Everyopinionisofforceenoughtocauseitselftobeespousedattheexpenseoflife。ThefirstarticleofthatvaliantoaththatGreecetookandobservedintheMedianwar，wasthateveryoneshouldsoonerexchangelifefordeath，thantheirownlawsforthoseofPersia。WhataworldofpeopledoweseeinthewarsbetwixttheTurksandtheGreeks，ratherembraceacrueldeaththanuncircumcisethemselvestoadmitofbaptism？
Anexampleofwhichnosortofreligionisincapable。
ThekingsofCastilehavingbanishedtheJewsoutoftheirdominions，John，KingofPortugal，inconsiderationofeightcrownsahead，soldthemaretreatintohisforacertainlimitedtime，uponconditionthatthetimefixedcomingtoexpiretheyshouldbegone，andhetofurnishthemwithshippingtotransportthemintoAfrica。Thedaycomes，whichoncelapsedtheyweregiventounderstandthatsuchaswereafterwardfoundinthekingdomshouldremainslaves;vesselswereveryslenderlyprovided;andthosewhoembarkedinthemwererudelyandvillainouslyusedbythepassengers，who，besidesotherindignities，keptthemcruisinguponthesea，onewhileforwardsandanotherbackwards，tilltheyhadspentalltheirprovisions，andwereconstrainedtobuyofthematsodeararateandsolongwithal，thattheysetthemnotonshoretilltheywereallstrippedtotheveryshirts。Thenewsofthisinhumanusagebeingbroughttothosewhoremainedbehind，thegreaterpartofthemresolveduponslaveryandsomemadeashowofchangingreligion。
Emmanuel，thesuccessorofJohn，beingcometothecrown，firstsetthematliberty，andafterwardsalteringhismind，orderedthemtodeparthiscountry，assigningthreeportsfortheirpassage。Hehoped，saysBishopOsorius，nocontemptibleLatinhistorianoftheselatertimes，thatthefavourofthelibertyhehadgiventhemhavingfailedofconvertingthemtoChristianity，yetthedifficultyofcommittingthemselvestothemercyofthemarinersandofabandoningacountrytheywerenowhabituatedtoandweregrownveryrichin，togoandexposethemselvesinstrangeandunknownregions，wouldcertainlydoit。Butfindinghimselfdeceivedinhisexpectation，andthattheywereallresolveduponthevoyage，hecutofftwoofthethreeportshehadpromisedthem，totheendthatthelengthandincommodityofthepassagemightreducesome，orthathemighthaveopportunity，bycrowdingthemallintooneplace，themoreconvenientlytoexecutewhathehaddesigned，whichwastoforceallthechildrenunderfourteenyearsofagefromthearmsoftheirfathersandmothers，totransportthemfromtheirsightandconversation，intoaplacewheretheymightbeinstructedandbroughtupinourreligion。Hesaysthatthisproducedamosthorridspectaclethenaturalaffectionbetwixttheparentsandtheirchildren，andmoreovertheirzealtotheirancientbelief，contendingagainstthisviolentdecree，fathersandmotherswerecommonlyseenmakingthemselvesaway，andbyayetmuchmorerigorousexample，precipitatingoutofloveandcompassiontheiryoungchildrenintowellsandpits，toavoidtheseverityofthislaw。Astotheremainderofthem，thetimethathadbeenprefixedbeingexpired，forwantofmeanstotransportthemtheyagainreturnedintoslavery。
SomealsoturnedChristians，uponwhosefaith，asalsothatoftheirposterity，eventothisday，whichisahundredyearssince，fewPortuguesecanyetrely;thoughcustomandlengthoftimearemuchmorepowerfulcounsellorsinsuchchangesthanallotherconstraintswhatever。
InthetownofCastelnaudari，fiftyhereticAlbigeoisatonetimesufferedthemselvestobeburnedaliveinonefireratherthantheywouldrenouncetheiropinions。
\"Quotiesnonmodoductoresnostri，seduniversietiamexercitus，adnondubiammortemconcurrerunt？
[\"Howoftenhavenotonlyourleaders，butwholearmies，runtoacertainandmanifestdeath。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，i。37。]
Ihaveseenanintimatefriendofminerunheadlongupondeathwitharealaffection，andthatwasrootedinhisheartbydiversplausibleargumentswhichhewouldneverpermitmetodispossesshimof，anduponthefirsthonourableoccasionthatoffereditselftohim，precipitatehimselfintoit，withoutanymannerofvisiblereason，withanobstinateandardentdesireofdying。Wehaveseveralexamplesinourowntimesofpersons，evenyoungchildren，whoforfearofsomelittleinconveniencehavedespatchedthemselves。Andwhatshallwenotfear，saysoneoftheancients——[Seneca，Ep。，70。]——tothispurpose，ifwedreadthatwhichcowardiceitselfhaschosenforitsrefuge？
ShouldIhereproducealongcatalogueofthose，ofallsexesandconditionsandsects，eveninthemosthappyages，whohaveeitherwithgreatconstancylookeddeathintheface，orvoluntarilysoughtit，andsoughtitnotonlytoavoidtheevilsofthislife，butsomepurelytoavoidthesatietyofliving，andothersforthehopeofabetterconditionelsewhere，Ishouldneverhavedone。Nay，thenumberissoinfinitethatintruthIshouldhaveabetterbargainon’ttoreckonupthosewhohavefearedit。Thisonethereforeshallserveforall:
Pyrrhothephilosopherbeingonedayinaboatinaverygreattempest，shewedtothosehesawthemostaffrightedabouthim，andencouragedthem，bytheexampleofahogthatwasthere，nothingatallconcernedatthestorm。Shallwethendaretosaythatthisadvantageofreason，ofwhichwesomuchboast，andupontheaccountofwhichwethinkourselvesmastersandemperorsovertherestofallcreation，wasgivenusforatorment？Towhatendservestheknowledgeofthingsifitrendersusmoreunmanly？ifwetherebylosethetranquillityandreposeweshouldenjoywithoutit？andifitputusintoaworseconditionthanPyrrho’shog？Shallweemploytheunderstandingthatwasconferreduponusforourgreatestgoodtoourownruin;settingourselvesagainstthedesignofnatureandtheuniversalorderofthings，whichintendthateveryoneshouldmakeuseofthefaculties，members，andmeanshehastohisownbestadvantage？
Butitmay，peradventure，beobjectedagainstme:Yourruleistrueenoughastowhatconcernsdeath;butwhatwillyousayofindigence？
Whatwillyou，moreover，sayofpain，whichAristippus，Hieronimus，andmostofthesageshavereputedtheworstofevils;andthosewhohavedenieditbywordofmouthhave，however，confesseditineffect？
Posidoniusbeingextremelytormentedwithasharpandpainfuldisease，Pompeiuscametovisithim，excusinghimselfthathehadtakensounseasonableatimetocometohearhimdiscourseofphilosophy。
\"Thegodsforbid，\"saidPosidoniustohim，\"thatpainshouldeverhavethepowertohindermefromtalking，\"andthereuponfellimmediatelyuponadiscourseofthecontemptofpain:but，inthemeantime，hisowninfirmitywasplayinghispart，andplaguedhimtopurpose;towhichhecriedout，\"Thoumayestworkthywill，pain，andtormentmewithallthepowerthouhast，butthoushaltnevermakemesaythatthouartanevil。\"
Thisstorythattheymakesuchaclutterwithal，whathasittodo，Ifainwouldknow，withthecontemptofpain？Heonlyfightsitwithwords，andinthemeantime，iftheshootingsanddolourshefeltdidnotmovehim，whydidheinterrupthisdiscourse？Whydidhefancyhedidsogreatathinginforbearingtoconfessitanevil？Alldoesnothereconsistintheimagination;ourfanciesmayworkuponotherthings:buthereisthecertainsciencethatisplayingitspart，ofwhichoursensesthemselvesarejudges:
\"Quinisisuntveri，ratioquoquefalsasitomnis。\"
[\"Which，iftheybenottrue，allreasoningmayalsobefalse。
——\"Lucretius，iv。486。]
Shallwepersuadeourskinsthatthejerksofawhipagreeablytickleus，orourtastethatapotionofaloesisvindeGraves？Pyrrho’shogishereinthesamepredicamentwithus;heisnotafraidofdeath，’tistrue，butifyoubeathimhewillcryouttosomepurpose。Shallweforcethegenerallawofnature，whichineverylivingcreatureunderheavenisseentotrembleunderpain？Theverytreesseemtogroanundertheblowstheyreceive。Deathisonlyfeltbyreason，forasmuchasitisthemotionofaninstant;
\"Autfuit，autveniet;nihilestpraesentisinilla。\"
[\"Deathhasbeen，orwillcome:thereisnothingofthepresentinit。\"——EstiennedelaBoetie，Satires。]
\"Morsqueminuspoenae，quammoramortis，habet;\"
[\"Thedelayofdeathismorepainfulthandeathitself。\"
——Ovid，Ep。AriadnetoTheseus，v。42。]
athousandbeasts，athousandmen，aresoonerdeadthanthreatened。Thatalsowhichweprincipallypretendtofearindeathispain，itsordinaryforerunner:yet，ifwemaybelieveaholyfather:
\"Malammortemnonfacit，nisiquodsequiturmortem。\"
[\"Thatwhichfollowsdeathmakesdeathbad。\"
——St。Augustin，DeCivit。Dei，i。ii。]
AndIshouldyetsay，moreprobably，thatneitherthatwhichgoesbeforenorthatwhichfollowsafterisatalloftheappurtenancesofdeath。
Weexcuseourselvesfalsely:andIfindbyexperiencethatitisrathertheimpatienceoftheimaginationofdeaththatmakesusimpatientofpain，andthatwefinditdoublygrievousasitthreatensuswithdeath。
Butreasonaccusingourcowardiceforfearingathingsosudden，soinevitable，andsoinsensible，wetaketheotherasthemoreexcusablepretence。Allillsthatcarrynootherdangeralongwiththembutsimplytheevilsthemselves，wetreatasthingsofnodanger:thetoothacheorthegout，painfulastheyare，yetbeingnotreputedmortal，whoreckonstheminthecatalogueofdiseases？
Butletuspresupposethatindeathweprincipallyregardthepain;asalsothereisnothingtobefearedinpovertybutthemiseriesitbringsalongwithitofthirst，hunger，cold，heat，watching，andtheotherinconveniencesitmakesussuffer，stillwehavenothingtodowithanythingbutpain。Iwillgrant，andverywillingly，thatitistheworstincidentofourbeing（forIamthemanuponearthwhothemosthatesandavoidsit，consideringthathitherto，IthankGod，Ihavehadsolittletrafficwithit），butstillitisinus，ifnottoannihilate，atleasttolessenitbypatience;andthoughthebodyandthereasonshouldmutiny，tomaintainthesoul，nevertheless，ingoodcondition。
Wereitnotso，whohadevergivenreputationtovirtue;valour，force，magnanimity，andresolution？whereweretheirpartstobeplayediftherewerenopaintobedefied？
\"Avidaestpericulivirtus。\"
[\"Courageisgreedyofdanger。\"——Seneca，DeProvidentia，c。4]
Weretherenolyinguponthehardground，noenduring，armedatallpoints，themeridionalheats，nofeedinguponthefleshofhorsesandasses，noseeingaman’sselfhackedandhewedtopieces，nosufferingabullettobepulledoutfromamongsttheshatteredbones，nosewingup，cauterisingandsearchingofwounds，bywhatmeansweretheadvantagewecovettohaveoverthevulgartobeacquired？’Tisfarfromflyingevilandpain，whatthesagessay，thatofactionsequallygood，amanshouldmostcovettoperformthatwhereinthereisgreaterlabourandpain。
\"Nonestenimhilaritate，neclascivia，necrisu，autjococomitelevitatis，sedsaepeetiamtristesfirmitateetconstantiasuntbeati。\"
[\"Formenarenotonlyhappybymirthandwantonness，bylaughterandjesting，thecompanionoflevity，butofttimestheserioussortreapfelicityfromtheirfirmnessandconstancy。\"
——Cicero，DeFinib。ii。10。]
Andforthisreasonithaseverbeenimpossibletopersuadeourforefathersbutthatthevictoriesobtainedbydintofforceandthehazardofwarwerenotmorehonourablethanthoseperformedingreatsecuritybystratagemorpractice:
\"Laetiusest，quotiesmagnosibiconstathonestum。\"
[\"Agooddeedisallthemoreasatisfactionbyhowmuchthemoreithascostus\"——Lucan，ix。404。]
Besides，thisoughttobeourcomfort，thatnaturally，ifthepainbeviolent，’tisbutshort;andiflong，nothingviolent:
\"Sigravis，brevis;
Silongus，levis。\"
Thouwiltnotfeelitlongifthoufeelestittoomuch;itwilleitherputanendtoitselfortothee;itcomestothesamething;ifthoucanstnotsupportit，itwillexportthee:
[Rememberthatthegreatestpainsareterminatedbydeath;thatslighterpainshavelongintermissionsofrepose，andthatwearemastersofthemoremoderatesort:sothat，iftheybetolerable，webearthem;ifnot，wecangooutoflife，asfromatheatre，whenitdoesnotpleaseus\"——Cicero，DeFinib。i。15。]
Thatwhichmakesussufferpainwithsomuchimpatienceisthenotbeingaccustomedtoreposeourchiefestcontentmentinthesoul;thatwedonotenoughrelyuponherwhoisthesoleandsovereignmistressofourcondition。Thebody，savinginthegreaterorlessproportion，hasbutoneandthesamebentandbias;whereasthesoulisvariableintoallsortsofforms;andsubjecttoherselfandtoherownempire，allthingswhatsoever，boththesensesofthebodyandallotheraccidents:andthereforeitisthatweoughttostudyher，toinquireintoher，andtorouseupallherpowerfulfaculties。Thereisneitherreason，force，norprescriptionthatcananythingprevailagainstherinclinationandchoice。Ofsomanythousandsofbiasesthatshehasatherdisposal，letusgiveheronepropertoourreposeandconversation，andthenweshallnotonlybeshelteredandsecuredfromallmannerofinjuryandoffence，butmoreovergratifiedandobliged，ifshewill，withevilsandoffences。
Shemakesherprofitindifferentlyofallthings;error，dreams，servehertogooduse，asloyalmattertolodgeusinsafetyandcontentment。
’Tisplainenoughtobeseenthat’tisthesharpnessofourmindthatgivestheedgetoourpainsandpleasures:beaststhathavenosuchthing，leavetotheirbodiestheirownfreeandnaturalsentiments，andconsequentlyineverykindverynearthesame，asappearsbytheresemblingapplicationoftheirmotions。Ifwewouldnotdisturbinourmembersthejurisdictionthatappertainstotheminthis，’tistobebelieveditwouldbethebetterforus，andthatnaturehasgiventhemajustandmoderatetemperbothtopleasureandpain;neithercanitfailofbeingjust，beingequalandcommon。Butseeingwehaveenfranchisedourselvesfromherrulestogiveourselvesuptotheramblinglibertyofourownfancies，letusatleasthelptoinclinethemtothemostagreeableside。Platofearsourtoovehementlyengagingourselveswithpainandpleasure，forasmuchasthesetoomuchknitandallythesoultothebody;whereasIrather，quitecontrary，byreasonittoomuchseparatesanddisunitesthem。Asanenemyismademorefiercebyourflight，sopaingrowsproudtoseeustruckleunderher。Shewillsurrenderuponmuchbettertermstothemwhomakeheadagainsther:amanmustopposeandstoutlysethimselfagainsther。Inretiringandgivingground，weinviteandpulluponourselvestheruinthatthreatensus。Asthebodyismorefirminanencounter，themorestifflyandobstinatelyitappliesitselftoit，soisitwiththesoul。
Butletuscometoexamples，whicharethepropergameoffolksofsuchfeebleforceasmyself;whereweshallfindthatitiswithpainaswithstones，thatreceiveabrighteroradullerlustreaccordingtothefoiltheyaresetin，andthatithasnomoreroominusthanwearepleasedtoallowit:
\"Tantumdoluerunt，quantumdoloribusseinseruerunt。\"
[\"Theysufferedsomuchthemore，byhowmuchmoretheygavewaytosuffering。\"——St。Augustin，DeCivit。Dei，i。10。]
Wearemoresensibleofonelittletouchofasurgeon’slancetthanoftwentywoundswithaswordintheheatoffight。Thepainsofchildbearing，saidbythephysiciansandbyGodhimselftobegreat，andwhichwepassthroughwithsomanyceremonies——therearewholenationsthatmakenothingofthem。IsetasidetheLacedaemonianwomen，butwhatelsedoyoufindintheSwissamongourfoot—soldiers，ifnotthat，astheytrotaftertheirhusbands，youseethemto—daycarrythechildattheirnecksthattheycarriedyesterdayintheirbellies？ThecounterfeitEgyptianswehaveamongstusgothemselvestowashtheirs，sosoonastheycomeintotheworld，andbatheinthefirstrivertheymeet。Besidessomanywenchesasdailydroptheirchildrenbystealth，astheyconceivedthem，thatfairandnoblewifeofSabinus，apatricianofRome，foranother’sinterest，enduredalone，withouthelp，withoutcryingout，orsomuchasagroan，thebearingoftwins。——[Plutarch，OnLove，c。34。]——ApoorsimpleboyofLacedaemonhavingstolenafox（fortheymorefeartheshameofstupidityinstealingthanwedothepunishmentoftheknavery，andhavinggotitunderhiscoat，ratherenduredthetearingoutofhisbowelsthanhewoulddiscoverhistheft。
Andanotherofferingincenseatasacrifice，sufferedhimselftobeburnedtothebonebyacoalthatfellintohissleeve，ratherthandisturbtheceremony。Andtherehavebeenagreatnumber，forasoletrialofvirtue，followingtheirinstitutions，whohaveatsevenyearsoldenduredtobewhippedtodeathwithoutchangingtheircountenance。
AndCicerohasseenthemfightinparties，withfists，feet，andteeth，tilltheyhavefaintedandsunkdown，ratherthanconfessthemselvesovercome:
[\"Customcouldneverconquernature;sheiseverinvincible;butwehaveinfectedthemindwithshadows，delights，negligence，sloth;
wehavegrowneffeminatethroughopinionsandcorruptmorality。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，v。27。]
EveryoneknowsthestoryofScaevola，thathavingslippedintotheenemy’scamptokilltheirgeneral，andhavingmissedhisblow，torepairhisfault，byamorestrangeinventionandtodeliverhiscountry，heboldlyconfessedtoPorsenna，whowasthekinghehadapurposetokill，notonlyhisdesign，butmoreoveraddedthatthereweretheninthecampagreatnumberofRomans，hisaccomplicesintheenterprise，asgoodmenashe;andtoshowwhataonehehimselfwas，havingcausedapanofburningcoalstobebrought，hesawandenduredhisarmtobroilandroast，tillthekinghimself，conceivinghorroratthesight，commandedthepantobetakenaway。Whatwouldyousayofhimthatwouldnotvouchsafetorespitehisreadinginabookwhilsthewasunderincision？
Andoftheotherthatpersistedtomockandlaughincontemptofthepainsinflicteduponhim;sothattheprovokedcrueltyoftheexecutionersthathadhiminhandling，andalltheinventionsoftorturesredoubleduponhim，oneafteranother，spentinvain，gavehimthebucklers？Buthewasaphilosopher。Butwhat！agladiatorofCaesar’sendured，laughingallthewhile，hiswoundstobesearched，lanced，andlaidopen:
[\"Whatordinarygladiatorevergroaned？Whichofthemeverchangedcountenance？Whichofthemnotonlystoodorfellindecorously？
Which，whenhehadfallenandwascommandedtoreceivethestrokeofthesword，contractedhisneck。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。17。]
Letusbringinthewomentoo。WhohasnotheardatParisofherthatcausedherfacetobeflayedonlyforthefreshercomplexionofanewskin？Therearewhohavedrawngoodandsoundteethtomaketheirvoicesmoresoftandsweet，ortoplacetheotherteethinbetterorder。Howmanyexamplesofthecontemptofpainhaveweinthatsex？Whatcantheynotdo，whatdotheyfeartodo，forneversolittlehopeofanadditiontotheirbeauty？
\"Vallerequeiscuraestalbosastirpecapillos，Etfaciem，demptapelle，referrenovam。\"
[\"Whocarefullypluckouttheirgreyhairsbytheroots，andrenewtheirfacesbypeelingofftheoldskin。\"——Tibullus，i。8，45。]
Ihaveseensomeofthemswallowsand，ashes，anddotheirutmosttodestroytheirstomachstogetpalecomplexions。TomakeafineSpanishbody，whatrackswilltheynotendureofgirdingandbracing，tilltheyhavenotchesintheirsidescutintotheveryquick，andsometimestodeath？
Itisanordinarythingwithseveralnationsatthisdaytowoundthemselvesingoodearnesttogaincredittowhattheyprofess;ofwhichourking，relatesnotableexamplesofwhathehasseeninPolandanddonetowardshimself。——[HenryIII。]——Butbesidesthis，whichIknowtohavebeenimitatedbysomeinFrance，whenIcamefromthatfamousassemblyoftheEstatesatBlois，IhadalittlebeforeseenamaidinPicardy，whotomanifesttheardourofherpromises，asalsoherconstancy，giveherself，withabodkinsheworeinherhair，fourorfivegoodlustystabsinthearm，tillthebloodgushedouttosomepurpose。TheTurksgivethemselvesgreatscarsinhonouroftheirmistresses，andtotheendtheymaythelongerremain，theypresentlyclapfiretothewound，wheretheyholditanincredibletimetostopthebloodandformthecicatrice;
peoplethathavebeeneyewitnessesofithavebothwrittenandswornittome。Butfortenaspers——[ATurkishcoinworthaboutapenny]——therearethereeverydayfellowstobefoundthatwillgivethemselvesagooddeepslashinthearmsorthighs。Iamwilling，however，tohavethetestimoniesnearesttouswhenwehavemostneedofthem;forChristendomfurnishesuswithenough。AftertheexampleofourblessedGuidetherehavebeenmanywhohavecrucifiedthemselves。Welearnbytestimonyveryworthyofbelief，thatKingSt。Louisworeahair—shirttillinhisoldagehisconfessorgavehimadispensationtoleaveitoff;andthateveryFridayhecausedhisshoulderstobedrubbedbyhispriestwithfivesmallchainsofironwhichwerealwayscarriedaboutamongsthisnightaccoutrementsforthatpurpose。
William，ourlastDukeofGuienne，thefatherofthatEleanorwhotransmittedthatduchytothehousesofFranceandEngland，continuallyforthelasttenortwelveyearsofhislifeworeasuitofarmourunderareligioushabitbywayofpenance。Foulke，CountofAnjou，wentasfarasJerusalem，theretocausehimselftobewhippedbytwoofhisservants，witharopeabouthisneck，beforethesepulchreofourLord。
Butdowenot，moreover，everyGoodFriday，invariousplaces，seegreatnumbersofmenandwomenbeatandwhipthemselvestilltheylacerateandcutthefleshtotheverybones？Ihaveoftenseenit，and’tiswithoutanyenchantment;anditwassaidthereweresomeamongstthem（fortheygodisguised）whoformoneyundertookbythismeanstosaveharmlessthereligionofothers，byacontemptofpain，somuchthegreater，astheincentivesofdevotionaremoreeffectualthanthoseofavarice。
Q。Maximusburiedhissonwhenhewasaconsul，andM。Catohiswhenpraetorelect，andL。Paulusbothhis，withinafewdaysoneafteranother，withsuchacountenanceasexpressednomannerofgrief。Isaidoncemerrilyofacertainperson，thathehaddisappointedthedivinejustice;fortheviolentdeathofthreegrown—upchildrenofhisbeingonedaysenthim，foraseverescourge，asitistobesupposed，hewassofarfrombeingafflictedattheaccident，thatherathertookitforaparticulargraceandfavourofheaven。Idonotfollowthesemonstroushumours，thoughIlosttwoorthreeatnurse，ifnotwithoutgrief，atleastwithoutrepining，andyetthereishardlyanyaccidentthatpiercesnearertothequick。Iseeagreatmanyotheroccasionsofsorrow，thatshouldtheyhappentomeIshouldhardlyfeel;andhavedespisedsome，whentheyhavebefallenme，towhichtheworldhasgivensoterribleafigurethatIshouldblushtoboastofmyconstancy:
\"Exquointelligitur，noninnatura，sedinopinione，esseaegritudinem。\"
[\"Bywhichonemayunderstandthatgriefisnotinnature，butinopinion。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iii。28。]
Opinionisapowerfulparty，bold，andwithoutmeasure。WhoeversogreedilyhuntedaftersecurityandreposeasAlexanderandCaesardidafterdisturbanceanddifficulties？Teres，thefatherofSitalces，waswonttosaythatwhenhehadnowars，hefanciedtherewasnodifferencebetwixthimandhisgroom。\"Catotheconsul，tosecuresomecitiesofSpainfromrevolt，onlyinterdictingtheinhabitantsfromwearingarms，agreatmanykilledthemselves:
\"Feroxgens，nullamvitamratisinearmisesse。\"
[\"Afiercepeople，whothoughttherewasnolifewithoutwar。\"
——Livy，xxxiv。17。]
Howmanydoweknowwhohaveforsakenthecalmandsweetnessofaquietlifeathomeamongsttheiracquaintance，toseekoutthehorrorofunhabitabledeserts;andhavingprecipitatedthemselvesintosoabjectaconditionastobecomethescornandcontemptoftheworld，havehuggedthemselveswiththeconceit，eventoaffectation。CardinalBorromeo，whodiedlatelyatMilan，amidstallthejollitythattheairofItaly，hisyouth，birth，andgreatriches，invitedhimto，kepthimselfinsoaustereawayofliving，thatthesamerobeheworeinsummerservedhimforwintertoo;hehadonlystrawforhisbed，andhishoursofleisurefromaffairshecontinuallyspentinstudyuponhisknees，havingalittlebreadandaglassofwatersetbyhisbook，whichwasalltheprovisionofhisrepast，andallthetimehespentineating。
Iknowsomewhoconsentinglyhaveacquiredbothprofitandadvancementfromcuckoldom，ofwhichthebarenameonlyaffrightssomanypeople。
Ifthesightbenotthemostnecessaryofalloursenses，’tisatleastthemostpleasant;butthemostpleasantandmostusefulofallourmembersseemtobethoseofgeneration;andyetagreatmanyhaveconceivedamortalhatredagainstthemonlyforthis，thattheyweretoopleasant，andhavedeprivedthemselvesofthemonlyfortheirvalue:
asmuchthoughtheofhiseyesthatputthemout。Thegeneralityandmoresolidsortofmenlookuponabundanceofchildrenasagreatblessing;I，andsomeothers，thinkitasgreatabenefittobewithoutthem。AndwhenyouaskThaleswhyhedoesnotmarry，hetellsyou，becausehehasnomindtoleaveanyposteritybehindhim。
Thatouropiniongivesthevaluetothingsisverymanifestinthegreatnumberofthosewhichwedo，notsomuchprizingthem，asourselves，andneverconsideringeithertheirvirtuesortheiruse，butonlyhowdeartheycostus，asthoughthatwereapartoftheirsubstance;andweonlyreputeforvalueinthem，notwhattheybringtous，butwhatweaddtothem。BywhichIunderstandthatwearegreateconomisersofourexpense:asitweighs，itservesforsomuchasitweighs。Ouropinionwillneversufferittowantofitsvalue:thepricegivesvaluetothediamond;difficultytovirtue;sufferingtodevotion;andgripingtophysic。Acertainperson，tobepoor，threwhiscrownsintothesameseatowhichsomanycome，inallpartsoftheworld，tofishforriches。
Epicurussaysthattoberichisnorelief，butonlyanalteration，ofaffairs。Intruth，itisnotwant，butratherabundance，thatcreatesavarice。Iwilldelivermyownexperienceconcerningthisaffair。
Ihavesincemyemergencefromchildhoodlivedinthreesortsofconditions。Thefirst，whichcontinuedforsometwentyyears，Ipassedoverwithoutanyothermeansbutwhatwerecasualanddependingupontheallowanceandassistanceofothers，withoutstint，butwithoutcertainrevenue。Ithenspentmymoneysomuchthemorecheerfully，andwithsomuchthelesscarehowitwent，asitwhollydependeduponmyoverconfidenceoffortune。Ineverlivedmoreatmyease;Ineverhadtherepulseoffindingthepurseofanyofmyfriendsshutagainstme，havingenjoinedmyselfthisnecessityaboveallothernecessitieswhatever，bynomeanstofailofpaymentattheappointedtime，whichalsotheyhaveathousandtimesrespited，seeinghowcarefulIwastosatisfythem;sothatIpractisedatonceathrifty，andwithalakindofalluring，honesty。Inaturallyfeelakindofpleasureinpaying，asifIeasedmyshouldersofatroublesomeweightandfreedmyselffromanimageofslavery;asalsothatIfindaravishingkindofsatisfactioninpleasinganotheranddoingajustaction。Iexceptpaymentswherethetroubleofbargainingandreckoningisrequired;andinsuchcases;whereIcanmeetwithnobodytoeasemeofthatcharge，Idelaythem，howscandalouslyandinjuriouslysoever，allIpossiblycan，forfearofthewranglingsforwhichbothmyhumourandwayofspeakingaresototallyimproperandunfit。ThereisnothingIhatesomuchasdrivingabargain;’tisameretrafficofcozenageandimpudence，where，afteranhour’scheapeningandhesitating，bothpartiesabandontheirwordandoathforfivesols’abatement。YetIalwaysborrowedatgreatdisadvantage;for，wantingtheconfidencetospeaktothepersonmyself，Icommittedmyrequesttothepersuasionofaletter，whichusuallyisnoverysuccessfuladvocate，andisofverygreatadvantagetohimwhohasamindtodeny。I，inthosedays，morejocundlyandfreelyreferredtheconductofmyaffairstothestars，thanIhavesincedonetomyownprovidenceandjudgment。Mostgoodmanagerslookuponitasahorriblethingtolivealwaysthusinuncertainty，anddonotconsider，inthefirstplace，thatthegreatestpartoftheworldliveso:howmanyworthymenhavewhollyabandonedtheirowncertainties，andyetdailydoit，tothewinds，totrusttotheinconstantfavourofprincesandoffortune？
Caesarranaboveamillionofgold，morethanhewasworth，indebttobecomeCaesar;andhowmanymerchantshavebeguntheirtrafficbythesaleoftheirfarms，whichtheysentintotheIndies，\"Totperimpotentiafreta。\"
[\"Throughsomanyungovernableseas。\"——Catullus，iv。18。]
Insogreatasiccityofdevotionasweseeinthesedays，wehaveathousandandathousandcollegesthatpassitovercommodiouslyenough，expectingeverydaytheirdinnerfromtheliberalityofHeaven。
Secondly，theydonottakenoticethatthiscertitudeuponwhichtheysomuchrelyisnotmuchlessuncertainandhazardousthanhazarditself。
Iseemiseryasnearbeyondtwothousandcrownsayearasifitstoodclosebyme;forbesidesthatitisinthepowerofchancetomakeahundredbreachestopovertythroughthegreateststrengthofourriches——
therebeingveryoftennomeanbetwixtthehighestandthelowestfortune:
\"Fortunavitreaest:turn，quumsplendet，frangitur，\"
[\"Fortuneisglass:initsgreatestbrightnessitbreaks。\"
——ExMim。P。Syrus。]
andtoturnallourbarricadoesandbulwarkstopsy—turvy，Ifindthat，bydiverscauses，indigenceisasfrequentlyseentoinhabitwiththosewhohaveestatesaswiththosethathavenone;andthat，peradventure，itisthenfarlessgrievouswhenalonethanwhenaccompaniedwithriches。
Theseflowmorefromgoodmanagementthanfromrevenue;
\"Faberestsuaequisquefortunae\"
[\"Everyoneisthemakerofhisownfortune。\"
——Sallust，DeRepub。Ord。，i。I。]
andanuneasy，necessitous，busy，richmanseemstomemoremiserablethanhethatissimplypoor。
\"Indivitiismopes，quodgenusegestatisgravissimumest。\"
[\"Poorinthemidstofriches，whichisthesorestkindofpoverty。\"
——Seneca，Ep。，74。]
Thegreatestandmostwealthyprincesarebypovertyandwantdriventothemostextremenecessity;forcantherebeanymoreextremethantobecometyrantsandunjustusurpersoftheirsubjects’goodsandestates？
Mysecondconditionoflifewastohavemoneyofmyown，whereinIsoorderedthematterthatIhadsoonlaidupaverynotablesumoutofameanfortune，consideringwithmyselfthatthatonlywastobereputedhavingwhichamanreservesfromhisordinaryexpense，andthatamancannotabsolutelyrelyuponrevenuehehopestoreceive，howclearsoeverthehopemaybe。Forwhat，saidI，ifIshouldbesurprisedbysuchorsuchanaccident？Andaftersuch—likevainandviciousimaginations，wouldverylearnedly，bythishoardingofmoney，provideagainstallinconveniences;andcould，moreover，answersuchasobjectedtomethatthenumberofthesewastooinfinite，thatifIcouldnotlayupforall，Icould，however，doitatleastforsomeandformany。Yetwasnotthisdonewithoutagreatdealofsolicitudeandanxietyofmind;Ikeptitveryclose，andthoughIdaretalksoboldlyofmyself，neverspokeofmymoney，butfalsely，asothersdo，whobeingrich，pretendtobepoor，andbeingpoor，pretendtoberich，dispensingtheirconsciencesfromevertellingsincerelywhattheyhave:aridiculousandshamefulprudence。
WasIgoingajourney？MethoughtIwasneverenoughprovided:andthemoreIloadedmyselfwithmoney，themorealsowasIloadedwithfear，onewhileofthedangeroftheroads，anotherofthefidelityofhimwhohadthechargeofmybaggage，ofwhom，assomeothersthatIknow，IwasneversufficientlysecureifIhadhimnotalwaysinmyeye。IfI
chancedtoleavemycash—boxbehindme，O，whatstrangesuspicionsandanxietyofminddidIenterinto，and，whichwasworse，withoutdaringtoacquaintanybodywithit。Mymindwaseternallytakenupwithsuchthingsasthese，sothat，allthingsconsidered，thereismoretroubleinkeepingmoneythaningettingit。AndifIdidnotaltogethersomuchasIsay，orwasnotreallysoscandalouslysolicitousofmymoneyasIhavemademyselfouttobe，yetitcostmesomethingatleasttorestrainmyselffrombeingso。IreapedlittleornoadvantagebywhatIhad，andmyexpensesseemednothinglesstomeforhavingthemoretospend;for，asBionsaid，thehairymenareasangryasthebaldtobepulled;andafteryouareonceaccustomedtoitandhaveoncesetyourheartuponyourheap，itisnomoreatyourservice;youcannotfindinyourhearttobreakit:’tisabuildingthatyouwillfancymustofnecessityalltumbledowntoruinifyoustirbuttheleastpebble;necessitymustfirsttakeyoubythethroatbeforeyoucanprevailuponyourselftotouchit;andIwouldsoonerhavepawnedanythingIhad，orsoldahorse，andwithmuchlessconstraintuponmyself，thanhavemadetheleastbreachinthatbelovedpurseIhadsocarefullylaidby。Butthedangerwasthatamancannoteasilyprescribecertainlimitstothisdesire（theyarehardtofindinthingsthatamanconceivestobegood），andtostintthisgoodhusbandrysothatitmaynotdegenerateintoavarice:menstillareintentuponaddingtotheheapandincreasingthestockfromsumtosum，tillatlasttheyvilelydeprivethemselvesoftheenjoymentoftheirownpropergoods，andthrowallintoreserve，withoutmakinganyuseofthematall。Accordingtothisrule，theyaretherichestpeopleintheworldwhoaresettoguardthewallsandgatesofawealthycity。
AllmoneyedmenIconcludetobecovetous。Platoplacescorporalorhumangoodsinthisorder:health，beauty，strength，riches;andriches，sayshe，arenotblind，butveryclear—sighted，whenilluminatedbyprudence。Dionysiusthesondidaveryhandsomeactuponthissubject;
hewasinformedthatoneoftheSyracusanshadhidatreasureintheearth，andthereuponsenttothemantobringittohim，whichheaccordinglydid，privatelyreservingasmallpartofitonlytohimself，withwhichhewenttoanothercity，wherebeingcuredofhisappetiteofhoarding，hebegantoliveatamoreliberalrate;whichDionysiushearing，causedtherestofhistreasuretoberestoredtohim，saying，thatsincehehadlearnedtouseit，heverywillinglyreturneditbacktohim。
Icontinuedsomeyearsinthishoardinghumour，whenIknownotwhatgooddemonfortunatelyputmeoutofit，ashedidtheSyracusan，andmademethrowabroadallmyreserveatrandom，thepleasureofacertainjourneyItookatverygreatexpensehavingmademespurnthisfondloveofmoneyunderfoot;bywhichmeansIamnowfallenintoathirdwayofliving（I
speakwhatIthinkofit），doubtlessmuchmorepleasantandregular，whichis，thatIliveattheheightofmyrevenue;sometimestheone，sometimestheothermayperhapsexceed，but’tisverylittleandbutrarelythattheydiffer。Ilivefromhandtomouth，andcontentmyselfinhavingsufficientformypresentandordinaryexpense;forastoextraordinaryoccasions，allthelayingupintheworldwouldneversuffice。And’tisthegreatestfollyimaginabletoexpectthatfortuneshouldeversufficientlyarmusagainstherself;’tiswithourownarmsthatwearetofighther;accidentaloneswillbetrayusinthepinchofthebusiness。IfIlayup，’tisforsomenearandcontemplatedpurpose;