Ifearamist，andflyfromsmokeasfromtheplague:thefirstrepairsI
felluponinmyownhousewerethechimneysandhousesofoffice，thecommonandinsupportabledefectsofalloldbuildings;andamongstthedifficultiesofwarIreckonthechokingdusttheymadeusrideinawholedaytogether。Ihaveafreeandeasyrespiration，andmycoldsforthemostpartgooffwithoutoffencetothelungsandwithoutacough。
Theheatofsummerismoreanenemytomethanthecoldofwinter;for，besidestheincommodityofheat，lessremediablethancold，andbesidestheforceofthesunbeamsthatstrikeuponthehead，allglitteringlightoffendsmyeyes，sothatIcouldnotnowsitatdinneroveragainstaflamingfire。
Todullthewhitenessofpaper，inthosetimeswhenIwasmorewonttoread，Ilaidapieceofglassuponmybook，andfoundmyeyesmuchrelievedbyit。Iamtothishour——totheageoffifty—four——Ignorantoftheuseofspectacles;andIcanseeasfaraseverIdid，oranyother。
’TistruethatintheeveningIbegintofindalittledisturbanceandweaknessinmysightifIread，anexerciseIhavealwaysfoundtroublesome，especiallybynight。Hereisonestepback，andaverymanifestone;Ishallretireanother:fromthesecondtothethird，andsotothefourth，sogently，thatIshallbestarkblindbeforeIshallbesensibleoftheageanddecayofmysight:soartificiallydotheFatalSistersuntwistourlives。AndsoIdoubtwhethermyhearingbeginstogrowthick;andyouwillseeIshallhavehalflostit，whenI
shallstilllaythefaultonthevoicesofthosewhospeaktome。Amanmustscrewuphissoultoahighpitchtomakeitsensiblehowitebbsaway。
Mywalkingisquickandfirm;andIknownotwhichofthetwo，mymindormybody，Ihavemosttodotokeepinthesamestate。Thatpreacherisverymuchmyfriendwhocanfixmyattentionawholesermonthrough:inplacesofceremony，whereeveryone’scountenanceissostarched，whereI
haveseentheladieskeepeventheireyessofixed，Icouldneverorderitso，thatsomepartorotherofmedidnotlashout;sothatthoughI
wasseated，Iwasneversettled;andastogesticulation，Iamneverwithoutaswitchinmyhand，walkingorriding。AsthephilosopherChrysippus’maidsaidofhermaster，thathewasonlydrunkinhislegs，foritwashiscustomtobealwayskickingthemaboutinwhatplacesoeverhesat;andshesaiditwhen，thewinehavingmadeallhiscompanionsdrunk，hefoundnoalterationinhimselfatall;itmayhavebeensaidofmefrommyinfancy，thatIhadeitherfollyorquicksilverinmyfeet，somuchstirringandunsettlednessthereisinthem，wherevertheyareplaced。
’Tisindecent，besidesthehurtitdoestoone’shealth，andeventothepleasureofeating，toeatgreedilyasIdo;Ioftenbitemytongue，andsometimesmyfingers，inmyhaste。Diogenes，meetingaboyeatingafterthatmanner，gavehistutoraboxontheear！ThereweremenatRomethattaughtpeopletochew，aswellastowalk，withagoodgrace。I
losetherebytheleisureofspeaking，whichgivesgreatrelishtothetable，providedthediscoursebesuitable，thatis，pleasantandshort。
Thereisjealousyandenvyamongstourpleasures;theycrossandhinderoneanother。Alcibiades，amanwhowellunderstoodhowtomakegoodcheer，banishedevenmusicfromthetable，thatitmightnotdisturbtheentertainmentofdiscourse，forthereason，asPlatotellsus，\"thatitisthecustomofordinarypeopletocallfiddlersandsingingmentofeasts，forwantofgooddiscourseandpleasanttalk，withwhichmenofunderstandingknowhowtoentertainoneanother。\"Varrorequiresallthisinentertainments:\"Personsofgracefulpresenceandagreeableconversation，whoareneithersilentnorgarrulous;neatnessanddelicacy，bothofmeatandplace;andfairweather。\"Theartofdiningwellisnoslightart，thepleasurenotaslightpleasure;neitherthegreatestcaptainsnorthegreatestphilosophershavedisdainedtheuseorscienceofeatingwell。Myimaginationhasdeliveredthreerepaststothecustodyofmymemory，whichfortunerenderedsovereignlysweettome，uponseveraloccasionsinmymoreflourishingage;mypresentstateexcludesme;foreveryone，accordingtothegoodtemperofbodyandmindwhereinhethenfindshimself，furnishesforhisownshareaparticulargraceandsavour。I，whobutcrawlupontheearth，hatethisinhumanwisdom，thatwillhaveusdespiseandhateallcultureofthebody;I
lookuponitasanequalinjusticetoloathnaturalpleasuresastobetoomuchinlovewiththem。Xerxeswasablockhead，who，environedwithallhumandelights，proposedarewardtohimwhocouldfindoutothers;
butheisnotmuchlesssowhocutsoffanyofthosepleasuresthatnaturehasprovidedforhim。Amanshouldneitherpursuenoravoidthem，butreceivethem。Ireceivethem，Iconfess，alittletoowarmlyandkindly，andeasilysuffermyselftofollowmynaturalpropensions。Wehavenoneedtoexaggeratetheirinanity;theythemselveswillmakeussufficientlysensibleofit，thankstooursickwet—blanketmind，thatputsusoutoftastewiththemaswithitself;ittreatsbothitselfandallitreceives，onewhilebetter，andanotherworse，accordingtoitsinsatiable，vagabond，andversatileessence:
\"Sincerumestnisivas，quodcunqueinfundis，acescit。\"
[\"Unlessthevesselbeclean，itwillsourwhateveryouputintoit。\"——Horace，Ep。，i。2，54。]
I，whoboastthatIsocuriouslyandparticularlyembracetheconveniencesoflife，findthem，whenImostnearlyconsiderthem，verylittlemorethanwind。Butwhat？Weareallwindthroughout;and，moreover，thewinditself，morediscreetthanwe，lovestoblusterandshiftfromcornertocorner，andcontentsitselfwithitsproperofficeswithoutdesiringstabilityandsolidity—qualitiesnotitsown。
Thepurepleasures，aswellasthepuredispleasures，oftheimagination，saysome，arethegreatest，aswasexpressedbythebalanceofCritolaiis。’Tisnowonder;itmakesthemtoitsownliking，andcutsthemoutofthewholecloth;ofthisIeverydayseenotableexamples，and，peradventure，tobedesired。ButI，whoamofamixedandheavycondition，cannotsnapsosoonatthisonesimpleobject，butthatI
negligentlysuffermyselftobecarriedawaywiththepresentpleasuresofthe，generalhumanlaw，intellectuallysensible，andsensiblyintellectual。TheCyrenaicphilosopherswillhaveitthatascorporalpains，socorporalpleasuresaremorepowerful，bothasdoubleandasmorejust。Therearesome，asAristotlesays，whooutofasavagekindofstupiditydislikethem;andIknowotherswhooutofambitiondothesame。Whydotheynot，moreover，forswearbreathing？whydotheynotliveoftheirown？whynotrefuselight，becauseitisgratuitous，andcoststhemneitherinventionnorexertion？LetMars，Pallas，orMercuryaffordthemtheirlightbywhichtosee，insteadofVenus，Ceres，andBacchus。Theseboastfulhumoursmaycounterfeitsomecontent，forwhatwillnotfancydo？Butastowisdom，thereisnotouchofit。Willtheynotseekthequadratureofthecircle，evenwhenontheirwives？Ihatethatweshouldbeenjoinedtohaveourmindsintheclouds，whenourbodiesareattable;Iwouldnothavethemindnailedthere，norwallowthere;Iwouldhaveittakeplacethereandsit，butnotliedown。
Aristippusmaintainednothingbutthebody，asifwehadnosoul;Zenocomprehendedonlythesoul，asifwehadnobody:bothofthemfaultily。
Pythagoras，theysay，followedaphilosophythatwasallcontemplation，Socratesonethatwasallconductandaction;Platofoundameanbetwixtthetwo;buttheyonlysaythisforthesakeoftalking。ThetruetemperamentisfoundinSocrates;and，PlatoismuchmoreSocraticthanPythagoric，anditbecomeshimbetter。WhenIdance，Idance;whenI
sleep，Isleep。Nay，whenIwalkaloneinabeautifulorchard，ifmythoughtsaresomepartofthetimetakenupwithexternaloccurrences，Isomepartofthetimecallthembackagaintomywalk，totheorchard，tothesweetnessofthatsolitude，andtomyself。
Naturehasmother—likeobservedthis，thattheactionsshehasenjoinedusforournecessityshouldbealsopleasurabletous;andsheinvitesustothem，notonlybyreason，butalsobyappetite，and’tis，injusticetoinfringeherlaws。WhenIseealikeCaesarandAlexander，inthemidstofhisgreatestbusiness，sofullyenjoyhumanandcorporalpleasures，I
donotsaythatherelaxedhismind:Isaythathestrengthenedit，byvigourofcouragesubjectingthoseviolentemploymentsandlaboriousthoughtstotheordinaryusageoflife:wise，hadhebelievedthelastwashisordinary，thefirsthisextraordinary，vocation。Wearegreatfools。\"Hehaspassedhislifeinidleness，\"saywe:\"Ihavedonenothingto—day。\"What？haveyounotlived？thatisnotonlythefundamental，butthemostillustrious，ofyouroccupations。\"HadIbeenputtothemanagementofgreataffairs，IshouldhavemadeitseenwhatI
coulddo。\"\"Haveyouknownhowtomeditateandmanageyourlife？youhaveperformedthegreatestworkofall。\"Inordertoshewanddevelopherself，natureneedsonlyfortune;sheequallymanifestsherselfinallstages，andbehindacurtainaswellaswithoutone。Haveyouknownhowtoregulateyourconduct，youhavedoneagreatdealmorethanhewhohascomposedbooks。Haveyouknownhowtotakerepose，youhavedonemorethanhewhohastakenempiresandcities。
Thegloriousmasterpieceofmanistolivetopurpose;allotherthings:
toreign，tolayuptreasure，tobuild，arebutlittleappendicesandprops。Itakepleasureinseeingageneralofanarmy，atthefootofabreachheispresentlytoassault，givehimselfupentireandfreeatdinner，totalkandbemerrywithhisfriends。AndBrutus，whenheavenandearthwereconspiredagainsthimandtheRomanliberty，stealingsomehourofthenightfromhisroundstoreadandscanPolybiusinallsecurity。’Tisforlittlesouls，buriedundertheweightofaffairs，notfromthemtoknowhowclearlytodisengagethemselves，nottoknowhowtolaythemasideandtakethemupagain:
\"Ofortes，pejoraquepassiMecumsaepeviri！nuncvinopellitecurasCrasingensiterabimusaequor。\"
[\"Obravespirits，whohaveoftensufferedsorrowwithme，drinkcaresaway;tomorrowwewillembarkoncemoreonthevastsea。\"
——Horace，Od。，i。7，30。]
Whetheritbeinjestorearnest，thatthetheologicalandSorbonnicalwine，andtheirfeasts，areturnedintoaproverb，Ifinditreasonabletheyshoulddinesomuchmorecommodiouslyandpleasantly，astheyhaveprofitablyandseriouslyemployedthemorningintheexerciseoftheirschools。Theconscienceofhavingwellspenttheotherhours，isthejustandsavourysauceofthedinner—table。Thesageslivedafterthatmanner;andthatinimitableemulationtovirtue，whichastonishesusbothintheoneandtheotherCato，thathumouroftheirs，sosevereaseventobeimportunate，gentlysubmitsitselfandyieldstothelawsofthehumancondition，ofVenusandBacchus;accordingtothepreceptsoftheirsect，thatrequiretheperfectsagetobeasexpertandintelligentintheuseofnaturalpleasuresasinallotherdutiesoflife:
\"Cuicorsapiat，eietsapiatpalatus。\"
Relaxationandfacility，methinks，wonderfullyhonourandbestbecomeastrongandgeneroussoul。Epaminondasdidnotthinkthattotakepart，andthatheartily，insongsandsportsanddanceswiththeyoungmenofhiscity，werethingsthatinanywayderogatedfromthehonourofhisgloriousvictoriesandtheperfectpurityofmannersthatwasinhim。
AndamongstsomanyadmirableactionsofScipiothegrandfather，apersonworthytobereputedofaheavenlyextraction，thereisnothingthatgiveshimagreatergracethantoseehimcarelesslyandchildishlytriflingatgatheringandselectingcockleshells，andplayingatquoits，[Thisgame，asthe\"DictionnairedeTrevoux\"describesit，isonewhereintwopersonscontendwhichofthemshallsoonestpickupsomeobject。]
amusingandticklinghimselfinrepresentingbywritingincomediesthemeanestandmostpopularactionsofmen。AndhisheadfullofthatwonderfulenterpriseofHannibalandAfrica，visitingtheschoolsinSicily，andattendingphilosophicallectures，totheextentofarmingtheblindenvyofhisenemiesatRome。NoristhereanythingmoreremarkableinSocratesthanthat，oldashewas，hefoundtimetomakehimselftaughtdancingandplayinguponinstruments，andthoughtittimewellspent。Thissamemanwasseeninanecstasy，standinguponhisfeetawholedayandanighttogether，inthepresenceofalltheGrecianarmy，surprisedandabsorbedbysomeprofoundthought。Hewasthefirst，amongstsomanyvaliantmenofthearmy，toruntothereliefofAlcibiades，oppressedwiththeenemy，toshieldhimwithhisownbody，anddisengagehimfromthecrowdbyabsoluteforceofarms。Itwashewho，intheDelianbattle，raisedandsavedXenophonwhenfallenfromhishorse;andwho，amongstallthepeopleofAthens，enragedashewasatsounworthyaspectacle，firstpresentedhimselftorescueTheramenes，whomthethirtytyrantswereleadingtoexecutionbytheirsatellites，anddesistednotfromhisboldenterprisebutattheremonstranceofTherameneshimself，thoughhewasonlyfollowedbytwomoreinall。Hewasseen，whencourtedbyabeautywithwhomhewasinlove，tomaintainatneedasevereabstinence。Hewasseenevertogotothewars，andwalkuponice，withbarefeet;towearthesamerobe，winterandsummer;
tosurpassallhiscompanionsinpatienceofbearinghardships，andtoeatnomoreatafeastthanathisownprivatedinner。Hewasseen，forseven—and—twentyyearstogether，toendurehunger，poverty，theindocilityofhischildren，andthenailsofhiswife，withthesamecountenance。And，intheend，calumny，tyranny，imprisonment，fetters，andpoison。Butwasthismanobligedtodrinkfullbumpersbyanyruleofcivility？hewasalsothemanofthewholearmywithwhomtheadvantageindrinking，remained。Andheneverrefusedtoplayatnoisettes，nortoridethehobby—horsewithchildren，anditbecamehimwell;forallactions，saysphilosophy，equallybecomeandequallyhonourawiseman。Wehaveenoughwherewithaltodoit，andweoughtnevertobewearyofpresentingtheimageofthisgreatmaninallthepatternsandformsofperfection。Thereareveryfewexamplesoflife，fullandpure;andwewrongourteachingeveryday，toproposetoourselvesthosethatareweakandimperfect，scarcegoodforanyoneservice，andratherpullusback;corruptersratherthancorrectorsofmanners。Thepeopledeceivethemselves;amangoesmuchmoreeasilyindeedbytheends，wheretheextremityservesforabound，astop，andguide，thanbythemiddleway，largeandopen;andaccordingtoart，morethanaccordingtonature:
butwithalmuchlessnoblyandcommendably。
Greatnessofsoulconsistsnotsomuchinmountingandinpressingforward，asinknowinghowtogovernandcircumscribeitself;ittakeseverythingforgreat，thatisenough，anddemonstratesitselfinpreferringmoderatetoeminentthings。Thereisnothingsofineandlegitimateaswellanddulytoplaytheman;norsciencesoarduousaswellandnaturallytoknowhowtolivethislife;andofalltheinfirmitieswehave，’tisthemostbarbaroustodespiseourbeing。
Whoeverhasamindtoisolatehisspirit，whenthebodyisillatease，topreserveitfromthecontagion，lethimbyallmeansdoitifhecan:
butotherwiselethimonthecontraryfavourandassistit，andnotrefusetoparticipateofitsnaturalpleasureswithaconjugalcomplacency，bringingtoit，ifitbethewiser，moderation，lestbyindiscretiontheyshouldgetconfoundedwithdispleasure。Intemperanceisthepestofpleasure;andtemperanceisnotitsscourge，butratheritsseasoning。Euxodus，whothereinestablishedthesovereigngood，andhiscompanions，whosetsohighavalueuponit，tasteditinitsmostcharmingsweetness，bythemeansoftemperance，whichinthemwassingularandexemplary。
Ienjoinmysoultolookuponpainandpleasurewithaneyeequallyregulated:
\"Eodemenimvitioesteffusioanimiinlaetitiaquoindolorecontractio，\"
[\"Forfromthesameimperfectionarisestheexpansionofthemindinpleasureanditscontractioninsorrow。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。31。]
andequallyfirm;buttheonegailyandtheotherseverely，andsofarasitisable，tobecarefultoextinguishtheoneastoextendtheother。
Thejudgingrightlyofgoodbringsalongwithitthejudgingsoundlyofevil:painhassomethingoftheinevitableinitstenderbeginnings，andpleasuresomethingoftheevitableinitsexcessiveend。Platocouplesthemtogether，andwillsthatitshouldbeequallytheofficeoffortitudetofightagainstpain，andagainsttheimmoderateandcharmingblandishmentsofpleasure:theyaretwofountains，fromwhichwhoeverdraws，whenandasmuchasheneeds，whethercity，man，orbeast，isveryfortunate。Thefirstistobetakenmedicinallyanduponnecessity，andmorescantily;theotherforthirst，butnotto，drunkenness。Pain，pleasure，loveandhatredarethefirstthingsthatachildissensibleof:if，whenreasoncomes，theyapplyittothemselves，thatisvirtue。
Ihaveaspecialvocabularyofmyown;I\"passawaytime，\"whenitisillanduneasy，butwhen’tisgoodIdonotpassitaway:\"Itasteitoveragainandadheretoit\";onemustrunovertheillandsettleuponthegood。Thisordinaryphraseofpastime，andpassingawaythetime，representstheusageofthosewisesortofpeoplewhothinktheycannotdobetterwiththeirlivesthantoletthemrunoutandslideaway，passthemover，andbaulkthem，and，asmuchastheycan，ignorethemandshunthemasathingoftroublesomeandcontemptiblequality:butIknowittobeanotherkindofthing，andfinditbothvaluableandcommodious，eveninitslatestdecay，whereinInowenjoyit;andnaturehasdelivereditintoourhandsinsuchandsofavourablecircumstancesthatwehaveonlyourselvestoblameifitbetroublesometous，orescapesusunprofitably:
\"Stultivitaingrataest，trepidaest，totainfuturumfertur。\"
[\"Thelifeofafoolisthankless，timorous，andwhollybentuponthefuture。\"——Seneca，Ep:，15。]
NeverthelessIcomposemyselftoloseminewithoutregret;butwithalasathingthatisperishablebyitscondition，notthatitmolestsorannoysme。Nordoesitproperlywellbecomeanynottobedispleasedwhentheydie，exceptingsuchasarepleasedtolive。Thereisgoodhusbandryinenjoyingit:Ienjoyitdoubletowhatothersdo;forthemeasureofitsfruitiondependsuponourmoreorlessapplicationtoit。
ChieflythatIperceiveminetobesoshortintime，Idesiretoextenditinweight;Iwillstopthepromptitudeofitsflightbythepromptitudeofmygrasp;andbythevigourofusingitcompensatethespeedofitsrunningaway。Inproportionasthepossessionoflifeismoreshort，Imustmakeitsomuchdeeperandfuller。
Othersfeelthepleasureofcontentandprosperity;Ifeelittoo，aswellasthey，butnotasitpassesandslipsby;oneshouldstudy，taste，andruminateuponittorendercondignthankstoHimwhograntsittous。
Theyenjoytheotherpleasuresastheydothatofsleep，withoutknowingit。Totheendthatevensleepitselfshouldnotsostupidlyescapefromme，Ihaveformerlycausedmyselftobedisturbedinmysleep，sothatI
mightthebetterandmoresensiblyrelishandtasteit。Iponderwithmyselfofcontent;Idonotskimover，butsoundit;andIbendmyreason，nowgrownperverseandpeevish，toentertainit。DoIfindmyselfinanycalmcomposedness？isthereanypleasurethatticklesme？
Idonotsufferittodallywithmysensesonly;Iassociatemysoultoittoo:nottheretoengageitself，butthereintotakedelight;nottheretoloseitself，buttobepresentthere;andIemployit，onitspart，toviewitselfinthisprosperousstate，toweighandappreciateitshappinessandtoamplifyit。ItreckonshowmuchitstandsindebtedtoGodthatitsconscienceandtheintestinepassionsareinrepose;thatithasthebodyinitsnaturaldisposition，orderlyandcompetentlyenjoyingthesoftandsoothingfunctionsbywhichHe，ofHisgraceispleasedtocompensatethesufferingswherewithHisjusticeatHisgoodpleasurechastisesus。Itreflectshowgreatabenefititistobesoprotected，thatwhichwaysoeveritturnsitseyetheheavensarecalmaroundit。Nodesire，nofear，nodoubt，troublestheair;nodifficulty，past，present，orto，come，thatitsimaginationmaynotpassoverwithoutoffence。Thisconsiderationtakesgreatlustrefromthecomparisonofdifferentconditions。SoitisthatIpresenttomythought，inathousandaspects，thosewhomfortuneortheirownerrorcarriesawayandtorments。And，again，thosewho，moreliketome，sonegligentlyandincuriouslyreceivetheirgoodfortune。Thosearefolkswhospendtheirtimeindeed;theypassoverthepresentandthatwhichtheypossess，towaitonhope，andforshadowsandvainimageswhichfancyputsbeforethem:
\"Morteobitaqualesfamaestvolitarefiguras，Autquaesopitosdeluduntsomniasensus:\"
[\"Suchformsasthosewhichafterdeatharereputedtohoverabout，ordreamswhichdeludethesensesinsleep。\"——AEneid，x。641。]
whichhastenandprolongtheirflight，accordingastheyarepursued。
Thefruitandendoftheirpursuitistopursue;asAlexandersaid，thattheendofhislabourwastolabour:
\"Nilactumcredens，cumquidsuperessetagendum。\"
[\"Thinkingnothingdone，ifanythingremainedtobedone。
——\"Lucan，ii。657。]
Formypartthen，Ilovelifeandcultivateit，suchasithaspleasedGodtobestowituponus。Idonotdesireitshouldbewithoutthenecessityofeatinganddrinking;andIshouldthinkitanotlessexcusablefailingtowishithadbeentwiceaslong;
\"Sapiensdivitiarumnaturaliumquaesitoracerrimus:\"
[\"Awisemanisthekeenestseekerfornaturalriches。\"
——Seneca，Ep。，119。]
northatweshouldsupportourselvesbyputtingonlyalittleofthatdrugintoourmouths，bywhichEpimenidestookawayhisappetiteandkepthimselfalive;northatweshouldstupidlybegetchildrenwithourfingersorheels，butrather;withreverencebeitspoken，thatwemightvoluptuouslybegetthemwithourfingersandheels;northatthebodyshouldbewithoutdesireandwithouttitillation。Theseareungratefulandwickedcomplaints。Iacceptkindly，andwithgratitude，whatnaturehasdoneforme;amwellpleasedwithit，andproudofit。Amandoeswrongtothatgreatandomnipotentgivertorefuse，annul，ordisfigurehisgift:allgoodnesshimself，hehasmadeeverythinggood:
\"Omniaquaesecundumnaturamsunt，aestimationedignasunt。\"
[\"Allthingsthatareaccordingtonatureareworthyofesteem。\"
——Cicero，DeFin。，iii。6。]
Ofphilosophicalopinions，Ipreferablyembracethosethataremostsolid，thatistosay，themosthumanandmostourown:mydiscourseis，suitabletomymanners，lowandhumble:philosophyplaysthechild，tomythinking，whenitputsitselfuponitsErgostopreachtousthat’tisabarbarousalliancetomarrythedivinewiththeearthly，thereasonablewiththeunreasonable，theseverewiththeindulgent，thehonestwiththedishonest。Thatpleasureisabrutishquality，unworthytobetastedbyawiseman;thatthesolepleasureheextractsfromtheenjoymentofafairyoungwifeisapleasureofhisconsciencetoperformanactionaccordingtoorder，astoputonhisbootsforaprofitablejourney。
Oh，thatitsfollowershadnomoreright，nornerves，norvigouringettingtheirwives’maidenheadsthaninitslesson。
ThisisnotwhatSocratessays，whoisitsmasterandours:hevalues，asheought，bodilypleasure;butheprefersthatofthemindashavingmoreforce，constancy，facility，variety，anddignity。This，accordingtohim，goesbynomeansalone——heisnotsofantastic——butonlyitgoesfirst;temperancewithhimisthemoderatrix，nottheadversaryofpleasure。Natureisagentleguide，butnotmoresweetandgentlethanprudentandjust。
\"Intrandumestinrerumnaturam，etpenitus，quideapostulet，pervidendum。\"
[\"Amanmustsearchintothenatureofthings，andfullyexaminewhatsherequires。\"——Cicero，DeFin。，V。16。]
Ihuntafterherfootthroughout:wehaveconfoundeditwithartificialtraces;andthatacademicandperipateticgood，whichis\"toliveaccordingtoit，\"becomesonthisaccounthardtolimitandexplain;andthatoftheStoics，neighbourtoit，whichis\"toconsenttonature。\"
Isitnotanerrortoesteemanyactionslessworthy，becausetheyarenecessary？Andyettheywillnottakeitoutofmyhead，thatitisnotaveryconvenientmarriageofpleasurewithnecessity，withwhich，saysanancient，thegodsalwaysconspire。Towhatenddowedismemberbydivorceabuildingunitedbysocloseandbrotherlyacorrespondence？
Letus，onthecontrary，confirmitbymutualoffices;letthemindrouseandquickentheheavinessofthebody，andthebodystayandfixthelevityofthesoul:
\"Qui，velutsummumbonum，laudatanimacnaturam，et，tanquammalum，naturamcarnisaccusat，profectdetanimamcarnatiterappetit，etcarnemcarnaliterfugit;quoniamidvanitatesentithumans，nonveritatedivina。\"
[Hewhocommendsthenatureofthesoulasthesupremegood，andcondemnsthenatureofthefleshasevil，atoncebothcarnallydesiresthesoul，andcarnallyfliestheflesh，becausehefeelsthusfromhumanvanity，notfromdivinetruth。\"
——St。Augustin，DeCivit。Dei，xiv。5。]
InthispresentthatGodhasmadeus，thereisnothingunworthyourcare;
westandaccountableforiteventoahair;andisitnotacommissiontoman，toconductmanaccordingtohiscondition;’tisexpress，plain，andtheveryprincipalone，andtheCreatorhasseriouslyandstrictlyprescribedittous。Authorityhaspoweronlytoworkinregardtomattersofcommonjudgment，andisofmoreweightinaforeignlanguage;
thereforeletusagainchargeatitinthisplace:
\"Stultitiaepropriumquisnondixerit，ignaveetcontumaciterfacere，quaefaciendasunt;etaliocorpusimpellere，alioanimum;
distrahiqueinterdiversissimosmotus？\"
[\"Whowillnotsay，thatitisthepropertyoffolly，slothfullyandcontumaciouslytoperformwhatistobedone，andtobendthebodyonewayandthemindanother，andtobedistractedbetwixtwhollydifferentmotions？\"——Seneca，Ep。，74。]
Tomakethisapparent，askanyone，someday，totellyouwhatwhimsiesandimaginationsheputintohispate，upontheaccountofwhichhedivertedhisthoughtsfromagoodmeal，andregretsthetimehespendsineating;youwillfindthereisnothingsoinsipidinallthedishesatyourtableasthiswisemeditationofhis（forthemostpartwehadbettersleepthanwaketothepurposewewake）;andthathisdiscoursesandnotionsarenotworththeworstmessthere。ThoughtheyweretheecstasiesofArchimedeshimself，whatthen？Idonotherespeakof，normixwiththerabbleofusordinarymen，andthevanityofthethoughtsanddesiresthatdivertus，thosevenerablesouls，elevatedbytheardourofdevotionandreligion，toaconstantandconscientiousmeditationofdivinethings，who，bytheenergyofvividandvehementhope，prepossessingtheuseoftheeternalnourishment，thefinalaimandlaststepofChristiandesires，thesoleconstant，andincorruptiblepleasure，disdaintoapplythemselvestoournecessitous，fluid，andambiguousconveniences，andeasilyresigntothebodythecareanduseofsensualandtemporalpasture;’tisaprivilegedstudy。Betweenourselves，Ihaveeverobservedsupercelestialopinionsandsubterraneanmannerstobeofsingularaccord。
AEsop，thatgreatman，sawhismasterpissashewalked:\"Whatthen，\"
saidhe，\"mustwedropaswerun？\"Letusmanageourtime;thereyetremainsagreatdealidleandillemployed。Themindhasnotwillinglyotherhoursenoughwhereintodoitsbusiness，withoutdisassociatingitselffromthebody，inthatlittlespaceitmusthaveforitsnecessity。Theywouldputthemselvesoutofthemselves，andescapefrombeingmen。Itisfolly;insteadoftransformingthemselvesintoangels，theytransformthemselvesintobeasts;insteadofelevating，theylaythemselveslower。Thesetranscendentalhumoursaffrightme，likehighandinaccessibleplaces;andnothingishardformetodigestinthelifeofSocratesbuthisecstasiesandcommunicationwithdemons;nothingsohumaninPlatoasthatforwhichtheysayhewascalleddivine;andofoursciences，thoseseemtobethemostterrestrialandlowthatarehighestmounted;andIfindnothingsohumbleandmortalinthelifeofAlexanderashisfanciesabouthisimmortalisation。Philotaspleasantlyquippedhiminhisanswer;hecongratulatedhimbyletterconcerningtheoracleofJupiterAmmon，whichhadplacedhimamongstthegods:\"UponthyaccountIamgladofit，butthemenaretobepitiedwhoaretolivewithaman，andtoobeyhim，whoexceedsandisnotcontentedwiththemeasureofaman:\"
\"Diistominoremquodgeris，imperas。\"
[\"Becausethoucarriestthyselflowerthanthegods，thourulest。\"
——Horace，Od。，iii。6，5。]
TheprettyinscriptionwherewiththeAthenianshonouredtheentryofPompeyintotheircityisconformabletomysense:\"Bysomuchthouartagod，asthouconfessesttheeaman。\"’Tisanabsoluteand，asitwere，adivineperfection，foramantoknowhowloyallytoenjoyhisbeing。
Weseekotherconditions，byreasonwedonotunderstandtheuseofourown;andgooutofourselves，becauseweknownothowtheretoreside。
’Tistomuchpurposetogouponstilts，for，whenuponstilts，wemustyetwalkwithourlegs;andwhenseateduponthemostelevatedthroneintheworld，wearebutseateduponourbreech。Thefairestlives，inmyopinion，arethosewhichregularlyaccommodatethemselvestothecommonandhumanmodelwithoutmiracle，withoutextravagance。Oldagestandsalittleinneedofamoregentletreatment。LetusrecommendthattoGod，theprotectorofhealthandwisdom，butletitbegayandsociable:
\"FruiparatisetvalidomihiLatoe，dones，etprecor，integraCummente;necturpemsenectamDegere，necCitharacarentem。\"
[\"Grantittome，Apollo，thatImayenjoymypossessionsingoodhealth;letmebesoundinmind;letmenotleadadishonourableoldage，norwantthecittern。\"——Horace，Od。，i。31，17。]
Or:
[\"Grantittome，Apollo，thatImayenjoywhatIhaveingoodhealth;letmebesoundinbodyandmind;letmeliveinhonourwhenold，norletmusicbewanting。\"]
APOLOGY:
[Infact，thefirsteditionoftheEssays（Bordeaux，1580）hasveryfewquotations。Thesebecamemorenumerousintheeditionof1588;butthemultitudeofclassicaltextswhichattimesencumberMontaigne’stext，onlydatesfromtheposthumouseditionof1595]hehadmadethesecollectionsinthefourlastyearsofhislife，asanamusementofhis\"idleness。\"——LeClerc。Theygrow，however，moresparingintheThirdBook。