NeitherdoIallowoftheconjectureoftheParians，senttoregulatetheMilesianssufficientforsuchaconsequenceastheyfromthencederivedcomingtovisittheisland，theytooknoticeofsuchgroundsaswerebesthusbanded，andsuchcountry—housesaswerebestgoverned;andhavingtakenthenamesoftheowners，whentheyhadassembledthecitizens，theyappointedthesefarmersfornewgovernorsandmagistrates;concludingthatthey，whohadbeensoprovidentintheirownprivateconcerns，wouldbesoofthepublictoo。Wearealllumps，andofsovariousandinformacontexture，thateverypieceplays，everymoment，itsowngame，andthereisasmuchdifferencebetwixtusandourselvesasbetwixtusandothers:
\"Magnamremputa，unumhominemagere。\"
[\"Esteemitagreatthingalwaystoactasoneandthesameman。\"——Seneca，Ep。，150。]
Sinceambitioncanteachmanvalour，temperance，andliberality，andevenjusticetoo;seeingthatavaricecaninspirethecourageofashop—boy，bredandnursedupinobscurityandease，withtheassurancetoexposehimselfsofarfromthefiresidetothemercyofthewavesandangryNeptuneinafrailboat;thatshefurtherteachesdiscretionandprudence;andthatevenVenuscaninflateboysunderthedisciplineoftherodwithboldnessandresolution，andinfusemasculinecourageintotheheartoftendervirginsintheirmothers’arms:
\"Hacduce，custodesfurtimtransgressajacentes，Adjuvenemtenebrissolapuellavenit:\"
[\"Sheleading，themaiden，furtivelypassingbytherecumbentguards，goesaloneinthedarknesstotheyouth。\"
——Tibullus，ii。2，75。]
’tisnotalltheunderstandinghastodo，simplytojudgeusbyouroutwardactions;itmustpenetratetheverysoul，andtherediscoverbywhatspringsthemotionisguided。Butthatbeingahighandhazardousundertaking，Icouldwishthatfewerwouldattemptit。
CHAPTERII
OFDRUNKENNESS
Theworldisnothingbutvarietyanddisemblance，vicesareallalike，astheyarevices，andperadventuretheStoicsunderstandthemso;butalthoughtheyareequallyvices，yettheyarenotallequalvices;andhewhohastransgressedtheordinaryboundsahundredpaces:
\"Quosultracitraquenequitconsistererectum，\"
[\"Beyondorwithinwhichtherightcannotexist。\"
——Horace，Sat。，i，1，107。]
shouldnotbeinaworseconditionthanhethathasadvancedbutten，isnottobebelieved;orthatsacrilegeisnotworsethanstealingacabbage:
\"Necvincetratiohoc，tantumdemutpeccet，idemque，Quiteneroscaulesalienifregerithorti，Etquinocturnusdivumsacralegerit。\"
Thereisinthisasgreatdiversityasinanythingwhatever。Theconfoundingoftheorderandmeasureofsinsisdangerous:murderers，traitors，andtyrantsgettoomuchbyit，anditisnotreasonabletheyshouldflattertheirconsciences，becauseanothermanisidle，lascivious，ornotassiduousathisdevotion。Everyoneoverratestheoffenceofhiscompanions，butextenuateshisown。Ourveryinstructorsthemselvesrankthemsometimes，inmyopinion，veryill。AsSocratessaidthattheprincipalofficeofwisdomwastodistinguishgoodfromevil，we，thebestofwhomarevicious，oughtalsotosaythesameofthescienceofdistinguishingbetwixtviceandvice，withoutwhich，andthatveryexactlyperformed，thevirtuousandthewickedwillremainconfoundedandunrecognised。
Now，amongsttherest，drunkennessseemstometobeagrossandbrutishvice。Thesoulhasgreaterpartintherest，andtherearesomevicesthathavesomething，ifamanmaysosay，ofgenerousinthem;thereareviceswhereinthereisamixtureofknowledge，diligence，valour，prudence，dexterity，andaddress;thisoneistotallycorporealandearthly。AndtherudestnationthisdayinEuropeisthatalonewhereitisinfashion。Othervicesdiscomposetheunderstanding:thistotallyoverthrowsitandrendersthebodystupid:
\"Cumvinivispenetravit……
Consequiturgravitasmembrorum，praepediunturCruravacillanti，tardescitlingua，madetmens，Nantoculi;clamor，singultus，jurgia，gliscunt。\"
[\"Whenthepowerofwinehaspenetratedus，aheavinessofthelimbsfollows，thelegsofthetotteringpersonareimpeded;thetonguegrowstorpid，themindisdimmed，theeyesswim;noise，hiccup，andquarrelsarise。——\"Lucretius，i。3，475。]
Theworststateofmanisthatwhereinhelosestheknowledgeandgovernmentofhimself。And’tissaidamongstotherthingsuponthissubject，that，asthemustfermentinginavessel，worksuptothetopwhateverithasinthebottom，sowine，inthosewhohavedrunkbeyondmeasure，ventsthemostinwardsecrets:
\"TusapientumCurasetarcanumjocosoConsiliumretegisLyaeo。\"
[\"ThoudisclosesttothemerryLyacusthecaresandsecretcounselofthewise。\"——Horace，Od。，xxi。1，114。]
[Lyacus，anamegiventoBacchus。]
Josephustellsusthatbygivinganambassadortheenemyhadsenttohimhisfulldoseofliquor，hewormedouthissecrets。Andyet，Augustus，committingthemostinwardsecretsofhisaffairstoLuciusPiso，whoconqueredThrace，neverfoundhimfaultyintheleast，nomorethanTiberiasdidCossus，withwhomheintrustedhiswholecounsels，thoughweknowtheywerebothsogiventodrinkthattheyhaveoftenbeenfaintocarryboththeoneandtheotherdrunkoutoftheSenate:
\"Hesternoinflatumvenasutsemper，Lyaeo。\"
[\"Theirveinsfull，asusual，ofyesterday’swine。\"
——Virgil，Egl。，vi。15。]
AndthedesignofkillingCaesarwasassafelycommunicatedtoCimber，thoughhewouldoftenbedrunk，astoCassius，whodranknothingbutwater。
[AstowhichCassiuspleasantlysaid:\"What，shallIbearatyrant，Iwhocannotbearwine？\"]
WeseeourGermans，whendrunkasthedevil，knowtheirpost，remembertheword，andkeeptotheirranks:
\"Necfacilisvictoriademadidis，etBlaesis，atquemerotitubantibus。\"
[\"Norisavictoryeasilyobtainedovermensodrunk，theycanscarcespeakorstand。\"——Juvenal，Sat。，xv。47。]
Icouldnothavebelievedtherehadbeensoprofound，senseless，anddeadadegreeofdrunkennesshadInotreadinhistorythatAttalushaving，toputanotableaffrontuponhim，invitedtosupperthesamePausanias，whoupontheverysameoccasionafterwardskilledPhilipofMacedon，akingwhobyhisexcellentqualitiesgavesufficienttestimonyofhiseducationinthehouseandcompanyofEpaminondas，madehimdrinktosuchapitchthathecouldafterabandonhisbeauty，asofahedgestrumpet，tothemuleteersandservantsofthebasestofficeinthehouse。AndI
havebeenfurthertoldbyaladywhomIhighlyhonourandesteem，thatnearBordeauxandaboutCastreswhereshelives，acountrywoman，awidowofchasterepute，perceivinginherselfthefirstsymptomsofbreeding，innocentlytoldherneighboursthatifshehadahusbandsheshouldthinkherselfwithchild;butthecausesofsuspicioneverydaymoreandmoreincreasing，andatlastgrowinguptoamanifestproof，thepoorwomanwasreducedtothenecessityofcausingittobeproclaimedinherparishchurch，thatwhoeverhaddonethatdeedandwouldfranklyconfessit，shedidnotonlypromisetoforgive，butmoreovertomarryhim，ifhelikedthemotion;whereuponayoungfellowthatservedherinthequalityofalabourer，encouragedbythisproclamation，declaredthathehadoneholidayfoundher，havingtakentoomuchofthebottle，sofastasleepbythechimneyandinsoindecentaposture，thathecouldconvenientlydohisbusinesswithoutwakingher;andtheyyetlivetogethermanandwife。
Itistruethatantiquityhasnotmuchdecriedthisvice;thewritingsevenofseveralphilosophersspeakverytenderlyofit，andevenamongsttheStoicstherearesomewhoadvisefolkstogivethemselvessometimesthelibertytodrink，nay，todrunkenness，torefreshthesoul:
\"Hocquoquevirtutumquondamcertamine，magnumSocratempalmampromeruisseferunt。\"
[\"InthistrialofpowerformerlytheyrelatethatthegreatSocratesdeservedthepalm。\"——Cornet。Gallus，Ep。，i。47。]
Thatcensorandreproverofothers，Cato，wasreproachedthathewasaharddrinker:
NarraturetprisciCatonisSaepemerocaluissevirtus。\"
[\"AndofoldCatoitissaid，thathiscouragewasoftenwarmedwithwine。\"——Horace，Od。，xxi。3，11。——CatotheElder。]
Cyrus，thatsorenownedking，amongsttheotherqualitiesbywhichheclaimedtobepreferredbeforehisbrotherArtaxerxes，urgedthisexcellence，thathecoulddrinkagreatdealmorethanhe。Andinthebestgovernednationsthistrialofskillindrinkingisverymuchinuse。IhaveheardSilvius，anexcellentphysicianofParis，saythatlestthedigestivefacultiesofthestomachshouldgrowidle，itwerenotamissonceamonthtorousethembythisexcess，andtospurthemlesttheyshouldgrowdullandrusty;andoneauthortellsusthatthePersiansusedtoconsultabouttheirmostimportantaffairsafterbeingwellwarmedwithwine。
Mytasteandconstitutionaregreaterenemiestothisvicethanmydiscourse;forbesidesthatIeasilysubmitmybelieftotheauthorityofancientopinions，Ilookuponitindeedasanunmanlyandstupidvice，butlessmaliciousandhurtfulthantheothers，which，almostall，moredirectlyjostlepublicsociety。Andifwecannotpleaseourselvesbutitmustcostussomething，astheyhold，Ifindthisvicecostsaman’sconsciencelessthantheothers，besidesthatitisofnodifficultpreparation，norhardtobefound，aconsiderationnotaltogethertobedespised。Amanwelladvancedbothindignityandage，amongstthreeprincipalcommoditiesthathesaidremainedtohimoflife，reckonedtomethisforone，andwherewouldamanmorejustlyfinditthanamongstthenaturalconveniences？Buthedidnottakeitright，fordelicacyandthecuriouschoiceofwinesisthereintobeavoided。Ifyoufoundyourpleasureupondrinkingofthebest，youcondemnyourselftothepenanceofdrinkingoftheworst。Yourtastemustbemoreindifferentandfree;
sodelicateapalateisnotrequiredtomakeagoodtoper。TheGermansdrinkalmostindifferentlyofallwineswithdelight;theirbusinessistopourdownandnottotaste;andit’ssomuchthebetterforthem:
theirpleasureissomuchthemoreplentifulandnearerathand。
Secondly，todrink，aftertheFrenchfashion，butattwomeals，andthenverymoderately，istobetoosparingofthefavoursofthegod。Thereismoretimeandconstancyrequiredthanso。Theancientsspentwholenightsinthisexercise，andofttimesaddedthedayfollowingtoekeitout，andthereforewearetotakegreaterlibertyandstickclosertoourwork。Ihaveseenagreatlordofmytime，amanofhighenterpriseandfamoussuccess，thatwithoutsettinghimselfto’t，andafterhisordinaryrateofdrinkingatmeals，dranknotmuchlessthanfivequartsofwine，andathisgoingawayappearedbuttoowiseanddiscreet，tothedetrimentofouraffairs。Thepleasureweholdinesteemforthecourseofourlivesoughttohaveagreatershareofourtimededicatedtoit;
weshould，likeshopboysandlabourers，refusenooccasionnoromitanyopportunityofdrinking，andalwayshaveitinourminds。Methinksweeverydayabridgeandcurtailtheuseofwine，andthattheafterbreakfasts，dinnersnatches，andcollationsIusedtoseeinmyfather’shouse，whenIwasaboy，weremoreusualandfrequentthenthannow。
Isitthatwepretendtoareformation？Truly，no:butitmaybewearemoreaddictedtoVenusthanourfatherswere。Theyaretwoexercisesthatthwartandhinderoneanotherintheirvigour。Lecheryweakensourstomachontheoneside;andontheothersobrietyrendersusmorespruceandamorousfortheexerciseoflove。
’TiswonderfulwhatstrangestoriesIhaveheardmyfathertellofthechastityofthatagewhereinhelived。Itwasforhimtosayit，beingbothbyartandnaturecutoutandfinishedfortheserviceofladies。
Hespokewellandlittle:evermixinghislanguagewithsomeillustrationoutofauthorsmostinuse，especiallyinSpanish，andamongtheSpanishhewhomtheycalledMarcusAurelius——[Guevara’sGoldenBookofMarcusAureliusAntoninus。]——wasordinarilyinhismouth。Hisbehaviourwasgentlygrave，humble，andverymodest;hewasverysolicitousofneatnessandproprietybothinhispersonandclothes，whetheronhorsebackorafoot，hewasmonstrouslypunctualinhisword;andofaconscienceandreligiongenerallytendingrathertowardssuperstitionthanotherwise。
Foramanoflittlestature，verystrong，wellproportioned，andwellknit;ofapleasingcountenanceincliningtobrown，andveryadroitinallnobleexercises。Ihaveyetinthehousetobeseencanespouredfulloflead，withwhichtheysayheexercisedhisarmsforthrowingthebarorthestone，orinfencing;andshoeswithleadensolestomakehimlighterforrunningorleaping。Ofhisvaultinghehasleftlittlemiraclesbehindhim:Ihaveseenhimwhenpastthreescorelaughatourexercises，andthrowhimselfinhisfurredgownintothesaddle，makethetourofatableuponhisthumbsandscarceevermountthestairsintohischamberwithouttakingthreeorfourstepsatatime。ButastowhatI
wasspeakingofbefore;hesaidtherewasscarceonewomanofqualityofillfameinthewholeprovince:hewouldtellofstrangeconfidences，andsomeofthemhisown，withvirtuouswomen，freefromanymannerofsuspicionofill，andforhisownpartsolemnlysworehewasavirginathismarriage;andyetitwasafteralongpracticeofarmsbeyondthemountains，ofwhichwarsheleftusajournalunderhisownhand，whereinhehasgivenapreciseaccountfrompointtopointofallpassages，bothrelatingtothepublicandtohimself。Andhewas，moreover，marriedatawelladvancedmaturity，intheyear1528，thethree—and—thirtiethyearofhisage，uponhiswayhomefromItaly。Butletusreturntoourbottles。
Theincommoditiesofoldage，thatstandinneedofsomerefreshmentandsupport，mightwithreasonbegetinmeadesireofthisfaculty，itbeingasitwerethelastpleasurethecourseofyearsdeprivesusof。Thenaturalheat，saythegood—fellows，firstseatsitselfinthefeet:thatconcernsinfancy;thenceitmountsintothemiddleregion，whereitmakesalongabodeandproduces，inmyopinion，thesoletruepleasuresofhumanlife;allotherpleasuresincomparisonsleep;towardstheend，likeavapourthatstillmountsupward，itarrivesatthethroat，whereitmakesitsfinalresidence，andconcludestheprogress。Idonot，nevertheless，understandhowamancanextendthepleasureofdrinkingbeyondthirst，andforgeinhisimaginationanappetiteartificialandagainstnature;mystomachwouldnotproceedsofar;ithasenoughtodotodealwithwhatittakesinforitsnecessity。Myconstitutionisnottocarefordrinkbutasfollowingeatingandwashingdownmymeat，andforthatreasonmylastdraughtisalwaysthegreatest。Andseeingthatinoldagewehaveourpalatefurredwithphlegmsordepravedbysomeotherillconstitution，thewinetastesbettertousastheporesarecleanerwashedandlaidmoreopen。Atleast，Iseldomtastethefirstglasswell。AnacharsiswonderedthattheGreeksdrankingreaterglassestowardstheendofamealthanatthebeginning;whichwas，Isuppose，forthesamereasontheGermansdothesame，whothenbeginthebattleofdrink。
Platoforbidschildrenwinetilleighteenyearsofage，andtogetdrunktillforty;but，afterforty，givesthemleavetopleasethemselves，andtomixalittleliberallyintheirfeaststheinfluenceofDionysos，thatgooddeitywhorestorestoyoungermentheirgaietyandtooldmentheiryouth;whomollifiesthepassionsofthesoul，asironissoftenedbyfire;andinhisLazesallowssuchmerrymeetings，providedtheyhaveadiscreetchieftogovernandkeeptheminorder，asgoodandofgreatutility;drunkennessbeing，hesays，atrueandcertaintrialofeveryone’snature，and，withal，fittoinspireoldmenwithmettletodivertthemselvesindancingandmusic;thingsofgreatuse，andthattheydarenotattemptwhensober。He，moreover，saysthatwineisabletosupplythesoulwithtemperanceandthebodywithhealth。Nevertheless，theserestrictions，inpartborrowedfromtheCarthaginians，pleasehim:thatmenforbearexcessesintheexpeditionsofwar;thateveryjudgeandmagistrateabstainfromitwhenabouttheadministrationsofhisplaceortheconsultationsofthepublicaffairs;thatthedayisnottobeemployedwithit，thatbeingatimeduetootheroccupations，northenightonwhichamanintendstogetchildren。
’TissaidthatthephilosopherStilpo，whenoppressedwithage，purposelyhastenedhisendbydrinkingpurewine。Thesamething，butnotdesignedbyhim，despatchedalsothephilosopherArcesilaus。
But’tisanoldandpleasantquestion，whetherthesoulofawisemancanbeovercomebythestrengthofwine？
\"Simunitaeadhibetvimsapientiae。\"
Towhatvanitydoesthegoodopinionwehaveofourselvespushus？Themostregularandmostperfectsoulintheworldhasbuttoomuchtodotokeepitselfupright，andfrombeingoverthrownbyitsownweakness。
Thereisnotoneofathousandthatisrightandsettledsomuchasoneminuteinawholelife，andthatmaynotverywelldoubt，whetheraccordingtohernaturalconditionsheevercanbe;buttojoinconstancytoitisherutmostperfection;Imeanwhennothingshouldjostleanddiscomposeher，whichathousandaccidentsmaydo。’TistomuchpurposethatthegreatpoetLucretiuskeepssuchaclatterwithhisphilosophy，when，behold！hegoesmadwithalovephiltre。IsittobeimaginedthatanapoplexywillnotstunSocratesaswellasaporter？Somemenhaveforgottentheirownnamesbytheviolenceofadisease;andaslightwoundhasturnedthejudgmentofotherstopsy—turvy。Lethimbeaswiseashewill，afterallheisbutaman;andthanthatwhatistheremorefrail，moremiserable，ormorenothing？Wisdomdoesnotforceournaturaldispositions，\"Sudoresitaque，etpalloremexsisteretotoCorpore，etinfringilinguam，vocemqueaboriri，Caligareoculos，sonereaures，succidereartus，Demqueconcidere，exanimiterrore，videmus。\"
[\"Sweatandpalenesscomeoverthewholebody，thetongueisrenderedpowerless，thevoicediesaway，theeyesaredarkened，thereisringingintheears，thelimbssinkunderusbytheinfluenceoffear。\"——Lucretius，iii。155。]
hemustshuthiseyesagainsttheblowthatthreatenshim;hemusttrembleuponthemarginofaprecipice，likeachild;naturehavingreservedtheselightmarksofherauthority，nottobeforcedbyourreasonandthestoicvirtue，toteachmanhismortalityandourweakness;
heturnspalewithfear，redwithshame，andgroanswiththecholic，ifnotwithdesperateoutcry，atleastwithhoarseandbrokenvoice:
\"Humaniasenihilalienumputet。\"
[\"Lethimnotthinkhimselfexemptfromthatwhichisincidentaltomeningeneral。\"——Terence，Heauton，i。1，25。]
Thepoets，thatfeignallthingsatpleasure，darenotacquittheirgreatestheroesoftears:
\"Sicfaturlacrymans，classiqueimmittithabenas。\"
[\"Thushespeaks，weeping，andthensetssailwithhisfleet。\"
——Aeneid，vi。i。]
’Tissufficientforamantocurbandmoderatehisinclinations，fortotallytosuppressthemisnotinhimtodo。EvenourgreatPlutarch，thatexcellentandperfectjudgeofhumanactions，whenheseesBrutusandTorquatuskilltheirchildren，beginstodoubtwhethervirtuecouldproceedsofar，andtoquestionwhetherthesepersonshadnotratherbeenstimulatedbysomeotherpassion。——[Plutarch，LifeofPublicola，c。3。]
——Allactionsexceedingtheordinaryboundsareliabletosinisterinterpretation，forasmuchasourlikingnomoreholdswithwhatisabovethanwithwhatisbelowit。
Letusleavethatothersect，thatsetsupanexpressprofessionofscornfulsuperiority——[TheStoics。]——:butwheneveninthatsect，reputedthemostquietandgentle，weheartheserhodomontadesofMetrodorus:
\"Occupavite，Fortuna，atquecepi:omnesqueaditustuosinterclusiutadmeaspirarenonposses;\"
[Fortune，Ihavegotthebetterofthee，andhavemadealltheavenuessosurethoucanstnotcomeatme。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，v。9。]
whenAnaxarchus，bycommandofNicocreonthetyrantofCyprus，wasputintoastonemortar，andlaiduponwithmaulsofiron，ceasesnottosay，\"Strike，batter，break;’tisnotAnaxarchus，’tisbuthissheaththatyoupoundandbrayso\";whenwehearourmartyrscryouttothetyrantfromthemiddleoftheflame，\"Thissideisroastedenough，falltoandeat，itisenoughdone;falltoworkwiththeother;\"whenwehearthechildinJosephus’tornpiece—mealwithpincers，defyingAntiochus，andcryingoutwithaconstantandassuredvoice:\"Tyrant，thoulosestthylabour，Iamstillatease;whereisthepain，wherearethetormentswithwhichthoudidstsothreatenme？Isthisallthoucanstdo？Myconstancytormentstheemorethanthycrueltydoesme。Opitifulcoward，thoufaintest，andIgrowstronger;makemecomplain，makemebend，makemeyieldifthoucanst;encouragethyguards，cheerupthyexecutioners;
see，seetheyfaint，andcandonomore;armthem，fleshthemanew，spurthemup\";truly，amanmustconfessthatthereissomephrenzy，somefury，howholysoever，thatatthattimepossessesthosesouls。WhenwecometotheseStoicalsallies:\"Ihadratherbemadthanvoluptuous，\"asayingofAntisthenes。WhenSextiustellsus，\"hehadratherbefetteredwithafflictionthanpleasure\":whenEpicurustakesuponhimtoplaywithhisgout，and，refusinghealthandease，defiesalltorments，anddespisingthelesserpains，asdisdainingtocontendwiththem，hecovetsandcallsoutforotherssharper，moreviolent，andmoreworthyofhim;
\"Spumantemquedari，pecorainterinertia，votisOptataprum，autfulvumdescenderemonteleonem:\"
[\"Andinsteadoftimidbeasts，wishesthefoamingboarortawnylionwouldcomefromthemountain。\"——AEneid，iv。158。]
whobutmustconcludethatthesearewildsalliespushedonbyacouragethathasbrokenloosefromitsplace？Oursoulcannotfromherownseatreachsohigh;’tisnecessaryshemustleaveit，raiseherselfup，and，takingthebridleinherteeth，transporthermansofarthatheshallafterwardshimselfbeastonishedatwhathehasdone;as，inwar，theheatofbattleimpelsgeneroussoldierstoperformthingsofsoinfinitedanger，asafterwards，recollectingthem，theythemselvesarethefirsttowonderat;asitalsofareswiththepoets，whoareoftenraptwithadmirationoftheirownwritings，andknownotwhereagaintofindthetrackthroughwhichtheyperformedsofineaCareer;whichalsoisinthemcalledfuryandrapture。AndasPlatosays，’tistonopurposeforasober—mindedmantoknockatthedoorofpoesy:soAristotlesays，thatnoexcellentsoulisexemptfromamixtureofmadness;andhehasreasontocallalltransports，howcommendablesoever，thatsurpassourownjudgmentandunderstanding，madness;forasmuchaswisdomisaregulargovernmentofthesoul，whichiscarriedonwithmeasureandproportion，andforwhichsheistoherselfresponsible。Platoarguesthus，thatthefacultyofprophesyingissofaraboveus，thatwemustbeoutofourselveswhenwemeddlewithit，andourprudencemusteitherbeobstructedbysleeporsickness，orliftedfromherplacebysomecelestialrapture。
CHAPTERIII
ACUSTOMOFTHEISLEOFCEA
[Cos。CeaistheformofthenamegivenbyPliny]
Iftophilosophisebe，as’tisdefined，todoubt，muchmoretowriteatrandomandplaythefool，asIdo，oughttobereputeddoubting，foritisfornovicesandfreshmentoinquireandtodispute，andforthechairmantomoderateanddetermine。
Mymoderatoristheauthorityofthedivinewill，thatgovernsuswithoutcontradiction，andthatisseatedabovethesehumanandvaincontestations。
PhiliphavingforciblyenteredintoPeloponnesus，andsomeonesayingtoDamidasthattheLacedaemonianswerelikelyverymuchtosufferiftheydidnotintimereconcilethemselvestohisfavour:\"Why，youpitifulfellow，\"repliedhe，\"whatcantheysufferwhodonotfeartodie？\"ItbeingalsoaskedofAgis，whichwayamanmightlivefree？\"Why，\"saidhe，\"bydespisingdeath。\"These，andathousandothersayingstothesamepurpose，distinctlysoundofsomethingmorethanthepatientattendingthestrokeofdeathwhenitshallcome;forthereareseveralaccidentsinlifefarworsetosufferthandeathitself。WitnesstheLacedaemonianboytakenbyAntigonus，andsoldforaslave，whobeingbyhismastercommandedtosomebaseemployment:\"Thoushaltsee，\"saystheboy，\"whomthouhastbought;itwouldbeashameformetoserve，beingsonearthereachofliberty，\"andhavingsosaid，threwhimselffromthetopofthehouse。AntipaterseverelythreateningtheLacedaemonians，thathemightthebetterinclinethemtoacquiesceinacertaindemandofhis:\"Ifthouthreatenestuswithmorethandeath，\"repliedthey，\"weshallthemorewillinglydie\";andtoPhilip，havingwrittenthemwordthathewouldfrustratealltheirenterprises:\"What，wiltthoualsohinderusfromdying？\"Thisisthemeaningofthesentence，\"Thatthewisemanlivesaslongasheought，notsolongashecan;andthatthemostobligingpresentNaturehasmadeus，andwhichtakesfromusallcolourofcomplaintofourcondition，istohavedeliveredintoourowncustodythekeysoflife;shehasonlyordered，onedoorintolife，butahundredthousandwaysout。Wemaybestraitenedforearthtoliveupon，butearthsufficienttodieuponcanneverbewanting，asBoiocalusansweredtheRomans。\"——[Tacitus，Annal。，xiii。56。]——Whydostthoucomplainofthisworld？itdetainstheenot;thyowncowardiceisthecause，ifthoulivestinpain。Thereneedsnomoretodiebuttowilltodie:
\"Ubiquemorsest;optimehoccavitdeus。
Eriperevitamnemononhominipotest;
Atnemomortem;milleadhancadituspatent。\"
[\"Deathiseverywhere:heavenhaswellprovidedforthat。Anyonemaydepriveusoflife;noonecandepriveusofdeath。Todeaththereareathousandavenues。\"——Seneca，Theb:，i，I，151。]
Neitherisitarecipeforonediseaseonly;deathistheinfalliblecureofall;’tisamostassuredportthatisnevertobefeared，andveryoftentobesought。Itcomesalltoone，whetheramangivehimselfhisend，orstaystoreceiveitbysomeothermeans;whetherhepaysbeforehisday，orstaytillhisdayofpaymentcome;fromwhencesoeveritcomes，itisstillhis;inwhatpartsoeverthethreadbreaks，there’stheendoftheclue。Themostvoluntarydeathisthefinest。Lifedependsuponthepleasureofothers;deathuponourown。Weoughtnottoaccommodateourselvestoourownhumourinanythingsomuchasinthis。
Reputationisnotconcernedinsuchanenterprise;’tisfollytobeconcernedbyanysuchapprehension。Livingisslaveryifthelibertyofdyingbewanting。Theordinarymethodofcureiscarriedonattheexpenseoflife;theytormentuswithcaustics，incisions，andamputationsoflimbs;theyinterdictalimentandexhaustourblood;onestepfartherandwearecuredindeedandeffectually。Whyisnotthejugularveinasmuchatourdisposalasthemedianvein？Foradesperatediseaseadesperatecure。Serviusthegrammarian，beingtormentedwiththegout，couldthinkofnobetterremedythantoapplypoisontohislegs，todeprivethemoftheirsense;letthembegoutyattheirwill，sotheywereinsensibleofpain。GodgivesusleaveenoughtogowhenHeispleasedtoreduceustosuchaconditionthattoliveisfarworsethantodie。’Tisweaknesstotruckleunderinfirmities，butit’smadnesstonourishthem。TheStoicssay，thatitislivingaccordingtonatureinawisemanto，takehisleaveoflife，evenintheheightofprosperity，ifhedoitopportunely;andinafooltoprolongit，thoughhebemiserable，providedhebenotindigentofthosethingswhichtheyreputetobeaccordingtonature。AsIdonotoffendthelawagainstthieveswhenIembezzlemyownmoneyandcutmyownpurse;northatagainstincendiarieswhenIburnmyownwood;soamInotunderthelashofthosemadeagainstmurderersforhavingdeprivedmyselfofmyownlife。
Hegesiassaid，thatastheconditionoflifedid，sotheconditionofdeathoughttodependuponourownchoice。AndDiogenesmeetingthephilosopherSpeusippus，soblownupwithaninveteratedropsythathewasfaintobecarriedinalitter，andbyhimsalutedwiththecompliment，\"Iwishyougoodhealth。\"\"Nohealthtothee，\"repliedtheother，\"whoartcontenttoliveinsuchacondition。
Andinfact，notlongafter，Speusippus，wearyofsolanguishingastateoflife，foundameanstodie。
Butthisdoesnotpasswithoutadmittingadispute:formanyareofopinionthatwecannotquitthisgarrisonoftheworldwithouttheexpresscommandofHimwhohasplacedusinit;andthatitappertainstoGodwhohasplacedushere，notforourselvesonlybutforHisGloryandtheserviceofothers，todismissuswhenitshallbestpleaseHim，andnotforustodepartwithoutHislicence:thatwearenotbornforourselvesonly，butforourcountryalso，thelawsofwhichrequireanaccountfromusuponthescoreoftheirowninterest，andhaveanactionofmanslaughtergoodagainstus;andifthesefailtotakecognisanceofthefact，wearepunishedintheotherworldasdesertersofourduty:
\"Proximadeindetenentmaestiloca，quisibiletumInsontespepereremanu，lucemqueperosiProiecereanimas。\"
[\"Thencethesadonesoccupythenextabodes，who，thoughfreefromguilt，werebytheirownhandsslain，and，hatinglight，soughtdeath。\"——AEneid，vi。434。]
Thereismoreconstancyinsufferingthechainwearetiedtothaninbreakingit，andmorepregnantevidenceoffortitudeinRegulusthaninCato;’tisindiscretionandimpatiencethatpushusontotheseprecipices:noaccidentscanmaketruevirtueturnherback;sheseeksandrequiresevils，pains，andgrief，asthethingsbywhichsheisnourishedandsupported;themenacesoftyrants，racks，andtorturesserveonlytoanimateandrouseher:
\"DurisutilextonsabipennibusNigraeferacifrondisinAlgido，Perdamma，percmdes，abipsoDucitopes，animumqueferro。\"
[\"AsinMountAlgidus，thesturdyoakevenfromtheaxeitselfderivesnewvigourandlife。\"——Horace，Od。，iv。4，57。]
Andasanothersays:
\"Nonest，utputas，virtus，pater，Timerevitam;sedmalisingentibusObstare，necsevertere，acretrodare。\"
[\"Father，’tisnovirtuetofearlife，buttowithstandgreatmisfortunes，norturnbackfromthem。\"——Seneca，Theb。，i。190。]
Orasthis:
\"RebusinadversisfacileestcontemneremortemFortiusillefacit，quimiseressepotest。\"
[\"Itiseasyinadversitytodespisedeath;butheactsmorebravely，whocanlivewretched。\"——Martial，xi。56，15。]
’Tiscowardice，notvirtue，toliesquatinafurrow，underatomb，toevadetheblowsoffortune;virtueneverstopsnorgoesoutofherpath，forthegreateststormthatblows:
\"Sifractusillabaturorbis，Impavidumferientruinae。\"
[\"Shouldtheworld’saxiscrack，theruinswillbutcrushafearlesshead。\"——Horace，Od。，iii。3，7。]
Forthemostpart，theflyingfromotherinconveniencesbringsustothis;nay，endeavouringtoevadedeath，weoftenrunintoitsverymouth:
\"Hic，rogo，nonfurorest，nemoriare，mori？\"
[\"Tellme，isitnotmadness，thatoneshoulddieforfearofdying？\"——Martial，ii。80，2。]
likethosewho，fromfearofaprecipice，throwthemselvesheadlongintoit;
\"MultosinsummapericulamisfitVenturitimoripsemali:fortissimusilleest，Quipromptusmetuendapati，sicominusinstent，Etdifferrepotest。\"
[\"Thefearoffutureillsoftenmakesmenrunintoextremedanger;
heistrulybravewhoboldlydareswithstandthemischiefsheapprehends，whentheyconfronthimandcanbedeferred。\"
——Lucan，vii。104。]
\"Usqueadeo，mortisformidine，vitaePercipithumanosodium，lucisquevidendae，UtsibiconsciscantmoerentipectorelethumOblitifontemcurarumhuncessetimorem。\"
[\"Deathtothatdegreesofrightenssomemen，thatcausingthemtohatebothlifeandlight，theykillthemselves，miserablyforgettingthatthissamefearisthefountainoftheircares。\"
——Lucretius，iii。79。]
Plato，inhisLaws，assignsanignominioussepulturetohimwhohasdeprivedhisnearestandbestfriend，namelyhimself，oflifeandhisdestinedcourse，beingneithercompelledsotodobypublicjudgment，byanysadandinevitableaccidentoffortune，norbyanyinsupportabledisgrace，butmerelypushedonbycowardiceandtheimbecilityofatimoroussoul。Andtheopinionthatmakessolittleoflife，isridiculous;foritisourbeing，’tisallwehave。Thingsofanoblerandmoreelevatedbeingmay，indeed，reproachours;butitisagainstnatureforustocontemnandmakelittleaccountofourselves;’tisadiseaseparticulartoman，andnotdiscernedinanyothercreatures，tohateanddespiseitself。Anditisavanityofthesamestamptodesiretobesomethingelsethanwhatweare;theeffectofsuchadesiredoesnotatalltouchus，forasmuchasitiscontradictedandhinderedinitself。Hethatdesiresofamantobemadeanangel，doesnothingforhimself;hewouldbeneverthebetterforit;for，beingnomore，whoshallrejoiceorbesensibleofthisbenefitforhim。
\"Debetenim，miserecuiforti，aegrequefuturumest，Ipsequoqueesseineoturntempore，cummalepossitAccidere。\"
[\"Forhetowhommiseryandpainaretobeinthefuture，musthimselfthenexist，whentheseillsbefallhim。\"
——Idem，ibid。，874。]
Security，indolence，impassability，theprivationoftheevilsofthislife，whichwepretendtopurchaseatthepriceofdying，areofnomannerofadvantagetous:thatmanevadeswartoverylittlepurposewhocanhavenofruitionofpeace;andaslittletothepurposedoesheavoidtroublewhocannotenjoyrepose。
Amongstthoseofthefirstofthesetwoopinions，therehasbeengreatdebate，whatoccasionsaresufficienttojustifythemeditationofself—
murder，whichtheycall\"Areasonableexit。\"——[DiogenesLaertius，LifeofZeno。]——Forthoughtheysaythatmenmustoftendiefortrivialcauses，seeingthosethatdetainusinlifeareofnoverygreatweight，yetthereistobesomelimit。Therearefantasticandsenselesshumoursthathavepromptednotonlyindividualmen，butwholenationstodestroythemselves，ofwhichIhaveelsewheregivensomeexamples;andwefurtherreadoftheMilesianvirgins，thatbyafranticcompacttheyhangedthemselvesoneafteranothertillthemagistratetookorderinit，enactingthatthebodiesofsuchasshouldbefoundsohangedshouldbedrawnbythesamehalterstarknakedthroughthecity。WhenTherykiontriedtopersuadeCleomenestodespatchhimself，byreasonoftheillpostureofhisaffairs，and，havingmissedadeathofmorehonourinthebattlehehadlost，toacceptofthisthesecondinhonourtoit，andnottogivetheconquerorsleisuretomakehimundergoeitheranignominiousdeathoraninfamouslife;Cleomenes，withacouragetrulyStoicandLacedaemonian，rejectedhiscounselasunmanlyandmean;\"that，\"saidhe，\"isaremedythatcanneverbewanting，butwhichamanisnevertomakeuseof，whilstthereisaninchofhoperemaining\":tellinghim，\"thatitwassometimesconstancyandvalourtolive;thathewouldthatevenhisdeathshouldbeofusetohiscountry，andwouldmakeofitanactofhonourandvirtue。\"Therykion，notwithstanding，thoughthimselfintheright，anddidhisownbusiness;andCleomenesafterwardsdidthesame，butnottillhehadfirsttriedtheutmostmalevolenceoffortune。Alltheinconveniencesintheworldarenotconsiderableenoughthatamanshoulddietoevadethem;and，besides，therebeingsomany，sosuddenandunexpectedchangesinhumanthings，itishardrightlytojudgewhenweareattheendofourhope:
\"Speratetinsaevavictusgladiatorarena，Sitlicetinfestopolliceturbaminax。\"
[\"Thegladiatorconqueredinthelistshopeson，thoughthemenacingspectators，turningtheirthumb，orderhimtodie。\"
——Pentadius，DeSpe，ap。VirgiliiCatadecta。]