第22章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Essays of Montaigne",免费读到尾

  nottopurchaselands,ofwhichIhavenoneed,buttopurchasepleasure:

  \"Nonessecupidum,pecuniaest;nonesseemacem,vertigalest。\"

  [\"Nottobecovetous,ismoney;nottobeacquisitive,isrevenue。\"

  ——Cicero,Paradox。,vi。3。]

  Ineitheraminanygreatapprehensionofwanting,norindesireofanymore:

  \"Divinarumfructusestincopia;copiamdeclaratsatietas。\"

  [\"Thefruitofrichesisinabundance;satietydeclaresabundance。\"

  ——Idem,ibid。,vi。2。

  AndIamverywellpleasedthatthisreformationinmehasfallenoutinanagenaturallyinclinedtoavarice,andthatIseemyselfclearedofafollysocommontooldmen,andthemostridiculousofallhumanfollies。

  Feraulez,amanthathadrunthroughbothfortunes,andfoundthattheincreaseofsubstancewasnoincreaseofappetiteeithertoeatingordrinking,sleepingortheenjoymentofhiswife,andwhoontheothersidefeltthecareofhiseconomicslieheavyuponhisshoulders,asitdoesonmine,wasresolvedtopleaseapooryoungman,hisfaithfulfriend,whopantedafterriches,andmadehimagiftofallhis,whichwereexcessivelygreat,and,moreover,ofallhewasinthedailywayofgettingbytheliberalityofCyrus,hisgoodmaster,andbythewar;

  conditionallythatheshouldtakecarehandsomelytomaintainandplentifullytoentertainhimashisguestandfriend;whichbeingaccordinglydone,theyafterwardslivedveryhappilytogether,bothofthemequallycontentwiththechangeoftheircondition。’TisanexamplethatIcouldimitatewithallmyheart;andIverymuchapprovethefortuneoftheagedprelatewhomIseetohavesoabsolutelystrippedhimselfofhispurse,hisrevenue,andcareofhisexpense,committingthemonewhiletoonetrustyservant,andanotherwhiletoanother,thathehisspunoutalongsuccessionofyears,asignorant,bythismeans,ofhisdomesticaffairsasamerestranger。

  Theconfidenceinanotherman’svirtueisnolightevidenceofaman’sown,andGodwillinglyfavourssuchaconfidence。AstowhatconcernshimofwhomIamspeaking,Iseenowhereabettergovernedhouse,morenoblyandconstantlymaintainedthanhis。Happytohaveregulatedhisaffairstosojustaproportionthathisestateissufficienttodoitwithouthiscareortrouble,andwithoutanyhindrance,eitherinthespendingorlayingitup,tohisothermorequietemployments,andmoresuitablebothtohisplaceandliking。

  Plenty,then,andindigencedependupontheopinioneveryonehasofthem;andrichesnomorethangloryorhealthhaveotherbeautyorpleasurethanhelendsthembywhomtheyarepossessed。

  Everyoneiswellorillatease,accordingashesofindshimself;nothewhomtheworldbelieves,buthewhobelieveshimselftobeso,iscontent;andinthisalonebeliefgivesitselfbeingandreality。

  Fortunedoesusneithergoodnorhurt;sheonlypresentsusthematterandtheseed,whichoursoul,morepowerfulthanshe,turnsandappliesasshebestpleases;thesolecauseandsovereignmistressofherownhappyorunhappycondition。Allexternalaccessionsreceivetasteandcolourfromtheinternalconstitution,asclotheswarmus,notwiththeirheat,butourown,whichtheyarefittocoverandnourish;hewhowouldshieldtherewithacoldbody,woulddothesameserviceforthecold,forsosnowandicearepreserved。And,certes,afterthesamemannerthatstudyisatormenttoanidleman,abstinencefromwinetoadrunkard,frugalitytothespendthrift,andexercisetoalazy,tender—bredfellow,soitisofalltherest。Thethingsarenotsopainfulanddifficultofthemselves,butourweaknessorcowardicemakesthemso。Tojudgeofgreat,andhighmattersrequiresasuitablesoul;otherwiseweattributethevicetothemwhichisreallyourown。Astraightoarseemscrookedinthewateritdoesnotonlyimportthatweseethething,buthowandafterwhatmannerweseeit。

  Afterallthis,why,amongstsomanydiscoursesthatbysomanyargumentspersuadementodespisedeathandtoendurepain,canwenotfindoutonethathelpsus?Andofsomanysortsofimaginationsashavesoprevaileduponothersastopersuadethemtodoso,whydoesnoteveryoneapplysomeonetohimself,themostsuitabletohisownhumour?Ifhecannotdigestastrong—workingdecoctiontoeradicatetheevil,lethimatleasttakealenitivetoeaseit:

  [\"Itisaneffeminateandflimsyopinion,normoresoinpainthaninpleasure,inwhich,whileweareatourease,wecannotbearwithoutacrythestingofabee。Thewholebusinessistocommendthyself。\"——Cicero,Tusc。Quaes。,ii。22。]

  Astotherest,amandoesnottransgressphilosophybypermittingtheacrimonyofpainsandhumanfrailtytoprevailsomuchabovemeasure;fortheyconstrainhertogobacktoherunanswerablereplies:\"Ifitbeilltoliveinnecessity,atleastthereisnonecessityuponamantoliveinnecessity\":\"Nomancontinuesilllongbutbyhisownfault。\"Hewhohasneitherthecouragetodienorthehearttolive,whowillneitherresistnorfly,whatcanwedowithhim?

  CHAPTERXLI

  NOTTOCOMMUNICATEAMAN’SHONOUR

  Ofallthefolliesoftheworld,thatwhichismostuniversallyreceivedisthesolicitudeofreputationandglory;whichwearefondoftothatdegreeastoabandonriches,peace,life,andhealth,whichareeffectualandsubstantialgoods,topursuethisvainphantomandemptyword,thathasneitherbodynorholdtobetakenofit:

  Lafama,ch’invaghisceaundolcesuonoGlisuperbimortali,etparsibella,Euneco,unsogno,anzid’unsognoun’ombra,Ch’adogniventosidileguaasgombra。\"

  [\"Fame,whichwithalluringsoundcharmsproudmortals,andappearssofair,isbutanecho,adream,nay,theshadowofadream,whichateverybreathvanishesanddissolves。\"

  ——Tasso,Gerus。,xiv。63。]

  Andofalltheirrationalhumoursofmen,itshouldseemthatthephilosophersthemselvesareamongthelastandthemostreluctanttodisengagethemselvesfromthis:’tisthemostrestiveandobstinateofall:

  \"Quiaetiambeneproficientesanimostentarenoncessat。\"

  [\"Becauseitceasesnottoassailevenwell—directedminds\"

  ——St。Augustin,DeCivit。Dei,v。14。]

  Thereisnotanyoneofwhichreasonsoclearlyaccusesthevanity;butitissodeeplyrootedinusthatIdarenotdeterminewhetheranyoneeverclearlydischargedhimselffromitorno。Afteryouhavesaidallandbelievedallhasbeensaidtoitsprejudice,itproducessointestineaninclinationinoppositiontoyourbestargumentsthatyouhavelittlepowertoresistit;for,asCicerosays,eventhosewhomostcontrovertit,wouldyetthatthebookstheywriteaboutitshouldvisitthelightundertheirownnames,andseektoderivegloryfromseemingtodespiseit。Allotherthingsarecommunicableandfallintocommerce:welendourgoodsandstakeourlivesforthenecessityandserviceofourfriends;buttocommunicateaman’shonour,andtorobeanotherwithaman’sownglory,isveryrarelyseen。

  Andyetwehavesomeexamplesofthatkind。CatulusLuctatiusintheCimbrianwar,havingdoneallthatinhimlaytomakehisflyingsoldiersfaceaboutupontheenemy,ranhimselfatlastawaywiththerest,andcounterfeitedthecoward,totheendhismenmightratherseemtofollowtheircaptainthantoflyfromtheenemy;whichwastoabandonhisownreputationinordertocovertheshameofothers。WhenCharlesV。cameintoProvenceintheyear1537,’tissaidthatAntoniodeLeva,seeingtheemperorpositivelyresolveduponthisexpedition,andbelievingitwouldredoundverymuchtohishonour,did,nevertheless,verystifflyopposeitinthecouncil,totheendthattheentiregloryofthatresolutionshouldbeattributedtohismaster,andthatitmightbesaidhisownwisdomandforesighthadbeensuchasthat,contrarytotheopinionofall,hehadbroughtaboutsogreatanenterprise;whichwastodohimhonourathisownexpense。TheThracianambassadorscomingtocomfortArchileonida,themotherofBrasidas,uponthedeathofherson,andcommendinghimtothatheightastosayhehadnotlefthislikebehindhim,sherejectedthisprivateandparticularcommendationtoattributeittothepublic:\"Tellmenotthat,\"saidshe;\"IknowthecityofSpartahasmanycitizensbothgreaterandofgreaterworththanhe。\"InthebattleofCrecy,thePrinceofWales,beingthenveryyoung,hadthevanguardcommittedtohim:themainstressofthebattlehappenedtobeinthatplace,whichmadethelordswhowerewithhim,findingthemselvesovermatched,sendtoKingEdwardtoadvancetotheirrelief。Heinquiredoftheconditionhissonwasin,andbeingansweredthathewasaliveandonhorseback:\"Ishould,then,dohimwrong,\"saidtheking,\"nowtogoanddeprivehimofthehonourofwinningthisbattlehehassolongandsobravelysustained;whathazardsoeverheruns,thatshallbeentirelyhisown\";and,accordingly,wouldneithergonorsend,knowingthatifhewent,itwouldbesaidallhadbeenlostwithouthissuccour,andthatthehonourofthevictorywouldbewhollyattributedtohim。

  \"Semperenimquodpostremumadjectumest,idremtotamvideturtraxisse。\"

  [\"Foralwaysthatwhichislastadded,seemstohaveaccomplishedthewholeaffair。\"——Livy,xxvii。45。]

  ManyatRomethought,andwouldusuallysay,thatthegreatestofScipio’sactswereinpartduetoLaelius,whoseconstantpracticeitwasstilltoadvanceandsupportScipio’sgrandeurandrenown,withoutanycareofhisown。AndTheopompus,kingofSparta,tohimwhotoldhimtherepubliccouldnotmiscarrysinceheknewsowellhowtocommand,\"Tisrather,\"answeredhe,\"becausethepeopleknowsowellhowtoobey。\"

  Aswomensucceedingtopeerageshad,notwithstandingtheirsex,theprivilegetoattendandgivetheirvotesinthetrialsthatappertainedtothejurisdictionofpeers;sotheecclesiasticalpeers,notwithstandingtheirprofession,wereobligedtoattendourkingsintheirwars,notonlywiththeirfriendsandservants,butintheirownpersons。AstheBishopofBeauvaisdid,whobeingwithPhilipAugustusatthebattleofBouvines,hadanotableshareinthataction;buthedidnotthinkitfitforhimtoparticipateinthefruitandgloryofthatviolentandbloodytrade。Hewithhisownhandreducedseveraloftheenemythatdaytohismercy,whomhedeliveredtothefirstgentlemanhemeteithertokillorreceivethemtoquarter,referringthewholeexecutiontothisotherhand;andhedidthiswithregardtoWilliam,EarlofSalisbury,whomhegaveuptoMessireJehandeNesle。WithalikesubtletyofconsciencetothatIhavejustnamed,hewouldkillbutnotwound,andforthatreasoneverfoughtwithamace。Andacertainpersonofmytime,beingreproachedbythekingthathehadlaidhandsonapriest,stifflyandpositivelydeniedhehaddoneanysuchthing:themeaningofwhichwas,hehadcudgelledandkickedhim。

  CHAPTERXLII

  OFTHEINEQUALITYAMOUNGSTUS。

  Plutarchsayssomewherethathedoesnotfindsogreatadifferencebetwixtbeastandbeastashedoesbetwixtmanandman;whichhesaysinreferencetotheinternalqualitiesandperfectionsofthesoul。And,intruth,IfindsovastadistancebetwixtEpaminondas,accordingtomyjudgmentofhim,andsomethatIknow,whoareyetmenofgoodsense,thatIcouldwillinglyenhanceuponPlutarch,andsaythatthereismoredifferencebetwixtsuchandsuchamanthanthereisbetwixtsuchamanandsuchabeast:

  [\"Ah!howmuchmayonemansurpassanother!\"

  ——Terence,Eunuchus,ii。2。]

  andthatthereareasmanyandinnumerabledegreesofmindastherearecubitsbetwixtthisandheaven。Butastouchingtheestimateofmen,’tisstrangethat,ourselvesexcepted,noothercreatureisesteemedbeyonditsproperqualities;wecommendahorseforhisstrengthandsurenessoffoot,\"VolucremSiclaudamusequum,facilicuiplurimapalmaFervet,etexsultatraucovictoriacirco,\"

  [\"Sowepraisetheswifthorse,forwhoseeasymasterymanyahandglowsinapplause,andvictoryexultsinthehoarsecircus。

  ——\"Juvenal,viii。57。]

  andnotforhisrichcaparison;agreyhoundforhisspeedofheels,notforhisfinecollar;ahawkforherwing,notforhergessesandbells。

  Why,inlikemanner,dowenotvalueamanforwhatisproperlyhisown?

  Hehasagreattrain,abeautifulpalace,somuchcredit,somanythousandpoundsayear:alltheseareabouthim,butnotinhim。Youwillnotbuyapiginapoke:ifyoucheapenahorse,youwillseehimstrippedofhishousing—cloths,youwillseehimnakedandopentoyoureye;orifhebeclothed,astheyancientlywerewonttopresentthemtoprincestosell,’tisonlyonthelessimportantparts,thatyoumaynotsomuchconsiderthebeautyofhiscolourorthebreadthofhiscrupper,asprincipallytoexaminehislegs,eyes,andfeet,whicharethemembersofgreatestuse:

  \"Regibushicmosest:ubiequosmercantur,opertosInspiciunt;ne,sifacies,utsaepe,decoraMollifultapedeest,emptoreminducathiantem\"

  [\"Thisisthecustomofkings:whentheybuyhorses,theyhaveopeninspection,lest,ifafairhead,asoftenchances,issupportedbyaweakfoot,itshouldtemptthegapingpurchaser。\"

  ——Horace,Sat。,i。2,86。]

  why,ingivingyourestimateofaman,doyouprizehimwrappedandmuffledupinclothes?Hethendiscoversnothingtoyoubutsuchpartsasarenotintheleasthisown,andconcealsthosebywhichaloneonemayrightlyjudgeofhisvalue。’Tisthepriceofthebladethatyouinquireinto,notofthescabbard:youwouldnotperadventurebidafarthingforhim,ifyousawhimstripped。Youaretojudgehimbyhimselfandnotbywhathewears;and,asoneoftheancientsverypleasantlysaid:\"Doyouknowwhyyoureputehimtall?Youreckonwithaltheheightofhispattens。\"——[Seneca,Ep。76。]——Thepedestalisnopartofthestatue。Measurehimwithouthisstilts;lethimlayasidehisrevenuesandhistitles;lethimpresenthimselfinhisshirt。Thenexamineifhisbodybesoundandsprightly,activeanddisposedtoperformitsfunctions。Whatsoulhashe?Isshebeautiful,capable,andhappilyprovidedofallherfaculties?Issherichofwhatisherown,orofwhatshehasborrowed?Hasfortunenohandintheaffair?Canshe,withoutwinking,standthelightningofswords?issheindifferentwhetherherlifeexpirebythemouthorthroughthethroat?Isshesettled,evenandcontent?Thisiswhatistobeexamined,andbythatyouaretojudgeofthevastdifferencesbetwixtmanandman。Ishe:

  \"Sapiens,sibiqueimperiosus,Quernnequepauperies,nequemors,nequevinculaterrent;

  Responsarecupidinibus,contemnerehonoresFortis;etinseipsototusteresatquerotundus,Externinequidvaleatperlaevemorari;

  Inquemmancaruitsemperfortuna?\"

  [\"Thewiseman,self—governed,whomneitherpoverty,nordeath,norchainsaffright:whohasthestrengthtoresisthisappetitesandtocontemnhonours:whoiswhollyself—contained:whomnoexternalobjectsaffect:whomfortuneassailsinvain。\"

  ——Horace,Sat。,ii。7,]

  suchamanisfivehundredcubitsabovekingdomsandduchies;heisanabsolutemonarchinandtohimself:

  \"Sapiens,……Pol!ipsefingitfortunamsibi;\"

  [\"Thewisemanisthemasterofhisownfortune,\"

  ——Plautus,Trin。,ii。2,84。]

  whatremainsforhimtocovetordesire?

  \"Nonnevidemus,Nilaliudsibinaturamlatrare,nisiut,quoiCorporesejunctusdolorabsit,mentefruatur,Jucundosensu,curasemotu’metuque?\"

  [\"Dowenotseethathumannatureasksnomoreforitselfthanthat,freefrombodilypain,itmayexerciseitsmindagreeably,exemptfromcareandfear。\"——Lucretius,ii。16。]

  Comparewithsuchaonethecommonrabbleofmankind,stupidandmean—

  spirited,servile,instable,andcontinuallyfloatingwiththetempestofvariouspassions,thattossesandtumblesthemtoandfro,andalldependinguponothers,andyouwillfindagreaterdistancethanbetwixtheavenandearth;andyettheblindnessofcommonusageissuchthatwemakelittleornoaccountofit;whereasifweconsiderapeasantandaking,anoblemanandavassal,amagistrateandaprivateman,arichmanandapoor,thereappearsavastdisparity,thoughtheydiffernomore,asamanmaysay,thanintheirbreeches。

  InThracethekingwasdistinguishedfromhispeopleafteraverypleasantandespecialmanner;hehadareligionbyhimself,agodallhisown,andwhichhissubjectswerenottopresumetoadore,whichwasMercury,whilst,ontheotherhand,hedisdainedtohaveanythingtodowiththeirs,Mars,Bacchus,andDiana。Andyettheyarenootherthanpicturesthatmakenoessentialdissimilitude;forasyouseeactorsinaplayrepresentingthepersonofadukeoranemperoruponthestage,andimmediatelyafterreturntotheirtrueandoriginalconditionofvaletsandporters,sotheemperor,whosepompandlustresodazzleyouinpublic:

  \"ScilicetgrandesviridicumlucesmaragdiAutoincluduntur,teriturquethalassinavestisAssidue,etVenerissudoremexercitapotat;\"

  [\"Becausehewearsgreatemeraldsrichlysetingold,dartinggreenlustre;andthesea—bluesilkenrobe,wornwithpressure,andmoistwithillicitlove(andabsorbsthesweatofVenus)。\"

  ——Lucretius,iv。1123。]

  dobutpeepbehindthecurtain,andyouwillseenothingmorethananordinaryman,andperadventuremorecontemptiblethanthemeanestofhissubjects:

  \"Illebeatusintrorsumest,istiusbracteatafelicitasest;\"

  [\"Theoneishappyinhimself;thehappinessoftheotheriscounterfeit。\"——Seneca,Ep。,115。]

  cowardice,irresolution,ambition,spite,andenvyagitatehimasmuchasanother:

  \"Nonenimgazae,nequeconsularisSubmovetlictormiserostumultusMentis,etcuraslaqueatacircumTectavolantes。\"

  [\"Fornottreasures,northeconsularlictor,canremovethemiserabletumultsofthemind,norcaresthatflyaboutpanelledceilings。\"——Horace,Od。,ii。16,9。]

  Careandfearattackhimeveninthecentreofhisbattalions:

  \"ReveraquemetushominumcuraequesequacesNecmetuuntsonitusarmorum,neeferatela;

  Audacterqueinterreges,rerumquepotentesVersantur,nequefulgoremreverenturabauro。\"

  [\"Andintruththefearsandhauntingcaresofmenfearnottheclashofarmsnorpointsofdarts,andmingleboldlywithgreatkingsandmeninauthority,norrespecttheglitterofgold。\"

  ——Lucretius,ii。47。]

  Dofevers,gout,andapoplexiessparehimanymorethanoneofus?Whenoldagehangsheavyuponhisshoulders,cantheyeomenofhisguardeasehimoftheburden?Whenheisastoundedwiththeapprehensionofdeath,canthegentlemenofhisbedchambercomfortandassurehim?Whenjealousyoranyothercapriceswimsinhisbrain,canourcomplimentsandceremoniesrestorehimtohisgood—humour?Thecanopyembroideredwithpearlandgoldheliesunderhasnovirtueagainstaviolentfitofthecolic:

  NeecalidaecitiusdeceduntcorporefebresTextilibussiinpicturis,ostroquerubentiJactaris,quamsiplebeiainvestecubandumest。\"

  [\"Nordoburningfeversquityousoonerifyouarestretchedonacouchofrichtapestryandinavestofpurpledye,thanifyoubeinacoarseblanket。\"——Idem,ii。34。]

  TheflatterersofAlexandertheGreatpossessedhimthathewasthesonofJupiter;butbeingonedaywounded,andobservingthebloodstreamfromhiswound:\"Whatsayyounow,mymasters,\"saidhe,\"isnotthisbloodofacrimsoncolourandpurelyhuman?ThisisnotofthecomplexionofthatwhichHomermakestoissuefromthewoundedgods。\"

  ThepoetHermodorushadwrittenapoeminhonourofAntigonus,whereinhecalledhimthesonofthesun:\"Hewhohastheemptyingofmyclose—

  stool,\"saidAntigonus,\"knowstothecontrary。\"Heisbutamanatbest,andifhebedeformedorill—qualifiedfromhisbirth,theempireoftheuniversecannotsethimtorights:

  \"PuellaeHuncrapiant;quidquidcalcaverithic,rosafiat,\"

  [\"Letgirlscarryhimoff;whereverhestepslettherespringuparose!\"——Persius,Sat。,ii。38。]

  whatofallthat,ifhebeafool?evenpleasureandgoodfortunearenotrelishedwithoutvigourandunderstanding:

  \"Haecperindesunt,utiliusanimus;quieapossidetQuiutiscit,eibona;illi,quinonuriturrecte,mala。\"

  [\"Thingsare,asisthemindoftheirpossessor;whoknowshowtousethem,tohimtheyaregood;tohimwhoabusesthem,ill。\"

  ——\"Terence,Heart。,i。3,21。]

  Whateverthebenefitsoffortuneare,theyyetrequireapalatetorelishthem。’Tisfruition,andnotpossession,thatrendersushappy:

  [\"’Tisnotlands,oraheapofbrassandgold,thathasremovedfeversfromtheailingbodyoftheowner,orcaresfromhismind。

  Thepossessormustbehealthy,ifhethinkstomakegooduseofhisrealisedwealth。Tohimwhoiscovetousortimoroushishouseandestateareasapicturetoablindman,orafomentationtoagouty。\"——Horace,Ep。,i。2,47。]

  Heisasot,histasteispalledandflat;henomoreenjoyswhathehasthanonethathasacoldrelishestheflavourofcanary,orthanahorseissensibleofhisrichcaparison。Platoisintherightwhenhetellsusthathealth,beauty,vigour,andriches,andalltheotherthingscalledgoods,areequallyeviltotheunjustasgoodtothejust,andtheevilonthecontrarythesame。Andthereforewherethebodyandthemindareindisorder,towhatuseservetheseexternalconveniences:

  consideringthattheleastprickwithapin,ortheleastpassionofthesoul,issufficienttodepriveoneofthepleasureofbeingsolemonarchoftheworld。AtthefirsttwitchofthegoutitsignifiesmuchtobecalledSirandYourMajesty!

  \"Totusetargentoconflatus,totusetauro;\"

  [\"Whollymadeupofsilverandgold。\"——Tibullus,i。2,70。]

  doeshenotforgethispalacesandgirandeurs?Ifhebeangry,canhisbeingaprincekeephimfromlookingredandlookingpale,andgrindinghisteethlikeamadman?Now,ifhebeamanofpartsandofrightnature,royaltyaddsverylittletohishappiness;

  \"Siventribene,silateriest,pedibusquetuffs,nilDivitixpoteruntregalesadderemajus;\"

  [\"Ifitiswellwiththybelly,thysideandthyfeet,regalwealthwillbeabletoaddnothing。\"——Horace,Ep。,i。12,5。]

  hediscerns’tisnothingbutcounterfeitandgullery。Nay,perhapshewouldbeofKingSeleucus’opinion,thathewhoknewtheweightofasceptrewouldnotstooptopickitup,ifhesawitlyingbeforehim,sogreatandpainfularethedutiesincumbentuponagoodking。——[Plutarch,IfaSageshouldMeddlewithAffairsofStale,c。12。]——Assuredlyitcanbenoeasytasktoruleothers,whenwefinditsohardamattertogovernourselves;andastodominion,thatseemssocharming,thefrailtyofhumanjudgmentandthedifficultyofchoiceinthingsthatarenewanddoubtfulconsidered,Iamverymuchofopinionthatitisfarmoreeasyandpleasanttofollowthantolead;andthatitisagreatsettlementandsatisfactionofmindtohaveonlyonepathtowalkin,andtohavenonetoanswerforbutaman’sself;

  \"Utsatiusmultojamsitparerequietum,Quamregereimperioresvelle。\"

  [\"’Tismuchbetterquietlytoobeythanwishtorule。\"

  ——Lucretius,V,1126。]

  TowhichwemayaddthatsayingofCyrus,thatnomanwasfittorulebuthewhoinhisownworthwasofgreatervaluethanthosehewastogovern;

  butKingHieroinXenophonsaysfurther,thatinthefruitionevenofpleasureitselftheyareinaworseconditionthanprivatemen;forasmuchastheopportunitiesandfacilitytheyhaveofcommandingthosethingsatwilltakesofffromthedelightthatordinaryfolksenjoy:

  \"Pinguisamor,nimiumquepatens,intaedianobisVertitur,et,stomachodulcisutesca,nocet。\"

  [\"Loveinexcessandtoopalpableturnstoweariness,and,likesweetmeatstothestomach,isinjurious。\"——Ovid,Amoy。,ii。19,25。]

  Canwethinkthatthesingingboysofthechoirtakeanygreatdelightinmusic?thesatietyratherrendersittroublesomeandtedioustothem。

  Feasts,balls,masqueradesandtiltingsdelightsuchasbutrarelysee,anddesiretosee,them;buthavingbeenfrequentlyatsuchentertainments,therelishofthemgrowsflatandinsipid。Nordowomensomuchdelightthosewhomakeacommonpracticeofthesport。Hewhowillnotgivehimselfleisuretobethirstycanneverfindthetruepleasureofdrinking。Farcesandtumblingtricksarepleasanttothespectators,butawearisometoiltothosebywhomtheyareperformed。

  Andthatthisisso,weseethatprincesdivertthemselvessometimesindisguisingtheirquality,awhiletodeposethemselves,andtostooptothepoorandordinarywayoflivingofthemeanestoftheirpeople。

  \"PlerumquegrataedivitibusvicesMundaequeparvosublarepauperumCoenae,sineaulaeisetostro,Soliicitamexplicuerefrontem。\"

  [\"Therichareoftenpleasedwithvariety;andtheplainsupperinapoorcottage,withouttapestryandpurple,hasrelaxedtheanxiousbrow。\"——Horace,Od。,iii。29,13。]

  Nothingissodistastefulandcloggingasabundance。Whatappetitewouldnotbebaffledtoseethreehundredwomenatitsmercy,asthegrandsignorhasinhisseraglio?And,ofhisancestorswhatfruitionortasteofsportdidhereservetohimself,whoneverwenthawkingwithoutseventhousandfalconers?Andbesidesallthis,Ifancythatthislustreofgrandeurbringswithitnolittledisturbanceanduneasinessupontheenjoymentofthemosttemptingpleasures;thegreataretooconspicuousandlietooopentoeveryone’sview。NeitherdoIknowtowhatendamanshouldmorerequireofthemtoconcealtheirerrors,sincewhatisonlyreputedindiscretioninus,thepeopleinthembrandwiththenamesoftyrannyandcontemptofthelaws,and,besidestheirproclivitytovice,areapttoholdthatitisaheighteningofpleasuretothem,toinsultoverandtotrampleuponpublicobservances。Plato,indeed,inhisGoygias,definesatyranttobeonewhoinacityhaslicencetodowhateverhisownwillleadshimtodo;andbyreasonofthisimpunity,thedisplayandpublicationoftheirvicesdoofttimesmoremischiefthantheviceitself。Everyonefearstobepriedintoandoverlooked;butprincesareso,eventotheirverygestures,looksandthoughts,thepeopleconceivingtheyhaverightandtitletobejudgesofthembesidesthattheblemishesofthegreatnaturallyappeargreaterbyreasonoftheeminenceandlustreoftheplacewheretheyareseated,andthatamoleorawartappearsgreaterinthemthanawidegashinothers。AndthisisthereasonwhythepoetsfeigntheamoursofJupitertobeperformedinthedisguisesofsomanyborrowedshapes,andthatamongstthemanyamorouspracticestheylaytohischarge,thereisonlyone,asI

  remember,whereheappearsinhisownmajestyandgrandeur。

  ButletusreturntoHiero,whofurthercomplainsoftheinconvenienceshefoundinhisroyalty,inthathecouldnotlookabroadandtraveltheworldatliberty,beingasitwereaprisonerintheboundsandlimitsofhisowndominion,andthatinallhisactionshewasevermoresurroundedwithanimportunatecrowd。Andintruth,toseeourkingssitallaloneattable,environedwithsomanypeoplepratingaboutthem,andsomanystrangersstaringuponthem,astheyalwaysare,Ihaveoftenbeenmovedrathertopitythantoenvytheircondition。KingAlfonsowaswonttosay,thatinthisasseswereinabetterconditionthankings,theirmasterspermittingthemtofeedattheirowneaseandpleasure,afavourthatkingscannotobtainoftheirservants。Andithasnevercomeintomyfancythatitcouldbeofanygreatbenefittothelifeofamanofsensetohavetwentypeoplepratingabouthimwhenheisatstool;orthattheservicesofamanoftenthousandlivresayear,orthathastakenCasaleordefendedSiena,shouldbeeithermorecommodiousormoreacceptabletohim,thanthoseofagoodgroomofthechamberwhounderstandshisplace。Theadvantagesofsovereigntyareinamannerbutimaginary:everydegreeoffortunehasinitsomeimageofprincipality。

  CaesarcallsallthelordsofFrance,havingfreefranchisewithintheirowndemesnes,roiteletsorpettykings;andintruth,thenameofsireexcepted,theygoprettyfartowardskingship;fordobutlookintotheprovincesremotefromcourt,asBrittanyforexample;takenoticeofthetrain,thevassals,theofficers,theemployments,service,ceremony,andstateofalordwholivesretiredfromcourtinhisownhouse,amongsthisowntenantsandservants;andobservewithaltheflightofhisimagination;thereisnothingmoreroyal;hehearstalkofhismasteronceayear,asofakingofPersia,withouttakinganyfurtherrecognitionofhim,thanbysomeremotekindredhissecretarykeepsinsomeregister。And,tospeakthetruth,ourlawsareeasyenough,soeasythatagentlemanofFrancescarcefeelstheweightofsovereigntypinchhisshouldersabovetwiceinhislife。Realandeffectualsubjectiononlyconcernssuchamongstusasvoluntarilythrusttheirnecksundertheyoke,andwhodesigntogetwealthandhonoursbysuchservices:foramanthatloveshisownfireside,andcangovernhishousewithoutfallingbytheearswithhisneighboursorengaginginsuitsoflaw,isasfreeasaDukeofVenice。

  \"Paucosservitus,pluresservitutemtenent。\"

  [\"Servitudeenchainsfew,butmanyenchainthemselvestoservitude。\"——Seneca,Ep。,22。]

  ButthatwhichHieroismostconcernedatis,thathefindshimselfstrippedofallfriendship,deprivedofallmutualsociety,whereinthetrueandmostperfectfruitionofhumanlifeconsists。ForwhattestimonyofaffectionandgoodwillcanIextractfromhimthatowesme,whetherhewillorno,allthatheisabletodo?CanIformanyassuranceofhisrealrespecttome,fromhishumblewayofspeakingandsubmissivebehaviour,whentheseareceremoniesitisnotinhischoicetodeny?Thehonourwereceivefromthosethatfearusisnothonour;

  thoserespectsareduetoroyaltyandnottome:

  \"MaximumhocregnibonumestQuodfactadominicogiturpopulussuiQuamferre,tamlaudare。\"

  [\"’Tisthegreatestbenefitofakingdomthatthepeopleisforcedtocommend,aswellastobeartheactsoftheruler。\"

  ——Seneca,Thyestes,ii。i,30。]

  DoInotseethatthewickedandthegoodking,hethatishatedandhethatisbeloved,havetheoneasmuchreverencepaidhimastheother?

  Mypredecessorwas,andmysuccessorshallbe,servedwiththesameceremonyandstate。Ifmysubjectsdomenoharm,’tisnoevidenceofanygoodaffection;whyshouldIlookuponitassuch,seeingitisnotintheirpowertodoitiftheywould?Noonefollowsmeorobeysmycommandsupontheaccountofanyfriendship,betwixthimandme;therecanbenocontractingoffriendshipwherethereissolittlerelationandcorrespondence:myownheighthasputmeoutofthefamiliarityofandintelligencewithmen;thereistoogreatdisparityanddisproportionbetwixtus。Theyfollowmeeitherupontheaccountofdecencyandcustom;orrathermyfortune,thanme,toincreasetheirown。Alltheysaytomeordoformeisbutoutwardpaint,appearance,theirlibertybeingonallpartsrestrainedbythegreatpowerandauthorityIhaveoverthem。Iseenothingaboutmebutwhatisdissembledanddisguised。

  TheEmperorJulianbeingonedayapplaudedbyhiscourtiersforhisexactjustice:\"Ishouldbeproudofthesepraises,\"saidhe,\"didtheycomefrompersonsthatdurstcondemnordisapprovethecontrary,incaseI

  shoulddoit。\"Alltherealadvantagesofprincesarecommontothemwithmenofmeanercondition(’tisforthegodstomountwingedhorsesandfeeduponambrosia):theyhavenoothersleep,norotherappetitethanwe;thesteeltheyarmthemselveswithalisofnobettertemperthanthatwealsouse;theircrownsneitherdefendthemfromtherainnorthesun。

  Diocletian,whoworeacrownsofortunateandrevered,resignedittoretiretothefelicityofaprivatelife;andsometimeafterthenecessityofpublicaffairsrequiringthatheshouldreassumehischarge,hemadeanswertothosewhocametocourthimtoit:\"Youwouldnotoffer,\"saidhe,\"topersuademetothis,hadyouseenthefineorderofthetreesIhaveplantedinmyorchard,andthefairmelonsIhavesowninmygarden。\"

  InAnacharsis’opinion,thehappieststateofgovernmentwouldbewhere,allotherthingsbeingequal,precedenceshouldbemeasuredoutbythevirtues,andrepulsesbythevicesofmen。

  WhenKingPyrrhuspreparedforhisexpeditionintoItaly,hiswisecounsellorCyneas,tomakehimsensibleofthevanityofhisambition:

  \"Well,sir,\"saidhe,\"towhatenddoyoumakeallthismightypreparation?\"——\"TomakemyselfmasterofItaly,\"repliedtheking。

  \"Andwhatafterthatisdone?\"saidCyneas。\"IwillpassoverintoGaulandSpain,\"saidtheother。\"Andwhatthen?\"——\"IwillthengotosubdueAfrica;andlastly,whenIhavebroughtthewholeworldtomysubjection,Iwillsitdownandrestcontentatmyownease。\"

  \"ForGodsake,sir,\"repliedCyneas,\"tellmewhathindersthatyoumaynot,ifyouplease,benowintheconditionyouspeakof?Whydoyounotnowatthisinstantsettleyourselfinthestateyouseemtoaimat,andspareallthelabourandhazardyouinterpose?\"

  \"Nimirum,quianoncognovit,quxessethabendiFinis,etomninoquoadcrescatveravoluptas。\"

  [\"Forsoothbecausehedoesnotknowwhatshouldbethelimitofacquisition,andaltogetherhowfarrealpleasureshouldincrease。\"

  ——Lucretius,v。1431]

  Iwillconcludewithanoldversicle,thatIthinkveryapttothepurpose:

  \"Morescuiquesuifinguntfortunam。\"

  [\"Everymanframeshisownfortune。\"

  ——CorneliusNepos,LifeofAtticus]

点击下载App,搜索"The Essays of Montaigne",免费读到尾