Gloryandcuriosityarethescourgesofthesoul;thelastpromptsustothrustournosesintoeverything，theotherforbidsustoleaveanythingdoubtfulandundecided。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V6
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME6。
XXVII。Offriendship。
XXVIII。Nine—and—twentysonnetsofEstiennedelaBoetie。
XXIX。Ofmoderation。
XXX。Ofcannibals。
XXXI。Thatamanissoberlytojudgeofthedivineordinances。
XXXII。Thatwearetoavoidpleasures，evenattheexpenseoflife。
XXXIII。Thatfortuneisoftentimesobservedtoactbytheruleofreason。
XXXIV。Ofonedefectinourgovernment。
XXXV。Ofthecustomofwearingclothes。
XXXVI。OfCatotheYounger。
XXXVII。Thatwelaughandcryforthesamething。
XXXVIII。Ofsolitude。
CHAPTERXXVII
OFFRIENDSHIP
Havingconsideredtheproceedingsofapainterthatservesme，Ihadamindtoimitatehisway。Hechoosesthefairestplaceandmiddleofanywall，orpanel，whereintodrawapicture，whichhefinisheswithhisutmostcareandart，andthevacuityaboutithefillswithgrotesques，whichareoddfantasticfigureswithoutanygracebutwhattheyderivefromtheirvariety，andtheextravaganceoftheirshapes。Andintruth，whatarethesethingsIscribble，otherthangrotesquesandmonstrousbodies，madeofvariousparts，withoutanycertainfigure，oranyotherthanaccidentalorder，coherence，orproportion？
\"Desinitinpiscemmulierformosasuperne。\"
[\"Afairwomaninherupperformterminatesinafish。\"
——Horace，DeArtePoetica，v。4。]
InthissecondpartIgohandinhandwithmypainter;butfallveryshortofhiminthefirstandthebetter，mypowerofhandlingnotbeingsuch，thatIdaretoofferatarichpiece，finelypolished，andsetoffaccordingtoart。IhavethereforethoughtfittoborrowoneofEstiennedelaBoetie，andsuchaoneasshallhonourandadornalltherestofmywork——namely，adiscoursethathecalled’VoluntaryServitude’;but，since，thosewhodidnotknowhimhaveproperlyenoughcalledit\"LecontrUn。\"Hewroteinhisyouth，——[\"Notbeingasyeteighteenyearsold。\"——Editionof1588。]bywayofessay，inhonouroflibertyagainsttyrants;andithassincerunthroughthehandsofmenofgreatlearningandjudgment，notwithoutsingularandmeritedcommendation;foritisfinelywritten，andasfullasanythingcanpossiblybe。Andyetonemayconfidentlysayitisfarshortofwhathewasabletodo;andifinthatmorematureage，whereinIhadthehappinesstoknowhim，hehadtakenadesignlikethisofmine，tocommithisthoughtstowriting，weshouldhaveseenagreatmanyrarethings，andsuchaswouldhavegoneveryneartohaverivalledthebestwritingsofantiquity:forinnaturalpartsespecially，Iknownomancomparabletohim。Buthehasleftnothingbehindhim，savethistreatiseonly（andthattoobychance，forI
believeheneversawitafteritfirstwentoutofhishands），andsomeobservationsuponthatedictofJanuary——[1562，whichgrantedtotheHuguenotsthepublicexerciseoftheirreligion。]——madefamousbyourcivil—wars，whichalsoshallelsewhere，peradventure，findaplace。
ThesewereallIcouldrecoverofhisremains，Itowhomwithsoaffectionatearemembrance，uponhisdeath—bed，hebyhislastwillbequeathedhislibraryandpapers，thelittlebookofhisworksonlyexcepted，whichIcommittedtothepress。AndthisparticularobligationIhavetothistreatiseofhis，thatitwastheoccasionofmyfirstcomingacquaintedwithhim;foritwasshowedtomelongbeforeIhadthegoodfortunetoknowhim;andthefirstknowledgeofhisname，provingthefirstcauseandfoundationofafriendship，whichweafterwardsimprovedandmaintained，solongasGodwaspleasedtocontinueustogether，soperfect，inviolate，andentire，thatcertainlythelikeishardlytobefoundinstory，andamongstthemenofthisage，thereisnosignnortraceofanysuchthinginuse;somuchconcurrenceisrequiredtothebuildingofsuchaone，that’tismuch，iffortunebringitbutoncetopassinthreeages。
Thereisnothingtowhichnatureseemssomuchtohaveinclinedus，astosociety;andAristotle，saysthatthegoodlegislatorshadmorerespecttofriendshipthantojustice。Nowthemostsupremepointofitsperfectionisthis:for，generally，allthosethatpleasure，profit，publicorprivateinterestcreateandnourish，aresomuchthelessbeautifulandgenerous，andsomuchthelessfriendships，byhowmuchtheymixanothercause，anddesign，andfruitinfriendship，thanitself。
Neitherdothefourancientkinds，natural，social，hospitable，venereal，eitherseparatelyorjointly，makeupatrueandperfectfriendship。
Thatofchildrentoparentsisratherrespect:friendshipisnourishedbycommunication，whichcannotbyreasonofthegreatdisparity，bebetwixtthese，butwouldratherperhapsoffendthedutiesofnature;forneitherareallthesecretthoughtsoffathersfittobecommunicatedtochildren，lestitbegetanindecentfamiliaritybetwixtthem;norcantheadvicesandreproofs，whichisoneoftheprincipalofficesoffriendship，beproperlyperformedbythesontothefather。Therearesomecountrieswhere’twasthecustomforchildrentokilltheirfathers;
andothers，wherethefatherskilledtheirchildren，toavoidtheirbeinganimpedimentonetoanotherinlife;andnaturallytheexpectationsoftheonedependupontheruinoftheother。Therehavebeengreatphilosopherswhohavemadenothingofthistieofnature，asAristippusforone，whobeingpressedhomeabouttheaffectionheowedtohischildren，asbeingcomeoutofhim，presentlyfelltospit，saying，thatthisalsocameoutofhim，andthatwealsobreedwormsandlice;andthatother，thatPlutarchendeavouredtoreconciletohisbrother:
\"Imakeneverthemoreaccountofhim，\"saidhe，\"forcomingoutofthesamehole。\"Thisnameofbrotherdoesindeedcarrywithitafineanddelectablesound，andforthatreason，heandIcalledoneanotherbrothersbutthecomplicationofinterests，thedivisionofestates，andthatthewealthoftheoneshouldbethepropertyoftheother，strangelyrelaxandweakenthefraternaltie:brotherspursuingtheirfortuneandadvancementbythesamepath，’tishardlypossiblebuttheymustofnecessityoftenjostleandhinderoneanother。Besides，whyisitnecessarythatthecorrespondenceofmanners，parts，andinclinations，whichbegetsthetrueandperfectfriendships，shouldalwaysmeetintheserelations？Thefatherandthesonmaybeofquitecontraryhumours，andsoofbrothers:heismyson，heismybrother;butheispassionate，ill—natured，orafool。Andmoreover，byhowmuchthesearefriendshipsthatthelawandnaturalobligationimposeuponus，somuchlessisthereofourownchoiceandvoluntaryfreedom;whereasthatvoluntarylibertyofourshasnoproductionmorepromptlyand;properlyitsownthanaffectionandfriendship。NotthatIhavenotinmyownpersonexperimentedallthatcanpossiblybeexpectedofthatkind，havinghadthebestandmostindulgentfather，eventohisextremeoldage，thateverwas，andwhowashimselfdescendedfromafamilyformanygenerationsfamousandexemplaryforbrotherlyconcord:
\"EtipseNotusinfratresanimipaterni。\"
[\"AndImyself，knownforpaternallovetowardmybrothers。\"
——Horace，Ode，ii。2，6。
Wearenotheretobringthelovewebeartowomen，thoughitbeanactofourownchoice，intocomparison，norrankitwiththeothers。Thefireofthis，Iconfess，\"NequeenimestdeanescianostriQuxdulcemcurismiscetamaritiem，\"
[\"Noristhegoddessunknowntomewhomixesasweetbitternesswithmylove。\"———Catullus，lxviii。17。]
ismoreactive，moreeager，andmoresharp:butwithal，’tismoreprecipitant，fickle，moving，andinconstant;afeversubjecttointermissionsandparoxysms，thathasseizedbutononepartofus。
Whereasinfriendship，’tisageneralanduniversalfire，buttemperateandequal，aconstantestablishedheat，allgentleandsmooth，withoutpoignancyorroughness。Moreover，inlove，’tisnootherthanfranticdesireforthatwhichfliesfromus:
\"ComeseguelalepreilcacciatoreAlfreddo，alcaldo，allamontagna，allito;
Nepiul’estimapoithepresavede;
Esoldietroachifuggeaffrettailpiede\"
[\"Asthehunterpursuesthehare，incoldandheat，tothemountain，totheshore，norcaresforitfartherwhenheseesittaken，andonlydelightsinchasingthatwhichfleesfromhim。\"——Aristo，x。7。]
sosoonasitentersuntothetermsoffriendship，thatistosay，intoaconcurrenceofdesires，itvanishesandisgone，fruitiondestroysit，ashavingonlyafleshlyend，andsuchaoneasissubjecttosatiety。
Friendship，onthecontrary，isenjoyedproportionablyasitisdesired;
andonlygrowsup，isnourishedandimprovedbyenjoyment，asbeingofitselfspiritual，andthesoulgrowingstillmorerefinedbypractice。
Underthisperfectfriendship，theotherfleetingaffectionshaveinmyyoungeryearsfoundsomeplaceinme，tosaynothingofhim，whohimselfsoconfessesbuttoomuchinhisverses;sothatIhadboththesepassions，butalwaysso，thatIcouldmyselfwellenoughdistinguishthem，andneverinanydegreeofcomparisonwithoneanother;thefirstmaintainingitsflightinsoloftyandsobraveaplace，aswithdisdaintolookdown，andseetheotherflyingatafarhumblerpitchbelow。
Asconcerningmarriage，besidesthatitisacovenant，theentranceintowhichonlyisfree，butthecontinuanceinitforcedandcompulsory，havinganotherdependencethanthatofourownfreewill，andabargaincommonlycontractedtootherends，therealmostalwayshappensathousandintricaciesinittounravel，enoughtobreakthethreadandtodivertthecurrentofalivelyaffection:whereasfriendshiphasnomannerofbusinessortrafficwithaughtbutitself。Moreover，tosaytruth，theordinarytalentofwomenisnotsuchasissufficienttomaintaintheconferenceandcommunicationrequiredtothesupportofthissacredtie;
nordotheyappeartobeenduedwithconstancyofmind，tosustainthepinchofsohardanddurableaknot。Anddoubtless，ifwithoutthis，therecouldbesuchafreeandvoluntaryfamiliaritycontracted，wherenotonlythesoulsmighthavethisentirefruition，butthebodiesalsomightshareinthealliance，andamanbeengagedthroughout，thefriendshipwouldcertainlybemorefullandperfect;butitiswithoutexamplethatthissexhaseveryetarrivedatsuchperfection;and，bythecommonconsentoftheancientschools，itiswhollyrejectedfromit。
ThatotherGrecianlicenceisjustlyabhorredbyourmanners，whichalso，fromhaving，accordingtotheirpractice，asonecessarydisparityofageanddifferenceofofficesbetwixtthelovers，answerednomoretotheperfectunionandharmonythatwehererequirethantheother:
\"Quisestenimisteamoramicitiae？curnequedeformemadolescentemquisquamamat，nequeformosumsenem？\"
[\"Forwhatisthatfriendlylove？whydoesnooneloveadeformedyouthoracomelyoldman？\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。33。]
NeitherwillthatverypicturethattheAcademypresentsofit，asI
conceive，contradictme，whenIsay，thatthisfirstfuryinspiredbythesonofVenusintotheheartofthelover，uponsightoftheflowerandprimeofaspringingandblossomingyouth，towhichtheyallowalltheinsolentandpassionateeffortsthatanimmoderateardourcanproduce，wassimplyfoundeduponexternalbeauty，thefalseimageofcorporalgeneration;foritcouldnotgroundthisloveuponthesoul，thesightofwhichasyetlayconcealed，wasbutnowspringing，andnotofmaturitytoblossom;thatthisfury，ifitseizeduponalowspirit，themeansbywhichitpreferreditssuitwererichpresents，favourinadvancementtodignities，andsuchtrumpery，whichtheybynomeansapprove;ifonamoregeneroussoul，thepursuitwassuitablygenerous，byphilosophicalinstructions，preceptstoreverereligion，toobeythelaws，todieforthegoodofone’scountry;byexamplesofvalour，prudence，andjustice，theloverstudyingtorenderhimselfacceptablebythegraceandbeautyofthesoul，thatofhisbodybeinglongsincefadedanddecayed，hopingbythismentalsocietytoestablishamorefirmandlastingcontract。
Whenthiscourtshipcametoeffectindueseason（forthatwhichtheydonotrequireinthelover，namely，leisureanddiscretioninhispursuit，theystrictlyrequireinthepersonloved，forasmuchasheistojudgeofaninternalbeauty，ofdifficultknowledgeandabstrusediscovery），thentheresprunginthepersonlovedthedesireofaspiritualconception;
bythemediationofaspiritualbeauty。Thiswastheprincipal;thecorporeal，anaccidentalandsecondarymatter;quitethecontraryastothelover。Forthisreasontheypreferthepersonbeloved，maintainingthatthegodsinlikemannerpreferredhimtoo，andverymuchblamethepoetAEschylusforhaving，inthelovesofAchillesandPatroclus，giventhelover’sparttoAchilles，whowasinthefirstandbeardlessflowerofhisadolescence，andthehandsomestofalltheGreeks。Afterthisgeneralcommunity，thesovereign，andmostworthypartpresidingandgoverning，andperformingitsproperoffices，theysay，thatthencegreatutilitywasderived，bothbyprivateandpublicconcerns;thatitconstitutedtheforceandpowerofthecountrieswhereitprevailed，andthechiefestsecurityoflibertyandjustice。OfwhichthehealthylovesofHarmodiusandAristogitonareinstances。Andthereforeitisthattheycalleditsacredanddivine，andconceivethatnothingbuttheviolenceoftyrantsandthebasenessofthecommonpeopleareinimicaltoit。Finally，allthatcanbesaidinfavouroftheAcademyis，thatitwasalovewhichendedinfriendship，whichwellenoughagreeswiththeStoicaldefinitionoflove:
\"Amoremconatumesseamicitiaefaciendaeexpulchritudinisspecie。\"
[\"Loveisadesireofcontractingfriendshiparisingfromthebeautyoftheobject。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，vi。34。]
Ireturntomyownmorejustandtruedescription:
\"Omninoamicitiae，corroboratisjamconfirmatisque，etingeniis，etaetatibus，judicandaesunt。\"
[\"Thoseareonlytobereputedfriendshipsthatarefortifiedandconfirmedbyjudgementandthelengthoftime。\"
——Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。20。]
Fortherest，whatwecommonlycallfriendsandfriendships，arenothingbutacquaintanceandfamiliarities，eitheroccasionallycontracted，oruponsomedesign，bymeansofwhichtherehappenssomelittleintercoursebetwixtoursouls。ButinthefriendshipIspeakof，theymixandworkthemselvesintoonepiece，withsouniversalamixture，thatthereisnomoresignoftheseambywhichtheywerefirstconjoined。IfamanshouldimportunemetogiveareasonwhyIlovedhim，Ifinditcouldnootherwisebeexpressed，thanbymakinganswer:becauseitwashe，becauseitwasI。Thereis，beyondallthatIamabletosay，Iknownotwhatinexplicableandfatedpowerthatbroughtonthisunion。Wesoughtoneanotherlongbeforewemet，andbythecharactersweheardofoneanother，whichwroughtuponouraffectionsmorethan，inreason，merereportsshoulddo;Ithink’twasbysomesecretappointmentofheaven。
Weembracedinournames;andatourfirstmeeting，whichwasaccidentallyatagreatcityentertainment，wefoundourselvessomutuallytakenwithoneanother，soacquainted，andsoendearedbetwixtourselves，thatfromthenceforwardnothingwassoneartousasoneanother。HewroteanexcellentLatinsatire，sinceprinted，whereinheexcusestheprecipitationofourintelligence，sosuddenlycometoperfection，saying，thatdestinedtohavesoshortacontinuance，asbegunsolate（forwewerebothfull—grownmen，andhesomeyearstheolder），therewasnotimetolose，norwerewetiedtoconformtotheexampleofthoseslowandregularfriendships，thatrequiresomanyprecautionsoflongpreliminaryconversation:Thishasnootherideathanthatofitself，andcanonlyrefertoitself:thisisnoonespecialconsideration，nortwo，northree，norfour，norathousand;’tisIknownotwhatquintessenceofallthismixture，which，seizingmywholewill，carriedittoplungeandloseitselfinhis，andthathavingseizedhiswholewill，broughtitbackwithequalconcurrenceandappetitetoplungeandloseitselfinmine。Imaytrulysaylose，reservingnothingtoourselvesthatwaseitherhisormine。——[AllthisrelatestoEstiennedelaBoetie。]
WhenLaelius，——[Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。II。]——inthepresenceoftheRomanconsuls，whoafterthayhadsentencedTiberiusGracchus，prosecutedallthosewhohadhadanyfamiliaritywithhimalso;cametoaskCaiusBlosius，whowashischiefestfriend，howmuchhewouldhavedoneforhim，andthathemadeanswer:\"Allthings。\"——\"How！Allthings！\"saidLaelius。\"Andwhatifhehadcommandedyoutofireourtemples？\"——\"Hewouldneverhavecommandedmethat，\"repliedBlosius。——\"Butwhatifhehad？\"saidLaelius。——\"Iwouldhaveobeyedhim，\"saidtheother。IfhewassoperfectafriendtoGracchusasthehistoriesreporthimtohavebeen，therewasyetnonecessityofoffendingtheconsulsbysuchaboldconfession，thoughhemightstillhaveretainedtheassurancehehadofGracchus’disposition。However，thosewhoaccusethisanswerasseditious，donotwellunderstandthemystery;norpresuppose，asitwastrue，thathehadGracchus’willinhissleeve，bothbythepowerofafriend，andtheperfectknowledgehehadoftheman:theyweremorefriendsthancitizens，morefriendstooneanotherthaneitherenemiesorfriendstotheircountry，orthanfriendstoambitionandinnovation;
havingabsolutelygivenupthemselvestooneanother，eitherheldabsolutelythereinsoftheother’sinclination;andsupposeallthisguidedbyvirtue，andallthisbytheconductofreason，whichalsowithouttheseithadnotbeenpossibletodo，Blosius’answerwassuchasitoughttobe。Ifanyoftheiractionsflewoutofthehandle，theywereneither（accordingtomymeasureoffriendship）friendstooneanother，nortothemselves。Astotherest，thisanswercarriesnoworsesound，thanminewoulddotoonethatshouldaskme:\"Ifyourwillshouldcommandyoutokillyourdaughter，wouldyoudoit？\"andthatIshouldmakeanswer，thatIwould;forthisexpressesnoconsenttosuchanact，forasmuchasIdonotintheleastsuspectmyownwill，andaslittlethatofsuchafriend。’Tisnotinthepowerofalltheeloquenceintheworld，todispossessmeofthecertaintyIhaveoftheintentionsandresolutionsofmyfriend;nay，nooneactionofhis，whatfacesoeveritmightbear，couldbepresentedtome，ofwhichIcouldnotpresently，andatfirstsight，findoutthemovingcause。Oursoulshaddrawnsounanimouslytogether，theyhadconsideredeachotherwithsoardentanaffection，andwiththelikeaffectionlaidopentheverybottomofourheartstooneanother’sview，thatInotonlyknewhisaswellasmyown;
butshouldcertainlyinanyconcernofminehavetrustedmyinterestmuchmorewillinglywithhim，thanwithmyself。
Letnoone，therefore，rankothercommonfriendshipswithsuchaoneasthis。Ihavehadasmuchexperienceoftheseasanother，andofthemostperfectoftheirkind:butIdonotadvisethatanyshouldconfoundtherulesoftheoneandtheother，fortheywouldfindthemselvesmuchdeceived。Inthoseotherordinaryfriendships，youaretowalkwithbridleinyourhand，withprudenceandcircumspection，forinthemtheknotisnotsosurethatamanmaynothalfsuspectitwillslip。\"Lovehim，\"saidChilo，——[AulusGellius，i。3。]——\"soasifyouwereonedaytohatehim;andhatehimsoasyouwereonedaytolovehim。\"Thisprecept，thoughabominableinthesovereignandperfectfriendshipI
speakof，isneverthelessverysoundastothepracticeoftheordinaryandcustomaryones，andtowhichthesayingthatAristotlehadsofrequentinhismouth，\"Omyfriends，thereisnofriend，\"mayveryfitlybeapplied。Inthisnoblecommerce，goodoffices，presents，andbenefits，bywhichotherfriendshipsaresupportedandmaintained，donotdeservesomuchastobementioned;andthereasonistheconcurrenceofourwills;for，asthekindnessIhaveformyselfreceivesnoincrease，foranythingIrelievemyselfwithalintimeofneed（whatevertheStoicssay），andasIdonotfindmyselfobligedtomyselfforanyserviceIdomyself:sotheunionofsuchfriends，beingtrulyperfect，deprivesthemofallideaofsuchduties，andmakesthemloatheandbanishfromtheirconversationthesewordsofdivisionanddistinction，benefits，obligation，acknowledgment，entreaty，thanks，andthelike。Allthings，wills，thoughts，opinions，goods，wives，children，honours，andlives，beingineffectcommonbetwixtthem，andthatabsoluteconcurrenceofaffectionsbeingnootherthanonesoulintwobodies（accordingtothatveryproperdefinitionofAristotle），theycanneitherlendnorgiveanythingtooneanother。Thisisthereasonwhythelawgivers，tohonourmarriagewithsomeresemblanceofthisdivinealliance，interdictallgiftsbetwixtmanandwife;inferringbythat，thatallshouldbelongtoeachofthem，andthattheyhavenothingtodivideortogivetoeachother。
If，inthefriendshipofwhichIspeak，onecouldgivetotheother，thereceiverofthebenefitwouldbethemanthatobligedhisfriend;foreachofthemcontendingandaboveallthingsstudyinghowtobeusefultotheother，hethatadministerstheoccasionistheliberalman，ingivinghisfriendthesatisfactionofdoingthattowardshimwhichaboveallthingshemostdesires。WhenthephilosopherDiogeneswantedmoney，heusedtosay，thatheredemandeditofhisfriends，notthathedemandedit。Andtoletyouseethepracticalworkingofthis，Iwillhereproduceanancientandsingularexample。Eudamidas，aCorinthian，hadtwofriends，CharixenusaSicyonianandAreteusaCorinthian;thismancomingtodie，beingpoor，andhistwofriendsrich，hemadehiswillafterthismanner。\"IbequeathtoAreteusthemaintenanceofmymother，tosupportandprovideforherinheroldage;andtoCharixenusI
bequeaththecareofmarryingmydaughter，andtogiveherasgoodaportionasheisable;andincaseoneofthesechancetodie，Iherebysubstitutethesurvivorinhisplace。\"Theywhofirstsawthiswillmadethemselvesverymerryatthecontents:butthelegatees，beingmadeacquaintedwithit，accepteditwithverygreatcontent;andoneofthem，Charixenus，dyingwithinfivedaysafter，andbythatmeansthechargeofbothdutiesdevolvingsolelyonhim，Areteusnurturedtheoldwomanwithverygreatcareandtenderness，andoffivetalentshehadinestate，hegavetwoandahalfinmarriagewithanonlydaughterhehadofhisown，andtwoandahalfinmarriagewiththedaughterofEudamidas，andononeandthesamedaysolemnisedboththeirnuptials。
Thisexampleisveryfull，ifonethingwerenottobeobjected，namelythemultitudeoffriendsfortheperfectfriendshipIspeakofisindivisible;eachonegiveshimselfsoentirelytohisfriend，thathehasnothinglefttodistributetoothers:onthecontrary，issorrythatheisnotdouble，treble，orquadruple，andthathehasnotmanysoulsandmanywills，toconferthemalluponthisoneobject。Commonfriendshipswilladmitofdivision;onemaylovethebeautyofthisperson，thegood—humourofthat，theliberalityofathird，thepaternalaffectionofafourth，thefraternalloveofafifth，andsooftherest:
butthisfriendshipthatpossessesthewholesoul，andthererulesandswayswithanabsolutesovereignty，cannotpossiblyadmitofarival。
Iftwoatthesametimeshouldcalltoyouforsuccour，towhichofthemwouldyourun？Shouldtheyrequireofyoucontraryoffices，howcouldyouservethemboth？Shouldonecommitathingtoyoursilencethatitwereofimportancetotheothertoknow，howwouldyoudisengageyourself？Auniqueandparticularfriendshipdissolvesallotherobligationswhatsoever:thesecretIhaveswornnottorevealtoanyother，Imaywithoutperjurycommunicatetohimwhoisnotanother，butmyself。’Tismiracleenoughcertainly，foramantodoublehimself，andthosethattalkoftripling，talktheyknownotofwhat。Nothingisextreme，thathasitslike;andhewhoshallsuppose，thatoftwo，Iloveoneasmuchastheother，thattheymutuallyloveoneanothertoo，andlovemeasmuchasIlovethem，multipliesintoaconfraternitythemostsingleofunits，andwhereof，moreover，onealoneisthehardestthingintheworldtofind。TherestofthisstorysuitsverywellwithwhatI
wassaying;forEudamidas，asabountyandfavour，bequeathstohisfriendsalegacyofemployingthemselvesinhisnecessity;heleavesthemheirstothisliberalityofhis，whichconsistsingivingthemtheopportunityofconferringabenefituponhim;anddoubtless，theforceoffriendshipismoreeminentlyapparentinthisactofhis，thaninthatofAreteus。Inshort，theseareeffectsnottobeimaginednorcomprehendedbysuchashavenotexperienceofthem，andwhichmakemeinfinitelyhonourandadmiretheanswerofthatyoungsoldiertoCyrus，bywhombeingaskedhowmuchhewouldtakeforahorse，withwhichhehadwontheprizeofarace，andwhetherhewouldexchangehimforakingdom？——
\"No，truly，sir，\"saidhe，\"butIwouldgivehimwithallmyheart，togettherebyatruefriend，couldIfindoutanymanworthyofthatalliance。\"——[Xenophon，Cyropadia，viii。3。]——Hedidnotsayillinsaying，\"couldIfind\":forthoughonemayalmosteverywheremeetwithmensufficientlyqualifiedforasuperficialacquaintance，yetinthis，whereamanistodealfromtheverybottomofhisheart，withoutanymannerofreservation，itwillberequisitethatallthewardsandspringsbetrulywroughtandperfectlysure。
Inconfederationsthatholdbutbyoneend，weareonlytoprovideagainsttheimperfectionsthatparticularlyconcernthatend。Itcanbeofnoimportancetomeofwhatreligionmyphysicianormylawyeris;
thisconsiderationhasnothingincommonwiththeofficesoffriendshipwhichtheyoweme;andIamofthesameindifferenceinthedomesticacquaintancemyservantsmustnecessarilycontractwithme。Ineverinquire，whenIamtotakeafootman，ifhebechaste，butifhebediligent;andamnotsolicitousifmymuleteerbegiventogaming，asifhebestrongandable;orifmycookbeaswearer，ifhebeagoodcook。
Idonottakeuponmetodirectwhatothermenshoulddointhegovernmentoftheirfamilies，thereareplentythatmeddleenoughwiththat，butonlygiveanaccountofmymethodinmyown:
\"Mihisicususest:tibi，utopusestfacto，face。\"
[\"Thishasbeenmyway;asforyou，doasyoufindneedful。
——\"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。，28。]
Fortable—talk，Ipreferthepleasantandwittybeforethelearnedandthegrave;inbed，beautybeforegoodness;incommondiscoursetheablestspeaker，whetherornotherebesincerityinthecase。And，ashethatwasfoundastrideuponahobby—horse，playingwithhischildren，entreatedthepersonwhohadsurprisedhiminthatposturetosaynothingofittillhimselfcametobeafather，——[Plutarch，LifeofAgesilaus，c。9。]——supposingthatthefondnessthatwouldthenpossesshisownsoul，wouldrenderhimafairerjudgeofsuchanaction;soI，also，couldwishtospeaktosuchashavehadexperienceofwhatIsay:though，knowinghowremoteathingsuchafriendshipisfromthecommonpractice，andhowrarelyitistobefound，Idespairofmeetingwithanysuchjudge。Foreventhesediscoursesleftusbyantiquityuponthissubject，seemtomeflatandpoor，incomparisonofthesenseIhaveofit，andinthisparticular，theeffectssurpasseventhepreceptsofphilosophy\"Nilegocontulerimjucundosanusamico。\"
[\"WhileIhavesenselefttome，therewillneverbeanythingmoreacceptabletomethananagreeablefriend。\"
——Horace，Sat。，i。5，44。]
TheancientMenanderdeclaredhimtobehappythathadhadthegoodfortunetomeetwithbuttheshadowofafriend:anddoubtlesshehadgoodreasontosayso，especiallyifhespokebyexperience:foringoodearnest，ifIcomparealltherestofmylife，though，thanksbetoGod，Ihavepassedmytimepleasantlyenough，andatmyease，andthelossofsuchafriendexcepted，freefromanygrievousaffliction，andingreattranquillityofmind，havingbeencontentedwithmynaturalandoriginalcommodities，withoutbeingsolicitousafterothers;ifIshouldcompareitall，Isay，withthefouryearsIhadthehappinesstoenjoythesweetsocietyofthisexcellentman，’tisnothingbutsmoke，anobscureandtediousnight。FromthedaythatIlosthim:
\"Quernsemperacerbum，Semperhonoratum（sic，di，voluistis）habebo，\"
[\"Adayformeeversad，foreversacred，sohaveyouwilledyegods。\"——AEneid，v。49。]
Ihaveonlyledalanguishinglife;andtheverypleasuresthatpresentthemselvestome，insteadofadministeringanythingofconsolation，doublemyafflictionforhisloss。Wewerehalvesthroughout，andtothatdegree，thatmethinks，byoutlivinghim，Idefraudhimofhispart。
\"NecfasesseullamevoluptatehicfruiDecrevi，tantisperdumilleabestmeusparticeps。\"
[\"Ihavedeterminedthatitwillneverberightformetoenjoyanypleasure，solongashe，withwhomIsharedallpleasuresisaway。\"
——\"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。97。]
Iwassogrownandaccustomedtobealwayshisdoubleinallplacesandinallthings，thatmethinksIamnomorethanhalfofmyself:
\"IllammeaesipartemanimatulitMaturiorvis，quidmororaltera？
Neccarusaeque，necsuperstesInteger？IllediesutramqueDuxitruinam。\"
[\"Ifthathalfofmysoulweresnatchawayfrommebyanuntimelystroke，whyshouldtheotherstay？Thatwhichremainswillnotbeequallydear，willnotbewhole:thesamedaywillinvolvethedestructionofboth。\"
or:
[\"Ifasuperiorforcehastakenthatpartofmysoul，whydoI，theremainingone，lingerbehind？Whatisleftisnotsodear，noranentirething:thisdayhaswroughtthedestructionofboth。\"
——Horace，Ode，ii。17，5。]
ThereisnoactionorimaginationofminewhereinIdonotmisshim;asI
knowthathewouldhavemissedme:forashesurpassedmebyinfinitedegreesinvirtueandallotheraccomplishments，sohealsodidinthedutiesoffriendship:
\"Quisdesideriositpudor，autmodusTamcaricapitis？\"
[\"Whatshamecanthere，ormeasure，inlamentingsodearafriend？\"
——Horace，Ode，i。24，I。]
\"Omiserofraterademptemihi！
Omniatecumunaperieruntgaudianostra，Quaetuusinvitadulcisalebatamor。
Tumea，tumoriensfregisticommoda，frater;
TecumunatotaestnostrasepultaanimaCujusegointeritutotadementhefugaviHaecstudia，atqueomnesdeliciasanimi。
Alloquar？audieronunquamtuaverbaloquentem？
Nunquamegote，vitafrateramabiliorAspiciamposthac;atcertesemperamabo;\"
[\"Obrother，takenfrommemiserable！withthee，allourjoyshavevanished，thosejoyswhich，inthylife，thydearlovenourished。
Dying，thou，mybrother，hastdestroyedallmyhappiness。Mywholesoulisburiedwiththee。ThroughwhosedeathIhavebanishedfrommymindthesestudies，andallthedelightsofthemind。ShallI
addressthee？Ishallneverhearthyvoice。NevershallIbeholdtheehereafter。Obrother，dearertomethanlife。Noughtremains，butassuredlyIshalleverlovethee。\"——Catullus，lxviii。20;lxv。]
Butletushearaboyofsixteenspeak:
——[InCotton’stranslationtheworkreferredtois\"thoseMemoirsuponthefamousedictofJanuary，\"ofwhichmentionhasalreadybeenmadeinthepresentedition。Theeditionof1580，however，andtheVariorumeditionof1872—1900，indicatenoparticularwork;buttheeditionof158ohasit\"thisboyofeighteenyears\"（whichwastheageatwhichLaBoetiewrotehis\"ServitudeVolontaire\"），speaksof\"aboyofsixteen\"asoccurringonlyinthecommoneditions，anditwouldseemtolerablyclearthatthismoreimportantworkwas，infact，theproductiontowhichMontaignerefers，andthattheproperreadingofthetextshouldbe\"sixteenyears。\"What\"thisboyspoke\"isnotgivenbyMontaigne，forthereasonstatedinthenextfollowingparagraph。
\"BecauseIhavefoundthatthatworkhasbeensincebroughtout，andwithamischievousdesign，bythosewhoaimatdisturbingandchangingtheconditionofourgovernment，withouttroublingthemselvestothinkwhethertheyarelikelytoimproveit:andbecausetheyhavemixeduphisworkwithsomeoftheirownperformance，Ihaverefrainedfrominsertingithere。Butthatthememoryoftheauthormaynotbeinjured，norsufferwithsuchascouldnotcomenear—handtobeacquaintedwithhisprinciples，Iheregivethemtounderstand，thatitwaswrittenbyhiminhisboyhood，andthatbywayofexerciseonly，asacommonthemethathasbeenhackneyedbyathousandwriters。Imakenoquestionbutthathehimselfbelievedwhathewrote，beingsoconscientiousthathewouldnotsomuchaslieinjest:andImoreoverknow，thatcouldithavebeeninhisownchoice，hehadratherhavebeenbornatVenice，thanatSarlac;
andwithreason。Buthehadanothermaximsovereigntyimprintedinhissoul，veryreligiouslytoobeyandsubmittothelawsunderwhichhewasborn。Thereneverwasabettercitizen，moreaffectionatetohiscountry;noragreaterenemytoallthecommotionsandinnovationsofhistime:sothathewouldmuchratherhaveemployedhistalenttotheextinguishingofthosecivilflames，thanhaveaddedanyfueltothem;
hehadamindfashionedtothemodelofbetterages。Now，inexchangeofthisseriouspiece，Iwillpresentyouwithanotherofamoregayandfrolicair，fromthesamehand，andwrittenatthesameage。\"