[Whotellsuswhatisgood，whatevil，whatuseful，whatnot，moreclearlyandbetterthanChrysippusandCrantor？\"
——Horace，Ep。，i。2，3。]
andasthisothersays，\"Aquo，ceufonteperenni，VatumPieriisorariganturaquis\"
[\"Fromwhich，asfromaperennialspring，thelipsofthepoetsaremoistenedbyPierianwaters。\"——Ovid，Amoy。，iii。9，25。]
andtheother，\"AddeHeliconiadumcomites，quorumunusHomerusSceptrapotitus;\"
[\"AddthecompanionsoftheMuses，whosesceptreHomerhassolelyobtained。\"——Lucretius，iii。1050。]
andtheother:
\"CujusqueexoreprofusosOmnisposteritaslaticesincarminaduxit，Amnemqueintenuesausaestdeducererivos。
Uniusfoecundabonis。\"
[\"Fromwhosemouthallposterityhasdrawnoutcopiousstreamsofverse，andhasmadeboldtoturnthemightyriverintoitslittlerivulets，fertileinthepropertyofoneman。\"
——Manilius，Astyon。，ii。8。]
’Tiscontrarytotheorderofnaturethathehasmadethemostexcellentproductionthatcanpossiblybe;fortheordinarybirthofthingsisimperfect;theythriveandgatherstrengthbygrowing，whereasherenderedtheinfancyofpoesyandseveralothersciencesmature，perfect，andaccomplishedatfirst。Andforthisreasonhemaybecalledthefirstandthelastofthepoets，accordingtothefinetestimonyantiquityhasleftusofhim，\"thatastherewasnonebeforehimwhomhecouldimitate，sotherehasbeennonesincethatcouldimitatehim。\"
Hiswords，accordingtoAristotle，aretheonlywordsthathavemotionandaction，theonlysubstantialwords。AlexandertheGreat，havingfoundarichcabinetamongstDarius’spoils，gaveorderitshouldbereservedforhimtokeephisHomerin，saying:thathewasthebestandmostfaithfulcounsellorhehadinhismilitaryaffairs。ForthesamereasonitwasthatCleomenes，thesonofAnaxandridas，saidthathewasthepoetoftheLacedaemonians，forthathewasanexcellentmasterforthedisciplineofwar。ThissingularandparticularcommendationisalsoleftofhiminthejudgmentofPlutarch，thatheistheonlyauthorintheworldthatnevergluttednordisgustedhisreaders，presentinghimselfalwaysanotherthing，andalwaysflourishinginsomenewgrace。
ThatwantonAlcibiades，havingaskedone，whopretendedtolearning，forabookofHomer，gavehimaboxoftheearbecausehehadnone，whichhethoughtasscandalousasweshouldifwefoundoneofourpriestswithoutaBreviary。XenophanescomplainedonedaytoHiero，thetyrantofSyracuse，thathewassopoorhehadnotwherewithaltomaintaintwoservants。\"What！\"repliedhe，\"Homer，whowasmuchpoorerthanthouart，keepsabovetenthousand，thoughheisdead。WhatdidPanaetiusleaveunsaidwhenhecalledPlatotheHomerofthephilosophers？Besideswhatglorycanbecomparedtohis？Nothingissofrequentinmen’smouthsashisnameandworks，nothingsoknownandreceivedasTroy，Helen，andthewarabouther，whenperhapstherewasneveranysuchthing。Ourchildrenarestillcalledbynamesthatheinventedabovethreethousandyearsago;whodoesnotknowHectorandAchilles？Notonlysomeparticularfamilies，butmostnationsalsoseektheirorigininhisinventions。Mohammed，thesecondofthatname，emperoroftheTurks，writingtoourPopePiusII。，\"Iamastonished，\"sayshe，\"thattheItaliansshouldappearagainstme，consideringthatwehaveourcommondescentfromtheTrojans，andthatitconcernsmeaswellasitdoesthemtorevengethebloodofHectorupontheGreeks，whomtheycountenanceagainstme。\"Isitnotanoblefarcewhereinkings，republics，andemperorshavesomanyagesplayedtheirparts，andtowhichthevastuniverseservesforatheatre？SevenGreciancitiescontendedforhisbirth，somuchhonourevenhisobscurityhelpedhimto！
\"Smyrna，Rhodos，Colophon，Salamis，Chios，Argos，Athenm。\"
TheotherisAlexandertheGreat。Forwhoeverwillconsidertheageatwhichhebeganhisenterprises，thesmallmeansbywhichheeffectedsogloriousadesign，theauthorityheobtainedinsuchmereyouthwiththegreatestandmostexperiencedcaptainsoftheworld，bywhomhewasfollowed，theextraordinaryfavourwherewithfortuneembracedandfavouredsomanyhazardous，nottosayrash，exploits，\"ImpellensquicquidsibisummapetentiObstaret，gaudensqueviamfecisseruins;\"
[\"Bearingdownallwhosoughttowithstandhim，andpleasedtoforcehiswaybyruin。\"——Lucan，i。149。]
thatgreatness，tohaveattheageofthree—and—thirtyyears，passedvictoriousthroughthewholehabitableearth，andinhalfalifetohaveattainedtotheutmostofwhathumannaturecando;sothatyoucannotimagineitsjustdurationandthecontinuationofhisincreaseinvalourandfortune，uptoaduematurityofage，butthatyoumustwithalimaginesomethingmorethanman:tohavemadesomanyroyalbranchestospringfromhissoldiers，leavingtheworld，athisdeath，dividedamongstfoursuccessors，simplecaptainsofhisarmy，whoseposteritysolongcontinuedandmaintainedthatvastpossession;somanyexcellentvirtuesashewasmasterof，justice，temperance，liberality，truthinhisword，lovetowardshisownpeople，andhumanitytowardsthoseheovercame;forhismanners，ingeneral，seemintruthincapableofanymannerofreproach，althoughsomeparticularandextraordinaryactionsofhismayfallundercensure。Butitisimpossibletocarryonsuchgreatthingsashedidwithinthestrictrulesofjustice;suchashearetobejudgedingrossbythemainendoftheiractions。TheruinofThebesandPersepolis，themurderofMenanderandofEphistion’sphysician，themassacreofsomanyPersianprisonersatonetime，ofatroopofIndiansoldiersnotwithoutprejudicetohisword，andoftheCossians，somuchastotheverychildren，areindeedsalliesthatarenotwelltobeexcused。For，astoClytus，thefaultwasmorethanredeemed;andthatveryaction，asmuchasanyotherwhatever，manifeststhegoodnessofhisnature，anaturemostexcellentlyformedtogoodness;anditwasingeniouslysaidofhim，thathehadhisvirtuesfromNature，hisvicesfromFortune。Astohisbeingalittlegiventobragging，alittletooimpatientofhearinghimselfill—spokenof，andastothosemangers，arms，andbitshecausedtobestrewedintheIndies，allthoselittlevanities，methinks，mayverywellbeallowedtohisyouth，andtheprodigiousprosperityofhisfortune。Andwhowillconsiderwithalhissomanymilitaryvirtues，hisdiligence，foresight，patience，discipline，subtlety，magnanimity，resolution，andgoodfortune，wherein（thoughwehadnothadtheauthorityofHannibaltoassureus）hewasthefirstofmen，theadmirablebeautyandsymmetryofhisperson，eventoamiracle，hismajesticportandawfulmien，inafacesoyoung，ruddy，andradiant:
\"Qualis，ubiOceaniperfususLuciferunda，QuemVenusantealiosastrorumdiligitignes，Extulitossacrumcoelo，tenebrasqueresolvit;\"
[\"Aswhen，bathedinthewavesofOcean，Lucifer，whomVenuslovesbeyondtheotherstars，hasdisplayedhissacredcountenancetotheheaven，anddispersesthedarkness\"——AEneid，iii。589。]
theexcellenceofhisknowledgeandcapacity;thedurationandgrandeurofhisglory，pure，clean，withoutspotorenvy，andthatlongafterhisdeathitwasareligiousbeliefthathisverymedalsbroughtgoodfortunetoallwhocarriedthemaboutthem;andthatmorekingsandprinceshavewrittenhisactionsthanotherhistorianshavewrittentheactionsofanyotherkingorprincewhatever;andthattothisverydaytheMohammedans，whodespiseallotherhistories，admitofandhonourhisalone，byaspecialprivilege:whoever，Isay，willseriouslyconsidertheseparticulars，willconfessthat，allthesethingsputtogether，IhadreasontopreferhimbeforeCaesarhimself，whoalonecouldmakemedoubtfulinmychoice:anditcannotbedeniedthattherewasmoreofhisowninhisexploits，andmoreoffortuneinthoseofAlexander。Theywereinmanythingsequal，andperadventureCaesarhadsomegreaterqualitiestheyweretwofires，ortwotorrents，overrunningtheworldbyseveralways;
\"AcvelutimmissidiversispartibusignesArenteminsilvam，etvirgultasonantialauroAutubidecursurapidodemontibusaltisDantsonitumspumosiamnes，etinaequoracurrunt，Quisquesuumpopulatusiter:\"
[\"Andasfiresappliedinseveralpartstoadrywoodandcracklingshrubsoflaurel，oraswithimpetuousfallfromthesteepmountains，foamingtorrentspourdowntotheocean，eachclearingadestructivecourse。\"——AEneid，xii。521。]
butthoughCaesar’sambitionhadbeenmoremoderate，itwouldstillbesounhappy，havingtheruinofhiscountryanduniversalmischieftotheworldforitsabominableobject，that，allthingsrakedtogetherandputintothebalance，ImustneedsinclinetoAlexander’sside。
Thethirdandinmyopinionthemostexcellent，isEpaminondas。Ofgloryhehasnotnearsomuchastheothertwo（which，forthatmatter，isbutapartofthesubstanceofthething）:ofvalourandresolution，notofthatsortwhichispushedonbyambition，butofthatwhichwisdomandreasoncanplantinaregularsoul，hehadallthatcouldbeimagined。
Ofthisvirtueofhis，hehas，inmyidea，givenasampleproofasAlexanderhimselforCaesar:foralthoughhiswarlikeexploitswereneithersofrequentnorsofull，theywereyet，ifdulyconsideredinalltheircircumstances，asimportant，asbravelyfought，andcarriedwiththemasmanifesttestimonyofvalourandmilitaryconduct，asthoseofanywhatever。TheGreekshavedonehimthehonour，withoutcontradiction，topronouncehimthegreatestmanoftheirnation;andtobethefirstofGreece，iseasilytobethefirstoftheworld。Astohisknowledge，wehavethisancientjudgmentofhim，\"Thatneveranymanknewsomuch，andspakesolittleashe\";——[Plutarch，OntheDemonofSocrates，c。23。]——forhewasofthePythagoreansect;butwhenhedidspeak，neveranymanspakebetter;anexcellentorator，andofpowerfulpersuasion。Butastohismannersandconscience，heinfinitelysurpassedallmenwhoeverundertookthemanagementofaffairs;forinthisonething，whichoughtchieflytobeconsidered，whichalonetrulydenotesusforwhatweare，andwhichaloneImakecounterbalancealltherestputtogether，hecomesnotshortofanyphilosopherwhatever，notevenofSocrateshimself。Innocence，inthisman，isaqualitypeculiar，sovereign，constant，uniform，incorruptible，comparedwithwhich，itappearsinAlexandersubjecttosomethingelsesubaltern，uncertain，variable，effeminate，andfortuitous。
Antiquityhasjudgedthatinthoroughlysiftingalltheothergreatcaptains，thereisfoundineveryonesomepeculiarqualitythatillustrateshisname:inthismanonlythereisafullandequalvirtuethroughout，thatleavesnothingtobewishedforinhim，whetherinprivateorpublicemployment，whetherinpeaceorwar;whethertolivegloriouslyandgrandly，andtodie:IdonotknowanyformorfortuneofmanthatIsomuchhonourandlove。
’TistruethatIlookuponhisobstinatepoverty，asitissetoutbyhisbestfriends，asalittletooscrupulousandnice;andthisistheonlyfeature，thoughhighinitselfandwellworthyofadmiration，thatIfindsoruggedasnottodesiretoimitate，tothedegreeitwasinhim。
ScipioAEmilianusalone，couldoneattributetohimasbraveandmagnificentanend，andasprofoundanduniversalaknowledge，mightbeputintotheotherscaleofthebalance。Oh，whataninjuryhastimedonemetodeprivemeofthesightoftwoofthemostnobleliveswhich，bythecommonconsentofalltheworld，oneofthegreatestoftheGreeks，andtheotheroftheRomans，wereinallPlutarch。Whatamatter！whataworkman！
Foramanthatwasnosaint，but，aswesay，agentleman，ofcivilianandordinarymanners，andofamoderateambition，therichestlifethatI
know，andfulloftherichestandmosttobedesiredparts，allthingsconsidered，is，inmyopinion，thatofAlcibiades。
ButastowhatconcernsEpaminondas，Iwillhere，fortheexampleofanexcessivegoodness，addsomeofhisopinions:hedeclared，thatthegreatestsatisfactionheeverhadinhiswholelife，wasthecontentmenthegavehisfatherandmotherbyhisvictoryatLeuctra;whereinhisdeferenceisgreat，preferringtheirpleasurebeforehisown，sodustandsofullofsogloriousanaction。Hedidnotthinkitlawful，eventorestorethelibertyofhiscountry，tokillamanwithoutknowingacause:whichmadehimsocoldintheenterpriseofhiscompanionPelopidasforthereliefofThebes。Hewasalsoofopinionthatmeninbattleoughttoavoidtheencounterofafriendwhowasonthecontraryside，andtosparehim。Andhishumanity，eventowardshisenemiesthemselves，havingrenderedhimsuspectedtotheBoeotians，forthat，afterhehadmiraculouslyforcedtheLacedaemonianstoopentohimthepasswhichtheyhadundertakentodefendattheentranceintotheMorea，nearCorinth，hecontentedhimselfwithhavingchargedthroughthem，withoutpursuingthemtotheutmost，hehadhiscommissionofgeneraltakenfromhim，veryhonourablyuponsuchanaccount，andfortheshameitwastothemuponnecessityafterwardstorestorehimtohiscommand，andsotomanifesthowmuchuponhimdependedtheirsafetyandhonour;
victorylikeashadowattendinghimwhereverhewent;andindeedtheprosperityofhiscountry，asbeingfromhimderived，diedwithhim。
CHAPTERXXXVII
OFTHERESEMBLANCEOFCHILDRENTOTHEIRFATHERS
ThisfaggotingupofsomanydiverspiecesissodonethatIneversetpentopaperbutwhenIhavetoomuchidletime，andneveranywherebutathome;sothatitiscompiledafterdiversinterruptionsandintervals，occasionskeepingmesometimesmanymonthselsewhere。Astotherest，Inevercorrectmyfirstbyanysecondconceptions;I，peradventure，mayalterawordorso，but’tisonlytovarythephrase，andnottodestroymyformermeaning。Ihaveamindtorepresenttheprogressofmyhumours，andthateveryonemayseeeachpieceasitcamefromtheforge。
IcouldwishIhadbegunsooner，andhadtakenmorenoticeofthecourseofmymutations。AservantofminewhomIemployedtotranscribeforme，thoughthehadgotaprizebystealingseveralpiecesfromme，wherewithhewasbestpleased;butitismycomfortthathewillbenogreateragainerthanIshallbealoserbythetheft。IamgrownolderbysevenoreightyearssinceIbegan;norhasitbeenwithoutsamenewacquisition:Ihave，inthattime，bytheliberalityofyears，beenacquaintedwiththestone:theircommerceandlongconversedonotwellpassawaywithoutsomesuchinconvenience。Icouldhavebeengladthatofotherinfirmitiesagehastopresentlong—livedmenwithal，ithadchosensomeonethatwouldhavebeenmorewelcometome，foritcouldnotpossiblyhavelaiduponmeadiseaseforwhich，evenfrommyinfancy，I
havehadsogreatahorror;anditis，intruth，ofalltheaccidentsofoldage，thatofwhichIhaveeverbeenmostafraid。IhaveoftenthoughtwithmyselfthatIwentontoofar，andthatinsolongavoyageIshouldatlastrunmyselfintosomedisadvantage;Iperceived，andhaveoftenenoughdeclared，thatitwastimetodepart，andthatlifeshouldbecutoffinthesoundandlivingpart，accordingtothesurgeon’sruleinamputations;andthatnaturemadehimpayverystrictusurywhodidnotinduetimepaytheprincipal。AndyetIwassofarfrombeingready，thatintheeighteenmonths’timeorthereaboutthatIhavebeeninthisuneasycondition，Ihavesoinuredmyselftoitastobecontenttoliveoninit;andhavefoundwhereintocomfortmyself，andtohope:
somucharemenenslavedtotheirmiserablebeing，thatthereisnoconditionsowretchedtheywillnotaccept，providedtheymaylive！HearMaecenas:
\"Debilemfacitomanu，Debilempede，coxa，Lubricosquatedentes;
Vitadumsuperest，beneest。\"
[\"Cripplemyhand，foot，hip;shakeoutmylooseteeth:whilethere’slife，’tiswell。\"——ApudSeneca，Ep。，101。]
AndTamerlane，withafoolishhumanity，palliatedthefantasticcrueltyheexerciseduponlepers，whenheputallhecouldhearoftodeath，todeliverthem，ashepretended，fromthepainfullifetheylived。Fortherewasnotoneofthemwhowouldnotratherhavebeenthricealeperthanbenot。AndAntisthenestheStoic，beingverysick，andcryingout，\"Whowilldelivermefromtheseevils？\"Diogenes，whohadcometovisithim，\"This，\"saidhe，presentinghimaknife，\"soonenough，ifthouwilt。\"——\"Idonotmeanfrommylife，\"hereplied，\"butfrommysufferings。\"Thesufferingsthatonlyattackthemind，Iamnotsosensibleofasmostothermen;andthispartlyoutofjudgment，fortheworldlooksuponseveralthingsasdreadfulortobeavoidedattheexpenseoflife，thatarealmostindifferenttome:partly，throughadullandinsensiblecomplexionIhaveinaccidentswhichdonotpoint—
blankhitme;andthatinsensibilityIlookuponasoneofthebestpartsofmynaturalcondition;butessentialandcorporealpainsIamverysensibleof。Andyet，havinglongsinceforeseenthem，thoughwithasightweakanddelicateandsoftenedwiththelongandhappyhealthandquietthatGodhasbeenpleasedtogivemethegreatestpartofmytime，Ihadinmyimaginationfanciedthemsoinsupportable，that，intruth，I
wasmoreafraidthanIhavesincefoundIhadcause:bywhichIamstillmorefortifiedinthisbelief，thatmostofthefacultiesofthesoul，asweemploythem，moretroublethereposeoflifethantheyareanywayusefultoit。
Iaminconflictwiththeworst，themostsudden，themostpainful，themostmortal，andthemostirremediableofalldiseases;Ihavealreadyhadthetrialoffiveorsixverylongandverypainfulfits;andyetI
eitherflattermyself，orthereiseveninthisstatewhatisverywelltobeenduredbyamanwhohashissoulfreefromthefearofdeath，andofthemenaces，conclusions，andconsequenceswhichphysiciseverthunderinginourears;buttheeffectevenofpainitselfisnotsosharpandintolerableastoputamanofunderstandingintorageanddespair。Ihaveatleastthisadvantagebymystone，thatwhatIcouldnothithertoprevailuponmyselftoresolveupon，astoreconcilingandacquaintingmyselfwithdeath，itwillperfect;forthemoreitpressesuponandimportunesme，Ishallbesomuchthelessafraidtodie。Ihadalreadygonesofarasonlytolovelifeforlife’ssake，butmypainwilldissolvethisintelligence;andGodgrantthatintheend，shouldthesharpnessofitbeoncegreaterthanIshallbeabletobear，itdoesnotthrowmeintotheothernolessviciousextremetodesireandwishtodie！
\"Summumnecmetuasdiem，necoptes:\"
[\"Neithertowish，norfeartodie。\"（Or:）
\"Thoushouldestneitherfearnordesirethelastday。\"
——Martial，x。7。]
theyaretwopassionstobefeared;buttheonehasitsremedymuchnearerathandthantheother。
Astotherest，Ihavealwaysfoundthepreceptthatsorigorouslyenjoinsaresolutecountenanceanddisdainfulandindifferentcomportmentinthetolerationofinfirmitiestobeceremonial。Whyshouldphilosophy，whichonlyhasrespecttolifeandeffects，troubleitselfabouttheseexternalappearances？Letusleavethatcaretoactorsandmastersofrhetoric，whosetsogreatavalueuponourgestures。Letherallowthisvocalfrailtytodisease，ifitbeneithercordialnorstomachic，andpermittheordinarywaysofexpressinggriefbysighs，sobs，palpitations，andturningpale，thatnaturehasputoutofourpower;providedthecouragebeundaunted，andthetonesnotexpressiveofdespair，letherbesatisfied。Whatmatterthewringingofourhands，ifwedonotwringourthoughts？Sheformsusforourselves，notforothers;tobe，nottoseem;letherbesatisfiedwithgoverningourunderstanding，whichshehastakenuponherthecareofinstructing;
that，inthefuryofthecolic，shemaintainthesoulinaconditiontoknowitself，andtofollowitsaccustomedway，contendingwith，andenduring，notmeanlytrucklingunderpain;movedandheated，notsubduedandconquered，inthecontention;capableofdiscourseandotherthings，toacertaindegree。Insuchextremeaccidents，’tiscrueltytorequiresoexactacomposedness。’Tisnogreatmatterthatwemakeawryface，ifthemindplaysitspartwell:ifthebodyfinditselfrelievedbycomplainingletitcomplain:ifagitationeaseit，letittumbleandtossatpleasure;ifitseemtofindthediseaseevaporate（assomephysiciansholdthatithelpswomenindelivery）inmakingloudoutcries，orifthisdobutdivertitstorments，letitroarasitwill。Letusnotcommandthisvoicetosally，butstopitnot。Epicurus，notonlyforgiveshissageforcryingoutintorments，butadviseshimtoit:
\"Pugilesetiam，quumferiunt，injactandiscaestibusingemiscunt，quiaprofundendavoceomnecorpusintenditur，venitqueplagavehementior。\"
[\"Boxersalso，whentheystrike，groanintheact，becausewiththestrengthofvoicethewholebodyiscarried，andtheblowcomeswiththegreatervehemence。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。23。]
Wehaveenoughtodotodealwiththedisease，withouttroublingourselveswiththesesuperfluousrules。
WhichIsayinexcuseofthosewhomweordinarilyseeimpatientintheassaultsofthismalady;forastowhatconcernsmyself，Ihavepasseditoverhithertowithalittlebettercountenance，andcontentedmyselfwithgroaningwithoutroaringout;not，nevertheless，thatIputanygreatconstraintuponmyselftomaintainthisexteriordecorum，forImakelittleaccountofsuchanadvantage:Iallowhereinasmuchasthepainrequires;buteithermypainsarenotsoexcessive，orIhavemorethanordinarypatience。Icomplain，Iconfess，andamalittleimpatientinaverysharpfit，butIdonotarrivetosuchadegreeofdespairashewhowith:
\"Ejulatu，questu，gemitu，fremitibusResonando，multumflebilesvocesrefert:\"
[\"Howling，roaring，groaningwithathousandnoises，expressinghistormentinadismalvoice。\"（Or:）\"Wailing，complaining，groaning，murmuringmuchavaillugubrioussounds。\"——VersesofAttius，inhisPhaloctetes，quotedbyCicero，DeFinib。，ii。29;Tusc。Quaes。，ii。14。]
Itrymyselfinthedepthofmysuffering，andhavealwaysfoundthatI
wasinacapacitytospeak，think，andgivearationalansweraswellasatanyothertime，butnotsofirmly，beingtroubledandinterruptedbythepain。WhenIamlookeduponbymyvisitorstobeinthegreatesttorment，andthattheythereforeforbeartotroubleme，Ioftenessaymyownstrength，andmyselfsetsomediscourseonfoot，themostremoteI
cancontrivefrommypresentcondition。Icandoanythinguponasuddenendeavour，butitmustnotcontinuelong。Oh，whatpity’tisIhavenotthefacultyofthatdreamerinCicero，whodreaminghewaslyingwithawench，foundhehaddischargedhisstoneinthesheets。Mypainsstrangelydeadenmyappetitethatway。Intheintervalsfromthisexcessivetorment，whenmyuretersonlylanguishwithoutanygreatdolor，Ipresentlyfeelmyselfinmywontedstate，forasmuchasmysoultakesnootheralarmbutwhatissensibleandcorporal，whichIcertainlyowetothecareIhavehadofpreparingmyselfbymeditationagainstsuchaccidents:
\"Laborum，Nullamihinovanuncfaciesinopinavesurgit;
Omniapraecepi，atqueanimomecumanteperegi。\"
[\"Nonewshapeofsufferingcanariseneworunexpected;Ihaveanticipatedall，andactedthemoverbeforehandinmymind。\"
——AEneid，vi。103。]
Iam，however，alittleroughlyhandledforanapprentice，andwithasuddenandsharpalteration，beingfalleninaninstantfromaveryeasyandhappyconditionoflifeintothemostuneasyandpainfulthatcanbeimagined。Forbesidesthatitisadiseaseverymuchtobefearedinitself，itbeginswithmeafteramoresharpandseveremannerthanitisusedtodowithothermen。MyfitscomesothickuponmethatIamscarcelyeveratease;yetIhavehithertokeptmymindsouprightthat，providedIcanstillcontinueit，Ifindmyselfinamuchbetterconditionoflifethanathousandothers，whohavenofewernorotherdiseasebutwhattheycreatetothemselvesforwantofmeditation。
Thereisacertainsortofcraftyhumilitythatspringsfrompresumption，asthis，forexample，thatweconfessourignoranceinmanythings，andaresocourteousastoacknowledgethatthereareintheworksofnaturesomequalitiesandconditionsthatareimperceptibletous，andofwhichourunderstandingcannotdiscoverthemeansandcauses;bythissohonestandconscientiousdeclarationwehopetoobtainthatpeopleshallalsobelieveusastothosethatwesaywedounderstand。Weneednottroubleourselvestoseekoutforeignmiraclesanddifficulties;methinks，amongstthethingsthatweordinarilysee，therearesuchincomprehensiblewondersassurpassalldifficultiesofmiracles。Whatawonderfulthingitisthatthedropofseedfromwhichweareproducedshouldcarryinitselftheimpressionnotonlyofthebodilyform，butevenofthethoughtsandinclinationsofourfathers！Wherecanthatdropoffluidmattercontainthatinfinitenumberofforms？andhowcantheycarryontheseresemblanceswithsoprecariousandirregularaprocessthatthesonshallbelikehisgreat—grandfather，thenephewlikehisuncle？InthefamilyofLepidusatRometherewerethree，notsuccessivelybutbyintervals，whowerebornwiththesameeyecoveredwithacartilage。AtThebestherewasaracethatcarriedfromtheirmother’swombtheformoftheheadofalance，andhewhowasnotbornsowaslookeduponasillegitimate。AndAristotlesaysthatinacertainnation，wherethewomenwereincommon，theyassignedthechildrentotheirfathersbytheirresemblance。
’TistobebelievedthatIderivethisinfirmityfrommyfather，forhediedwonderfullytormentedwithagreatstoneinhisbladder;hewasneversensibleofhisdiseasetillthesixty—seventhyearofhisage;andbeforethathadneverfeltanymenaceorsymptomsofit，eitherinhisreins，sides，oranyotherpart，andhadlived，tillthen，inahappy，vigorousstateofhealth，littlesubjecttoinfirmities，andhecontinuedsevenyearsafterinthisdisease，draggingonaverypainfulendoflife。Iwasbornaboutfive—and—twentyyearsbeforehisdiseaseseizedhim，andinthetimeofhismostflourishingandhealthfulstateofbody，histhirdchildinorderofbirth:wherecouldhispropensiontothismaladylielurkingallthatwhile？Andhebeingthensofarfromtheinfirmity，howcouldthatsmallpartofhissubstancewherewithhemademe，carryawaysogreatanimpressionforitsshare？andhowsoconcealed，thattillfive—and—fortyyearsafter，Ididnotbegintobesensibleofit？beingtheonlyonetothishour，amongstsomanybrothersandsisters，andallbyonemother，thatwasevertroubledwithit。Hethatcansatisfymeinthispoint，Iwillbelievehiminasmanyothermiraclesashepleases;alwaysprovidedthat，astheirmanneris，hedonotgivemeadoctrinemuchmoreintricateandfantasticthanthethingitselfforcurrentpay。
LetthephysiciansalittleexcusethelibertyItake，forbythissameinfusionandfatalinsinuationitisthatIhavereceivedahatredandcontemptoftheirdoctrine;theantipathyIhaveagainsttheirartishereditary。Myfatherlivedthree—scoreandfourteenyears，mygrandfathersixty—nine，mygreat—grandfatheralmostfourscoreyears，withoutevertastinganysortofphysic;and，withthem，whateverwasnotordinarydiet，wasinsteadofadrug。Physicisgroundeduponexperienceandexamples:soismyopinion。Andisnotthisanexpressandveryadvantageousexperience。Idonotknowthattheycanfindmeinalltheirrecordsthreethatwereborn，bred，anddiedunderthesameroof，whohavelivedsolongbytheirconduct。Theymusthereofnecessityconfess，thatifreasonbenot，fortuneatleastisonmyside，andwithphysiciansfortunegoesagreatdealfurtherthanreason。Letthemnottakemenowatadisadvantage;letthemnotthreatenmeinthesubduedconditionwhereinInowam;thatweretreachery。Intruth，Ihaveenoughthebetterofthembythesedomesticexamples，thattheyshouldrestsatisfied。Humanthingsarenotusuallysoconstant;ithasbeentwohundredyears，saveeighteen，thatthistrialhaslasted，forthefirstofthemwasbornintheyear1402:’tisnow，indeed，verygoodreasonthatthisexperienceshouldbegintofailus。Letthemnot，therefore，reproachmewiththeinfirmitiesunderwhichInowsuffer;isitnotenoughthatIformyparthavelivedseven—and—fortyyearsingoodhealth？thoughitshouldbetheendofmycareer;’tisofthelongersort。
Myancestorshadanaversiontophysicbysomeoccultandnaturalinstinct;fortheverysightofdrugswasloathsometomyfather。TheSeigneurdeGaviac，myunclebythefather’sside，achurchman，andavaletudinaryfromhisbirth，andyetwhomadethatcrazylifeholdouttosixty—sevenyears，beingoncefallenintoafuriousfever，itwasorderedbythephysiciansheshouldbeplainlytoldthatifhewouldnotmakeuseofhelp（forsotheycallthatwhichisveryoftenanobstacle），hewouldinfalliblybeadeadman。Thatgoodman，thoughterrifiedwiththisdreadfulsentence，yetreplied，\"Iamthenadeadman。\"ButGodsoonaftermadetheprognosticfalse。Thelastofthebrothers——therewerefourofthem——andbymanyyearsthelast，theSieurdeBussaguet，wastheonlyoneofthefamilywhomadeuseofmedicine，byreason，Isuppose，oftheconcernhehadwiththeotherarts，forhewasacouncillorinthecourtofParliament，anditsucceededsoillwithhim，thatbeinginoutwardappearanceofthestrongestconstitution，heyetdiedlongbeforeanyoftherest，savetheSieurdeSaintMichel。
’TispossibleImayhavederivedthisnaturalantipathytophysicfromthem;buthadtherebeennootherconsiderationinthecase，Iwouldhaveendeavouredtohaveovercomeit;foralltheseconditionsthatspringinuswithoutreason，arevicious;’tisakindofdiseasethatweshouldwrestlewith。ItmaybeIhadnaturallythispropension;butIhavesupportedandfortifieditbyargumentsandreasonswhichhaveestablishedinmetheopinionIamof。ForIalsohatetheconsiderationofrefusingphysicforthenauseoustaste。
Ishouldhardlybeofthathumourwhoholdhealthtobeworthpurchasingbyallthemostpainfulcauteriesandincisionsthatcanbeapplied。
And，withEpicurus，Iconceivethatpleasuresaretobeavoided，ifgreaterpainsbetheconsequence，andpainstobecoveted，thatwillterminateingreaterpleasures。Healthisapreciousthing，andtheonlyone，intruth，meritingthatamanshouldlayout，notonlyhistime，sweat，labour，andgoods，butalsohislifeitselftoobtainit;
forasmuchas，withoutit，lifeiswearisomeandinjurioustous:
pleasure，wisdom，learning，andvirtue，withoutit，witherawayandvanish;andtothemostlabouredandsoliddiscoursesthatphilosophywouldimprintinustothecontrary，weneednomorebutopposetheimageofPlatobeingstruckwithanepilepsyorapoplexy;and，inthispresupposition，todefyhimtocalltherichfacultiesofhissoultohisassistance。Allmeansthatconducetohealthcanneitherbetoopainfulnortoodeartome。ButIhavesomeotherappearancesthatmakemestrangelysuspectallthismerchandise。Idonotdenybutthattheremaybesomeartinit，thattherearenotamongstsomanyworksofNature，thingsproperfortheconservationofhealth:thatismostcertain:I
verywellknowtherearesomesimplesthatmoisten，andothersthatdry;
Iexperimentallyknowthatradishesarewindy，andsenna—leavespurging;
andseveralothersuchexperiencesIhave，asthatmuttonnourishesme，andwinewarmsme:andSolonsaid\"thateatingwasphysicagainstthemaladyhunger。\"Idonotdisapprovetheusewemakeofthingstheearthproduces，nordoubt，intheleast，ofthepowerandfertilityofNature，andofitsapplicationtoournecessities:Iverywellseethatpikesandswallowslivebyherlaws;butImistrusttheinventionsofourmind，ourknowledgeandart，tocountenancewhich，wehaveabandonedNatureandherrules，andwhereinwekeepnoboundsnormoderation。Aswecallthepilingupofthefirstlawsthatfallintoourhandsjustice，andtheirpracticeanddispensationveryoftenfoolishandveryunjust;andasthosewhoscoffatandaccuseit，donot，nevertheless，blamethatnoblevirtueitself，butonlycondemntheabuseandprofanationofthatsacredtitle;soinphysicIverymuchhonourthatgloriousname，itspropositions，itspromises，sousefulfortheserviceofmankind;buttheordinancesitfoistsuponus，betwixtourselves，Ineitherhonournoresteem。
Inthefirstplace，experiencemakesmedreadit;foramongstallmyacquaintance，Iseenopeoplesosoonsick，andsolongbeforetheyarewell，asthosewhotakemuchphysic;theirveryhealthisalteredandcorruptedbytheirfrequentprescriptions。Physiciansarenotcontenttodealonlywiththesick，buttheywillmoreovercorrupthealthitself，forfearmenshouldatanytimeescapetheirauthority。Dotheynot，fromacontinualandperfecthealth，drawtheargumentofsomegreatsicknesstoensue？Ihavebeensickoftenenough，andhavealwaysfoundmysicknesseseasyenoughtobesupported（thoughIhavemadetrialofalmostallsorts），andasshortasthoseofanyother，withouttheirhelp，orwithoutswallowingtheirill—tastingdoses。ThehealthIhaveisfullandfree，withoutotherruleordisciplinethanmyowncustomandpleasure。Everyplaceservesmewellenoughtostayin，forIneednootherconveniences，whenIamsick，thanwhatImusthavewhenIamwell。
IneverdisturbmyselfthatIhavenophysician，noapothecary，noranyotherassistance，whichIseemostothersickmenmoreafflictedatthantheyarewiththeirdisease。What！Dothedoctorsthemselvesshowusmorefelicityanddurationintheirownlives，thatmaymanifesttoussomeapparenteffectoftheirskill？
Thereisnotanationintheworldthathasnotbeenmanyageswithoutphysic;andthesethefirstages，thatistosay，thebestandmosthappy;andthetenthpartoftheworldknowsnothingofityet;manynationsareignorantofittothisday，wheremenlivemorehealthfulandlongerthanwedohere，andevenamongstusthecommonpeoplelivewellenoughwithoutit。TheRomansweresixhundredyearsbeforetheyreceivedit;andafterhavingmadetrialofit，banisheditfromthecityattheinstanceofCatotheCensor，whomadeitappearhoweasyitwastolivewithoutit，havinghimselflivedfourscoreandfiveyears，andkepthiswifealivetoanextremeoldage，notwithoutphysic，butwithoutaphysician:foreverythingthatwefindtobehealthfultolifemaybecalledphysic。Hekepthisfamilyinhealth，asPlutarchsaysifI
mistakenot，withhare’smilk;asPlinyreports，thattheArcadianscuredallmannerofdiseaseswiththatofacow;andHerodotussays，theLybiansgenerallyenjoyrarehealth，byacustomtheyhave，aftertheirchildrenarearrivedtofouryearsofage，toburnandcauterisetheveinsoftheirheadandtemples，bywhichmeanstheycutoffalldefluxionsofrheumfortheirwholelives。Andthecountrypeopleofourprovincemakeuseofnothing，inallsortsofdistempers，butthestrongestwinetheycanget，mixedwithagreatdealofsaffronandspice，andalwayswiththesamesuccess。
Andtosaythetruth，ofallthisdiversityandconfusionofprescriptions，whatotherendandeffectisthereafterall，buttopurgethebelly？whichathousandordinarysimpleswilldoaswell;andIdonotknowwhethersuchevacuationsbesomuchtoouradvantageastheypretend，andwhethernaturedoesnotrequirearesidenceofherexcrementstoacertainproportion，aswinedoesofitsleestokeepitalive:youoftenseehealthfulmenfallintovomitingsandfluxesofthebellybysomeextrinsicaccident，andmakeagreatevacuationofexcrements，withoutanyprecedingneed，oranyfollowingbenefit，butratherwithhurttotheirconstitution。’TisfromthegreatPlato，thatIlatelylearned，thatofthreesortsofmotionswhicharenaturaltous，purgingistheworst，andthatnoman，unlesshebeafool，oughttotakeanythingtothatpurposebutintheextremestnecessity。Mendisturbandirritatethediseasebycontraryoppositions;itmustbethewayoflivingthatmustgentlydissolve，andbringittoitsend。Theviolentgripingsandcontestbetwixtthedrugandthediseaseareevertoourloss，sincethecombatisfoughtwithinourselves，andthatthedrugisanassistantnottobetrusted，beinginitsownnatureanenemytoourhealth，andbytroublehavingonlyaccessintoourcondition。Letitalonealittle;thegeneralorderofthingsthattakescareoffleasandmoles，alsotakescareofmen，iftheywillhavethesamepatiencethatfleasandmoleshave，toleaveittoitself。’Tistomuchpurposewecryout\"Bihore，\"——[AtermusedbytheLanguedocwaggonerstohastentheirhorses]——’tisawaytomakeushoarse，butnottohastenthematter。
’Tisaproudanduncompassionateorder:ourfears，ourdespairdispleaseandstopitfrom，insteadofinvitingitto，ourrelief;itowesitscoursetothedisease，aswellastohealth;andwillnotsufferitselftobecorruptedinfavouroftheonetotheprejudiceoftheother’sright，foritwouldthenfallintodisorder。Letus，inGod’sname，followit;itleadsthosethatfollow，andthosewhowillnotfollow，itdragsalong，boththeirfuryandphysictogether。Orderapurgeforyourbrain，itwilltherebemuchbetteremployedthanuponyourstomach。
OneaskingaLacedaemonianwhathadmadehimlivesolong，hemadeanswer，\"theignoranceofphysic\";andtheEmperorAdriancontinuallyexclaimedashewasdying，thatthecrowdofphysicianshadkilledhim。
Abadwrestlerturnedphysician:\"Courage，\"saysDiogenestohim;\"thouhastdonewell，fornowthouwillthrowthosewhohaveformerlythrownthee。\"Buttheyhavethisadvantage，accordingtoNicocles，thatthesungiveslighttotheirsuccessandtheearthcoverstheirfailures。And，besides，theyhaveaveryadvantageouswayofmakinguseofallsortsofevents:forwhatfortune，nature，oranyothercause（ofwhichthenumberisinfinite），productsofgoodandhealthfulinus，itistheprivilegeofphysictoattributetoitself;allthehappysuccessesthathappentothepatient，mustbethencederived;theaccidentsthathavecuredme，andathousandothers，whodonotemployphysicians，physiciansusurptothemselves:andastoillaccidents，theyeitherabsolutelydisownthem，inlayingthefaultuponthepatient，bysuchfrivolousreasonsastheyareneveratalossfor;as\"helaywithhisarmsoutofbed，\"or\"hewasdisturbedwiththerattlingofacoach:\"
\"RhedarumtransitusarctoVicoruminflexu:\"
[\"Thepassageofthewheelsinthenarrowturningofthestreet\"——Juvenal，iii。236。]
or\"somebodyhadsetopenthecasement，\"or\"hehadlainuponhisleftside，\"or\"hehadsomedisagreeablefanciesinhishead\":insum，aword，adream，oralook，seemstothemexcusesufficientwherewithtopalliatetheirownerrors:or，iftheysoplease，theyevenmakeuseofourgrowingworse，anddotheirbusinessinthiswaywhichcanneverfailthem:whichisbybuzzingusintheear，whenthediseaseismoreinflamedbytheirmedicaments，thatithadbeenmuchworsebutforthoseremedies;he，whomfromanordinarycoldtheyhavethrownintoadoubletertian—ague，hadbutforthembeeninacontinuedfever。Theydonotmuchcarewhatmischieftheydo，sinceitturnstotheirownprofit。