Ifearamist，andflyfromsmokeasfromtheplague:thefirstrepairsI
　　felluponinmyownhousewerethechimneysandhousesofoffice，thecommonandinsupportabledefectsofalloldbuildings;andamongstthedifficultiesofwarIreckonthechokingdusttheymadeusrideinawholedaytogether。Ihaveafreeandeasyrespiration，andmycoldsforthemostpartgooffwithoutoffencetothelungsandwithoutacough。
　　Theheatofsummerismoreanenemytomethanthecoldofwinter;for，besidestheincommodityofheat，lessremediablethancold，andbesidestheforceofthesunbeamsthatstrikeuponthehead，allglitteringlightoffendsmyeyes，sothatIcouldnotnowsitatdinneroveragainstaflamingfire。
　　Todullthewhitenessofpaper，inthosetimeswhenIwasmorewonttoread，Ilaidapieceofglassuponmybook，andfoundmyeyesmuchrelievedbyit。Iamtothishour——totheageoffifty—four——Ignorantoftheuseofspectacles;andIcanseeasfaraseverIdid，oranyother。
　　’TistruethatintheeveningIbegintofindalittledisturbanceandweaknessinmysightifIread，anexerciseIhavealwaysfoundtroublesome，especiallybynight。Hereisonestepback，andaverymanifestone;Ishallretireanother:fromthesecondtothethird，andsotothefourth，sogently，thatIshallbestarkblindbeforeIshallbesensibleoftheageanddecayofmysight:soartificiallydotheFatalSistersuntwistourlives。AndsoIdoubtwhethermyhearingbeginstogrowthick;andyouwillseeIshallhavehalflostit，whenI
　　shallstilllaythefaultonthevoicesofthosewhospeaktome。Amanmustscrewuphissoultoahighpitchtomakeitsensiblehowitebbsaway。
　　Mywalkingisquickandfirm;andIknownotwhichofthetwo，mymindormybody，Ihavemosttodotokeepinthesamestate。Thatpreacherisverymuchmyfriendwhocanfixmyattentionawholesermonthrough:inplacesofceremony，whereeveryone’scountenanceissostarched，whereI
　　haveseentheladieskeepeventheireyessofixed，Icouldneverorderitso，thatsomepartorotherofmedidnotlashout;sothatthoughI
　　wasseated，Iwasneversettled;andastogesticulation，Iamneverwithoutaswitchinmyhand，walkingorriding。AsthephilosopherChrysippus’maidsaidofhermaster，thathewasonlydrunkinhislegs，foritwashiscustomtobealwayskickingthemaboutinwhatplacesoeverhesat;andshesaiditwhen，thewinehavingmadeallhiscompanionsdrunk，hefoundnoalterationinhimselfatall;itmayhavebeensaidofmefrommyinfancy，thatIhadeitherfollyorquicksilverinmyfeet，somuchstirringandunsettlednessthereisinthem，wherevertheyareplaced。
　　’Tisindecent，besidesthehurtitdoestoone’shealth，andeventothepleasureofeating，toeatgreedilyasIdo;Ioftenbitemytongue，andsometimesmyfingers，inmyhaste。Diogenes，meetingaboyeatingafterthatmanner，gavehistutoraboxontheear！ThereweremenatRomethattaughtpeopletochew，aswellastowalk，withagoodgrace。I
　　losetherebytheleisureofspeaking，whichgivesgreatrelishtothetable，providedthediscoursebesuitable，thatis，pleasantandshort。
　　Thereisjealousyandenvyamongstourpleasures;theycrossandhinderoneanother。Alcibiades，amanwhowellunderstoodhowtomakegoodcheer，banishedevenmusicfromthetable，thatitmightnotdisturbtheentertainmentofdiscourse，forthereason，asPlatotellsus，"thatitisthecustomofordinarypeopletocallfiddlersandsingingmentofeasts，forwantofgooddiscourseandpleasanttalk，withwhichmenofunderstandingknowhowtoentertainoneanother。"Varrorequiresallthisinentertainments:"Personsofgracefulpresenceandagreeableconversation，whoareneithersilentnorgarrulous;neatnessanddelicacy，bothofmeatandplace;andfairweather。"Theartofdiningwellisnoslightart，thepleasurenotaslightpleasure;neitherthegreatestcaptainsnorthegreatestphilosophershavedisdainedtheuseorscienceofeatingwell。Myimaginationhasdeliveredthreerepaststothecustodyofmymemory，whichfortunerenderedsovereignlysweettome，uponseveraloccasionsinmymoreflourishingage;mypresentstateexcludesme;foreveryone，accordingtothegoodtemperofbodyandmindwhereinhethenfindshimself，furnishesforhisownshareaparticulargraceandsavour。I，whobutcrawlupontheearth，hatethisinhumanwisdom，thatwillhaveusdespiseandhateallcultureofthebody;I
　　lookuponitasanequalinjusticetoloathnaturalpleasuresastobetoomuchinlovewiththem。Xerxeswasablockhead，who，environedwithallhumandelights，proposedarewardtohimwhocouldfindoutothers;
　　butheisnotmuchlesssowhocutsoffanyofthosepleasuresthatnaturehasprovidedforhim。Amanshouldneitherpursuenoravoidthem，butreceivethem。Ireceivethem，Iconfess，alittletoowarmlyandkindly，andeasilysuffermyselftofollowmynaturalpropensions。Wehavenoneedtoexaggeratetheirinanity;theythemselveswillmakeussufficientlysensibleofit，thankstooursickwet—blanketmind，thatputsusoutoftastewiththemaswithitself;ittreatsbothitselfandallitreceives，onewhilebetter，andanotherworse，accordingtoitsinsatiable，vagabond，andversatileessence:
　　"Sincerumestnisivas，quodcunqueinfundis，acescit。"
　　["Unlessthevesselbeclean，itwillsourwhateveryouputintoit。"——Horace，Ep。，i。2，54。]
　　I，whoboastthatIsocuriouslyandparticularlyembracetheconveniencesoflife，findthem，whenImostnearlyconsiderthem，verylittlemorethanwind。Butwhat？Weareallwindthroughout;and，moreover，thewinditself，morediscreetthanwe，lovestoblusterandshiftfromcornertocorner，andcontentsitselfwithitsproperofficeswithoutdesiringstabilityandsolidity—qualitiesnotitsown。
　　Thepurepleasures，aswellasthepuredispleasures，oftheimagination，saysome，arethegreatest，aswasexpressedbythebalanceofCritolaiis。’Tisnowonder;itmakesthemtoitsownliking，andcutsthemoutofthewholecloth;ofthisIeverydayseenotableexamples，and，peradventure，tobedesired。ButI，whoamofamixedandheavycondition，cannotsnapsosoonatthisonesimpleobject，butthatI
　　negligentlysuffermyselftobecarriedawaywiththepresentpleasuresofthe，generalhumanlaw，intellectuallysensible，andsensiblyintellectual。TheCyrenaicphilosopherswillhaveitthatascorporalpains，socorporalpleasuresaremorepowerful，bothasdoubleandasmorejust。Therearesome，asAristotlesays，whooutofasavagekindofstupiditydislikethem;andIknowotherswhooutofambitiondothesame。Whydotheynot，moreover，forswearbreathing？whydotheynotliveoftheirown？whynotrefuselight，becauseitisgratuitous，andcoststhemneitherinventionnorexertion？LetMars，Pallas，orMercuryaffordthemtheirlightbywhichtosee，insteadofVenus，Ceres，andBacchus。Theseboastfulhumoursmaycounterfeitsomecontent，forwhatwillnotfancydo？Butastowisdom，thereisnotouchofit。Willtheynotseekthequadratureofthecircle，evenwhenontheirwives？Ihatethatweshouldbeenjoinedtohaveourmindsintheclouds，whenourbodiesareattable;Iwouldnothavethemindnailedthere，norwallowthere;Iwouldhaveittakeplacethereandsit，butnotliedown。
　　Aristippusmaintainednothingbutthebody，asifwehadnosoul;Zenocomprehendedonlythesoul，asifwehadnobody:bothofthemfaultily。
　　Pythagoras，theysay，followedaphilosophythatwasallcontemplation，Socratesonethatwasallconductandaction;Platofoundameanbetwixtthetwo;buttheyonlysaythisforthesakeoftalking。ThetruetemperamentisfoundinSocrates;and，PlatoismuchmoreSocraticthanPythagoric，anditbecomeshimbetter。WhenIdance，Idance;whenI
　　sleep，Isleep。Nay，whenIwalkaloneinabeautifulorchard，ifmythoughtsaresomepartofthetimetakenupwithexternaloccurrences，Isomepartofthetimecallthembackagaintomywalk，totheorchard，tothesweetnessofthatsolitude，andtomyself。
　　Naturehasmother—likeobservedthis，thattheactionsshehasenjoinedusforournecessityshouldbealsopleasurabletous;andsheinvitesustothem，notonlybyreason，butalsobyappetite，and’tis，injusticetoinfringeherlaws。WhenIseealikeCaesarandAlexander，inthemidstofhisgreatestbusiness，sofullyenjoyhumanandcorporalpleasures，I
　　donotsaythatherelaxedhismind:Isaythathestrengthenedit，byvigourofcouragesubjectingthoseviolentemploymentsandlaboriousthoughtstotheordinaryusageoflife:wise，hadhebelievedthelastwashisordinary，thefirsthisextraordinary，vocation。Wearegreatfools。"Hehaspassedhislifeinidleness，"saywe:"Ihavedonenothingto—day。"What？haveyounotlived？thatisnotonlythefundamental，butthemostillustrious，ofyouroccupations。"HadIbeenputtothemanagementofgreataffairs，IshouldhavemadeitseenwhatI
　　coulddo。""Haveyouknownhowtomeditateandmanageyourlife？youhaveperformedthegreatestworkofall。"Inordertoshewanddevelopherself，natureneedsonlyfortune;sheequallymanifestsherselfinallstages，andbehindacurtainaswellaswithoutone。Haveyouknownhowtoregulateyourconduct，youhavedoneagreatdealmorethanhewhohascomposedbooks。Haveyouknownhowtotakerepose，youhavedonemorethanhewhohastakenempiresandcities。
　　Thegloriousmasterpieceofmanistolivetopurpose;allotherthings:
　　toreign，tolayuptreasure，tobuild，arebutlittleappendicesandprops。Itakepleasureinseeingageneralofanarmy，atthefootofabreachheispresentlytoassault，givehimselfupentireandfreeatdinner，totalkandbemerrywithhisfriends。AndBrutus，whenheavenandearthwereconspiredagainsthimandtheRomanliberty，stealingsomehourofthenightfromhisroundstoreadandscanPolybiusinallsecurity。’Tisforlittlesouls，buriedundertheweightofaffairs，notfromthemtoknowhowclearlytodisengagethemselves，nottoknowhowtolaythemasideandtakethemupagain:
　　"Ofortes，pejoraquepassiMecumsaepeviri！nuncvinopellitecurasCrasingensiterabimusaequor。"
　　["Obravespirits，whohaveoftensufferedsorrowwithme，drinkcaresaway;tomorrowwewillembarkoncemoreonthevastsea。"
　　——Horace，Od。，i。7，30。]
　　Whetheritbeinjestorearnest，thatthetheologicalandSorbonnicalwine，andtheirfeasts，areturnedintoaproverb，Ifinditreasonabletheyshoulddinesomuchmorecommodiouslyandpleasantly，astheyhaveprofitablyandseriouslyemployedthemorningintheexerciseoftheirschools。Theconscienceofhavingwellspenttheotherhours，isthejustandsavourysauceofthedinner—table。Thesageslivedafterthatmanner;andthatinimitableemulationtovirtue，whichastonishesusbothintheoneandtheotherCato，thathumouroftheirs，sosevereaseventobeimportunate，gentlysubmitsitselfandyieldstothelawsofthehumancondition，ofVenusandBacchus;accordingtothepreceptsoftheirsect，thatrequiretheperfectsagetobeasexpertandintelligentintheuseofnaturalpleasuresasinallotherdutiesoflife:
　　"Cuicorsapiat，eietsapiatpalatus。"
　　Relaxationandfacility，methinks，wonderfullyhonourandbestbecomeastrongandgeneroussoul。Epaminondasdidnotthinkthattotakepart，andthatheartily，insongsandsportsanddanceswiththeyoungmenofhiscity，werethingsthatinanywayderogatedfromthehonourofhisgloriousvictoriesandtheperfectpurityofmannersthatwasinhim。
　　AndamongstsomanyadmirableactionsofScipiothegrandfather，apersonworthytobereputedofaheavenlyextraction，thereisnothingthatgiveshimagreatergracethantoseehimcarelesslyandchildishlytriflingatgatheringandselectingcockleshells，andplayingatquoits，[Thisgame，asthe"DictionnairedeTrevoux"describesit，isonewhereintwopersonscontendwhichofthemshallsoonestpickupsomeobject。]
　　amusingandticklinghimselfinrepresentingbywritingincomediesthemeanestandmostpopularactionsofmen。AndhisheadfullofthatwonderfulenterpriseofHannibalandAfrica，visitingtheschoolsinSicily，andattendingphilosophicallectures，totheextentofarmingtheblindenvyofhisenemiesatRome。NoristhereanythingmoreremarkableinSocratesthanthat，oldashewas，hefoundtimetomakehimselftaughtdancingandplayinguponinstruments，andthoughtittimewellspent。Thissamemanwasseeninanecstasy，standinguponhisfeetawholedayandanighttogether，inthepresenceofalltheGrecianarmy，surprisedandabsorbedbysomeprofoundthought。Hewasthefirst，amongstsomanyvaliantmenofthearmy，toruntothereliefofAlcibiades，oppressedwiththeenemy，toshieldhimwithhisownbody，anddisengagehimfromthecrowdbyabsoluteforceofarms。Itwashewho，intheDelianbattle，raisedandsavedXenophonwhenfallenfromhishorse;andwho，amongstallthepeopleofAthens，enragedashewasatsounworthyaspectacle，firstpresentedhimselftorescueTheramenes，whomthethirtytyrantswereleadingtoexecutionbytheirsatellites，anddesistednotfromhisboldenterprisebutattheremonstranceofTherameneshimself，thoughhewasonlyfollowedbytwomoreinall。Hewasseen，whencourtedbyabeautywithwhomhewasinlove，tomaintainatneedasevereabstinence。Hewasseenevertogotothewars，andwalkuponice，withbarefeet;towearthesamerobe，winterandsummer;
　　tosurpassallhiscompanionsinpatienceofbearinghardships，andtoeatnomoreatafeastthanathisownprivatedinner。Hewasseen，forseven—and—twentyyearstogether，toendurehunger，poverty，theindocilityofhischildren，andthenailsofhiswife，withthesamecountenance。And，intheend，calumny，tyranny，imprisonment，fetters，andpoison。Butwasthismanobligedtodrinkfullbumpersbyanyruleofcivility？hewasalsothemanofthewholearmywithwhomtheadvantageindrinking，remained。Andheneverrefusedtoplayatnoisettes，nortoridethehobby—horsewithchildren，anditbecamehimwell;forallactions，saysphilosophy，equallybecomeandequallyhonourawiseman。Wehaveenoughwherewithaltodoit，andweoughtnevertobewearyofpresentingtheimageofthisgreatmaninallthepatternsandformsofperfection。Thereareveryfewexamplesoflife，fullandpure;andwewrongourteachingeveryday，toproposetoourselvesthosethatareweakandimperfect，scarcegoodforanyoneservice，andratherpullusback;corruptersratherthancorrectorsofmanners。Thepeopledeceivethemselves;amangoesmuchmoreeasilyindeedbytheends，wheretheextremityservesforabound，astop，andguide，thanbythemiddleway，largeandopen;andaccordingtoart，morethanaccordingtonature:
　　butwithalmuchlessnoblyandcommendably。
　　Greatnessofsoulconsistsnotsomuchinmountingandinpressingforward，asinknowinghowtogovernandcircumscribeitself;ittakeseverythingforgreat，thatisenough，anddemonstratesitselfinpreferringmoderatetoeminentthings。Thereisnothingsofineandlegitimateaswellanddulytoplaytheman;norsciencesoarduousaswellandnaturallytoknowhowtolivethislife;andofalltheinfirmitieswehave，’tisthemostbarbaroustodespiseourbeing。
　　Whoeverhasamindtoisolatehisspirit，whenthebodyisillatease，topreserveitfromthecontagion，lethimbyallmeansdoitifhecan:
　　butotherwiselethimonthecontraryfavourandassistit，andnotrefusetoparticipateofitsnaturalpleasureswithaconjugalcomplacency，bringingtoit，ifitbethewiser，moderation，lestbyindiscretiontheyshouldgetconfoundedwithdispleasure。Intemperanceisthepestofpleasure;andtemperanceisnotitsscourge，butratheritsseasoning。Euxodus，whothereinestablishedthesovereigngood，andhiscompanions，whosetsohighavalueuponit，tasteditinitsmostcharmingsweetness，bythemeansoftemperance，whichinthemwassingularandexemplary。
　　Ienjoinmysoultolookuponpainandpleasurewithaneyeequallyregulated:
　　"Eodemenimvitioesteffusioanimiinlaetitiaquoindolorecontractio，"
　　["Forfromthesameimperfectionarisestheexpansionofthemindinpleasureanditscontractioninsorrow。"
　　——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。31。]
　　andequallyfirm;buttheonegailyandtheotherseverely，andsofarasitisable，tobecarefultoextinguishtheoneastoextendtheother。
　　Thejudgingrightlyofgoodbringsalongwithitthejudgingsoundlyofevil:painhassomethingoftheinevitableinitstenderbeginnings，andpleasuresomethingoftheevitableinitsexcessiveend。Platocouplesthemtogether，andwillsthatitshouldbeequallytheofficeoffortitudetofightagainstpain，andagainsttheimmoderateandcharmingblandishmentsofpleasure:theyaretwofountains，fromwhichwhoeverdraws，whenandasmuchasheneeds，whethercity，man，orbeast，isveryfortunate。Thefirstistobetakenmedicinallyanduponnecessity，andmorescantily;theotherforthirst，butnotto，drunkenness。Pain，pleasure，loveandhatredarethefirstthingsthatachildissensibleof:if，whenreasoncomes，theyapplyittothemselves，thatisvirtue。
　　Ihaveaspecialvocabularyofmyown;I"passawaytime，"whenitisillanduneasy，butwhen’tisgoodIdonotpassitaway:"Itasteitoveragainandadheretoit";onemustrunovertheillandsettleuponthegood。Thisordinaryphraseofpastime，andpassingawaythetime，representstheusageofthosewisesortofpeoplewhothinktheycannotdobetterwiththeirlivesthantoletthemrunoutandslideaway，passthemover，andbaulkthem，and，asmuchastheycan，ignorethemandshunthemasathingoftroublesomeandcontemptiblequality:butIknowittobeanotherkindofthing，andfinditbothvaluableandcommodious，eveninitslatestdecay，whereinInowenjoyit;andnaturehasdelivereditintoourhandsinsuchandsofavourablecircumstancesthatwehaveonlyourselvestoblameifitbetroublesometous，orescapesusunprofitably:
　　"Stultivitaingrataest，trepidaest，totainfuturumfertur。"
　　["Thelifeofafoolisthankless，timorous，andwhollybentuponthefuture。"——Seneca，Ep:，15。]
　　NeverthelessIcomposemyselftoloseminewithoutregret;butwithalasathingthatisperishablebyitscondition，notthatitmolestsorannoysme。Nordoesitproperlywellbecomeanynottobedispleasedwhentheydie，exceptingsuchasarepleasedtolive。Thereisgoodhusbandryinenjoyingit:Ienjoyitdoubletowhatothersdo;forthemeasureofitsfruitiondependsuponourmoreorlessapplicationtoit。
　　ChieflythatIperceiveminetobesoshortintime，Idesiretoextenditinweight;Iwillstopthepromptitudeofitsflightbythepromptitudeofmygrasp;andbythevigourofusingitcompensatethespeedofitsrunningaway。Inproportionasthepossessionoflifeismoreshort，Imustmakeitsomuchdeeperandfuller。
　　Othersfeelthepleasureofcontentandprosperity;Ifeelittoo，aswellasthey，butnotasitpassesandslipsby;oneshouldstudy，taste，andruminateuponittorendercondignthankstoHimwhograntsittous。
　　Theyenjoytheotherpleasuresastheydothatofsleep，withoutknowingit。Totheendthatevensleepitselfshouldnotsostupidlyescapefromme，Ihaveformerlycausedmyselftobedisturbedinmysleep，sothatI
　　mightthebetterandmoresensiblyrelishandtasteit。Iponderwithmyselfofcontent;Idonotskimover，butsoundit;andIbendmyreason，nowgrownperverseandpeevish，toentertainit。DoIfindmyselfinanycalmcomposedness？isthereanypleasurethatticklesme？
　　Idonotsufferittodallywithmysensesonly;Iassociatemysoultoittoo:nottheretoengageitself，butthereintotakedelight;nottheretoloseitself，buttobepresentthere;andIemployit，onitspart，toviewitselfinthisprosperousstate，toweighandappreciateitshappinessandtoamplifyit。ItreckonshowmuchitstandsindebtedtoGodthatitsconscienceandtheintestinepassionsareinrepose;thatithasthebodyinitsnaturaldisposition，orderlyandcompetentlyenjoyingthesoftandsoothingfunctionsbywhichHe，ofHisgraceispleasedtocompensatethesufferingswherewithHisjusticeatHisgoodpleasurechastisesus。Itreflectshowgreatabenefititistobesoprotected，thatwhichwaysoeveritturnsitseyetheheavensarecalmaroundit。Nodesire，nofear，nodoubt，troublestheair;nodifficulty，past，present，orto，come，thatitsimaginationmaynotpassoverwithoutoffence。Thisconsiderationtakesgreatlustrefromthecomparisonofdifferentconditions。SoitisthatIpresenttomythought，inathousandaspects，thosewhomfortuneortheirownerrorcarriesawayandtorments。And，again，thosewho，moreliketome，sonegligentlyandincuriouslyreceivetheirgoodfortune。Thosearefolkswhospendtheirtimeindeed;theypassoverthepresentandthatwhichtheypossess，towaitonhope，andforshadowsandvainimageswhichfancyputsbeforethem:
　　"Morteobitaqualesfamaestvolitarefiguras，Autquaesopitosdeluduntsomniasensus:"
　　["Suchformsasthosewhichafterdeatharereputedtohoverabout，ordreamswhichdeludethesensesinsleep。"——AEneid，x。641。]
　　whichhastenandprolongtheirflight，accordingastheyarepursued。
　　Thefruitandendoftheirpursuitistopursue;asAlexandersaid，thattheendofhislabourwastolabour:
　　"Nilactumcredens，cumquidsuperessetagendum。"
　　["Thinkingnothingdone，ifanythingremainedtobedone。
　　——"Lucan，ii。657。]
　　Formypartthen，Ilovelifeandcultivateit，suchasithaspleasedGodtobestowituponus。Idonotdesireitshouldbewithoutthenecessityofeatinganddrinking;andIshouldthinkitanotlessexcusablefailingtowishithadbeentwiceaslong;
　　"Sapiensdivitiarumnaturaliumquaesitoracerrimus:"
　　["Awisemanisthekeenestseekerfornaturalriches。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，119。]
　　northatweshouldsupportourselvesbyputtingonlyalittleofthatdrugintoourmouths，bywhichEpimenidestookawayhisappetiteandkepthimselfalive;northatweshouldstupidlybegetchildrenwithourfingersorheels，butrather;withreverencebeitspoken，thatwemightvoluptuouslybegetthemwithourfingersandheels;northatthebodyshouldbewithoutdesireandwithouttitillation。Theseareungratefulandwickedcomplaints。Iacceptkindly，andwithgratitude，whatnaturehasdoneforme;amwellpleasedwithit，andproudofit。Amandoeswrongtothatgreatandomnipotentgivertorefuse，annul，ordisfigurehisgift:allgoodnesshimself，hehasmadeeverythinggood:
　　"Omniaquaesecundumnaturamsunt，aestimationedignasunt。"
　　["Allthingsthatareaccordingtonatureareworthyofesteem。"
　　——Cicero，DeFin。，iii。6。]
　　Ofphilosophicalopinions，Ipreferablyembracethosethataremostsolid，thatistosay，themosthumanandmostourown:mydiscourseis，suitabletomymanners，lowandhumble:philosophyplaysthechild，tomythinking，whenitputsitselfuponitsErgostopreachtousthat’tisabarbarousalliancetomarrythedivinewiththeearthly，thereasonablewiththeunreasonable，theseverewiththeindulgent，thehonestwiththedishonest。Thatpleasureisabrutishquality，unworthytobetastedbyawiseman;thatthesolepleasureheextractsfromtheenjoymentofafairyoungwifeisapleasureofhisconsciencetoperformanactionaccordingtoorder，astoputonhisbootsforaprofitablejourney。
　　Oh，thatitsfollowershadnomoreright，nornerves，norvigouringettingtheirwives’maidenheadsthaninitslesson。
　　ThisisnotwhatSocratessays，whoisitsmasterandours:hevalues，asheought，bodilypleasure;butheprefersthatofthemindashavingmoreforce，constancy，facility，variety，anddignity。This，accordingtohim，goesbynomeansalone——heisnotsofantastic——butonlyitgoesfirst;temperancewithhimisthemoderatrix，nottheadversaryofpleasure。Natureisagentleguide，butnotmoresweetandgentlethanprudentandjust。
　　"Intrandumestinrerumnaturam，etpenitus，quideapostulet，pervidendum。"
　　["Amanmustsearchintothenatureofthings，andfullyexaminewhatsherequires。"——Cicero，DeFin。，V。16。]
　　Ihuntafterherfootthroughout:wehaveconfoundeditwithartificialtraces;andthatacademicandperipateticgood，whichis"toliveaccordingtoit，"becomesonthisaccounthardtolimitandexplain;andthatoftheStoics，neighbourtoit，whichis"toconsenttonature。"
　　Isitnotanerrortoesteemanyactionslessworthy，becausetheyarenecessary？Andyettheywillnottakeitoutofmyhead，thatitisnotaveryconvenientmarriageofpleasurewithnecessity，withwhich，saysanancient，thegodsalwaysconspire。Towhatenddowedismemberbydivorceabuildingunitedbysocloseandbrotherlyacorrespondence？
　　Letus，onthecontrary，confirmitbymutualoffices;letthemindrouseandquickentheheavinessofthebody，andthebodystayandfixthelevityofthesoul:
　　"Qui，velutsummumbonum，laudatanimacnaturam，et，tanquammalum，naturamcarnisaccusat，profectdetanimamcarnatiterappetit，etcarnemcarnaliterfugit;quoniamidvanitatesentithumans，nonveritatedivina。"
　　[Hewhocommendsthenatureofthesoulasthesupremegood，andcondemnsthenatureofthefleshasevil，atoncebothcarnallydesiresthesoul，andcarnallyfliestheflesh，becausehefeelsthusfromhumanvanity，notfromdivinetruth。"
　　——St。Augustin，DeCivit。Dei，xiv。5。]
　　InthispresentthatGodhasmadeus，thereisnothingunworthyourcare;
　　westandaccountableforiteventoahair;andisitnotacommissiontoman，toconductmanaccordingtohiscondition;’tisexpress，plain，andtheveryprincipalone，andtheCreatorhasseriouslyandstrictlyprescribedittous。Authorityhaspoweronlytoworkinregardtomattersofcommonjudgment，andisofmoreweightinaforeignlanguage;
　　thereforeletusagainchargeatitinthisplace:
　　"Stultitiaepropriumquisnondixerit，ignaveetcontumaciterfacere，quaefaciendasunt;etaliocorpusimpellere，alioanimum;
　　distrahiqueinterdiversissimosmotus？"
　　["Whowillnotsay，thatitisthepropertyoffolly，slothfullyandcontumaciouslytoperformwhatistobedone，andtobendthebodyonewayandthemindanother，andtobedistractedbetwixtwhollydifferentmotions？"——Seneca，Ep。，74。]
　　Tomakethisapparent，askanyone，someday，totellyouwhatwhimsiesandimaginationsheputintohispate，upontheaccountofwhichhedivertedhisthoughtsfromagoodmeal，andregretsthetimehespendsineating;youwillfindthereisnothingsoinsipidinallthedishesatyourtableasthiswisemeditationofhis（forthemostpartwehadbettersleepthanwaketothepurposewewake）;andthathisdiscoursesandnotionsarenotworththeworstmessthere。ThoughtheyweretheecstasiesofArchimedeshimself，whatthen？Idonotherespeakof，normixwiththerabbleofusordinarymen，andthevanityofthethoughtsanddesiresthatdivertus，thosevenerablesouls，elevatedbytheardourofdevotionandreligion，toaconstantandconscientiousmeditationofdivinethings，who，bytheenergyofvividandvehementhope，prepossessingtheuseoftheeternalnourishment，thefinalaimandlaststepofChristiandesires，thesoleconstant，andincorruptiblepleasure，disdaintoapplythemselvestoournecessitous，fluid，andambiguousconveniences，andeasilyresigntothebodythecareanduseofsensualandtemporalpasture;’tisaprivilegedstudy。Betweenourselves，Ihaveeverobservedsupercelestialopinionsandsubterraneanmannerstobeofsingularaccord。
　　AEsop，thatgreatman，sawhismasterpissashewalked:"Whatthen，"
　　saidhe，"mustwedropaswerun？"Letusmanageourtime;thereyetremainsagreatdealidleandillemployed。Themindhasnotwillinglyotherhoursenoughwhereintodoitsbusiness，withoutdisassociatingitselffromthebody，inthatlittlespaceitmusthaveforitsnecessity。Theywouldputthemselvesoutofthemselves，andescapefrombeingmen。Itisfolly;insteadoftransformingthemselvesintoangels，theytransformthemselvesintobeasts;insteadofelevating，theylaythemselveslower。Thesetranscendentalhumoursaffrightme，likehighandinaccessibleplaces;andnothingishardformetodigestinthelifeofSocratesbuthisecstasiesandcommunicationwithdemons;nothingsohumaninPlatoasthatforwhichtheysayhewascalleddivine;andofoursciences，thoseseemtobethemostterrestrialandlowthatarehighestmounted;andIfindnothingsohumbleandmortalinthelifeofAlexanderashisfanciesabouthisimmortalisation。Philotaspleasantlyquippedhiminhisanswer;hecongratulatedhimbyletterconcerningtheoracleofJupiterAmmon，whichhadplacedhimamongstthegods:"UponthyaccountIamgladofit，butthemenaretobepitiedwhoaretolivewithaman，andtoobeyhim，whoexceedsandisnotcontentedwiththemeasureofaman:"
　　"Diistominoremquodgeris，imperas。"
　　["Becausethoucarriestthyselflowerthanthegods，thourulest。"
　　——Horace，Od。，iii。6，5。]
　　TheprettyinscriptionwherewiththeAthenianshonouredtheentryofPompeyintotheircityisconformabletomysense:"Bysomuchthouartagod，asthouconfessesttheeaman。"’Tisanabsoluteand，asitwere，adivineperfection，foramantoknowhowloyallytoenjoyhisbeing。
　　Weseekotherconditions，byreasonwedonotunderstandtheuseofourown;andgooutofourselves，becauseweknownothowtheretoreside。
　　’Tistomuchpurposetogouponstilts，for，whenuponstilts，wemustyetwalkwithourlegs;andwhenseateduponthemostelevatedthroneintheworld，wearebutseateduponourbreech。Thefairestlives，inmyopinion，arethosewhichregularlyaccommodatethemselvestothecommonandhumanmodelwithoutmiracle，withoutextravagance。Oldagestandsalittleinneedofamoregentletreatment。LetusrecommendthattoGod，theprotectorofhealthandwisdom，butletitbegayandsociable:
　　"FruiparatisetvalidomihiLatoe，dones，etprecor，integraCummente;necturpemsenectamDegere，necCitharacarentem。"
　　["Grantittome，Apollo，thatImayenjoymypossessionsingoodhealth;letmebesoundinmind;letmenotleadadishonourableoldage，norwantthecittern。"——Horace，Od。，i。31，17。]
　　Or:
　　["Grantittome，Apollo，thatImayenjoywhatIhaveingoodhealth;letmebesoundinbodyandmind;letmeliveinhonourwhenold，norletmusicbewanting。"]
　　APOLOGY:
　　[Infact，thefirsteditionoftheEssays（Bordeaux，1580）hasveryfewquotations。Thesebecamemorenumerousintheeditionof1588;butthemultitudeofclassicaltextswhichattimesencumberMontaigne’stext，onlydatesfromtheposthumouseditionof1595]hehadmadethesecollectionsinthefourlastyearsofhislife，asanamusementofhis"idleness。"——LeClerc。Theygrow，however，moresparingintheThirdBook。