadeanotherintothesameopinion;whichthebettertodo，hewillmakenodifficultyofaddingasmuchofhisowninventionasheconceivesnecessarytohistaletoencountertheresistanceorwantofconceptionhemeetswithinothers。Imyself，whomakeagreatconscienceoflying，andamnotverysolicitousofgivingcreditandauthoritytowhatIsay，yetfindthatintheargumentsIhaveinhand，beingheatedwiththeoppositionofanother，orbytheproperwarmthofmyownnarration，Iswellandpuffupmysubjectbyvoice，motion，vigour，andforceofwords，andmoreover，byextensionandamplification，notwithoutsomeprejudicetothenakedtruth;butIdoitconditionallywithal，thattothefirstwhobringsmetomyself，andwhoasksmetheplainandbaretruth，Ipresentlysurrendermypassion，anddeliverthemattertohimwithoutexaggeration，withoutemphasis，oranypaintingofmyown。Aquickandearnestwayofspeaking，asmineis，isapttorunintohyperbole。Thereisnothingtowhichmencommonlyaremoreinclinedthantomakewayfortheirownopinions;wheretheordinarymeansfailus，weaddcommand，force，fire，andsword。’Tisamisfortunetobeatsuchapass，thatthebesttestoftruthisthemultitudeofbelieversinacrowd，wherethenumberoffoolssomuchexceedsthewise:
"Quasiveroquidquamsittamvalde，quamnilsapere，vulgare。"
["Asifanythingweresocommonasignorance。"
——Cicero，DeDivin。，ii。]
"Sanitatispatrociniumest，insanientiumturba。"
["Themultitudeoffoolsisaprotectiontothewise。"
——St。Augustine，DeCivit。Dei，vi。10。]
’Tishardtoresolveaman’sjudgmentagainstthecommonopinions:thefirstpersuasion，takenfromtheverysubjectitself，possessesthesimple，andfromthemdiffusesitselftothewise，undertheauthorityofthenumberandantiquityofthewitnesses。Formypart，whatIshouldnotbelievefromone，Ishouldnotbelievefromahundredandone:andI
donotjudgeopinionsbyyears。
’Tisnotlongsinceoneofourprinces，inwhomthegouthadspoiledanexcellentnatureandsprightlydisposition，sufferedhimselftobesofarpersuadedwiththereportmadetohimofthemarvellousoperationsofacertainpriestwhobywordsandgesturescuredallsortsofdiseases，astogoalongjourneytoseekhimout，andbytheforceofhismereimagination，forsomehourssopersuadedandlaidhislegsasleep，astoobtainthatservicefromthemtheyhadlongtimeforgotten。Hadfortuneheapedupfiveorsixsuch—likeincidents，ithadbeenenoughtohavebroughtthismiracleintonature。Therewasafterwardsdiscoveredsomuchsimplicityandsolittleartintheauthoroftheseperformances，thathewasthoughttoocontemptibletobepunished，aswouldbethoughtofmostsuchthings，weretheywellexamined:
"Miramurexintervallofallentia。"
["Weadmireafteraninterval（oratadistance）thingsthatdeceive。"——Seneca，Ep。，118，2。]
Sodoesoursightoftenrepresenttousstrangeimagesatadistancethatvanishonapproachingnear:
"Nunquamadliquidumfamaperducitur。"
["Reportisneverfullysubstantiated。"
——QuintusCurtius，ix。2。]
’Tiswonderfulfromhowmanyidlebeginningsandfrivolouscausessuchfamousimpressionscommonly，proceed。Thisitisthatobstructsinformation;forwhilstweseekoutcausesandsolidandweightyends，worthyofsogreataname，welosethetrueones;theyescapeoursightbytheirlittleness。And，intruth，averyprudent，diligent，andsubtleinquisitionisrequiredinsuchsearches，indifferent，andnotprepossessed。Tothisveryhour，allthesemiraclesandstrangeeventshaveconcealedthemselvesfromme:Ihaveneverseengreatermonsterormiracleintheworldthanmyself:onegrowsfamiliarwithallstrangethingsbytimeandcustom，butthemoreIfrequentandthebetterIknowmyself，themoredoesmyowndeformityastonishme，thelessIunderstandmyself。
Theprincipalrightofadvancingandproducingsuchaccidentsisreservedtofortune。Passingthedaybeforeyesterdaythroughavillagetwoleaguesfrommyhouse，Ifoundtheplaceyetwarmwithamiraclethathadlatelyfailedofsuccessthere，wherewithfirsttheneighbourhoodhadbeenseveralmonthsamused;thentheneighbouringprovincesbegantotakeitup，andtorunthitheringreatcompaniesofallsortsofpeople。
Ayoungfellowoftheplacehadonenightinsportcounterfeitedthevoiceofaspiritinhisownhouse，withoutanyotherdesignatpresent，butonlyforsport;butthishavingsucceededwithhimbetterthanheexpected，toextendhisfarcewithmoreactorsheassociatedwithhimastupidsillycountrygirl，andatlasttherewerethreeofthemofthesameageandunderstanding，whofromdomestic，proceededtopublic，preachings，hidingthemselvesunderthealtarofthechurch，neverspeakingbutbynight，andforbiddinganylighttobebrought。Fromwordswhichtendedtotheconversionoftheworld，andthreatsofthedayofjudgment（forthesearesubjectsundertheauthorityandreverenceofwhichimposturemostsecurelylurks），theyproceededtovisionsandgesticulationssosimpleandridiculousthat——nothingcouldhardlybesogrossinthesportsoflittlechildren。Yethadfortuneneversolittlefavouredthedesign，whoknowstowhatheightthisjugglingmighthaveatlastarrived？Thesepoordevilsareatpresentinprison，andarelikeshortlytopayforthecommonfolly;andIknownotwhethersomejudgewillnotalsomakethemsmartforhis。Weseeclearlyintothis，whichisdiscovered;butinmanythingsofthelikenaturethatexceedourknowledge，Iamofopinionthatweoughttosuspendourjudgment，whetherastorejectionorastoreception。
Greatabusesintheworldarebegotten，or，tospeakmoreboldly，alltheabusesoftheworldarebegotten，byourbeingtaughttobeafraidofprofessingourignorance，andthatweareboundtoacceptallthingswearenotabletorefute:wespeakofallthingsbypreceptsanddecisions。
ThestyleatRomewasthateventhatwhichawitnessdeposedtohavingseenwithhisowneyes，andwhatajudgedeterminedwithhismostcertainknowledge，wascouchedinthisformofspeaking:"itseemstome。"Theymakemehatethingsthatarelikely，whentheywouldimposethemuponmeasinfallible。Ilovethesewordswhichmollifyandmoderatethetemerityofourpropositions:"peradventure;insomesort;some;’tissaid，Ithink，"andthelike:andhadIbeensettotrainupchildrenI
hadputthiswayofansweringintotheirmouths，inquiringandnotresolving:"Whatdoesthismean？Iunderstanditnot;itmaybe:isittrue？"sothattheyshouldratherhaveretainedtheformofpupilsatthreescoreyearsoldthantogooutdoctors，astheydo，atten。Whoeverwillbecuredofignorancemustconfessit。
IrisisthedaughterofThaumas;
[Thatis，ofAdmiration。She（Iris，therainbow）isbeautiful，andforthatreason，becauseshehasafacetobeadmired，sheissaidtohavebeenthedaughterofThamus。"
——Cicero，DeNat。Deor。，iii。20。]
admirationisthefoundationofallphilosophy，inquisitiontheprogress，ignorancetheend。Butthereisasortofignorance，strongandgenerous，thatyieldsnothinginhonourandcouragetoknowledge;anignorancewhichtoconceiverequiresnolessknowledgethantoconceiveknowledgeitself。IreadinmyyoungeryearsatrialthatCorras，[AcelebratedCalvinistlawyer，bornatToulouse;1513，andassassinatedthere，4thOctober1572。]
acouncillorofToulouse，printed，ofastrangeincident，oftwomenwhopresentedthemselvestheonefortheother。Iremember（andIhardlyrememberanythingelse）thatheseemedtohaverenderedtheimpostureofhimwhomhejudgedtobeguilty，sowonderfulandsofarexceedingbothourknowledgeandhisown，whowasthejudge，thatIthoughtitaveryboldsentencethatcondemnedhimtobehanged。Letushavesomeformofdecreethatsays，"Thecourtunderstandsnothingofthematter"morefreelyandingenuouslythantheAreopagitesdid，who，findingthemselvesperplexedwithacausetheycouldnotunravel，orderedthepartiestoappearagainafterahundredyears。
Thewitchesofmyneighbourhoodrunthehazardoftheirlivesuponthereportofeverynewauthorwhoseekstogivebodytotheirdreams。ToaccommodatetheexamplesthatHolyWritgivesusofsuchthings，mostcertainandirrefragableexamples，andtotiethemtoourmodernevents，seeingthatweneitherseethecausesnorthemeans，willrequireanothersort—ofwitthanours。It，peradventure，onlyappertainstothatsoleall—potenttestimonytotellus。"Thisis，andthatis，andnotthatother。"Godoughttobebelieved;andcertainlywithverygoodreason;
butnotoneamongstusforallthatwhoisastonishedathisownnarration（andhemustofnecessitybeastonishedifhebenotoutofhiswits），whetherheemployitaboutothermen’saffairsoragainsthimself。
Iamplainandheavy，andsticktothesolidandtheprobable，avoidingthoseancientreproaches:
"Majoremfidemhominesadhibentiis，quaenonintelligunt;
——Cupidinehumaniingeniilibentiusobscuracreduntur。"
["Menaremostapttobelievewhattheyleastunderstand:andfromtheacquisitivenessofthehumanintellect，obscurethingsaremoreeasilycredited。"ThesecondsentenceisfromTacitus，Hist。1。22。]
Iseeverywellthatmengetangry，andthatIamforbiddentodoubtuponpainofexecrableinjuries;anewwayofpersuading！ThankGod，Iamnottobecuffedintobelief。Letthembeangrywiththosewhoaccusetheiropinionoffalsity;Ionlyaccuseitofdifficultyandboldness，andcondemntheoppositeaffirmationequally，ifnotsoimperiously，withthem。Hewhowillestablishthispropositionbyauthorityandhuffingdiscovershisreasontobeveryweak。Foraverbalandscholasticaltercationletthemhaveasmuchappearanceastheircontradictors;
"Videantursane，nonaffirmenturmodo;"