Suchashavehadtodowithtestyandobstinatewomen，mayhaveexperimentedintowhatarageitputsthemtoopposesilenceandcoldnesstotheirfury，andthatamandisdainstonourishtheiranger。TheoratorCeliuswaswonderfullycholericbynature;andtoonewhosuppedinhiscompany，amanofagentleandsweetconversation，andwho，thathemightnotmovehim，approvedandconsentedtoallhesaid;he，impatientthathisill—humourshouldthusspenditselfwithoutaliment:
\"Fortheloveofthegodsdenymesomething，\"saidhe，\"thatwemaybetwo。\"Women，inlikemanner，areonlyangrythatothersmaybeangryagain，inimitationofthelawsoflove。Phocion，toonewhointerruptedhisspeakingbyinjuriousandveryopprobriouswords，madenootherreturnthansilence，andtogivehimfulllibertyandleisuretoventhisspleen;whichhehavingaccordinglydone，andthestormblownover，withoutanymentionofthisdisturbance，heproceededinhisdiscoursewherehehadleftoffbefore。Noanswercannettleamanlikesuchacontempt。
OfthemostcholericmaninFrance（angerisalwaysanimperfection，butmoreexcusablein，asoldier，forinthattradeitcannotsometimesbeavoided）Ioftensay，thatheisthemostpatientmanthatIknow，andthemostdiscreetinbridlinghispassions;whichriseinhimwithsogreatviolenceandfury，\"MagnoveluticumflammasonoreVirgeasuggeriturcostisundantisahem，Exsultantqueaatulatices，furitintusaquaevis。
Fumidusatquealtespumisexuberatamnis，Necjamsecapitunda;volatvaporateradauras;\"
[\"Whenwithloudcracklingnoise，afireofsticksisappliedtotheboilingcaldron’sside，bytheheatinfriskybellstheliquordances;withinthewaterrages，andhighthesmokyfluidinfoamoverflows。Norcanthewavenowcontainitself;theblacksteamfliesallabroad。\"——AEneid，vii。462。]
thathemustofnecessitycruellyconstrainhimselftomoderateit。Andformypart，IknownopassionwhichIcouldwithsomuchviolencetomyselfattempttocoverandconceal;Iwouldnotsetwisdomatsohighaprice;anddonotsomuchconsiderwhatamandoes，ashowmuchitcostshimtodonoworse。
Anotherboastedhimselftomeoftheregularityandgentlenessofhismanners，whicharetotruthverysingular;towhomIreplied，thatitwasindeedsomething，especiallympersonsofsoeminentaqualityashimself，uponwhomeveryonehadtheireyes，topresenthimselfalwayswell—temperedtotheworld;butthattheprincipalthingwastomakeprovisionforwithinandforhimself;andthatitwasnotinmyopinionverywelltoorderhisbusinessoutwardlywell，andtogratehimselfwithin，whichIwasafraidhedid，inputtingonandmaintainingthismaskandexternalappearance。
Amanincorporatesangerbyconcealingit，asDiogenestoldDemosthenes，who，forfearofbeingseeninatavern，withdrewhimselfthemoreretiredlyintoit:\"Themoreyouretirebackward，thefartheryouenterin。\"Iwouldratheradvisethatamanshouldgivehisservantaboxoftheearalittleunseasonably，thanrackhisfancytopresentthisgraveandcomposedcountenance;andhadratherdiscovermypassionsthanbroodoverthematmyownexpense;theygrowlessinventingandmanifestingthemselves;and’tismuchbettertheirpointshouldwoundotherswithout，thanbeturnedtowardsourselveswithin:
\"Omniavitiainapertoleviorasunt:ettuncperniciosissima，quumsimulatasanitatesubsident。\"
[\"Allvicesarelessdangerouswhenopentobeseen，andthenmostperniciouswhentheylurkunderadissembledgoodnature。\"
——Seneca，Ep。56]
Iadmonishallthosewhohaveauthoritytobeangryinmyfamily，inthefirstplacetomanagetheirangerandnottolavishituponeveryoccasion，forthatbothlessensthevalueandhinderstheeffect:rashandincessantscoldingrunsintocustom，andrendersitselfdespised;andwhatyoulayoutuponaservantforatheftisnotfelt，becauseitisthesamehehasseenyouahundredtimesemployagainsthimforhavingillwashedaglass，orsetastooloutofplace。Secondly，thattheybenotangrytonopurpose，butmakesurethattheirreprehensionreachhimwithwhomtheyareoffended;for，ordinarily，theyrailandbawlbeforehecomesintotheirpresence，andcontinuescoldinganageafterheisgone:
\"Etsecumpetulansamentiacertat:\"
[\"Andpetulantmadnesscontendswithitself。\"
——ClaudianinEutrop。，i。237。]
theyattackhisshadow，anddrivethestorminaplacewherenooneiseitherchastisedorconcerned，butintheclamouroftheirvoice。
Ilikewiseinquarrelscondemnthosewhohuffandvapourwithoutanenemy:thoserhodomontadesshouldbereservedtodischargeupontheoffendingparty:
\"MugitusveluticumprimainpraeliataurusTerrificosciet，atqueirasciincornuatentat，Arborisobnixustrunco，ventospuelacessitIctibus，etsparsaadpugnumproluditarena。\"
[\"Aswhenabulltousherinthefight，makesdreadfulbellowings，andwhetshishornsagainstthetrunkofatree;withblowshebeatstheair，andrehearsesthefightbyscatteringthesand。\"
——AEneid，xii。103。]
WhenIamangry，myangerisverysharpbutwithalveryshort，andasprivateasIcan;Ilosemyselfindeedinpromptnessandviolence，butnotintrouble;sothatIthrowoutallsortsofinjuriouswordsatrandom，andwithoutchoice，andneverconsiderpertinentlytodartmylanguagewhereIthinkitwilldeepestwound，forIcommonlymakeuseofnootherweaponthanmytongue。
Myservantshaveabetterbargainofmeingreatoccasionsthaninlittle;thelittleonessurpriseme;andthemisfortuneis，thatwhenyouareonceupontheprecipice，’tisnomatterwhogaveyouthepush，youalwaysgotothebottom;thefallurges，moves，andmakeshasteofitself。Ingreatoccasionsthissatisfiesme，thattheyaresojusteveryoneexpectsareasonableindignation，andthenIglorifymyselfindeceivingtheirexpectation;againstthese，Ifortifyandpreparemyself;
theydisturbmyhead，andthreatentotransportmeveryfar，shouldI
followthem。Icaneasilycontainmyselffromenteringintooneofthesepassions，andamstrongenough，whenIexpectthem，torepeltheirviolence，bethecauseneversogreat;butifapassiononceprepossessandseizeme，itcarriesmeaway，bethecauseneversosmall。Ibargainthuswiththosewhomaycontendwithmewhenyouseememovedfirst，letmealone，rightorwrong;I’lldothesameforyou。Thestormisonlybegotbyaconcurrenceofangers，whicheasilyspringfromoneanother，andarenotborntogether。Leteveryonehavehisownway，andweshallbealwaysatpeace。Aprofitableadvice，buthardtoexecute。SometimesalsoitfallsoutthatIputonaseeminganger，forthebettergoverningofmyhouse，withoutanyrealemotion。Asagerendersmyhumoursmoresharp，Istudytoopposethem，andwill，ifIcan，orderitso，thatforthefutureImaybesomuchthelesspeevishandhardtoplease，asI
havemoreexcuseandinclinationtobeso，althoughIhaveheretoforebeenreckonedamongstthosewhohavethegreatestpatience。
Awordmoretoconcludethisargument。Aristotlesays，thatangersometimesservesforarmstovirtueandvalour。Thatisprobable;
nevertheless，theywhocontradicthimpleasantlyanswer，that’tisaweaponofnoveluse，forwemoveallotherarms，thismovesus;ourhandguidesitnot，’tisitthatguidesourhand;itholdsus，weholdnotit。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V13
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME13。
XXXII。DefenceofSenecaandPlutarch。
XXXIII。ThestoryofSpurina。
XXXIV。MeanstocarryonawaraccordingtoJuliusCaesar。
XXXV。Ofthreegoodwomen。
XXXVI。Ofthemostexcellentmen。
XXXVII。Oftheresemblanceofchildrentotheirfathers。
CHAPTERXXXII
DEFENCEOFSENECAANDPLUTARCH
ThefamiliarityIhavewiththesetwoauthors，andtheassistancetheyhavelenttomyageandtomybook，whollycompiledofwhatIhaveborrowedfromthem，obligemetostandupfortheirhonour。
AstoSeneca，amongstamillionoflittlepamphletsthatthoseoftheso—
calledreformedreligiondisperseabroadforthedefenceoftheircause（andwhichsometimesproceedfromsogoodahand，that’tispityhispenisnotemployedinabettersubject），Ihaveformerlyseenone，thattomakeuptheparallelhewouldfainfindoutbetwixtthegovernmentofourlatepoorKingCharlesIX。andthatofNero，comparesthelateCardinalofLorrainewithSeneca;theirfortunes，inhavingbothofthembeentheprimeministersinthegovernmentoftheirprinces，andintheirmanners，conditions，anddeportmentstohavebeenverynearalike。Wherein，inmyopinion，hedoesthesaidcardinalaverygreathonour;forthoughIamoneofthosewhohaveaveryhighesteemforhiswit，eloquence，andzealtoreligionandtheserviceofhisking，andhisgoodfortunetohavelivedinanagewhereinitwassonovel，sorare，andalsosonecessaryforthepublicgoodtohaveanecclesiasticalpersonofsuchhighbirthanddignity，andsosufficientandcapableofhisplace;yet，toconfessthetruth，Idonotthinkhiscapacitybymanydegreesneartotheother，norhisvirtueeithersoclean，entire，orsteadyasthatofSeneca。
NowthebookwhereofIspeak，tobringaboutitsdesign，givesaveryinjuriousdescriptionofSeneca，havingborroweditsapproachesfromDionthehistorian，whosetestimonyIdonotatallbelieveforbesidesthatheisinconsistent，thatafterhavingcalledSenecaonewhileverywise，andagainamortalenemytoNero’svices，makeshimelsewhereavaricious，anusurer，ambitious，effeminate，voluptuous，andafalsepretendertophilosophy，hisvirtueappearssovividandvigorousinhiswritings，andhisvindicationissoclearfromanyoftheseimputations，asofhisrichesandextraordinarilyexpensivewayofliving，thatIcannotbelieveanytestimonytothecontrary。Andbesides，itismuchmorereasonabletobelievetheRomanhistoriansinsuchthingsthanGreeksandforeigners。NowTacitusandtherestspeakveryhonourablybothofhislifeanddeath;andrepresenthimtousaveryexcellentandvirtuouspersoninallthings;andIwillallegenootherreproachagainstDion’sreportbutthis，whichIcannotavoid，namely，thathehassoweakajudgmentintheRomanaffairs，thathedarestomaintainJuliusCaesar’scauseagainstPompey[Andsodoesthiseditor。D。W。]，andthatofAntonyagainstCicero。
LetusnowcometoPlutarch:JeanBodinisagoodauthorofourtimes，andawriterofmuchgreaterjudgmentthantheroutofscribblersofhisage，andwhodeservestobereadandconsidered。Ifindhim，though，alittleboldinthispassageofhisMethodofhistory，whereheaccusesPlutarchnotonlyofignorance（whereinIwouldhavelethimalone:forthatisbeyondmycriticism），butthathe\"oftenwritesthingsincredible，andabsolutelyfabulous\":thesearehisownwords。Ifhehadsimplysaid，thathehaddeliveredthingsotherwisethantheyreallyare，ithadbeennogreatreproach;forwhatwehavenotseen，weareforcedtoreceivefromotherhands，andtakeupontrust，andIseethathepurposelysometimesvariouslyrelatesthesamestory;asthejudgmentofthethreebestcaptainsthateverwere，givenbyHannibal;’tisonewayintheLifeofFlammius，andanotherinthatofPyrrhus。Buttochargehimwithhavingtakenincredibleandimpossiblethingsforcurrentpay，istoaccusethemostjudiciousauthorintheworldofwantofjudgment。Andthisishisexample;\"as，\"sayshe，\"whenherelatesthataLacedaemonianboysufferedhisbowelstobetornoutbyafox—cubhehadstolen，andkeptitstillconcealedunderhiscoattillhefelldowndead，ratherthanhewoulddiscoverhistheft。\"Ifind，inthefirstplace，thisexampleillchosen，forasmuchasitisveryhardtolimitthepowerofthefacultiesof——thesoul，whereaswehavebetterauthoritytolimitandknowtheforceofthebodilylimbs;andtherefore，ifIhadbeenhe，Ishouldratherhavechosenanexampleofthissecondsort;andtherearesomeoftheselesscredible:andamongstothers，thatwhichherefatesofPyrrhus，that\"allwoundedashewas，hestruckoneofhisenemies，whowasarmedfromheadtofoot，sogreatablowwithhissword，thatheclavehimdownfromhiscrowntohisseat，sothatthebodywasdividedintotwoparts。\"InthisexampleIfindnogreatmiracle，nordoIadmittheexcusewithwhichhedefendsPlutarch，inhavingaddedthesewords，\"as’tissaid，\"tosuspendourbelief;forunlessitbeinthingsreceivedbyauthority，andthereverencetoantiquityorreligion，hewouldneverhavehimselfadmitted，orenjoinedustobelievethingsincredibleinthemselves;andthatthesewords，\"as’tissaid，\"arenotputinthisplacetothateffect，iseasytobeseen，becauseheelsewhererelatestous，uponthissubject，ofthepatienceoftheLacedaemonianchildren，exampleshappeninginhistime，moreunlikelytoprevailuponourfaith;aswhatCicerohasalsotestifiedbeforehim，ashaving，ashesays，beenuponthespot:thateventotheirtimestherewerechildrenfoundwho，inthetrialofpatiencetheywereputtobeforethealtarofDiana，sufferedthemselvestobetherewhippedtillthebloodrandownallovertheirbodies，notonlywithoutcryingout，butwithoutsomuchasagroan，andsometilltheytherevoluntarilylosttheirlives:andthatwhichPlutarchalso，amongstahundredotherwitnesses，relates，thatatasacrifice，aburningcoalhavingfallenintothesleeveofaLacedaemonianboy，ashewascensing，hesufferedhiswholearmtobeburned，tillthesmellofthebroilingfleshwasperceivedbythosepresent。Therewasnothing，accordingtotheircustom，whereintheirreputationwasmoreconcerned，norforwhichtheyweretoundergomoreblameanddisgrace，thaninbeingtakenintheft。
Iamsofullysatisfiedofthegreatnessofthosepeople，thatthisstorydoesnotonlynotappeartome，astoBodin，incredible;butIdonotfinditsomuchasrareandstrange。TheSpartanhistoryisfullofathousandmorecruelandrareexamples;andis;indeed，allmiracleinthisrespect。
Marcellinus，concerningtheft，reportsthatinhistimetherewasnosortoftormentswhichcouldcompeltheEgyptians，whentakeninthisact，thoughapeopleverymuchaddictedtoit，somuchastotelltheirname。
ASpanishpeasant，beingputtotherackastotheaccomplicesofthemurderofthePraetorLuciusPiso，criedoutintheheightofthetorment，\"thathisfriendsshouldnotleavehim，butlookoninallassurance，andthatnopainhadthepowertoforcefromhimonewordofconfession，\"whichwasalltheycouldgetthefirstday。Thenextday，astheywereleadinghimasecondtimetoanothertrial，stronglydisengaginghimselffromthehandsofhisguards，hefuriouslyranhisheadagainstawall，andbeatouthisbrains。
Epicharis，havingtiredandgluttedthecrueltyofNero’ssatellites，andundergonetheirfire，theirbeating，theirracks，awholedaytogether，withoutonesyllableofconfessionofherconspiracy;beingthenextdaybroughtagaintotherack，withherlimbsalmosttorntopieces，conveyedthelaceofherrobewitharunningnooseoveroneofthearmsofherchair，andsuddenlyslippingherheadintoit，withtheweightofherownbodyhangedherself。Havingthecouragetodieinthatmanner，isitnottobepresumedthatshepurposelylentherlifetothetrialofherfortitudethedaybefore，tomockthetyrant，andencourageotherstothelikeattempt？
Andwhoeverwillinquireofourtrooperstheexperiencestheyhavehadinourcivilwars，willfindeffectsofpatienceandobstinateresolutioninthismiserableageofours，andamongstthisrabbleevenmoreeffeminatethantheEgyptians，worthytobecomparedwiththosewehavejustrelatedoftheSpartanvirtue。
Iknowtherehavebeensimplepeasantsamongstuswhohaveenduredthesolesoftheirfeettobebroileduponagridiron，theirfinger—endstobecrushedwiththecockofapistol，andtheirbloodyeyessqueezedoutoftheirheadsbyforceofacordtwistedabouttheirbrows，beforetheywouldsomuchasconsenttoaransom。Ihaveseenoneleftstarknakedfordeadinaditch，hisneckblackandswollen，withahalteryetaboutitwithwhichtheyhaddraggedhimallnightatahorse’stail，hisbodywoundedinahundredplaces，withstabsofdaggersthathadbeengivenhim，nottokillhim，buttoputhimtopainandtoaffrighthim，whohadenduredallthis，andeventobeingspeechlessandinsensible，resolved，ashehimselftoldme，rathertodieathousanddeaths（asindeed，astomatterofsuffering，hehadborneone）beforehewouldpromiseanything;
andyethewasoneoftherichesthusbandmenofallthecountry。Howmanyhavebeenseenpatientlytosufferthemselvestobeburntandroastedforopinionstakenupontrustfromothers，andbythemnotatallunderstood？Ihaveknownahundredandahundredwomen（forGasconyhasacertainprerogativeforobstinacy）whomyoumightsoonerhavemadeeatfirethanforsakeanopiniontheyhadconceivedinanger。Theyareallthemoreexasperatedbyblowsandconstraint。Andhethatmadethestoryofthewomanwho，indefianceofallcorrection，threats，andbastinadoes，ceasednottocallherhusbandlousyknave，andwhobeingplungedoverheadandearsinwater，yetliftedherhandsaboveherheadandmadeasignofcrackinglice，feignedataleofwhich，intruth，weeverydayseeamanifestimageintheobstinacyofwomen。Andobstinacyisthesisterofconstancy，atleastinvigourandstability。
Wearenottojudgewhatispossibleandwhatisnot，accordingtowhatiscredibleandincredibletoourapprehension，asIhavesaidelsewhereanditisagreatfault，andyetonethatmostmenareguiltyof，which，nevertheless，IdonotmentionwithanyreflectionuponBodin，tomakeadifficultyofbelievingthatinanotherwhichtheycouldnotorwouldnotdothemselves。Everyonethinksthatthesovereignstampofhumannatureisimprintedinhim，andthatfromitallothersmusttaketheirrule;
andthatallproceedingswhicharenotlikehisarefeignedandfalse。
Isanythingofanother’sactionsorfacultiesproposedtohim？thefirstthinghecallstotheconsultationofhisjudgmentishisownexample;
andasmattersgowithhim，sotheymustofnecessitydowithalltheworldbesidesdangerousandintolerablefolly！Formypart，Iconsidersomemenasinfinitelybeyondme，especiallyamongsttheancients，andyet，thoughIclearlydiscernmyinabilitytocomenearthembyathousandpaces，Idonotforbeartokeeptheminsight，andtojudgeofwhatsoelevatesthem，ofwhichIperceivesomeseedsinmyself，asI
alsodooftheextrememeannessofsomeotherminds，whichIneitheramastonishedatnoryetmisbelieve。Iverywellperceivetheturnsthosegreatsoulstaketoraisethemselvestosuchapitch，andadmiretheirgrandeur;andthoseflightsthatIthinkthebravestIcouldbegladtoimitate;where，thoughIwantwing，yetmyjudgmentreadilygoesalongwiththem。Theotherexampleheintroducesof\"thingsincredibleandwhollyfabulous，\"deliveredbyPlutarch，is，that\"AgesilauswasfinedbytheEphoriforhavingwhollyengrossedtheheartsandaffectionsofhiscitizenstohimselfalone。\"AndhereinIdonotseewhatsignoffalsityistobefound:clearlyPlutarchspeaksofthingsthatmustneedsbebetterknowntohimthantous;anditwasnonewthinginGreecetoseemenpunishedandexiledforthisverything，forbeingtooacceptabletothepeople;witnesstheOstracismandPetalism。——[OstracismatAthenswasbanishmentfortenyears;petalismatSyracusewasbanishmentforfiveyears。]
ThereisyetinthisplaceanotheraccusationlaidagainstPlutarchwhichIcannotwelldigest，whereBodinsaysthathehassincerelyparalleledRomanswithRomans，andGreeksamongstthemselves，butnotRomanswithGreeks;witness，sayshe，DemosthenesandCicero，CatoandAristides，SyllaandLysander，MarcellusandPelopidas，PompeyandAgesilaus，holdingthathehasfavouredtheGreeksingivingthemsounequalcompanions。ThisisreallytoattackwhatinPlutarchismostexcellentandmosttobecommended;forinhisparallels（whichisthemostadmirablepartofallhisworks，andwithwhich，inmyopinion，heishimselfthemostpleased）thefidelityandsincerityofhisjudgmentsequaltheirdepthandweight;heisaphilosopherwhoteachesusvirtue。
Letusseewhetherwecannotdefendhimfromthisreproachoffalsityandprevarication。AllthatIcanimaginecouldgiveoccasiontothiscensureisthegreatandshininglustreoftheRomannameswhichwehaveinourminds;itdoesnotseemlikelytousthatDemosthenescouldrivalthegloryofaconsul，proconsul，andproctorofthatgreatRepublic;butifamanconsiderthetruthofthething，andthemeninthemselves，whichisPlutarch’schiefestaim，andwillratherbalancetheirmanners，theirnatures，andparts，thantheirfortunes，Ithink，contrarytoBodin，thatCiceroandtheelderCatocomefarshortofthemenwithwhomtheyarecompared。Ishouldsooner，forhispurpose，havechosentheexampleoftheyoungerCatocomparedwithPhocion，forinthiscoupletherewouldhavebeenamorelikelydisparity，totheRoman’sadvantage。
AstoMarcellus，Sylla，andPompey，IverywelldiscernthattheirexploitsofwararegreaterandmorefullofpompandglorythanthoseoftheGreeks，whomPlutarchcompareswiththem;butthebravestandmostvirtuousactionsanymoreinwarthanelsewhere，arenotalwaysthemostrenowned。Ioftenseethenamesofcaptainsobscuredbythesplendourofothernamesoflessdesert;witnessLabienus，Ventidius，Telesinus，andseveralothers。Andtotakeitbythat，wereItocomplainonthebehalfoftheGreeks，couldInotsay，thatCamilluswasmuchlesscomparabletoThemistocles，theGracchitoAgisandCleomenes，andNumatoLycurgus？
But’tisfollytojudge，atoneview，ofthingsthathavesomanyaspects。WhenPlutarchcomparesthem，hedoesnot，forallthat，makethemequal;whocouldmorelearnedlyandsincerelyhavemarkedtheirdistinctions？Doesheparallelthevictories，featsofarms，theforceofthearmiesconductedbyPompey，andhistriumphs，withthoseofAgesilaus？\"Idonotbelieve，\"sayshe，\"thatXenophonhimself，ifhewerenowliving，thoughhewereallowedtowritewhateverpleasedhimtotheadvantageofAgesilaus，woulddaretobringthemintocomparison。\"
DoeshespeakofparallelingLysandertoSylla。\"Thereis，\"sayshe，\"nocomparison，eitherinthenumberofvictoriesorinthehazardofbattles，forLysanderonlygainedtwonavalbattles。\"ThisisnottoderogatefromtheRomans;forhavingonlysimplynamedthemwiththeGreeks，hecanhavedonethemnoinjury，whatdisparitysoevertheremaybebetwixtthemandPlutarchdoesnotentirelyopposethemtooneanother;thereisnopreferenceingeneral;heonlycomparesthepiecesandcircumstancesoneafteranother，andgivesofeveryoneaparticularandseparatejudgment。Wherefore，ifanyonecouldconvicthimofpartiality，heoughttopickoutsomeoneofthoseparticularjudgments，orsay，ingeneral，thathewasmistakenincomparingsuchaGreektosuchaRoman，whentherewereothersmorefitandbetterresemblingtoparallelhimto。
CHAPTERXXXIII
THESTORYOFSPURINA
Philosophythinksshehasnotillemployedhertalentwhenshehasgiventhesovereigntyofthesoulandtheauthorityofrestrainingourappetitestoreason。Amongstwhich，theywhojudgethatthereisnonemoreviolentthanthosewhichspringfromlove，havethisopinionalso，thattheyseizebothbodyandsoul，andpossessthewholeman，sothatevenhealthitselfdependsuponthem，andmedicineissometimesconstrainedtopimpforthem;butonemight，onthecontrary，alsosay，thatthemixtureofthebodybringsanabatementandweakening;forsuchdesiresaresubjecttosatiety，andcapableofmaterialremedies。
Many，beingdeterminedtoridtheirsoulfromthecontinualalarmsofthisappetite，havemadeuseofincisionandamputationoftherebellingmembers;othershavesubduedtheirforceandardourbythefrequentapplicationofcoldthings，assnowandvinegar。Thesackclothsofourancestorswereforthispurpose，whichisclothwovenofhorsehair，ofwhichsomeofthemmadeshirts，andothersgirdles，totortureandcorrecttheirreins。Aprince，notlongago，toldmethatinhisyouthuponasolemnfestivalinthecourtofKingFrancisI。，whereeverybodywasfinelydressed，hewouldneedsputonhisfather’shairshirt，whichwasstillkeptinthehouse;buthowgreatsoeverhisdevotionwas，hehadnotpatiencetowearittillnight，andwassickalongtimeafter;
addingwithal，thathedidnotthinktherecouldbeanyyouthfulheatsofiercethattheuseofthisrecipewouldnotmortify，andyetperhapsheneveressayedthemostviolent;forexperienceshowsus，thatsuchemotionsareoftenseenunderrudeandslovenlyclothes，andthatahairshirtdoesnotalwaysrenderthosechastewhowearit。
Xenocratesproceededwithgreaterrigourinthisaffair;forhisdisciples，tomaketrialofhiscontinency，havingsliptLais，thatbeautifulandfamouscourtesan，intohisbed，quitenaked，exceptingthearmsofherbeautyandherwantonallurements，herphilters，findingthat，indespiteofhisreasonandphilosophicalrules，hisunrulyfleshbegantomutiny，hecausedthosemembersofhistobeburnedthathefoundconsentingtothisrebellion。Whereasthepassionswhichwhollyresideinthesoul，asambition，avarice，andtherest，findthereasonmuchmoretodo，becauseitcannottherebehelpedbutbyitsownmeans;
neitherarethoseappetitescapableofsatiety，butgrowsharperandincreasebyfruition。
ThesoleexampleofJuliusCaesarmaysufficetodemonstratetousthedisparityoftheseappetites;forneverwasmanmoreaddictedtoamorousdelightsthanhe:ofwhichonetestimonyisthepeculiarcarehehadofhisperson，tosuchadegree，astomakeuseofthemostlasciviousmeanstothatendtheninuse，astohaveallthehairsofhisbodytwitchedoff，andtowipealloverwithperfumeswiththeextremestnicety。
Andhewasabeautifulpersoninhimself，ofafaircomplexion，tall，andsprightly，fullfaced，withquickhazeleyes，ifwemaybelieveSuetonius;forthestatuesofhimthatweseeatRomedonotinallpointsanswerthisdescription。Besideshiswives，whomhefourtimeschanged，withoutreckoningtheamoursofhisboyhoodwithNicomedes，kingofBithynia，hehadthemaidenheadoftherenownedCleopatra，queenofEgypt;witnessthelittleCaesariowhomhehadbyher。Healsomadeloveto。Eunoe，queenofMauritania，andatRome，toPosthumia，thewifeofServiusSulpitius;toLollia，thewifeofGabiniustoTertulla，thewifeofCrassus，andeventoMutia，wifetothegreatPompey:whichwasthereason，theRomanhistorianssay，thatshewasrepudiatedbyherhusband，whichPlutarchconfessestobemorethanheknew;andtheCurios，bothfatherandson，afterwardsreproachedPompey，whenhemarriedCaesar’sdaughter，thathehadmadehimselfson—in—lawtoamanwhohadmadehimcuckold，andonewhomhehimselfwaswonttocallAEgisthus。Besidesallthese，heentertainedServilia，Cato’ssisterandmothertoMarcusBrutus，whence，everyonebelieves，proceededthegreataffectionhehadtoBrutus，byreasonthathewasbornatatimewhenitwaslikelyhemightbehisson。SothatIhavereason，methinks，totakehimforamanextremelygiventothisdebauch，andofveryamorousconstitution。Buttheotherpassionofambition，withwhichhewasinfinitelysmitten，arisinginhimtocontendwiththeformer，itwasbooncompelledtogiveway。
AndherecallingtomindMohammed，whowonConstantinople，andfinallyexterminatedtheGrecianname，Idonotknowwherethesetwoweresoevenlybalanced;equallyanindefatigablelecherandsoldier:butwheretheybothmeetinhislifeandjostleoneanother，thequarrellingpassionalwaysgetsthebetteroftheamorousone，andthisthoughitwasoutofitsnaturalseasonneverregainedanabsolutesovereigntyovertheothertillhehadarrivedatanextremeoldageandunabletoundergothefatiguesofwar。
WhatisrelatedforacontraryexampleofLadislaus，kingofNaples，isveryremarkable;thatbeingagreatcaptain，valiantandambitious，heproposedtohimselffortheprincipalendofhisambition，theexecutionofhispleasureandtheenjoymentofsomerareandexcellentbeauty。Hisdeathsealedupalltherest:forhavingbyacloseandtedioussiegereducedthecityofFlorencetosogreatdistressthattheinhabitantswerecompelledtocapitulateaboutsurrender，hewascontenttoletthemalone，providedtheywoulddeliveruptohimabeautifulmaidhehadheardofintheircity;theywereforcedtoyieldtoit，andbyaprivateinjurytoavertthepublicruin。Shewasthedaughterofafamousphysicianofhistime，who，findinghimselfinvolvedinsofoulanecessity，resolveduponahighattempt。Aseveryonewaslendingahandtotrickuphisdaughterandtoadornherwithornamentsandjewelstorenderhermoreagreeabletothisnewlover，healsogaveherahandkerchiefmostrichlywrought，andofanexquisiteperfume，animplementtheynevergowithoutinthoseparts，whichshewastomakeuseofattheirfirstapproaches。Thishandkerchief，poisonedwithhisgreatestart，comingtoberubbedbetweenthechafedfleshandopenpores，bothoftheoneandtheother，sosuddenlyinfusedthepoison，thatimmediatelyconvertingtheirwarmintoacoldsweattheypresentlydiedinoneanother’sarms。
ButIreturntoCaesar。Hispleasuresnevermadehimstealoneminuteofanhour，norgoonestepasidefromoccasionsthatmightanywayconducetohisadvancement。Thispassionwassosovereigninhimoveralltherest，andwithsoabsoluteauthoritypossessedhissoul，thatitguidedhimatpleasure。Intruth，thistroublesme，when，astoeverythingelse，Iconsiderthegreatnessofthisman，andthewonderfulpartswherewithhewasendued;learnedtothatdegreeinallsortsofknowledgethatthereishardlyanyonescienceofwhichhehasnotwritten;sogreatanoratorthatmanyhavepreferredhiseloquencetothatofCicero，andhe，Iconceive，didnotthinkhimselfinferiortohiminthatparticular，forhistwoanti—CatoswerewrittentocounterbalancetheelocutionthatCicerohadexpendedinhisCato。Astotherest，waseversoulsovigilant，soactive，andsopatientoflabourashis？and，doubtless，itwasembellishedwithmanyrareseedsofvirtue，lively，natural，andnotputon;hewassingularlysober;sofarfrombeingdelicateinhisdiet，thatOppiusrelates，howthathavingonedayattablesetbeforehimmedicatedinsteadofcommonoilinsomesauce，heateheartilyofit，thathemightnotputhisentertaineroutofcountenance。Anothertimehecausedhisbakertobewhippedforservinghimwithafinerthanordinarysortofbread。Catohimselfwaswonttosayofhim，thathewasthefirstsobermanwhoevermadeithisbusinesstoruinhiscountry。AndastothesameCato’scalling，himonedaydrunkard，itfelloutthusbeingbothofthemintheSenate，atatimewhenCatiline’sconspiracywasinquestionofwhichwasCaesarwassuspected，onecameandbroughthimalettersealedup。Catobelievingthatitwassomethingtheconspiratorsgavehimnoticeof，requiredhimtodeliverintohishand，whichCaesarwasconstrainedtodotoavoidfurthersuspicion。Itwasbychancealove—letterthatServilia，Cato’ssister，hadwrittentohim，whichCatohavingread，hethrewitbacktohimsaying，\"There，drunkard。\"This，Isay，wasratherawordofdisdainandangerthananexpressreproachofthisvice，asweoftenratethosewhoangeruswiththefirstinjuriouswordsthatcomeintoourmouths，thoughnothingduetothoseweareoffendedat;towhichmaybeaddedthatthevicewithwhichCatoupbraidedhimiswonderfullynearakintothatwhereinhehadsurprisedCaesar;forBacchusandVenus，accordingtotheproverb，verywillinglyagree;buttomeVenusismuchmoresprightlyaccompaniedbysobriety。Theexamplesofhissweetnessandclemencytothosebywhomhehadbeenoffendedareinfinite;Imean，besidesthosehegaveduringthetimeofthecivilwars，which，asplainlyenoughappearsbyhiswritings，hepractisedtocajolehisenemies，andtomakethemlessafraidofhisfuturedominionandvictory。ButImustalsosay，thatiftheseexamplesarenotsufficientproofsofhisnaturalsweetness，they，atleast，manifestamarvellousconfidenceandgrandeurofcourageinthisperson。Hehasoftenbeenknowntodismisswholearmies，afterhavingovercomethem，tohisenemies，withoutransom，ordeigningsomuchastobindthembyoath，ifnottofavourhim，atleastnomoretobeararmsagainsthim;hehasthreeorfourtimestakensomeofPompey’scaptainsprisoners，andasoftensetthematliberty。Pompeydeclaredallthosetobeenemieswhodidnotfollowhimtothewar;heproclaimedallthosetobehisfriendswhosatstillanddidnotactuallytakearmsagainsthim。Tosuchcaptainsofhisasranawayfromhimtogoovertotheotherside，hesent，moreover，theirarms，horses，andequipage:thecitieshehadtakenbyforceheleftatfulllibertytofollowwhichsidetheypleased，imposingnoothergarrisonuponthembutthememoryofhisgentlenessandclemency。Hegavestrictandexpresscharge，thedayofhisgreatbattleofPharsalia，that，withouttheutmostnecessity，nooneshouldlayahanduponthecitizensofRome。
These，inmyopinion，wereveryhazardousproceedings，and’tisnowonderifthoseinourcivilwar，who，likehim，fightagainsttheancientestateoftheircountry，donotfollowhisexample;theyareextraordinarymeans，andthatonlyappertaintoCaesar’sfortune，andtohisadmirableforesightintheconductofaffairs。WhenIconsidertheincomparablegrandeurofhissoul，Iexcusevictorythatitcouldnotdisengageitselffromhim，eveninsounjustandsowickedacause。
Toreturntohisclemency:wehavemanystrikingexamplesinthetimeofhisgovernment，when，allthingsbeingreducedtohispower，hehadnomorewrittenagainsthimwhichhehadassharplyanswered:yethedidnotsoonafterforbeartousehisinteresttomakehimconsul。CaiusCalvus，whohadcomposedseveralinjuriousepigramsagainsthim，havingemployedmanyofhisfriendstomediateareconciliationwithhim，Caesarvoluntarilypersuadedhimselftowritefirsttohim。AndourgoodCatullus，whohadsorudelyruffledhimunderthenameofMamurra，comingtoofferhisexcusestohim，hemadethesamedaysitathistable。
Havingintelligenceofsomewhospokeillofhim，hedidnomore，butonlybyapublicorationdeclarethathehadnoticeofit。Hestilllessfearedhisenemiesthanhehatedthem;someconspiraciesandcabalsthatweremadeagainsthislifebeingdiscoveredtohim，hesatisfiedhimselfinpublishingbyproclamationthattheywereknowntohim，withoutfurtherprosecutingtheconspirators。
Astotherespecthehadforhisfriends:CaiusOppius，beingwithhimuponajourney，andfindinghimselfill，helefthimtheonlylodginghehadforhimself，andlayallnightuponahardgroundintheopenair。
Astowhatconcernshisjustice，heputabelovedservantofhistodeathforlyingwithanobleRoman’swife，thoughtherewasnocomplaintmade。\"
Neverhadmanmoremoderationinhisvictory，normoreresolutioninhisadversefortune。
Butallthesegoodinclinationswerestifledandspoiledbyhisfuriousambition，bywhichhesufferedhimselftobesotransportedandmisledthatonemayeasilymaintainthatthispassionwastherudderofallhisactions;ofaliberalman，itmadehimapublicthieftosupplythisbountyandprofusion，andmadehimutterthisvileandunjustsaying，\"Thatifthemostwickedandprofligatepersonsintheworldhadbeenfaithfulinservinghimtowardshisadvancement，hewouldcherishandpreferthemtotheutmostofhispower，asmuchasthebestofmen。\"
Itintoxicatedhimwithsoexcessiveavanity，astodaretoboastinthepresenceofhisfellow—citizens，thathehadmadethegreatcommonwealthofRomeanamewithoutformandwithoutbody;andtosaythathisanswersforthefutureshouldstandforlaws;andalsotoreceivethebodyoftheSenatecomingtohim，sitting;tosufferhimselftobeadored，andtohavedivinehonourspaidtohiminhisownpresence。Toconclude，thissolevice，inmyopinion，spoiledinhimthemostrichandbeautifulnaturethateverwas，andhasrenderedhisnameabominabletoallgoodmen，inthathewoulderecthisgloryupontheruinsofhiscountryandthesubversionofthegreatestandmostflourishingrepublictheworldshalleversee。
Theremight，onthecontrary，manyexamplesbeproducedofgreatmenwhompleasureshavemadetoneglecttheconductoftheiraffairs，asMarkAntonyandothers;butwhereloveandambitionshouldbeinequalbalance，andcometojostlewithequalforces，Imakenodoubtbutthelastwouldwintheprize。
Toreturntomysubject:’tismuchtobridleourappetitesbytheargumentofreason，or，byviolence，tocontainourmemberswithintheirduty;buttolashourselvesforourneighbour’sinterest，andnotonlytodivestourselvesofthecharmingpassionthatticklesus，ofthepleasurewefeelinbeingagreeabletoothers，andcourtedandbelovedofeveryone，butalsotoconceiveahatredagainstthegracesthatproducethateffect，andtocondemnourbeautybecauseitinflamesothers;ofthis，I
confess，Ihavemetwithfewexamples。Butthisisone。Spurina，ayoungmanofTuscany:
\"Qualisgemmamicat，fulvumquaedividitaurum，Autcollodecus，autcupiti:velqualeperartemInclusumbuxoautOriciaterebinthoLucetebur，\"
[\"Asagemshinesenchasedinyellowgold，oranornamentontheneckorhead，orasivoryhaslustre，setbyartinboxwoodorOricianebony。\"——AEneid，x。134。]
beingendowedwithasingularbeauty，andsoexcessive，thatthechastesteyescouldnotchastelybeholditsrays;notcontentinghimselfwithleavingsomuchflameandfeverasheeverywherekindledwithoutrelief，enteredintoafuriousspiteagainsthimselfandthosegreatendowmentsnaturehadsoliberallyconferreduponhim，asifamanwereresponsibletohimselfforthefaultsofothers，andpurposelyslashedanddisfigured，withmanywoundsandscars，theperfectsymmetryandproportionthatnaturehadsocuriouslyimprintedinhisface。Togivemyfreeopinion，Imoreadmirethanhonoursuchactions:suchexcessesareenemiestomyrules。Thedesignwasconscientiousandgood，butcertainlyalittledefectiveinprudence。Whatifhisdeformityservedafterwardstomakeothersguiltyofthesinofhatredorcontempt;orofenvyatthegloryofsorarearecommendation;orofcalumny，interpretingthishumouramadambition！Isthereanyformfromwhichvicecannot，ifitwill，extractoccasiontoexerciseitself，onewayoranother？Ithadbeenmorejust，andalsomorenoble，tohavemadeofthesegiftsofGodasubjectofexemplaryregularityandvirtue。
Theywhoretirethemselvesfromthecommonoffices，fromthatinfinitenumberoftroublesomerulesthatfetteramanofexacthonestyincivillife，areinmyopinionverydiscreet，whatpeculiarsharpnessofconstraintsoevertheyimposeuponthemselvesinsodoing。’Tisinsomesortakindofdyingtoavoidthepainoflivingwell。Theymayhaveanotherreward;buttherewardofdifficultyIfancytheycanneverhave;
nor，inuneasiness，thattherecanbeanythingmoreorbetterdonethanthekeepingoneselfuprightamidthewavesoftheworld，trulyandexactlyperformingallpartsofourduty。’Tis，peradventure，moreeasytokeepclearofthesexthantomaintainone’sselfarightinallpointsinthesocietyofawife;andamanmaywithlesstroubleadapthimselftoentireabstinencethantotheduedispensationofabundance。Use，carriedonaccordingtoreason，hasinitmoreofdifficultythanabstinence;moderationisavirtuethatgivesmoreworkthansuffering;