Theyhaveathirdwayofsavingtheirowncredit，ofriddingtheirhandsofusandsecuringthemselvesfromthereproacheswemightcastintheirteethofourlittleamendment，whentheyhavehadussolongintheirhandsthattheyhavenotonemoreinventionleftwherewithtoamuseus，whichistosendustothebetterairofsomeothercountry。This，Madame，isenough;Ihopeyouwillgivemeleavetoreturntomydiscourse，fromwhichIhavesofardigressed，thebettertodivertyou。\"
Itwas，Ithink，Pericles，whobeingaskedhowhedid:\"Youmayjudge，\"
sayshe，\"bythese，\"showingsomelittlescrollsofparchmenthehadtiedabouthisneckandarms。Bywhichhewouldinferthathemustneedsbeverysickwhenhewasreducedtoanecessityofhavingrecoursetosuchidleandvainfopperies，andofsufferinghimselftobesoequipped。
IdarenotpromisebutthatImayonedaybesomuchafoolastocommitmylifeanddeathtothemercyandgovernmentofphysicians;Imayfallintosuchafrenzy;Idarenotberesponsibleformyfutureconstancy:
butthen，ifanyoneaskmehowIdo，Imayalsoanswer，asPericlesdid，\"Youmayjudgebythis，\"shewingmyhandclutchingsixdrachmsofopium。
Itwillbeaveryevidentsignofaviolentsickness:myjudgmentwillbeverymuchoutoforder;ifoncefearandimpatiencegetsuchanadvantageoverme，itmayverywellbeconcludedthatthereisadreadfulfeverinmymind。
Ihavetakenthepainstopleadthiscause，whichIunderstandindifferently，alittletobackandsupportthenaturalaversiontodrugsandthepracticeofphysicIhavederivedfrommyancestors，totheenditmaynotbeamerestupidandinconsiderateaversion，buthavealittlemoreform;andalso，thattheywhoshallseemesoobstinateinmyresolutionagainstallexhortationsandmenacesthatshallbegivenme，whenmyinfirmityshallpresshardestuponme，maynotthink’tismereobstinacyinme;oranyonesoill—naturedastojudgeittobeanymotiveofglory:foritwouldbeastrangeambitiontoseektogainhonourbyanactionmygardenerormygroomcanperformaswellasI。
Certainly，Ihavenotaheartsotumorousandwindy，thatIshouldexchangesosolidapleasureashealthforanairyandimaginarypleasure:glory，eventhatoftheFourSonsofAymon，istoodearboughtbyamanofmyhumour，ifitcosthimthreeswingingfitsofthestone。
Givemehealth，inGod’sname！Suchaslovephysic，mayalsohavegood，great，andconvincingconsiderations;Idonothateopinionscontrarytomyown:Iamso，farfrombeingangrytoseeadiscrepancybetwixtmineandothermen’sjudgments，andfromrenderingmyselfunfitforthesocietyofmen，frombeingofanothersenseandpartythanmine，thatonthecontrary（themostgeneralwaythatnaturehasfollowedbeingvariety，andmoreinsoulsthanbodies，forasmuchastheyareofamoresupplesubstance，andmoresusceptibleofforms）Ifinditmuchmoreraretoseeourhumoursanddesignsjumpandagree。Andthereneverwere，intheworld，twoopinionsalike，nomorethantwohairs，ortwograins:
theirmostuniversalqualityisdiversity。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V14
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME14。
I。OfProfitandHonesty。
II。OfRepentance。
III。OfThreeCommerces。
IV。OfDiversion。
ESSAYSOFMONTAIGNE
BOOKTHETHIRD
CHAPTERI
OFPROFITANDHONESTY
Nomanisfreefromspeakingfoolishthings;buttheworston’tis，whenamanlabourstoplaythefool:
\"Naeistemagnoconatumagnasnugasdixerit。\"
[\"Trulyhe，withagreateffortwillshortlysayamightytrifle。\"
———Terence，Heaut。，actiii。，s。4。]
Thisdoesnotconcernme;mineslipfrommewithaslittlecareastheyareoflittlevalue，and’tisthebetterforthem。Iwouldpresentlypartwiththemforwhattheyareworth，andneitherbuynorsellthem，butastheyweigh。Ispeakonpaper，asIdotothefirstpersonImeet;
andthatthisistrue，observewhatfollows。
Towhomoughtnottreacherytobehateful，whenTiberiusrefuseditinathingofsogreatimportancetohim？HehadwordsenthimfromGermanythatifhethoughtfit，theywouldridhimofArminiusbypoison:thiswasthemostpotentenemytheRomanshad，whohaddefeatedthemsoignominiouslyunderVarus，andwhoalonepreventedtheiraggrandisementinthoseparts。
Hereturnedanswer，\"thatthepeopleofRomewerewonttorevengethemselvesoftheirenemiesbyopenways，andwiththeirswordsintheirhands，andnotclandestinelyandbyfraud\":whereinhequittedtheprofitableforthehonest。Youwilltellmethathewasabraggadocio;I
believesotoo:and’tisnogreatmiracleinmenofhisprofession。Buttheacknowledgmentofvirtueisnotlessvalidinthemouthofhimwhohatesit，forasmuchastruthforcesitfromhim，andifhewillnotinwardlyreceiveit，heatleastputsitonforadecoration。
Ouroutwardandinwardstructureisfullofimperfection;butthereisnothinguselessinnature，noteveninutilityitself;nothinghasinsinuateditselfintothisuniversethathasnotthereinsomefitandproperplace。Ourbeingiscementedwithsicklyqualities:ambition，jealousy，envy，revenge，superstition，anddespairhavesonaturalapossessioninus，thatitsimageisdiscernedinbeasts;nay，andcruelty，sounnaturalavice;foreveninthemidstofcompassionwefeelwithin，Iknownotwhattart—sweettitillationofill—naturedpleasureinseeingotherssuffer;andthechildrenfeelit:
\"Suavemarimagno，turbantibusaequoraventis，Eterramagnumalteriusspectarelaborem:\"
[Itissweet，whenthewindsdisturbthewatersofthevastsea，towitnessfromlandtheperilofotherpersons。\"——Lucretius，ii。I。]
oftheseedsofwhichqualities，whoevershoulddivestman，woulddestroythefundamentalconditionsofhumanlife。Likewise，inallgovernmentstherearenecessaryoffices，notonlyabject，butviciousalso。Vicestherehelptomakeuptheseaminourpiecing，aspoisonsareusefulfortheconservationofhealth。Iftheybecomeexcusablebecausetheyareofusetous，andthatthecommonnecessitycoverstheirtruequalities，wearetoresignthisparttothestrongestandboldestcitizens，whosacrificetheirhonourandconscience，asothersofoldsacrificedtheirlives，forthegoodoftheircountry:we，whoareweaker，takeuponuspartsboththataremoreeasyandlesshazardous。Thepublicwealrequiresthatmenshouldbetray，andlie，andmassacre;letusleavethiscommissiontomenwhoaremoreobedientandmoresupple。
Inearnest，Ihaveoftenbeentroubledtoseejudges，byfraudandfalsehopesoffavourorpardon，allureacriminaltoconfesshisfact，andthereintomakeuseofcozenageandimpudence。Itwouldbecomejustice，andPlatohimself，whocountenancesthismannerofproceeding，tofurnishmewithothermeansmoresuitabletomyownliking:thisisamaliciouskindofjustice，andIlookuponitasnolesswoundedbyitselfthanbyothers。Isaidnotlongsincetosomecompanyindiscourse，thatI
shouldhardlybedrawntobetraymyprinceforaparticularman，whoshouldbemuchashamedtobetrayanyparticularmanformyprince;andI
donotonlyhatedeceivingmyself，butthatanyoneshoulddeceivethroughme;Iwillneitheraffordmatternoroccasiontoanysuchthing。
InthelittleIhavehadtomediatebetwixtourprinces——[BetweentheKingofNavarre，afterwardsHenryIV。，andtheDucdeGuise。SeeDeThou，DeVitaSua，iii。9。]——inthedivisionsandsubdivisionsbywhichweareatthistimetorntopieces，Ihavebeenverycarefulthattheyshouldneitherbedeceivedinmenordeceiveothersbyme。Peopleofthatkindoftradingareveryreserved，andpretendtobethemostmoderateimaginableandnearesttotheopinionsofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodo;Iexposemyselfinmystiffopinion，andafteramethodthemostmyown;atendernegotiator，anovice，whohadratherfailintheaffairthanbewantingtomyself。Andyetithasbeenhithertowithsogoodluck（forfortunehasdoubtlessthebestshareinit），thatfewthingshavepassedfromhandtohandwithlesssuspicionormorefavourandprivacy。IhaveafreeandopenwaythateasilyinsinuatesitselfandobtainsbeliefwiththosewithwhomIamtodealatthefirstmeeting。Sincerityandpuretruth，inwhatagesoever，passforcurrent;
andbesides，thelibertyandfreedomofamanwhotreatswithoutanyinterestofhisownisneverhatefulorsuspected，andhemayverywellmakeuseoftheanswerofHyperidestotheAthenians，whocomplainedofhisbluntwayofspeaking:\"Messieurs，donotconsiderwhetherornoIamfree，butwhetherIamsowithoutabribe，orwithoutanyadvantagetomyownaffairs。\"Mylibertyofspeakinghasalsoeasilyclearedmefromallsuspicionofdissemblingbyitsvehemency，leavingnothingunsaid，howhomeandbittersoever（sothatIcouldhavesaidnoworsebehindtheirbacks），andinthatitcarriedalongwithitamanifestshowofsimplicityandindifference。Ipretendtonootherfruitbyactingthantoact，andaddtoitnolongargumentsorpropositions;everyactionplaysitsowngame，winifitcan。
Astotherest，Iamnotswayedbyanypassion，eitherofloveorhatred，towardsthegreat，norhasmywillcaptivatedeitherbyparticularinjuryorobligation。Ilookuponourkingswithanaffectionsimplyloyalandrespectful，neitherpromptednorrestrainedbyanyprivateinterest，andIlovemyselfforit。Nordoesthegeneralandjustcauseattractmeotherwisethanwithmoderation，andwithoutheat。Iamnotsubjecttothosepenetratingandclosecompactsandengagements。Angerandhatredarebeyondthedutyofjustice;andarepassionsonlyusefultothosewhodonotkeepthemselvesstrictlytotheirdutybysimplereason:
\"Utaturmotuanimi，quiutirationenonpotest。\"
[\"Hemayemployhispassion，whocanmakenouseofhisreason。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。25。]
Alllegitimateintentionsaretemperateandequableofthemselves;ifotherwise，theydegenerateintoseditiousandunlawful。Thisisitwhichmakesmewalkeverywherewithmyheaderect，myfaceandmyheartopen。
Intruth，andIamnotafraidtoconfessit，Ishouldeasily，incaseofneed，holduponecandletoSt。Michaelandanothertohisdragon，liketheoldwoman;Iwillfollowtherightsideeventothefire，butexclusively，ifIcan。LetMontaignebeoverwhelmedinthepublicruinifneedbe;butiftherebenoneed，Ishouldthinkmyselfobligedtofortunetosaveme，andIwillmakeuseofallthelengthoflinemydutyallowsforhispreservation。WasitnotAtticuswho，beingofthejustbutlosingside，preservedhimselfbyhismoderationinthatuniversalshipwreckoftheworld，amongstsomanymutationsanddiversities？Forprivateman，ashewas，itismoreeasy;andinsuchkindofwork，I
thinkamanmayjustlynotbeambitioustoofferandinsinuatehimself。
Foraman，indeed，tobewaveringandirresolute，tokeephisaffectionunmovedandwithoutinclinationinthetroublesofhiscountryandpublicdivisions，Ineitherthinkithandsomenorhonest:
\"Eanonmedia，sednullaviaest，veluteventumexspectantium，quofortunaeconsiliasuaapplicent。\"
[\"Thatisnotamiddleway，butnoway，toawaitevents，bywhichtheyrefertheirresolutionstofortune。\"——Livy，xxxii。21。]
Thismaybeallowedinourneighbours’affairs;andthusGelo，thetyrantofSyracuse，suspendedhisinclinationinthewarbetwixttheGreeksandbarbarians，keepingaresidentambassadorwithpresentsatDelphos，towatchandseewhichwayfortunewouldincline，andthentakefitoccasiontofallinwiththevictors。Itwouldbeakindoftreasontoproceedafterthismannerinourowndomesticaffairs，whereinamanmustofnecessitybeoftheonesideortheother;thoughforamanwhohasnoofficeorexpresscommandtocallhimout，tositstillIholditmoreexcusable（andyetIdonotexcusemyselfupontheseterms）thaninforeignexpeditions，towhich，however，accordingtoourlaws，nomanispressedagainsthiswill。Andyeteventhosewhowhollyengagethemselvesinsuchawarmaybehavethemselveswithsuchtemperandmoderation，thatthestormmayflyovertheirheadswithoutdoingthemanyharm。HadwenotreasontohopesuchanissueinthepersonofthelateBishopofOrleans，theSieurdeMorvilliers？
[Anablenegotiator，who，thoughprotectedbytheGuises，andstronglysupportingthem，wasyetveryfarfrompersecutingtheReformists。Hedied1577。]
AndIknow，amongstthosewhobehavethemselvesmostbravelyinthepresentwar，somewhosemannersaresogentle，obliging，andjust，thattheywillcertainlystandfirm，whatevereventHeavenispreparingforus。Iamofopinionthatitproperlybelongstokingsonlytoquarrelwithkings;andIlaughatthosespiritswho，outoflightnessofheart，lendthemselvestosodisproportioneddisputes;foramanhasneverthemoreparticularquarrelwithaprince，bymarchingopenlyandboldlyagainsthimforhisownhonourandaccordingtohisduty;ifhedoesnotlovesuchaperson，hedoesbetter，heesteemshim。Andnotablythecauseofthelawsandoftheancientgovernmentofakingdom，hasthisalwaysannexedtoit，thateventhosewho，fortheirownprivateinterest，invadethem，excuse，iftheydonothonour，thedefenders。
Butwearenot，aswenowadaysdo，tocallpeevishnessandinwarddiscontent，thatspringfromprivateinterestandpassion，duty，noratreacherousandmaliciousconduct，courage;theycalltheirpronenesstomischiefandviolencezeal;’tisnotthecause，buttheirinterest，thatinflamesthem;theykindleandbeginawar，notbecauseitisjust，butbecauseitiswar。
Amanmayverywellbehavehimselfcommodiouslyandloyallytooamongstthoseoftheadverseparty;carryyourself，ifnotwiththesameequalaffection（forthatiscapableofdifferentmeasure），atleastwithanaffectionmoderate，welltempered，andsuchasshallnotsoengageyoutooneparty，thatitmaydemandallyouareabletodoforthatside，contentyourselfwithamoderateproportionoftheir，favourandgoodwill;andtoswimintroubledwaterswithoutfishinginthem。
Theotherway，ofofferingaman’sselfandtheutmostserviceheisabletodo，bothtoonepartyandtheother，hasstilllessofprudenceinitthanconscience。Doesnothetowhomyoubetrayanother，towhomyouwereaswelcomeastohimself，knowthatyouwillatanothertimedoasmuchforhim？Heholdsyouforavillain;andinthemeantimehearswhatyouwillsay，gathersintelligencefromyou，andworkshisownendsoutofyourdisloyalty;double—dealingmenareusefulforbringingin，butwemusthaveacaretheycarryoutaslittleasispossible。
IsaynothingtoonepartythatImaynot，uponoccasion，saytotheother，withalittlealterationofaccent;andreportnothingbutthingseitherindifferentorknown，orwhatisofcommonconsequence。Icannotpermitmyself，foranyconsideration，totellthemalie。Whatisintrustedtomysecrecy，Ireligiouslyconceal;butItakeasfewtrustsofthatnatureuponmeasIcan。Thesecretsofprincesareatroublesomeburthentosuchasarenotinterestedinthem。Iverywillinglybargainthattheytrustmewithlittle，butconfidentlyrelyuponwhatItellthem。IhaveeverknownmorethanIdesired。Oneopenwayofspeakingintroducesanotheropenwayofspeaking，anddrawsoutdiscoveries，likewineandlove。Philippides，inmyopinion，answeredKingLysimachusverydiscreetly，who，askinghimwhatofhisestateheshouldbestowuponhim？\"Whatyouwill，\"saidhe，\"provideditbenoneofyoursecrets。\"Iseeeveryoneisdispleasedifthebottomoftheaffairbeconcealedfromhimwhereinheisemployed，orthattherebeanyreservationinthething;formypart，Iamcontenttoknownomoreofthebusinessthanwhattheywouldhavemeemploymyselfin，nordesirethatmyknowledgeshouldexceedorrestrictwhatIhavetosay。IfI
mustserveforaninstrumentofdeceit，let1tbeatleastwithasafeconscience:Iwillnotbereputedaservanteithersoaffectionateorsoloyalastobefittobetrayanyone:hewhoisunfaithfultohimself，isexcusablysotohismaster。Buttheyareprinceswhodonotacceptmenbyhalves，anddespiselimitedandconditionalservices:Icannothelpit:IfranklytellthemhowfarIcango;foraslaveIshouldnotbe，buttoreason，andIcanhardlysubmiteventothat。Andtheyalsoaretoblametoexactfromafreemanthesamesubjectionandobligationtotheirservicethattheydofromhimtheyhavemadeandbought，orwhosefortuneparticularlyandexpresslydependsupontheirs。Thelawshavedeliveredmefromagreatanxiety;theyhavechosenasideforme，andgivenmeamaster;allothersuperiorityandobligationoughttoberelativetothat，andcut，offfromallother。Yetthisisnottosay，thatifmyaffectionshouldotherwiseinclineme，myhandshouldpresentlyobeyit;thewillanddesirearealawtothemselves;butactionsmustreceivecommissionfromthepublicappointment。
Allthisproceedingofmineisalittledissonantfromtheordinaryforms;itwouldproducenogreateffects，norbeofanylongduration;
innocenceitselfcouldnot，inthisageofours，eithernegotiatewithoutdissimulation，ortrafficwithoutlying;and，indeed，publicemploymentsarebynomeansformypalate:whatmyprofessionrequires，IperformafterthemostprivatemannerthatIcan。Beingyoung，Iwasengageduptotheearsinbusiness，anditsucceededwell;butIdisengagedmyselfingoodtime。Ihaveoftensinceavoidedmeddlinginit，rarelyaccepted，andneveraskedit;keepingmybackstillturnedtoambition;
butifnotlikerowerswhosoadvancebackward，yetso，atthesametime，thatIamlessobligedtomyresolutionthantomygoodfortune，thatI
wasnotwhollyembarkedinit。Fortherearewayslessdispleasingtomytaste，andmoresuitabletomyability，bywhich，ifshehadformerlycalledmetothepublicservice，andmyownadvancementtowardstheworld’sopinion，IknowIshould，inspiteofallmyownargumentstothecontrary，havepursuedthem。Suchascommonlysay，inoppositiontowhatIprofess，thatwhatIcallfreedom，simplicity，andplainnessinmymanners，isartandsubtlety，andratherprudencethangoodness，industrythannature，goodsensethangoodluck，domemorehonourthandisgrace:
but，certainly，theymakemysubtletytoosubtle;，andwhoeverhasfollowedmeclose，andpryednarrowlyintome，Iwillgivehimthevictory，ifhedoesnotconfessthatthereisnoruleintheirschoolthatcouldmatchthisnaturalmotion，andmaintainanappearanceoflibertyandlicence，soequalandinflexible，throughsomanyvariousandcrookedpaths，andthatalltheirwitandendeavourcouldneverhaveledthemthrough。Thewayoftruthisoneandsimple;thatofparticularprofit，andthecommodityofaffairsamanisentrustedwith，isdouble，unequal，andcasual。Ihaveoftenseenthesecounterfeitandartificiallibertiespractised，but，forthemostpart，withoutsuccess;theyrelishofAEsop’sasswho，inemulationofthedog，obliginglyclappedhistwofore—feetuponhismaster’sshoulders;butasmanycaressesasthedoghadforsuchanexpressionofkindness，twicesomanyblowswithacudgelhadthepoorassforhiscompliment:
\"Idmaximequemquedecet，quodestcujusquesuummaxime。\"
[\"Thatbestbecomeseverymanwhichbelongsmosttohim;\"
——Cicero，DeOffic。，i。31。]
Iwillnotdeprivedeceitofitsdue;thatwerebutilltounderstandtheworld:Iknowithasoftenbeenofgreatuse，andthatitmaintainsandsuppliesmostmen’semployment。Therearevicesthatarelawful，astherearemanyactions，eithergoodorexcusable，thatarenotlawfulinthemselves。
Thejusticewhichinitselfisnaturalanduniversalisotherwiseandmorenoblyorderedthanthatotherjusticewhichisspecial，national，andconstrainedtotheendsofgovernment，\"Verijurisgermanaequejustitiaesolidametexpressameffigiemnullamtenemus;umbraetimaginibusutimur;\"
[\"Weretainnosolidandexpressportraitureoftruerightandgermanejustice;wehaveonlytheshadowandimageofit。\"
——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。17。]
insomuchthatthesageDandamis，hearingthelivesofSocrates，Pythagoras，andDiogenesread，judgedthemtobegreatmeneveryway，exceptingthattheyweretoomuchsubjectedtothereverenceofthelaws，which，tosecondandauthorise，truevirtuemustabateverymuchofitsoriginalvigour;manyviciousactionsareintroduced，notonlybytheirpermission，butbytheiradvice:
\"Exsenatusconsultisplebisquescitissceleraexercentur。\"
[\"CrimesarecommittedbythedecreesoftheSenateandthepopularassembly。\"——Seneca，Ep。，95。]
Ifollowthecommonphrasethatdistinguishesbetwixtprofitableandhonestthings，soastocallsomenaturalactions，thatarenotonlyprofitablebutnecessary，dishonestandfoul。
ButletusproceedinourexamplesoftreacherytwopretenderstothekingdomofThrace——[RhescuporisandCotys。Tacitus，Annal。，ii。65]——
werefallenintodisputeabouttheirtitle;theemperorhinderedthemfromproceedingtoblows:butoneofthem，undercolourofbringingthingstoafriendlyissuebyaninterview，havinginvitedhiscompetitortoanentertainmentinhisownhouse，imprisonedandkilledhim。JusticerequiredthattheRomansshouldhavesatisfactionforthisoffence;buttherewasadifficultyinobtainingitbyordinaryways;what，therefore，theycouldnotdolegitimately，withoutwarandwithoutdanger，theyresolvedtodobytreachery;andwhattheycouldnothonestlydo，theydidprofitably。Forwhichend，onePomponiusFlaccuswasfoundtobeafitinstrument。Thisman，bydissembledwordsandassurances，havingdrawntheotherintohistoils，insteadofthehonourandfavourhehadpromisedhim，senthimboundhandandfoottoRome。Hereonetraitorbetrayedanother，contrarytocommoncustom:fortheyarefullofmistrust，and’tishardtooverreachthemintheirownart:witnessthesadexperiencewehavelatelyhad。——[MontaignehereprobablyreferstothefeignedreconciliationbetweenCatherinedeMediciandHenri，DucdeGuise，in1588。]
LetwhowillbePomponiusFlaccus，andthereareenoughwhowould:formypart，bothmywordandmyfaithare，likealltherest，partsofthiscommonbody:theirbesteffectisthepublicservice;thisItakeforpresupposed。Butshouldonecommandmetotakechargeofthecourtsoflawandlawsuits，Ishouldmakeanswer，thatIunderstooditnot;ortheplaceofaleaderofpioneers，Iwouldsay，thatIwascalledtoamorehonourableemployment;solikewise，hethatwouldemploymetolie，betray，andforswearmyself，thoughnottoassassinateortopoison，forsomenotableservice，Ishouldsay，\"IfIhaverobbedorstolenanythingfromanyman，sendmerathertothegalleys。\"Foritispermissibleinamanofhonourtosay，astheLacedaemoniansdid，——[Plutarch，DifferencebetweenaFlattererandaFriend，c。21。]——havingbeendefeatedbyAntipater，whenjustuponconcludinganagreement:\"Youmayimposeasheavyandruinoustaxesuponusasyouplease，buttocommandustodoshamefulanddishonestthings，youwillloseyourtime，foritistonopurpose。\"EveryoneoughttomakethesamevowtohimselfthatthekingsofEgyptmadetheirjudgessolemnlyswear，thattheywouldnotdoanythingcontrarytotheirconsciences，thoughneversomuchcommandedtoitbythemselves。Insuchcommissionsthereisevidentmarkofignominyandcondemnation;andhewhogivesitatthesametimeaccusesyou，andgivesit，ifyouunderstanditright，foraburdenandapunishment。
Asmuchasthepublicaffairsarebetteredbyyourexploit，somuchareyourowntheworse，andthebetteryoubehaveyourselfinit，’tissomuchtheworseforyourself;anditwillbenonewthing，nor，peradventure，withoutsomecolourofjustice，ifthesamepersonruinyouwhosetyouonwork。
Iftreacherycanbeinanycaseexcusable，itmustbeonlysowhenitispractisedtochastiseandbetraytreachery。Thereareexamplesenoughoftreacheries，notonlyrejected，butchastisedandpunishedbythoseinfavourofwhomtheywereundertaken。WhoisignorantofFabriciussentenceagainstthephysicianofPyrrhus？
Butthiswealsofindrecorded，thatsomepersonshavecommandedathing，whoafterwardhaveseverelyavengedtheexecutionofituponhimtheyhademployed，rejectingthereputationofsounbridledanauthority，anddisowningsoabandonedandbaseaservitudeandobedience。Jaropelk，DukeofRussia，tamperedwithagentlemanofHungarytobetrayBoleslaus，kingofPoland，eitherbykillinghim，orbygivingtheRussiansopportunitytodohimsomenotablemischief。Thisworthywentablytowork:hewasmoreassiduousthanbeforeintheserviceofthatking，sothatheobtainedthehonourtobeofhiscouncil，andoneofthechiefestinhistrust。Withtheseadvantages，andtakinganopportuneoccasionofhismaster’sabsence，hebetrayedVislicza，agreatandrichcity，totheRussians，whichwasentirelysackedandburned，andnotonlyalltheinhabitantsofbothsexes，youngandold，puttothesword，butmoreoveragreatnumberofneighbouringgentry，whomhehaddrawnthithertothatend。Jaropelk，hisrevengebeingthussatisfiedandhisangerappeased，whichwasnot，indeed，withoutpretence（forBoleslaushadhighlyoffendedhim，andafterthesamemanner），andsatedwiththefruitofthistreachery，comingtoconsiderthefulnessofit，withasoundjudgmentandclearfrompassion，lookeduponwhathadbeendonewithsomuchhorrorandremorsethathecausedtheeyestobeboredoutandthetongueandshamefulpartstobecutoffofhimwhohadperformedit。
AntigonuspersuadedtheArgyraspidestobetrayEumenes，theirgeneral，hisadversary，intohishands;butafterhehadcausedhim，sodelivered，tobeslain，hewouldhimselfbethecommissionerofthedivinejusticeforthepunishmentofsodetestableacrime，andcommittedthemintothehandsofthegovernoroftheprovince，withexpresscommand，bywhatevermeans，todestroyandbringthemalltoanevilend，sothatofthatgreatnumberofmen，notsomuchasoneeverreturnedagainintoMacedonia:thebetterhehadbeenserved，themorewickedlyhejudgedittobe，andmeritinggreaterpunishment。
Theslavewhobetrayedtheplacewherehismaster，P。Sulpicius，layconcealed，was，accordingtothepromiseofSylla’sproscription，manumittedforhispains;butaccordingtothepromiseofthepublicjustice，whichwasfreefromanysuchengagement，hewasthrownheadlongfromtheTarpeianrock。
OurKingClovis，insteadofthearmsofgoldhehadpromisedthem，causedthreeofCararie’sservantstobehangedaftertheyhadbetrayedtheirmastertohim，thoughhehaddebauchedthemtoit:hehangedthemwiththepurseoftheirrewardabouttheirnecks;afterhavingsatisfiedhissecondandspecialfaith，hesatisfiedthegeneralandfirst。
MohammedII。havingresolvedtoridhimselfofhisbrother，outofjealousyofstate，accordingtothepracticeoftheOttomanfamily，heemployedoneofhisofficersintheexecution，who，pouringaquantityofwatertoofastintohim，chokedhim。Thisbeingdone，toexpiatethemurder，hedeliveredthemurdererintothehandsofthemotherofhimhehadsocausedtobeputtodeath，fortheywereonlybrothersbythefather’sside;she，inhispresence，rippedupthemurderer’sbosom，andwithherownhandsrifledhisbreastforhisheart，toreitout，andthrewittothedogs。Andeventotheworstpeopleitisthesweetestthingimaginable，havingoncegainedtheirendbyaviciousaction，tofoist，inallsecurity，intoitsomeshowofvirtueandjustice，asbywayofcompensationandconscientiouscorrection;towhichmaybeadded，thattheylookupontheministersofsuchhorridcrimesasuponmenwhoreproachthemwiththem，andthinkbytheirdeathstoerasethememoryandtestimonyofsuchproceedings。
Orif，perhaps，youarerewarded，nottofrustratethepublicnecessityforthatextremeanddesperateremedy，hewhodoesitcannotforallthat，ifhebenotsuchhimself，butlookuponyouasanaccursedandexecrablefellow，andconcludeyouagreatertraitorthanhedoes，againstwhomyouareso:forhetriesthemalignityofyourdispositionbyyourownhands，wherehecannotpossiblybedeceived，youhavingnoobjectofprecedinghatredtomoveyoutosuchanact;butheemploysyouastheydocondemnedmalefactorsinexecutionsofjustice，anofficeasnecessaryasdishonourable。Besidesthebasenessofsuchcommissions，thereis，moreover，aprostitutionofconscience。SeeingthatthedaughterofSejanuscouldnotbeputtodeathbythelawofRome，becauseshewasavirgin，shewas，tomakeitlawful，firstravishedbythehangmanandthenstrangled:notonlyhishandbuthissoulisslavetothepublicconvenience。
WhenAmurathI。，moregrievouslytopunishhissubjectswhohadtakenpartintheparriciderebellionofhisson，ordainedthattheirnearestkindredshouldassistintheexecution，Ifinditveryhandsomeinsomeofthemtohaveratherchosentobeunjustlythoughtguiltyoftheparricideofanotherthantoservejusticebyaparricideoftheirown。
AndwhereIhaveseen，atthetakingofsomelittlefortbyassaultinmytime，somerascalswho，tosavetheirownlives，wouldconsenttohangtheirfriendsandcompanions，Ihavelookeduponthemtobeofworseconditionthanthosewhowerehanged。’Tissaid，thatWitold，PrinceofLithuania，introducedintothenationthepracticethatthecriminalcondemnedtodeathshouldwithhisownhandexecutethesentence，thinkingitstrangethatathirdperson，innocentofthefault，shouldbemadeguiltyofhomicide。
Aprince，whenbysomeurgentcircumstanceorsomeimpetuousandunforeseenaccidentthatverymuchconcernshisstate，compelledtoforfeithiswordandbreakhisfaith，orotherwiseforcedfromhisordinaryduty，oughttoattributethisnecessitytoalashofthedivinerod:viceitisnot，forhehasgivenuphisownreasontoamoreuniversalandmorepowerfulreason;butcertainly’tisamisfortune:sothatifanyoneshouldaskmewhatremedy？\"None，\"sayI，\"ifhewerereallyrackedbetweenthesetwoextremes:’sedvideat，nequoeraturlatebyaperjurio’，hemustdoit:butifhediditwithoutregret，ifitdidnotweighonhimtodoit，’tisasignhisconscienceisinasorrycondition。\"Iftherebeapersontobefoundofsotenderaconscienceastothinknocurewhateverworthsoimportantaremedy，Ishalllikehimnevertheworse;hecouldnotmoreexcusablyormoredecentlyperish。
Wecannotdoallwewould，sothatwemustoften，asthelastanchorage，committheprotectionofourvesselstothesimpleconductofheaven。
Towhatmorejustnecessitydoeshereservehimself？Whatislesspossibleforhimtodothanwhathecannotdobutattheexpenseofhisfaithandhonour，thingsthat，perhaps，oughttobedearertohimthanhisownsafety，oreventhesafetyofhispeople。Thoughheshould，withfoldedarms，onlycallGodtohisassistance，hashenotreasontohopethatthedivinegoodnesswillnotrefusethefavourofanextraordinaryarmtojustandpurehands？Thesearedangerousexamples，rareandsicklyexceptionstoournaturalrules:wemustyieldtothem，butwithgreatmoderationandcircumspection:noprivateutilityisofsuchimportancethatweshoulduponthataccountstrainourconsciencestosuchadegree:thepublicmaybe，whenverymanifestandofverygreatconcern。
Timoleonmadeatimelyexpiationforhisstrangeexploitbythetearsheshed，callingtomindthatitwaswithafraternalhandthathehadslainthetyrant;anditjustlyprickedhisconsciencethathehadbeennecessitatedtopurchasethepublicutilityatsogreatapriceastheviolationofhisprivatemorality。EventheSenateitself，byhismeansdeliveredfromslavery，durstnotpositivelydetermineofsohighafact，anddividedintotwosoimportantandcontraryaspects;buttheSyracusans，sendingatthesametimetotheCorinthianstosolicittheirprotection，andtorequireofthemacaptainfittore—establishtheircityinitsformerdignityandtoclearSicilyofseverallittletyrantsbywhomitwasoppressed，theydeputedTimoleonforthatservice，withthiscunningdeclaration;\"thataccordingasheshouldbehavehimselfwellorillinhisemployment，theirsentenceshouldinclineeithertofavourthedelivererofhiscountry，ortodisfavourthemurdererofhisbrother。\"Thisfantasticconclusioncarriesalongwithitsomeexcuse，byreasonofthedangeroftheexample，andtheimportanceofsostrangeanaction:andtheydidwelltodischargetheirownjudgmentofit，andtoreferittootherswhowerenotsomuchconcerned。ButTimoleon’scomportmentinthisexpeditionsoonmadehiscausemoreclear，soworthilyandvirtuouslyhedemeanedhimselfuponalloccasions;andthegoodfortunethataccompaniedhiminthedifficultieshehadtoovercomeinthisnobleemployment，seemedtobestrewedinhiswaybythegods，favourablyconspiringforhisjustification。
Theendofthismatterisexcusable，ifanycanbeso;buttheprofitoftheaugmentationofthepublicrevenue，thatservedtheRomanSenateforapretencetothefoulconclusionIamgoingtorelate，isnotsufficienttowarrantanysuchinjustice。
Certaincitieshadredeemedthemselvesandtheirlibertybymoney，bytheorderandconsentoftheSenate，outofthehandsofL。Sylla:thebusinesscomingagaininquestion，theSenatecondemnedthemtobetaxableastheywerebefore，andthatthemoneytheyhaddisbursedfortheirredemptionshouldbelosttothem。Civilwaroftenproducessuchvillainousexamples;thatwepunishprivatemenforconfidinginuswhenwewerepublicministers:andtheself—samemagistratemakesanothermanpaythepenaltyofhischangethathasnothingtodowithit;thepedagoguewhipshisscholarforhisdocility;andtheguidebeatstheblindmanwhomheleadsbythehand;ahorridimageofjustice。
Therearerulesinphilosophythatarebothfalseandweak。Theexamplethatisproposedtousforpreferringprivateutilitybeforefaithgiven，hasnotweightenoughbythecircumstancestheyputtoit;robbershaveseizedyou，andafterhavingmadeyousweartopaythemacertainsumofmoney，dismissyou。’Tisnotwelldonetosay，thatanhonestmancanbequitofhisoathwithoutpayment，beingoutoftheirhands。’Tisnosuchthing:whatfearhasoncemademewillingtodo，IamobligedtodoitwhenIamnolongerinfear;andthoughthatfearonlyprevailedwithmytonguewithoutforcingmywill，yetamIboundtokeepmyword。Formypart，whenmytonguehassometimesinconsideratelysaidsomethingthatI
didnotthink，Ihavemadeaconscienceofdisowningit:otherwise，bydegrees，weshallabolishalltherightanotherderivesfromourpromisesandoaths:
\"Quasiverofortivirovispossitadhiberi。\"
[\"Asthoughamanoftruecouragecouldbecompelled。\"
——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。30。]
And’tisonlylawful，upontheaccountofprivateinterest，toexcusebreachofpromise，whenwehavepromisedsomethingthatisunlawfulandwickedinitself;fortherightofvirtueoughttotakeplaceoftherightofanyobligationofours。
IhaveformerlyplacedEpaminondasinthefirstrankofexcellentmen，anddonotrepentit。Howhighdidhestretchtheconsiderationofhisownparticularduty？hewhoneverkilledamanwhomhehadovercome;who，fortheinestimablebenefitofrestoringthelibertyofhiscountry，madeconscienceofkillingatyrantorhisaccompliceswithoutdueformofjustice:andwhoconcludedhimtobeawickedman，howgoodacitizensoeverotherwise，whoamongsthisenemiesinbattlesparednothisfriendandhisguest。Thiswasasoulofarichcomposition:hemarriedgoodnessandhumanity，nay，eventhetenderestandmostdelicateinthewholeschoolofphilosophy，totheroughestandmostviolenthumanactions。Wasitnatureorartthathadinteneratedthatgreatcourageofhis，sofull，soobstinateagainstpainanddeathandpoverty，tosuchanextremedegreeofsweetnessandcompassion？Dreadfulinarmsandblood，heoverranandsubduedanationinvinciblebyallothersbutbyhimalone;andyetintheheatofanencounter，couldturnasidefromhisfriendandguest。Certainlyhewasfittocommandinwarwhocouldsoreinhimselfwiththecurbofgoodnature，intheheightandheatofhisfury，afuryinflamedandfoamingwithbloodandslaughter。’Tisamiracletobeabletomixanyimageofjusticewithsuchviolentactions:
anditwasonlypossibleforsuchasteadfastnessofmindasthatofEpaminondasthereintomixsweetnessandthefacilityofthegentlestmannersandpurestinnocence。AndwhereasonetoldtheMamertinithatstatuteswereofnoefficacyagainstarmedmen;andanothertoldthetribuneofthepeoplethatthetimeofjusticeandofwarweredistinctthings;andathirdsaidthatthenoiseofarmsdeafenedthevoiceoflaws，thismanwasnotprecludedfromlisteningtothelawsofcivilityandpurecourtesy。HadhenotborrowedfromhisenemiesthecustomofsacrificingtotheMuseswhenhewenttowar，thattheymightbytheirsweetnessandgaietysoftenhismartialandrigorousfury？Letusnotfear，bytheexampleofsogreatamaster，tobelievethatthereissomethingunlawful，evenagainstanenemy，andthatthecommonconcernoughtnottorequireallthingsofallmen，againstprivateinterest:
\"Manentememoria，etiamindissidiopublicorumfoederum，privatijuris:\"
[\"Thememoryofprivaterightremainingevenamidpublicdissensions。\"——Livy，xxv。18。]
\"EtnullapotentiaviresPraestandi，nequidpeccetamicus，habet;\"
[\"Nopoweronearthcansanctiontreacheryagainstafriend。\"
——Ovid，DePonto，i。7，37。]
andthatallthingsarenotlawfultoanhonestmanfortheserviceofhisprince，thelaws，orthegeneralquarrel:
\"Nonenimpatriapraestatomnibusofficiis……
etipsiconducitpioshaberecivesinparentes。\"
[\"Thedutytoone’scountrydoesnotsupersedeallotherduties。
Thecountryitselfrequiresthatitscitizensshouldactpiouslytowardtheirparents。\"——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。23。]
Tisaninstructionproperforthetimewhereinwelive:weneednothardenourcouragewiththesearmsofsteel;’tisenoughthatourshouldersareinuredtothem:’tisenoughtodipourpensininkwithoutdippingtheminblood。Ifitbegrandeurofcourage，andtheeffectofarareandsingularvirtue，tocontemnfriendship，privateobligations，aman’swordandrelationship，forthecommongoodandobediencetothemagistrate，’tiscertainlysufficienttoexcuseus，that’tisagrandeurthatcanhavenoplaceinthegrandeurofEpaminondas’courage。
Iabominatethosemadexhortationsofthisotherdiscomposedsoul，\"Dumtelamicant，nonvospietatisimagoUlla，necadversaconspectifronteparentesCommoveant;vultusgladioturbateverendos。\"
[\"Whileswordsglitter，letnoideaofpiety，northefaceevenofafatherpresentedtoyou，moveyou:mutilatewithyourswordthosevenerablefeatures\"——Lucan，vii。320。]
Letusdeprivewicked，bloody，andtreacherousnaturesofsuchapretenceofreason:letussetasidethisguiltyandextravagantjustice，andsticktomorehumanimitations。Howgreatthingscantimeandexampledo！InanencounterofthecivilwaragainstCinna，oneofPompey’ssoldiershavingunawareskilledhisbrother，whowasofthecontraryparty，heimmediatelyforshameandsorrowkilledhimself:andsomeyearsafter，inanothercivilwarofthesamepeople，asoldierdemandedarewardofhisofficerforhavingkilledhisbrother。
Amanbutillprovesthehonourandbeautyofanactionbyitsutility:
andveryerroneouslyconcludesthateveryoneisobligedtoit，andthatitbecomeseveryonetodoit，ifitbeofutility:
\"Omnianonpariterrerumsuntomnibusapta。\"
[\"Allthingsarenotequallyfitforallmen。\"
——Propertius，iii。9，7。]
Letustakethatwhichismostnecessaryandprofitableforhumansociety;itwillbemarriage;andyetthecouncilofthesaintsfindthecontrarymuchbetter，excludingfromitthemostvenerablevocationofman:aswedesignthosehorsesforstallionsofwhichwehavetheleastesteem。