BesidesthatIamveryignorantinmyownaffairs，Iamstruckbytheassurancethateveryonehasofhimself:whereasthereisscarcelyanythingthatIamsureIknow，orthatIdareberesponsibletomyselfthatIcando:Ihavenotmymeansofdoinganythinginconditionandready，andamonlyinstructedthereinaftertheeffect;asdoubtfulofmyownforceasIamofanother’s。WhenceitcomestopassthatifIhappentodoanythingcommendable，Iattributeitmoretomyfortunethanindustry，forasmuchasIdesigneverythingbychanceandinfear。Ihavethis，also，ingeneral，thatofalltheopinionsantiquityhasheldofmeningross，Imostwillinglyembraceandadheretothosethatmostcontemnandundervalueus，andmostpushustonaught;methinks，philosophyhasneversofairagametoplayaswhenitfallsuponourvanityandpresumption;whenitmostlaysopenourirresolution，weakness，andignorance。Ilookuponthetoogoodopinionthatmanhasofhimselftobethenursingmotherofallthemostfalseopinions，bothpublicandprivate。ThosepeoplewhorideastrideupontheepicycleofMercury，whoseesofarintotheheavens，areworsetomethanatooth—
drawerthatcomestodrawmyteeth;forinmystudy，thesubjectofwhichisman，findingsogreatavarietyofjudgments，soprofoundalabyrinthofdifficulties，oneuponanother，sogreatdiversityanduncertainty，evenintheschoolofwisdomitself，youmayjudge，seeingthesepeoplecouldnotresolveupontheknowledgeofthemselvesandtheirowncondition，whichiscontinuallybeforetheireyes，andwithinthem，seeingtheydonotknowhowthatmoveswhichtheythemselvesmove，norhowtogiveusadescriptionofthespringstheythemselvesgovernandmakeuseof，howcanIbelievethemabouttheebbingandflowingoftheNile？Thecuriosityofknowingthingshasbeengiventomanforascourge，saystheHolyScripture。
Buttoreturntowhatconcernsmyself;Ithinkitwouldbeverydifficultforanyothermantohaveameaneropinionofhimself;nay，foranyothertohaveameaneropinionofmethanofmyself:Ilookuponmyselfasoneofthecommonsort，savinginthis，thatIhavenobetteranopinionofmyself;guiltyofthemeanestandmostpopulardefects，butnotdisowningorexcusingthem;andIdonotvaluemyselfuponanyotheraccountthanbecauseIknowmyownvalue。Iftherebeanyvanityinthecase，’tissuperficiallyinfusedintomebythetreacheryofmycomplexion，andhasnobodythatmyjudgmentcandiscern:Iamsprinkled，butnotdyed。Forintruth，astotheeffectsofthemind，thereisnopartofme，beitwhatitwill，withwhichIamsatisfied;andtheapprobationofothersmakesmenotthinkthebetterofmyself。Myjudgmentistenderandnice，especiallyinthingsthatconcernmyself。
Ieverrepudiatemyself，andfeelmyselffloatandwaverbyreasonofmyweakness。Ihavenothingofmyownthatsatisfiesmyjudgment。Mysightisclearandregularenough，but，atworking，itisapttodazzle;asI
mostmanifestlyfindinpoetry:Iloveitinfinitely，andamabletogiveatolerablejudgmentofothermen’sworks;but，ingoodearnest，whenI
applymyselftoit，Iplaythechild，andamnotabletoenduremyself。
Amanmayplaythefoolineverythingelse，butnotinpoetry;
\"MediocribusessepoetisNondii，nonhomines，nonconcesserecolumnae。\"
[\"Neithermen，norgods，northepillars（onwhichthepoetsofferedtheirwritings）permitmediocrityinpoets。\"
——Horace，DeArtePoet。，372。]
IwouldtoGodthissentencewaswrittenoverthedoorsofallourprinters，toforbidtheentranceofsomanyrhymesters！
\"VerumNihilsecuriusestmalopoetae。\"
[\"Thetruthis，thatnothingismoreconfidentthanabadpoet。\"
——Martial，xii。63，13。]
Whyhavenotwesuchpeople？——[Asthoseabouttobementioned。]——
Dionysiusthefathervaluedhimselfuponnothingsomuchashispoetry;
attheOlympicgames，withchariotssurpassingalltheothersinmagnificence，hesentalsopoetsandmusicianstopresenthisverses，withtentandpavilionsroyallygiltandhungwithtapestry。Whenhisversescametoberecited，theexcellenceofthedeliveryatfirstattractedtheattentionofthepeople;butwhentheyafterwardscametopoisethemeannessofthecomposition，theyfirstenteredintodisdain，andcontinuingtonettletheirjudgments，presentlyproceededtofury，andrantopulldownandteartopiecesallhispavilions:and，thathischariotsneitherperformedanythingtopurposeintherace，andthattheshipwhichbroughtbackhispeoplefailedofmakingSicily，andwasbythetempestdrivenandwreckeduponthecoastofTarentum，theycertainlybelievedwasthroughtheangerofthegods，incensed，astheythemselveswere，againstthepaltryPoem;andeventhemarinerswhoescapedfromthewrecksecondedthisopinionofthepeople:towhichalsotheoraclethatforetoldhisdeathseemedtosubscribe;whichwas，\"thatDionysiusshouldbenearhisend，whenheshouldhaveovercomethosewhowerebetterthanhimself，\"whichheinterpretedoftheCarthaginians，whosurpassedhiminpower;andhavingwarwiththem，oftendeclinedthevictory，nottoincurthesenseofthisprediction;butheunderstooditill;forthegodindicatedthetimeoftheadvantage，thatbyfavourandinjusticeheobtainedatAthensoverthetragicpoets，betterthanhimself，havingcausedhisownplaycalledtheLeneianstobeactedinemulation;
presentlyafterwhichvictoryhedied，andpartlyoftheexcessivejoyheconceivedatthesuccess。
[DiodorusSiculus，xv。7。——Theplay，however，wascalledthe\"RansomofHector。\"ItwasthegamesatwhichitwasactedthatwerecalledLeneian;theywereoneofthefourDionysiacfestivals。]
WhatIfindtolerableofmine，isnotsoreallyandinitself，butincomparisonofotherworsethings，thatIseewellenoughreceived。I
envythehappinessofthosewhocanpleaseandhugthemselvesinwhattheydo;for’tisaneasythingtobesopleased，becauseamanextractsthatpleasurefromhimself，especiallyifhebeconstantinhisself—
conceit。Iknowapoet，againstwhomtheintelligentandtheignorant，abroadandathome，bothheavenandearthexclaimthathehasbutverylittlenotionofit;andyet，forallthat，hehasneverawhittheworseopinionofhimself;butisalwaysfallinguponsomenewpiece，alwayscontrivingsomenewinvention，andstillpersistsinhisopinion，bysomuchthemoreobstinately，asitonlyconcernshimtomaintainit。
Myworksaresofarfrompleasingme，thatasoftenasIreviewthem，theydisgustme:
\"Cumrelego，scripsissepudet;quiaplurimacerno，Mequoque，quifeci，judice，dignalini。\"
[\"WhenIreperuse，IblushatwhatIhavewritten;IeverseeonepassageafteranotherthatI，theauthor，beingthejudge，considershouldbeerased。\"——Ovid，DePonto，i。5，15。]
Ihavealwaysanideainmysoul，andasortofdisturbedimagewhichpresentsmeasinadreamwithabetterformthanthatIhavemadeuseof;butIcannotcatchitnorfitittomypurpose;andeventhatideaisbutofthemeanersort。HenceIconcludethattheproductionsofthosegreatandrichsoulsofformertimesareverymuchbeyondtheutmoststretchofmyimaginationormywish;theirwritingsdonotonlysatisfyandfillme，buttheyastoundme，andravishmewithadmiration;Ijudgeoftheirbeauty;Iseeit，ifnottotheutmost，yetsofaratleastas’tispossibleformetoaspire。WhateverIundertake，IoweasacrificetotheGraces，asPlutarchsaysofsomeone，toconciliatetheirfavour:
\"Siquidenimplacet，Siquiddulcehorninumsensibusinfluit，DebenturlepidisomniaGratiis。\"
[\"IfanythingpleasethatIwrite，ifitinfusedelightintomen’sminds，allisduetothecharmingGraces。\"Theversesareprobablybysomemodernpoet。]
Theyabandonmethroughout;allIwriteisrude;polishandbeautyarewanting:Icannotsetthingsofftoanyadvantage;myhandlingaddsnothingtothematter;forwhichreasonImusthaveitforcible，veryfull，andthathaslustreofitsown。IfIpitchuponsubjectsthatarepopularandgay，’tistofollowmyowninclination，whodonotaffectagraveandceremoniouswisdom，astheworlddoes;andtomakemyselfmoresprightly，butnotmystylemorewanton，whichwouldratherhavethemgraveandsevere;atleastifImaycallthatastylewhichisaninformandirregularwayofspeaking，apopularjargon，aproceedingwithoutdefinition，division，conclusion，perplexedlikethatAmafaniusandRabirius。——[Cicero，Acad。，i。2。]——Icanneitherpleasenordelight，noreventicklemyreaders:thebeststoryintheworldisspoiledbymyhandling，andbecomesflat;Icannotspeakbutinroughearnest，andamtotallyunprovidedofthatfacilitywhichIobserveinmanyofmyacquaintance，ofentertainingthefirstcomersandkeepingawholecompanyinbreath，ortakinguptheearofaprincewithallsortsofdiscoursewithoutwearyingthemselves:theyneverwantmatterbyreasonofthefacultyandgracetheyhaveintakingholdofthefirstthingthatstartsup，andaccommodatingittothehumourandcapacityofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodo。Princesdonotmuchaffectsoliddiscourses，norI
totellstories。Thefirstandeasiestreasons，whicharecommonlythebesttaken，Iknownothowtoemploy:Iamanilloratortothecommonsort。IamaptofeverythingtosaytheextremestthatIknow。Ciceroisofopinionthatintreatisesofphilosophytheexordiumisthehardestpart;ifthisbetrue，Iamwiseinstickingtotheconclusion。Andyetwearetoknowhowtowindthestringtoallnotes，andthesharpestisthatwhichisthemostseldomtouched。Thereisatleastasmuchperfectioninelevatinganemptyasinsupportingaweightything。Amanmustsometimessuperficiallyhandlethings，andsometimespushthemhome。
Iknowverywellthatmostmenkeepthemselvesinthislowerformfromnotconceivingthingsotherwisethanbythisoutwardbark;butIlikewiseknowthatthegreatestmasters，andXenophonandPlatoareoftenseentostooptothislowandpopularmannerofspeakingandtreatingofthings，butsupportingitwithgraceswhichneverfailthem。
Farther，mylanguagehasnothinginitthatisfacileandpolished;’tisrough，free，andirregular，andassuchpleases，ifnotmyjudgment，atalleventsmyinclination，butIverywellperceivethatIsometimesgivemyselftoomuchrein，andthatbyendeavouringtoavoidartandaffectationIfallintotheotherinconvenience:
\"Brevisesselaboro，Obscurusfio。\"
[Endeavouringtobebrief，Ibecomeobscure。\"
——Hor。，Art。Poet。，25。]
Platosays，thatthelongortheshortarenotproperties，thateithertakeawayorgivevaluetolanguage。ShouldIattempttofollowtheothermoremoderate，united，andregularstyle，Ishouldneverattaintoit;andthoughtheshortroundperiodsofSallustbestsuitwithmyhumour，yetIfindCaesarmuchgranderandhardertoimitate;andthoughmyinclinationwouldratherpromptmetoimitateSeneca’swayofwriting，yetIdoneverthelessmoreesteemthatofPlutarch。BothindoingandspeakingIsimplyfollowmyownnaturalway;whence，peradventure，itfallsoutthatIambetteratspeakingthanwriting。Motionandactionanimatewords，especiallyinthosewholayaboutthembriskly，asIdo，andgrowhot。Thecomportment，thecountenance;thevoice，therobe，theplace，willsetoffsomethingsthatofthemselveswouldappearnobetterthanprating。MessallacomplainsinTacitusofthestraitnessofsomegarmentsinhistime，andofthefashionofthebencheswheretheoratorsweretodeclaim，thatwereadisadvantagetotheireloquence。
MyFrenchtongueiscorrupted，bothinthepronunciationandotherwise，bythebarbarismofmycountry。Ineversawamanwhowasanativeofanyoftheprovincesonthissideofthekingdomwhohadnotatwangofhisplaceofbirth，andthatwasnotoffensivetoearsthatwerepurelyFrench。AndyetitisnotthatIamsoperfectinmyPerigordin:forI
cannomorespeakitthanHighDutch，nordoImuchcare。’Tisalanguage（astherestaboutmeoneveryside，ofPoitou，Xaintonge，Angoumousin，Limousin，Auvergne），apoor，drawling，scurvylanguage。
Thereis，indeed，aboveustowardsthemountainsasortofGasconspoken，thatIammightilytakenwith:blunt，brief，significant，andintruthamoremanlyandmilitarylanguagethananyotherIamacquaintedwith，assinewy，powerful，andpertinentastheFrenchisgraceful，neat，andluxuriant。
AstotheLatin，whichwasgivenmeformymothertongue，Ihavebydiscontinuancelosttheuseofspeakingit，and，indeed，ofwritingittoo，whereinIformerlyhadaparticularreputation，bywhichyoumayseehowinconsiderableIamonthatside。
Beautyisathingofgreatrecommendationinthecorrespondenceamongstmen;’tisthefirstmeansofacquiringthefavourandgoodlikingofoneanother，andnomanissobarbarousandmoroseasnottoperceivehimselfinsomesortstruckwithitsattraction。Thebodyhasagreatshareinourbeing，hasaneminentplacethere，andthereforeitsstructureandcompositionareofveryjustconsideration。Theywhogoabouttodisuniteandseparateourtwoprincipalpartsfromoneanotheraretoblame;wemust，onthecontrary，reuniteandrejointhem。Wemustcommandthesoulnottowithdrawandentertainitselfapart，nottodespiseandabandonthebody（neithercanshedoitbutbysomeapishcounterfeit），buttouniteherselfclosetoit，toembrace，cherish，assist，govern，andadviseit，andtobringitbackandsetitintothetruewaywhenitwanders;insum，toespouseandbeahusbandtoit，sothattheireffectsmaynotappeartobediverseandcontrary，butuniformandconcurring。Christianshaveaparticularinstructionconcerningthisconnection，fortheyknowthattheDivinejusticeembracesthissocietyandjunctureofbodyandsoul，eventothemakingthebodycapableofeternalrewards;andthatGodhasaneyetothewholeman’sways，andwillsthathereceiveentirechastisementorrewardaccordingtohisdemeritsormerits。ThesectofthePeripatetics，ofallsectsthemostsociable，attributetowisdomthissolecareequallytoprovideforthegoodofthesetwoassociateparts:andtheothersects，innotsufficientlyapplyingthemselvestotheconsiderationofthismixture，showthemselvestobedivided，oneforthebodyandtheotherforthesoul，withequalerror，andtohavelostsightoftheirsubject，whichisMan，andtheirguide，whichtheygenerallyconfesstobeNature。Thefirstdistinctionthateverwasamongstmen，andthefirstconsiderationthatgavesomepre—eminenceoverothers，’tislikelywastheadvantageofbeauty:
\"AgrosdivisereatquededereProfaciecujusque，etviribusingenioque;
Namfaciesmultumvaluit，viresquevigebant。\"
[\"Theydistributedandconferredthelandstoeverymanaccordingtohisbeautyandstrengthandunderstanding，forbeautywasmuchesteemedandstrengthwasinfavour。\"——Lucretius，V。1109。]
NowIamofsomethinglowerthanthemiddlestature，adefectthatnotonlybordersupondeformity，butcarrieswithalagreatdealofinconveniencealongwithit，especiallyforthosewhoareinofficeandcommand;fortheauthoritywhichagracefulpresenceandamajesticmienbegetiswanting。C。Mariusdidnotwillinglyenlistanysoldierswhowerenotsixfeethigh。TheCourtierhas，indeed，reasontodesireamoderatestatureinthegentlemenheissettingforth，ratherthananyother，andtorejectallstrangenessthatshouldmakehimbepointedat。
ButifIweretochoosewhetherthismediummustberatherbelowthanabovethecommonstandard，Iwouldnothaveitsoinasoldier。Littlemen，saysAristotle，arepretty，butnothandsome;andgreatnessofsoulisdiscoveredinagreatbody，asbeautyisinaconspicuousstature:theEthiopiansandIndians，sayshe，inchoosingtheirkingsandmagistrates，hadregardtothebeautyandstatureoftheirpersons。Theyhadreason;
foritcreatesrespectinthosewhofollowthem，andisaterrortotheenemy，toseealeaderofabraveandgoodlystaturemarchattheheadofabattalion:
\"IpseinterprimospraestanticorporeTurnusVertiturarma，tenens，ettotoverticesupraest。\"
[\"InthefirstrankmarchesTurnus，brandishinghisweapon，tallerbyaheadthanalltherest。\"——Virgil，AEneid，vii。783。]
Ourholyandheavenlyking，ofwhomeverycircumstanceismostcarefullyandwiththegreatestreligionandreverencetobeobserved，hasnothimselfrejectedbodilyrecommendation，\"Speciosusformapraefiliishominum。\"
[\"Heisfairerthanthechildrenofmen。\"——Psalmxiv。3。]
AndPlato，togetherwithtemperanceandfortitude，requiresbeautyintheconservatorsofhisrepublic。ItwouldvexyouthatamanshouldapplyhimselftoyouamongstyourservantstoinquirewhereMonsieuris，andthatyoushouldonlyhavetheremainderofthecomplimentofthehatthatismadetoyourbarberoryoursecretary;asithappenedtopoorPhilopoemen，whoarrivingthefirstofallhiscompanyataninnwherehewasexpected，thehostess，whoknewhimnot，andsawhimanunsightlyfellow，employedhimtogohelphermaidsalittletodrawwater，andmakeafireagainstPhilopoemen’scoming;thegentlemenofhistrainarrivingpresentlyafter，andsurprisedtoseehimbusyinthisfineemployment，forhefailednottoobeyhislandlady’scommand，askedhimwhathewasdoingthere:\"Iam，\"saidhe，\"payingthepenaltyofmyugliness。\"Theotherbeautiesbelongtowomen;thebeautyofstatureistheonlybeautyofmen。Wherethereisacontemptiblestature，neitherthelargenessandroundnessoftheforehead，northewhitenessandsweetnessoftheeyes，northemoderateproportionofthenose，northelittlenessoftheearsandmouth，northeevennessandwhitenessoftheteeth，northethicknessofawell—setbrownbeard，shininglikethehuskofachestnut，norcurledhair，northejustproportionofthehead，norafreshcomplexion，norapleasingairofaface，norabodywithoutanyoffensivescent，northejustproportionoflimbs，canmakeahandsomeman。Iam，astotherest，strongandwellknit;myfaceisnotpuffed，butfull，andmycomplexionbetwixtjovialandmelancholic，moderatelysanguineandhot，\"Underigentsetismihicrura，etpectoravillis;\"
[\"Whence’tismylegsandbreastbristlewithhair。\"
——Martial，ii。36，5。]
myhealthvigorousandsprightly，eventoawelladvancedage，andrarelytroubledwithsickness。SuchIwas，forIdonotnowmakeanyaccountofmyself，nowthatIamengagedintheavenuesofoldage，beingalreadypastforty:
\"MinutatimviresetroburadultumFrangit，etinpartempejoremliquituraetas:\"
[\"Timebydegreesbreaksourstrengthandmakesusgrowfeeble。
——\"Lucretius，ii。1131。]
whatshallbefromthistimeforward，willbebutahalf—being，andnomoreme:Ieverydayescapeandstealawayfrommyself:
\"Singuladenobisannipraedantureuntes。\"
[\"Ofthefleetingyearseachstealssomethingfromme。\"
——Horace，Ep。，ii。2。]
AgilityandaddressIneverhad，andyetamthesonofaveryactiveandsprightlyfather，whocontinuedtobesotoanextremeoldage。Ihavescarceknownanymanofhiscondition，hisequalinallbodilyexercises，asIhaveseldommetwithanywhohavenotexcelledme，exceptinrunning，atwhichIwasprettygood。Inmusicorsinging，forwhichI
haveaveryunfitvoice，ortoplayonanysortofinstrument，theycouldneverteachmeanything。Indancing，tennis，orwrestling，Icouldneverarrivetomorethananordinarypitch;inswimming，fencing，vaulting，andleaping，tononeatall。MyhandsaresoclumsythatIcannotevenwritesoastoreaditmyself，sothatIhadratherdowhatIhavescribbledoveragain，thantakeuponmethetroubletomakeitout。IdonotreadmuchbetterthanIwrite，andfeelthatIwearymyauditorsotherwise（Iam）notabadclerk。Icannotdecentlyfoldupaletter，norcouldevermakeapen，orcarveattableworthapin，norsaddleahorse，norcarryahawkandflyher，norhuntthedogs，norlureahawk，norspeaktoahorse。Infine，mybodilyqualitiesareverywellsuitedtothoseofmysoul;thereisnothingsprightly，onlyafullandfirmvigour:Iampatientenoughoflabourandpains，butitisonlywhenIgovoluntarytowork，andonlysolongasmyowndesirepromptsmetoit:
\"Molliterausterumstudiofallentelaborem。\"
[\"Studysoftlybeguilingseverelabour。\"
——Horace，Sat。，ii。2，12。]
otherwise，ifIamnotalluredwithsomepleasure，orhaveotherguidethanmyownpureandfreeinclination，Iamgoodfornothing:forIamofahumourthat，lifeandhealthexcepted，thereisnothingforwhichI
willbitemynails，andthatIwillpurchaseatthepriceoftormentofmindandconstraint:
\"TantimihinonsitopaciOmnisarenaTagi，quodqueinmarevolvituraurum。\"
[\"IwouldnotbuyrichTagussandssodear，norallthegoldthatliesinthesea。\"——Juvenal，Sat。，iii。54。]
Extremelyidle，extremelygivenuptomyowninclinationbothbynatureandart，Iwouldaswillinglylendamanmybloodasmypains。Ihaveasoulfreeandentirelyitsown，andaccustomedtoguideitselfafteritsownfashion;havinghithertoneverhadeithermasterorgovernorimposeduponme:IhavewalkedasfarasIwould，andatthepacethatbestpleasedmyself;thisisitthathasrenderedmeunfitfortheserviceofothers，andhasmademeofnousetoanyonebutmyself。
Norwasthereanyneedofforcingmyheavyandlazydisposition;forbeingborntosuchafortuneasIhadreasontobecontentedwith（areason，nevertheless，thatathousandothersofmyacquaintancewouldhaverathermadeuseofforaplankuponwhichtopassoverinsearchofhigherfortune，totumultanddisquiet），andwithasmuchintelligenceasIrequired，Isoughtfornomore，andalsogotnomore:
\"NonagimurtumidisvelisAquilonesecundo，NontamenadversisaetatemducimusAustrisViribus，ingenio，specie，virtute，loco，re，Extremiprimorum，extremisusquepriores。\"
[\"Thenorthernwinddoesnotagitateoursails;norAustertroubleourcoursewithstorms。Instrength，talent，figure，virtue，honour，wealth，weareshortoftheforemost，butbeforethelast。\"—
—Horace，Ep。，ii。2，201。]
Ihadonlyneedofwhatwassufficienttocontentme:whichneverthelessisagovernmentofsoul，totakeitright，equallydifficultinallsortsofconditions，andthat，ofcustom，weseemoreeasilyfoundinwantthaninabundance:forasmuch，peradventure，asaccordingtothecourseofourotherpassions，thedesireofrichesismoresharpenedbytheirusethanbytheneedofthem:andthevirtueofmoderationmorerarethanthatofpatience;andIneverhadanythingtodesire，buthappilytoenjoytheestatethatGodbyHisbountyhadputintomyhands。Ihaveneverknownanythingoftrouble，andhavehadlittletodoinanythingbutthemanagementofmyownaffairs:or，ifIhave，ithasbeenuponconditiontodoitatmyownleisureandaftermyownmethod;committedtomytrustbysuchashadaconfidenceinme，whodidnotimportuneme，andwhoknewmyhumour;forgoodhorsemenwillmakeshifttogetserviceoutofarustyandbroken—windedjade。
Evenmyinfancywastrainedupafteragentleandfreemanner，andexemptfromanyrigoroussubjection。Allthishashelpedmetoacomplexiondelicateandincapableofsolicitude，eventothatdegreethatIlovetohavemylossesandthedisorderswhereinIamconcerned，concealedfromme。Intheaccountofmyexpenses，Iputdownwhatmynegligencecostsmeinfeedingandmaintainingit;
\"Haecnempesupersunt，Quaedominumfallunt，quaeprosuntfuribus。\"
[\"Thatoverplus，whichtheownerknowsnotof，butwhichbenefitsthethieves\"——Horace，Ep。，i。645]
IlovenottoknowwhatIhave，thatImaybelesssensibleofmyloss;
Ientreatthosewhoserveme，whereaffectionandintegrityareabsent，todeceivemewithsomethinglikeadecentappearance。Forwantofconstancyenoughtosupporttheshockofadverseaccidentstowhichwearesubject，andofpatienceseriouslytoapplymyselftothemanagementofmyaffairs，InourishasmuchasIcanthisinmyself，whollyleavingalltofortune\"totakeallthingsattheworst，andtoresolvetobearthatworstwithtemperandpatience\";thatistheonlythingIaimat，andtowhichIapplymywholemeditation。Inadanger，IdonotsomuchconsiderhowIshallescapeit，asofhowlittleimportanceitis，whetherIescapeitorno:shouldIbeleftdeadupontheplace，whatmatter？Notbeingabletogovernevents，Igovernmyself，andapplymyselftothem，iftheywillnotapplythemselvestome。Ihavenogreatarttoevade，escapefromorforcefortune，andbyprudencetoguideandinclinethingstomyownbias。Ihavestilllesspatiencetoundergothetroublesomeandpainfulcarethereinrequired;andthemostuneasyconditionformeistobesuspendedonurgentoccasions，andtobeagitatedbetwixthopeandfear。
Deliberation，eveninthingsoflightestmoment，isverytroublesometome;andIfindmymindmoreputtoittoundergothevarioustumblingsandtossingsofdoubtandconsultation，thantosetupitsrestandtoacquiesceinwhatevershallhappenafterthedieisthrown。Fewpassionsbreakmysleep，butofdeliberations，theleastwilldoit。Asinroads，Ipreferablyavoidthosethatareslopingandslippery，andputmyselfintothebeatentrackhowdirtyordeepsoever，whereIcanfallnolower，andthereseekmysafety:soIlovemisfortunesthatarepurelyso，thatdonottormentandteasemewiththeuncertaintyoftheirgrowingbetter;butthatatthefirstpushplungemedirectlyintotheworstthatcanbeexpected\"Dubiaplustorquentmala。\"
[Doubtfulillsplagueusworst。\"
——Seneca，Agamemnon，iii。1，29。]
IneventsIcarrymyselflikeaman;inconduct，likeachild。Thefearofthefallmorefeversmethanthefallitself。Thegameisnotworththecandle。Thecovetousmanfaresworsewithhispassionthanthepoor，andthejealousmanthanthecuckold;andamanofttimeslosesmorebydefendinghisvineyardthanifhegaveitup。Thelowestwalkisthesafest;’tistheseatofconstancy;youhavethereneedofnoonebutyourself;’tistherefoundedandwhollystandsuponitsownbasis。Hasnotthisexampleofagentlemanverywellknown，someairofphilosophyinit？Hemarried，beingwelladvancedinyears，havingspenthisyouthingoodfellowship，agreattalkerandagreatjeerer，callingtomindhowmuchthesubjectofcuckoldryhadgivenhimoccasiontotalkandscoffatothers。Topreventthemfrompayinghiminhisowncoin，hemarriedawifefromaplacewhereanyonefindswhathewantsforhismoney:\"Goodmorrow，strumpet\";\"Goodmorrow，cuckold\";andtherewasnotanythingwherewithhemorecommonlyandopenlyentertainedthosewhocametoseehimthanwiththisdesignofhis，bywhichhestoppedtheprivatechatteringofmockers，andbluntedallthepointfromthisreproach。
Astoambition，whichisneighbour，orratherdaughter，topresumption，fortune，toadvanceme，musthavecomeandtakenmebythehand;fortotroublemyselfforanuncertainhope，andtohavesubmittedmyselftoallthedifficultiesthataccompanythosewhoendeavourtobringthemselvesintocreditinthebeginningoftheirprogress，Icouldneverhavedoneit:
\"Spempretiononemo。\"
[\"Iwillnotpurchasehopewithreadymoney，\"（or），\"Idonotpurchasehopeataprice。\"
——Terence，Adelphi，ii。3，11。]
IapplymyselftowhatIseeandtowhatIhaveinmyhand，andgonotveryfarfromtheshore，\"Alterremusaquas，altertibiradatarenas:\"
[\"Oneoarplungingintothesea，theotherrakingthesands。\"
——Propertius，iii。3，23。]
andbesides，amanrarelyarrivesattheseadvancementsbutinfirsthazardingwhathehasofhisown;andIamofopinionthatifamanhavesufficienttomaintainhimintheconditionwhereinhewasbornandbroughtup，’tisagreatfollytohazardthatupontheuncertaintyofaugmentingit。Hetowhomfortunehasdeniedwhereontosethisfoot，andtosettleaquietandcomposedwayofliving，istobeexcusedifheventurewhathehas，because，happenwhatwill，necessityputshimuponshiftingforhimself:
\"Capiendarebusinmalispraecepsviaest:\"
[\"Acourseistobetakeninbadcases。\"（or），\"Adesperatecasemusthaveadesperatecourse。\"
———Seneca，Agamemnon，ii。1，47。]
andIratherexcuseayoungerbrotherforexposingwhathisfriendshavelefthimtothecourtesyoffortune，thanhimwithwhomthehonourofhisfamilyisentrusted，whocannotbenecessitousbutbyhisownfault。
Ihavefoundamuchshorterandmoreeasyway，bytheadviceofthegoodfriendsIhadinmyyoungerdays，tofreemyselffromanysuchambition，andtositstill:
\"Cuisitconditiodulcissinepulverepalmae:\"
[Whatconditioncancomparewiththatwhereonehasgainedthepalmwithoutthedustofthecourse。\"——Horace，Ep。，i。I，51。]
judgingrightlyenoughofmyownstrength，thatitwasnotcapableofanygreatmatters;andcallingtomindthesayingofthelateChancellorOlivier，thattheFrenchwerelikemonkeysthatswarmupatreefrombranchtobranch，andneverstoptilltheycometothehighest，andthereshewtheirbreech。
\"Turpeest，quodnequeas，capiticommitterepondus，Etpressuminflexomoxdaretergagenu。\"
[\"Itisashametoloadtheheadsothatitcannotbeartheburthen，andthekneesgiveway。\"——Propertius，iii。9，5。]
IshouldfindthebestqualitiesIhaveuselessinthisage;thefacilityofmymannerswouldhavebeencalledweaknessandnegligence;myfaithandconscience，scrupulosityandsuperstition;mylibertyandfreedomwouldhavebeenreputedtroublesome，inconsiderate，andrash。Illluckisgoodforsomething。Itisgoodtobeborninaverydepravedage;forso，incomparisonofothers，youshallbereputedvirtuousgoodcheap;hewhoinourdaysisbutaparricideandasacrilegiouspersonisanhonestmanandamanofhonour:
\"Nunc，sidepositumnoninficiaturamicus，Sireddatveteremcumtotaaeruginefollem，Prodigiosafides，etTuscisdignalibellis，Quaequecoronatalustraridebeatagna:\"
[\"Now，ifafrienddoesnotdenyhistrust，butrestorestheoldpursewithallitsrust;’tisaprodigiousfaith，worthytobeenrolledinamongsttheTuscanannals，andacrownedlambshouldbesacrificedtosuchexemplaryintegrity。\"——Juvenal，Sat。，xiii。611。]
andneverwastimeorplacewhereinprincesmightproposetothemselvesmoreassuredorgreaterrewardsforvirtueandjustice。Thefirstwhoshallmakeithisbusinesstogethimselfintofavourandesteembythoseways，Iammuchdeceivedifhedonotandbythebesttitleoutstriphiscompetitors:forceandviolencecandosomething，butnotalwaysall。
Weseemerchants，countryjustices，andartisansgocheekbyjowlwiththebestgentryinvalourandmilitaryknowledge:theyperformhonourableactions，bothinpublicengagementsandprivatequarrels;theyfightduels，theydefendtownsinourpresentwars;aprincestifleshisspecialrecommendation，renown，inthiscrowd;lethimshinebrightinhumanity，truth，loyalty，temperance，andespeciallyinjustice;marksrare，unknown，andexiled;’tisbynoothermeansbutbythesolegoodwillofthepeoplethathecandohisbusiness;andnootherqualitiescanattracttheirgoodwilllikethose，asbeingofthegreatestutilitytothem:
\"Nilesttampopulare，quambonitas。\"
[\"Nothingissopopularasanagreeablemanner（goodness）。\"
——Cicero，ProLigar。，c。12。]
BythisstandardIhadbeengreatandrare，justasIfindmyselfnowpigmyandvulgarbythestandardofsomepastages，wherein，ifnootherbetterqualitiesconcurred，itwasordinaryandcommontoseeamanmoderateinhisrevenges，gentleinresentinginjuries，religiousofhisword，neitherdoublenorsupple，noraccommodatinghisfaithtothewillofothers，ortheturnsofthetimes:Iwouldratherseeallaffairsgotowreckandruinthanfalsifymyfaithtosecurethem。Forastothisnewvirtueoffeigninganddissimulation，whichisnowinsogreatcredit，Imortallyhateit;andofallvicesfindnonethatevidencessomuchbasenessandmeannessofspirit。’Tisacowardlyandservilehumourtohideanddisguiseaman’sselfunderavisor，andnottodaretoshowhimselfwhatheis;’tisbythisourservantsaretraineduptotreachery;beingbroughtuptospeakwhatisnottrue，theymakenoconscienceofalie。Agenerousheartoughtnottobelieitsownthoughts;itwillmakeitselfseenwithin;allthereisgood，oratleasthuman。Aristotlereputesittheofficeofmagnanimityopenlyandprofessedlytoloveandhate;tojudgeandspeakwithallfreedom;andnottovaluetheapprobationordislikeofothersincomparisonoftruth。
Apolloniussaiditwasforslavestolie，andforfreementospeaktruth:
’tisthechiefandfundamentalpartofvirtue;wemustloveitforitself。Hewhospeakstruthbecauseheisobligedsotodo，andbecauseitserveshim，andwhoisnotafraidtoliewhenitsignifiesnothingtoanybody，isnotsufficientlytrue。Mysoulnaturallyabominateslying，andhatestheverythoughtofit。Ihaveaninwardshameandasharpremorse，ifsometimesalieescapesme:assometimesitdoes，beingsurprisedbyoccasionsthatallowmenopremeditation。Amanmustnotalwaystellall，forthatwerefolly:butwhatamansaysshouldbewhathethinks，otherwise’tisknavery。Idonotknowwhatadvantagemenpretendtobyeternallycounterfeitinganddissembling，ifnotnevertobebelievedwhentheyspeakthetruth;itmayonceortwicepasswithmen;buttoprofesstheconcealingtheirthought，andtobrag，assomeofourprinceshavedone，thattheywouldburntheirshirtsiftheyknewtheirtrueintentions，whichwasasayingoftheancientMetelliusofMacedon;andthattheywhoknownothowtodissembleknownothowtorule，istogivewarningtoallwhohaveanythingtodowiththem，thatalltheysayisnothingbutlyinganddeceit:
\"Quoquisversutioretcallidiorest，hocinvisioretsuspectior，detractoopinioneprobitatis:\"
[\"Byhowmuchanyoneismoresubtleandcunning，bysomuchishehatedandsuspected，theopinionofhisintegritybeingwithdrawn。\"
——Cicero，DeOff。，ii。9。]
itwereagreatsimplicityinanyonetolayanystresseitheronthecountenanceorwordofamanwhohasputonaresolutiontobealwaysanotherthingwithoutthanheiswithin，asTiberiusdid;andIcannotconceivewhatpartsuchpersonscanhaveinconversationwithmen，seeingtheyproducenothingthatisreceivedastrue:whoeverisdisloyaltotruthisthesametofalsehoodalso。
Thoseofourtimewhohaveconsideredintheestablishmentofthedutyofaprincethegoodofhisaffairsonly，andhavepreferredthattothecareofhisfaithandconscience，mighthavesomethingtosaytoaprincewhoseaffairsfortunehadputintosuchaposturethathemightforeverestablishthembyonlyoncebreakinghisword:butitwillnotgoso;
theyoftenbuyinthesamemarket;theymakemorethanonepeaceandenterintomorethanonetreatyintheirlives。Gaintemptstothefirstbreachoffaith，andalmostalwayspresentsitself，asinallotherillacts，sacrileges，murders，rebellions，treasons，asbeingundertakenforsomekindofadvantage;butthisfirstgainhasinfinitemischievousconsequences，throwingthisprinceoutofallcorrespondenceandnegotiation，bythisexampleofinfidelity。Soliman，oftheOttomanrace，aracenotverysolicitousofkeepingtheirwordsorcompacts，when，inmyinfancy，hemadehisarmylandatOtranto，beinginformedthatMercurinode’GratinareandtheinhabitantsofCastroweredetainedprisoners，afterhavingsurrenderedtheplace，contrarytothearticlesoftheircapitulation，sentorderstohavethemsetatliberty，saying，thathavingothergreatenterprisesinhandinthoseparts，thedisloyalty，thoughitcarriedashowofpresentutility，wouldforthefuturebringonhimadisreputeanddistrustofinfiniteprejudice。