CHAPTERXV
OFTHEPUNISHMENTOFCOWARDICE
Ionceheardofaprince，andagreatcaptain，havinganarrationgivenhimashesatattableoftheproceedingagainstMonsieurdeVervins，whowassentencedtodeathforhavingsurrenderedBoulognetotheEnglish，——[ToHenryVIII。in1544]——openlymaintainingthatasoldiercouldnotjustlybeputtodeathforwantofcourage。And，intruth，’tisreasonthatamanshouldmakeagreatdifferencebetwixtfaultsthatmerelyproceedfrominfirmity，andthosethatarevisiblytheeffectsoftreacheryandmalice:for，inthelast，weactagainsttherulesofreasonthatnaturehasimprintedinus;whereas，intheformer，itseemsasifwemightproducethesamenature，wholeftusinsuchastateofimperfectionandweaknessofcourage，forourjustification。Insomuchthatmanyhavethoughtwearenotfairlyquestionableforanythingbutwhatwecommitagainstourconscience;anditispartlyuponthisrulethatthosegroundtheiropinionwhodisapproveofcapitalorsanguinarypunishmentsinflicteduponhereticsandmisbelievers;andtheirsalsowhoadvocateorajudgeisnotaccountableforhavingfrommereignorancefailedinhisadministration。
Butastocowardice，itiscertainthatthemostusualwayofchastisingitisbyignominyandanditissupposedthatthispracticebroughtintousebythelegislatorCharondas;andthat，beforehistime，thelawsofGreecepunishedthosewithdeathwhofledfromabattle;whereasheordainedonlythattheybeforthreedaysexposedinthepublicdressedinwoman’sattire，hopingyetforsomeservicefromthem，havingawakenedtheircouragebythisopenshame:
"Suffunderemalishomimssanguinem，quameffundere。"
["Ratherbringthebloodintoaman’scheekthanletitoutofhisbody。"TertullianinhisApologetics。]
ItappearsalsothattheRomanlawsdidancientlypunishthosewithdeathwhohadrunaway;forAmmianusMarcellinussaysthattheEmperorJuliancommandedtenofhissoldiers，whohadturnedtheirbacksinanencounteragainsttheParthians，tobefirstdegraded，andafterwardputtodeath，according，sayshe，totheancientlaws，——[AmmianusMarcellinus，xxiv。
4;xxv。i。]——andyetelsewhereforthelikeoffenceheonlycondemnedotherstoremainamongsttheprisonersunderthebaggageensign。TheseverepunishmentthepeopleofRomeinflicteduponthosewhofledfromthebattleofCannae，andthosewhoranawaywithAeneiusFulviusathisdefeat，didnotextendtodeath。Andyet，methinks，’tistobefeared，lestdisgraceshouldmakesuchdelinquentsdesperate，andnotonlyfaintfriends，butenemies。
Oflatememory，——[In1523]——theSeigneurdeFrauget，lieutenanttotheMareschaldeChatillon’scompany，havingbytheMareschaldeChabannesbeenputingovernmentofFuentarabiaintheplaceofMonsieurdeLude，andhavingsurrenderedittotheSpaniard，hewasforthatcondemnedtobedegradedfromallnobility，andbothhimselfandhisposteritydeclaredignoble，taxable，andforeverincapableofbearingarms，whichseveresentencewasafterwardsaccordinglyexecutedatLyons。——[In1536]
——And，sincethat，allthegentlemenwhowereinGuisewhentheCountofNassauenteredintoit，underwentthesamepunishment，asseveralothershavedonesinceforthelikeoffence。Notwithstanding，incaseofsuchamanifestignoranceorcowardiceasexceedsallordinaryexample，’tisbutreasontotakeitforasufficientproofoftreacheryandmalice，andforsuchtobepunished。
CHAPTERXVI
APROCEEDINGOFSOMEAMBASSADORS
Iobserveinmytravelsthiscustom，evertolearnsomethingfromtheinformationofthosewithwhomIconfer（whichisthebestschoolofallothers），andtoputmycompanyuponthosesubjectstheyarethebestabletospeakof:——
"Bastialnocchieroragionarde’venti，Albifolcodeitori;etlesuepiagheConti’lguerrier;conti’lpastorgliarmenti。"
["Letthesailorcontenthimselfwithtalkingofthewinds;thecowherdofhisoxen;thesoldierofhiswounds;theshepherdofhisflocks。"——AnItaliantranslationofPropertius，ii。i，43]
Foritoftenfallsoutthat，onthecontrary，everyonewillratherchoosetobepratingofanotherman’sprovincethanhisown，thinkingitsomuchnewreputationacquired;witnessthejeerArchidamusputuponPertander，"thathehadquittedthegloryofbeinganexcellentphysiciantogainthereputeofaverybadpoet。——[Plutarch，Apoth。oftheLacedaemonians，’invoce’Archidamus。]——AnddobutobservehowlargeandampleCaesaristomakeusunderstandhisinventionsofbuildingbridgesandcontrivingenginesofwar，——[DeBelloGall。，iv。17。]——andhowsuccinctandreservedincomparison，wherehespeaksoftheofficesofhisprofession，hisownvalour，andmilitaryconduct。Hisexploitssufficientlyprovehimagreatcaptain，andthatheknewwellenough;buthewouldbethoughtanexcellentengineertoboot;aqualitysomethingdifferent，andnotnecessarytobeexpectedinhim。TheelderDionysiuswasaverygreatcaptain，asitbefittedhisfortuneheshouldbe;buthetookverygreatpainstogetaparticularreputationbypoetry，andyethewasnevercutoutforapoet。Amanofthelegalprofessionbeingnotlongsincebroughttoseeastudyfurnishedwithallsortsofbooks，bothofhisownandallotherfaculties，tooknooccasionatalltoentertainhimselfwithanyofthem，butfellveryrudelyandmagisteriallytodescantuponabarricadeplacedonthewindingstairbeforethestudydoor，athingthatahundredcaptainsandcommonsoldiersseeeverydaywithouttakinganynoticeoroffence。
"Optatephippiabospiger，optatararecaballus。"
[Thelazyoxdesiresasaddleandbridle;thehorsewantstoplough。"——Hor。，Ep。，i。14，43。]
Bythiscourseamanshallneverimprovehimself，norarriveatanyperfectioninanything。Hemust，therefore，makeithisbusinessalwaystoputthearchitect，thepainter，thestatuary，everymechanicartisan，upondiscourseoftheirowncapacities。
And，tothispurpose，inreadinghistories，whichiseverybody’ssubject，Iusetoconsiderwhatkindofmenaretheauthors:iftheybepersonsthatprofessnothingbutmereletters，I，inandfromthem，principallyobserveandlearnstyleandlanguage;ifphysicians，Itheratherinclinetocreditwhattheyreportofthetemperatureoftheair，ofthehealthandcomplexionsofprinces，ofwoundsanddiseases;iflawyers，wearefromthemtotakenoticeofthecontroversiesofrightsandwrongs，theestablishmentoflawsandcivilgovernment，andthelike;ifdivines，theaffairsoftheChurch，ecclesiasticalcensures，marriages，anddispensations;ifcourtiers，mannersandceremonies;ifsoldiers，thethingsthatproperlybelongtotheirtrade，and，principally，theaccountsoftheactionsandenterpriseswhereintheywerepersonallyengaged;ifambassadors，wearetoobservenegotiations，intelligences，andpractices，andthemannerhowtheyaretobecarriedon。
Andthisisthereasonwhy（whichperhapsIshouldhavelightlypassedoverinanother）IdweltuponandmaturelyconsideredonepassageinthehistorywrittenbyMonsieurdeLangey，amanofverygreatjudgmentinthingsofthatnature:afterhavinggivenanarrativeofthefineorationCharlesV。hadmadeintheConsistoryatRome，andinthepresenceoftheBishopofMaconandMonsieurduVelly，ourambassadorsthere，whereinhehadmixedseveralinjuriousexpressionstothedishonourofournation;
andamongsttherest，"thatifhiscaptainsandsoldierswerenotmenofanotherkindoffidelity，resolution，andsufficiencyintheknowledgeofarmsthanthoseoftheKing，hewouldimmediatelygowitharopeabouthisneckandsuetohimformercy"（anditshouldseemtheEmperorhadreallythis，oraverylittlebetteropinionofourmilitarymen，forheafterwards，twiceorthriceinhislife，saidtheverysamething）;asalso，thathechallengedtheKingtofighthiminhisshirtwithrapierandpoignardinaboat。ThesaidSieurdeLangey，pursuinghishistory，addsthattheforenamedambassadors，sendingadespatchtotheKingofthesethings，concealedthegreatestpart，andparticularlythelasttwopassages。AtwhichIcouldnotbutwonderthatitshouldbeinthepowerofanambassadortodispensewithanythingwhichheoughttosignifytohismaster，especiallyofsogreatimportanceasthis，comingfromthemouthofsuchaperson，andspokeninsogreatanassembly;andIshouldratherconceiveithadbeentheservant’sdutyfaithfullytohaverepresentedtohimthewholethingasitpassed，totheendthatthelibertyofselecting，disposing，judging，andconcludingmighthaveremainedinhim:foreithertoconcealortodisguisethetruthforfearheshouldtakeitotherwisethanheoughttodo，andlestitshouldprompthimtosomeextravagantresolution，and，inthemeantime，toleavehimignorantofhisaffairs，shouldseem，methinks，rathertobelongtohimwhoistogivethelawthantohimwhoisonlytoreceiveit;tohimwhoisinsupremecommand，andnottohimwhooughttolookuponhimselfasinferior，notonlyinauthority，butalsoinprudenceandgoodcounsel。I，formypart，wouldnotbesoservedinmylittleconcerns。
Wesowillinglyslipthecollarofcommanduponanypretencewhatever，andaresoreadytousurpupondominion，everyonedoessonaturallyaspiretolibertyandpower，thatnoutilitywhateverderivedfromthewitorvalourofthoseheemploysoughttobesodeartoasuperiorasadownrightandsincereobedience。Toobeymoreupontheaccountofunderstandingthanofsubjection，istocorrupttheofficeofcommand——
[TakenfromAulusGellius，i。13。]——;insomuchthatP。Crassus，thesamewhomtheRomansreputedfivetimeshappy，atthetimewhenhewasconsulinAsia，havingsenttoaGreekengineertocausethegreateroftwomastsofshipsthathehadtakennoticeofatAthenstobebroughttohim，tobeemployedaboutsomeengineofbatteryhehadadesigntomake;
theother，presuminguponhisownscienceandsufficiencyinthoseaffairs，thoughtfittodootherwisethandirected，andtobringtheless，which，accordingtotherulesofart，wasreallymoreproperfortheusetowhichitwasdesigned;butCrassus，thoughhegaveeartohisreasonswithgreatpatience，wouldnot，however，takethem，howsoundorconvincingsoever，forcurrentpay，butcausedhimtobewellwhippedforhispains，valuingtheinterestofdisciplinemuchmorethanthatoftheworkinhand。
Notwithstanding，wemayontheothersideconsiderthatsopreciseandimplicitanobedienceasthisisonlyduetopositiveandlimitedcommands。Theemploymentofambassadorsisneversoconfined，manythingsintheirmanagementofaffairsbeingwhollyreferredtotheabsolutesovereigntyoftheirownconduct;theydonotsimplyexecute，butalso，totheirowndiscretionandwisdom，formandmodeltheirmaster’spleasure。Ihave，inmytime，knownmenofcommandcheckedforhavingratherobeyedtheexpresswordsoftheking’sletters，thanthenecessityoftheaffairstheyhadinhand。Menofunderstandingdoyet，tothisday，condemnthecustomofthekingsofPersiatogivetheirlieutenantsandagentssolittlerein，that，upontheleastarisingdifficulties，theymustfainhaverecoursetotheirfurthercommands;
thisdelay，insovastanextentofdominion，havingoftenverymuchprejudicedtheiraffairs;andCrassus，writingtoamanwhoseprofessionitwasbesttounderstandthosethings，andpre—acquaintinghimtowhatusethismastwasdesigned，didhenotseemtoconsulthisadvice，andinamannerinvitehimtointerposehisbetterjudgment？
CHAPTERXVII
OFFEAR
"Obstupui，steteruntquecomaeetvoxfaucibushaesit。"
["Iwasamazed，myhairstoodonend，andmyvoicestuckinmythroat。Virgil，AEneid，ii。774。]
Iamnotsogoodanaturalist（astheycallit）astodiscernbywhatsecretspringsfearhasitsmotioninus;but，bethisasitmay，’tisastrangepassion，andsuchaonethatthephysicianssaythereisnootherwhateverthatsoonerdethronesourjudgmentfromitsproperseat;whichissotrue，thatImyselfhaveseenverymanybecomefranticthroughfear;and，eveninthoseofthebestsettledtemperitismostcertainthatitbegetsaterribleastonishmentandconfusionduringthefit。
Iomitthevulgarsort，towhomitonewhilerepresentstheirgreat—
grandsiresrisenoutoftheirgravesintheirshrouds，anotherwhilewerewolves，nightmares，andchimaeras;butevenamongstsoldiers，asortofmenoverwhom，ofallothers，itoughttohavetheleastpower，howoftenhasitconvertedflocksofsheepintoarmedsquadrons，reedsandbullrushesintopikesandlances，friendsintoenemies，andtheFrenchwhitecrossintotheredcrossofSpain！WhenMonsieurdeBourbontookRome，——[In1527]——anensignwhowasuponguardatBorgoSanPietrowasseizedwithsuchafrightuponthefirstalarm，thathethrewhimselfoutatabreachwithhiscoloursuponhisshoulder，andrandirectlyupontheenemy，thinkinghehadretreatedtowardtheinwarddefencesofthecity，andwithmuchado，seeingMonsieurdeBourbon’speople，whothoughtithadbeenasallyuponthem，drawuptoreceivehim，atlastcametohimself，andsawhiserror;andthenfacingabout，heretreatedfullspeedthroughthesamebreachbywhichhehadgoneout，butnottillhehadfirstblindlyadvancedabovethreehundredpacesintotheopenfield。
Itdidnot，however，falloutsowellwithCaptainGiulio’sensign，atthetimewhenSt。PaulwastakenfromusbytheComtedeBuresandMonsieurdeReu，forhe，beingsoastonishedwithfearastothrowhimself，coloursandall，outofaporthole，wasimmediately，cuttopiecesbytheenemy;andinthesamesiege，itwasaverymemorablefearthatsoseized，contracted，andfrozeuptheheartofagentleman，thathesankdown，stone—dead，inthebreach，withoutanymannerofwoundorhurtatall。Thelikemadnessdoessometimespushonawholemultitude;
forinoneoftheencountersthatGermanicushadwiththeGermans，twogreatpartiesweresoamazedwithfearthattheyrantwooppositeways，theonetothesameplacefromwhichtheotherhadfled。——[Tacit，Annal。，i。63。]——Sometimesitaddswingstotheheels，asinthetwofirst:
sometimesitnailsthemtotheground，andfettersthemfrommoving;aswereadoftheEmperorTheophilus，who，inabattlehelostagainsttheAgarenes，wassoastonishedandstupefiedthathehadnopowertofly——
"Adeopavoretiamauxiliaformidat"
["Somuchdoesfeardreadeventhemeansofsafety。"——Quint。
Curt。，ii。II。]
——tillsuchtimeasManuel，oneoftheprincipalcommandersofhisarmy，havingjoggedandshakedhimsoastorousehimoutofhistrance，saidtohim，"Sir，ifyouwillnotfollowme，Iwillkillyou;foritisbetteryoushouldloseyourlifethan，bybeingtaken，loseyourempire。"
——[Zonaras，lib。iii。]——Butfeardoesthenmanifestitsutmostpowerwhenitthrowsusuponavaliantdespair，havingbeforedeprivedusofallsensebothofdutyandhonour。InthefirstpitchedbattletheRomanslostagainstHannibal，undertheConsulSempronius，abodyoftenthousandfoot，thathadtakenfright，seeingnootherescapefortheircowardice，wentandthrewthemselvesheadlonguponthegreatbattalionoftheenemies，whichwithmarvellousforceandfurytheychargedthroughandthrough，androutedwithaverygreatslaughteroftheCarthaginians，thuspurchasinganignominiousflightatthesamepricetheymighthavegainedagloriousvictory。——[Livy，xxi。56。]
ThethingintheworldIammostafraidofisfear，thatpassionalone，inthetroubleofit，exceedingallotheraccidents。WhatafflictioncouldbegreaterormorejustthanthatofPompey’sfriends，who，inhisship，werespectatorsofthathorriblemurder？Yetsoitwas，thatthefearoftheEgyptianvesselstheysawcomingtoboardthem，possessedthemwithsogreatalarmthatitisobservedtheythoughtofnothingbutcallinguponthemarinerstomakehaste，andbyforceofoarstoescapeaway，tillbeingarrivedatTyre，anddeliveredfromfear，theyhadleisuretoturntheirthoughtstothelossoftheircaptain，andtogiveventtothosetearsandlamentationsthattheothermorepotentpassionhadtillthensuspended。
"Tumpavorsapientiamomnemmihiexanimoexpectorat。"
["Thenfeardroveoutallintelligencefrommymind。"——Ennius，ap。
Cicero，Tusc。，iv。8。]
Suchashavebeenwellrubbedinsomeskirmish，mayyet，allwoundedandbloodyastheyare，bebroughtonagainthenextdaytocharge;butsuchashaveonceconceivedagoodsoundfearoftheenemy，willneverbemadesomuchastolookhimintheface。Suchasareinimmediatefearofalosingtheirestates，ofbanishment，orofslavery，liveinperpetualanguish，andloseallappetiteandrepose;whereassuchasareactuallypoor，slaves，orexiles，ofttimesliveasmerrilyasotherfolk。Andthemanypeoplewho，impatientoftheperpetualalarmsoffear，havehangedordrownedthemselves，ordashedthemselvestopieces，giveussufficientlytounderstandthatfearismoreimportunateandinsupportablethandeathitself。
TheGreeksacknowledgedanotherkindoffear，differingfromanywehavespokenofyet，thatsurprisesuswithoutanyvisiblecause，byanimpulsefromheaven，sothatwholenationsandwholearmieshavebeenstruckwithit。SuchaonewasthatwhichbroughtsowonderfuladesolationuponCarthage，wherenothingwastobeheardbutaffrightedvoicesandoutcries;wheretheinhabitantswereseentosallyoutoftheirhousesastoanalarm，andtheretocharge，wound，andkilloneanother，asiftheyhadbeenenemiescometosurprisetheircity。Allthingswereindisorderandfurytill，withprayersandsacrifices，theyhadappeasedtheirgods——[Diod。Sic。，xv。7];andthisisthattheycallpanicterrors。——[Ibid。;PlutarchonIsisandOsiris，c。8。]
CHAPTERXVIII
THATMENARENOTTOJUDGEOFOURHAPPINESSTILLAFTERDEATH。
[Charronhasborrowedwithunusualliberalityfromthisandthesucceedingchapter。SeeNodier，Questions，p。206。]
"ScilicetultimasemperExspectandadieshominiest;diciquebeatusAnteobitumnemosupremaquefuneradebet。"
["Weshouldalllookforwardtoourlastday:noonecanbecalledhappytillheisdeadandburied。"——Ovid，Met，iii。135]
TheverychildrenknowthestoryofKingCroesustothispurpose，whobeingtakenprisonerbyCyrus，andbyhimcondemnedtodie，ashewasgoingtoexecutioncriedout，"OSolon，Solon！"whichbeingpresentlyreportedtoCyrus，andhesendingtoinquireofhimwhatitmeant，CroesusgavehimtounderstandthathenowfoundtheteachingSolonhadformerlygivenhimtruetohiscost;whichwas，"Thatmen，howeverfortunemaysmileuponthem，couldneverbesaidtobehappytilltheyhadbeenseentopassoverthelastdayoftheirlives，"byreasonoftheuncertaintyandmutabilityofhumanthings，which，uponverylightandtrivialoccasions，aresubjecttobetotallychangedintoaquitecontrarycondition。AndsoitwasthatAgesilausmadeanswertoonewhowassayingwhatahappyyoungmantheKingofPersiawas，tocomesoyoungtosomightyakingdom:"’Tistrue，"saidhe，"butneitherwasPriamunhappyathisyears。"——[Plutarch，ApothegmsoftheLacedaemonians。]——Inashorttime，kingsofMacedon，successorstothatmightyAlexander，becamejoinersandscrivenersatRome;atyrantofSicily，apedantatCorinth;aconquerorofone—halfoftheworldandgeneralofsomanyarmies，amiserablesupplianttotherascallyofficersofakingofEgypt:somuchdidtheprolongationoffiveorsixmonthsoflifecostthegreatPompey;and，inourfathers’days，LudovicoSforza，thetenthDukeofMilan，whomallItalyhadsolongtruckledunder，wasseentodieawretchedprisoneratLoches，butnottillhehadlivedtenyearsincaptivity，——[HewasimprisonedbyLouisXI。inanironcage]——
whichwastheworstpartofhisfortune。Thefairestofallqueens，——[Mary，QueenofScots。]——widowtothegreatestkinginEurope，didshenotcometodiebythehandofanexecutioner？Unworthyandbarbarouscruelty！Andathousandmoreexamplesthereareofthesamekind;foritseemsthatasstormsandtempestshaveamaliceagainsttheproudandovertoweringheightsofourloftybuildings，therearealsospiritsabovethatareenviousofthegreatnessesherebelow:
"UsqueadeoreshumanasvisabditaquaedamObterit，etpulchrosfasces，saevasquesecuresProculcare，acludibriosibihaberevidetur。"
["Sotrueitisthatsomeoccultpowerupsetshumanaffairs，theglitteringfascesandthecruelaxesspurnsunderfoot，andseemstomakesportofthem。"——Lucretius，v。1231。]
Anditshouldseem，also，thatFortunesometimesliesinwaittosurprisethelasthourofourlives，toshowthepowershehas，inamoment，tooverthrowwhatshewassomanyyearsinbuilding，makinguscryoutwithLaberius:
"NimirumhacdieUnaplusviximihi，quamvivendumfuit。"
["IhavelivedlongerbythisonedaythanIshouldhavedone。"——Macrobius，ii。7。]
And，inthissense，thisgoodadviceofSolonmayreasonablybetaken;
buthe，beingaphilosopher（withwhichsortofmenthefavoursanddisgracesofFortunestandfornothing，eithertothemakingamanhappyorunhappy，andwithwhomgrandeursandpowersareaccidentsofaqualityalmostindifferent）Iamapttothinkthathehadsomefurtheraim，andthathismeaningwas，thattheveryfelicityoflifeitself，whichdependsuponthetranquillityandcontentmentofawell—descendedspirit，andtheresolutionandassuranceofawell—orderedsoul，oughtnevertobeattributedtoanymantillhehasfirstbeenseentoplaythelast，and，doubtless，thehardestactofhispart。Theremaybedisguiseanddissimulationinalltherest:wherethesefinephilosophicaldiscoursesareonlyputon，andwhereaccident，nottouchingustothequick，givesusleisuretomaintainthesamegravityofaspect;but，inthislastsceneofdeath，thereisnomorecounterfeiting:wemustspeakoutplain，anddiscoverwhatthereisofgoodandcleaninthebottomofthepot，"Namvera;vocesturndemumpectoreabimoEjiciuntur;eteripiturpersona，manetres。"
[Thenatlasttruthissuesfromtheheart;thevisor’sgone，themanremains。"——Lucretius，iii。57。]
Wherefore，atthislast，alltheotheractionsofourlifeoughttobetriedandsifted:’tisthemaster—day，’tisthedaythatisjudgeofalltherest，"’tistheday，"saysoneoftheancients，——[Seneca，Ep。，102]——
"thatmustbejudgeofallmyforegoingyears。"TodeathdoIrefertheassayofthefruitofallmystudies:weshallthenseewhethermydiscoursescameonlyfrommymouthorfrommyheart。Ihaveseenmanybytheirdeathgiveagoodoranillreputetotheirwholelife。Scipio，thefather—in—lawofPompey，indying，wellremovedtheillopinionthattilltheneveryonehadconceivedofhim。Epaminondasbeingaskedwhichofthethreehehadingreatestesteem，Chabrias，Iphicrates，orhimself。
"Youmustfirstseeusdie，"saidhe，"beforethatquestioncanberesolved。"——[Plutarch，Apoth。]——And，intruth，hewouldinfinitelywrongthatmanwhowouldweighhimwithoutthehonourandgrandeurofhisend。
GodhasorderedallthingsasithasbestpleasedHim;butIhave，inmytime，seenthreeofthemostexecrablepersonsthateverIknewinallmannerofabominableliving，andthemostinfamoustoboot，whoalldiedaveryregulardeath，andinallcircumstancescomposed，eventoperfection。Therearebraveandfortunatedeaths:Ihaveseendeathcutthethreadoftheprogressofaprodigiousadvancement，andintheheightandflowerofitsincrease，ofacertainperson，——[MontaignedoubtlessreferstohisfriendEtiennedelaBoetie，atwhosedeathin1563hewaspresent。]——withsogloriousanendthat，inmyopinion，hisambitiousandgenerousdesignshadnothinginthemsohighandgreatastheirinterruption。Hearrived，withoutcompletinghiscourse，attheplacetowhichhisambitionaimed，withgreaterglorythanhecouldeitherhavehopedordesired，anticipatingbyhisfallthenameandpowertowhichheaspiredinperfectinghiscareer。InthejudgmentImakeofanotherman’slife，Ialwaysobservehowhecarriedhimselfathisdeath;andtheprincipalconcernIhaveformyownisthatImaydiewell——thatis，patientlyandtranquilly。
CHAPTERXIX
THATTOSTUDYPHILOSOPYISTOLEARNTODIE
Cicerosays——[Tusc。，i。31。]——"thattostudyphilosophyisnothingbuttoprepareone’sselftodie。"Thereasonofwhichis，becausestudyandcontemplationdoinsomesortwithdrawfromusoursoul，andemployitseparatelyfromthebody，whichisakindofapprenticeshipandaresemblanceofdeath;or，else，becauseallthewisdomandreasoningintheworlddointheendconcludeinthispoint，toteachusnottofeartodie。Andtosaythetruth，eitherourreasonmocksus，oritoughttohavenootheraimbutourcontentmentonly，nortoendeavouranythingbut，insum，tomakeuslivewell，and，astheHolyScripturesays，atourease。Alltheopinionsoftheworldagreeinthis，thatpleasureisourend，thoughwemakeuseofdiversmeanstoattainit:theywould，otherwise，berejectedatthefirstmotion;forwhowouldgiveeartohimthatshouldproposeafflictionandmiseryforhisend？Thecontroversiesanddisputesofthephilosophicalsectsuponthispointaremerelyverbal:
"Transcurramussolertissimasnugas"
["Letusskipoverthosesubtletrifles。"——Seneca，Ep。，117。]
——thereismoreinthemofoppositionandobstinacythanisconsistentwithsosacredaprofession;butwhatsoeverpersonageamantakesuponhimselftoperform，heevermixeshisownpartwithit。
Letthephilosopherssaywhattheywill，thethingatwhichweallaim，eveninvirtueispleasure。Itamusesmetorattleinearsthisword，whichtheysonauseatetoandifitsignifysomesupremepleasureandcontentment，itismoreduetotheassistanceofvirtuethantoanyotherassistancewhatever。Thispleasure，forbeingmoregay，moresinewy，morerobustandmoremanly，isonlythemoreseriouslyvoluptuous，andweoughtgiveitthenameofpleasure，asthatwhichismorefavourable，gentle，andnatural，andnotthatfromwhichwehavedenominatedit。Theotherandmeanerpleasure，ifitcoulddeservethisfairname，itoughttobebywayofcompetition，andnotofprivilege。Ifinditlessexemptfromtraversesandinconveniencesthanvirtueitself;and，besidesthattheenjoymentismoremomentary，fluid，andfrail，ithasitswatchings，fasts，andlabours，itssweatanditsblood;and，moreover，hasparticulartoitselfsomanyseveralsortsofsharpandwoundingpassions，andsodullasatietyattendingit，asequalittotheseverestpenance。Andwemistakeifwethinkthattheseincommoditiesserveitforaspurandaseasoningtoitssweetness（asinnatureonecontraryisquickenedbyanother），orsay，whenwecometovirtue，thatlikeconsequencesanddifficultiesoverwhelmandrenderitaustereandinaccessible;whereas，muchmoreaptlythaninvoluptuousness，theyennoble，sharpen，andheightentheperfectanddivinepleasuretheyprocureus。Herendershimselfunworthyofitwhowillcounterpoiseitscostwithitsfruit，andneitherunderstandstheblessingnorhowtouseit。Thosewhopreachtousthatthequestofitiscraggy，difficult，andpainful，butitsfruitionpleasant，whatdotheymeanbythatbuttotellusthatitisalwaysunpleasing？Forwhathumanmeanswilleverattainitsenjoyment？Themostperfecthavebeenfaintocontentthemselvestoaspireuntoit，andtoapproachitonly，withouteverpossessingit。Buttheyaredeceived，seeingthatofallthepleasuresweknow，theverypursuitispleasant。Theattempteverrelishesofthequalityofthethingtowhichitisdirected，foritisagoodpartof，andconsubstantialwith，theeffect。ThefelicityandbeatitudethatglittersinVirtue，shinesthroughoutallherappurtenancesandavenues，eventothefirstentryandutmostlimits。
Now，ofallthebenefitsthatvirtueconfersuponus，thecontemptofdeathisoneofthegreatest，asthemeansthataccommodateshumanlifewithasoftandeasytranquillity，andgivesusapureandpleasanttasteofliving，withoutwhichallotherpleasurewouldbeextinct。Whichisthereasonwhyalltherulescentreandconcurinthisonearticle。Andalthoughtheyallinlikemanner，withcommonaccord，teachusalsotodespisepain，poverty，andtheotheraccidentstowhichhumanlifeissubject，itisnot，nevertheless，withthesamesolicitude，aswellbyreasontheseaccidentsarenotofsogreatnecessity，thegreaterpartofmankindpassingovertheirwholeliveswithouteverknowingwhatpovertyis，andsomewithoutsorroworsickness，asXenophilusthemusician，wholivedahundredandsixyearsinaperfectandcontinualhealth;asalsobecause，attheworst，deathcan，wheneverweplease，cutshortandputanendtoallotherinconveniences。Butastodeath，itisinevitable:——
"Omneseodemcogimur;omniumVersatururnaseriusociusSorsexitura，etnosinaeternumExiliumimposituracymbae。"
["Weareallboundonevoyage;thelotofall，soonerorlater，istocomeoutoftheurn。Allmusttoeternalexilesailaway。"
——Hor。，Od。，ii。3，25。]
and，consequently，ifitfrightsus，’tisaperpetualtorment，forwhichthereisnosortofconsolation。Thereisnowaybywhichitmaynotreachus。Wemaycontinuallyturnourheadsthiswayandthat，asinasuspectedcountry:
"Quae，quasisaxumTantalo，semperimpendet。"
["Ever，likeTantalusstone，hangsoverus。"
——Cicero，DeFinib。，i。18。]
Ourcourtsofjusticeoftensendbackcondemnedcriminalstobeexecutedupontheplacewherethecrimewascommitted;but，carrythemtofinehousesbytheway，prepareforthemthebestentertainmentyoucan——
"NonSiculaedapesDulcemelaborabuntsaporem:
NonaviumcyatheaceaecantusSomnumreducent。"
["Siciliandaintieswillnottickletheirpalates，northemelodyofbirdsandharpsbringbacksleep。"——Hor。，Od。，iii。1，18。]
Doyouthinktheycanrelishit？andthatthefatalendoftheirjourneybeingcontinuallybeforetheireyes，wouldnotalteranddepravetheirpalatefromtastingtheseregalios？
"Audititer，numeratquedies，spatioqueviarumMetiturvitam;torqueturpestefutura。"
["Heconsiderstheroute，computesthetimeoftravelling，measuringhislifebythelengthofthejourney;andtormentshimselfbythinkingoftheblowtocome。"——Claudianus，inRuf。，ii。137。]
Theendofourraceisdeath;’tisthenecessaryobjectofouraim，which，ifitfrightus，howisitpossibletoadvanceastepwithoutafitofague？Theremedythevulgaruseisnottothinkon’t;butfromwhatbrutishstupiditycantheyderivesogrossablindness？Theymustbridletheassbythetail:
"Quicapiteipsesuoinstituitvestigiaretro，"
["Whoinhisfollyseekstoadvancebackwards"——Lucretius，iv。474]
’tisnowonderifhebeoftentrappedinthepitfall。Theyaffrightpeoplewiththeverymentionofdeath，andmanycrossthemselves，asitwerethenameofthedevil。Andbecausethemakingaman’swillisinreferencetodying，notamanwillbepersuadedtotakeapeninhandtothatpurpose，tillthephysicianhaspassedsentenceuponandtotallygivenhimover，andthenbetwixtandterror，Godknowsinhowfitaconditionofunderstandingheistodoit。
TheRomans，byreasonthatthispoorsyllabledeathsoundedsoharshlytotheirearsandseemedsoominous，foundoutawaytosoftenandspinitoutbyaperiphrasis，andinsteadofpronouncingsuchaoneisdead，said，"Suchaonehaslived，"or"Suchaonehasceasedtolive"——
[Plutarch，LifeofCicero，c。22:]——for，providedtherewasanymentionoflifeinthecase，thoughpast，itcarriedyetsomesoundofconsolation。Andfromthemitisthatwehaveborrowedourexpression，"ThelateMonsieursuchandsuchaone。"——["feuMonsieuruntel。"]