Montaigne's Essays Volume
III
Source: Michel Montaigne. The Essays of Michael Lord of Montaigne,
1580,
1597. Translated by John Florio, 1603. World's Classics edition. 3 volumes,
Vol. 3. London: Frowde, 1904. Before
using any portion of this text in any theme, essay, research paper, thesis,
or dissertation, please read the disclaimer.
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to a general reader have been included. I have allowed Greek passages to
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Table of Contents: 3.I+ Of
Profit and Honesty |
3.II+ Of Repenting |
3.III+ Of Three Commerces or Societies | 3.IV+
Of Diverting and Diversions | 3.V+ Upon some
Verses of Virgil | 3.VI+ Of Coaches |
3.VII+ Of the Incommoditie of Greatnesse |
3.VIII+ Of the Art of Conferring | 3.IX+
Of Vanitie 3.X+ How one ought to governe his
Will | 3.XI+ Of the Lame or Crippel |
3.XII+ Of Phisiognomy | 3.XIII+
Of Experience
IMDEX: 1560+(1) |
1582_age_49+(1) | 1585_age_52+(1)
|
60sradical+(1) |
action+(1) | amateur+(1) |
ambition+(2) | amitie+(2) |
amity+(1)
| ancients_moderns+(1) |
anger+(2) | Antonio+(2) |
avarice+(1) | bashfulnesse+(1)
| Bassanio+(1) |
benefit+(3) | benefits+(1) |
Benefits+(1) | blabbing+(2) |
boasting+(1) | Brutus+(3) |
Burke+(3) | Caesar+(1) |
Caliban+(3) | carelesnesse+(3)
| careless+(1) |
carelesse+(1) | Cato+(2) |
Catoes+(1) | cheere+(1) |
clemency+(1) | common+(3) |
common_places+(1) | constancie+(1)
| constancy+(2) |
contract+(1) | Cordelia+(5) |
Cornwall+(1) | courage+(1) |
courtesie+(1) | cowardice+(1)
| cruelty+(1) |
Cuckold+(1) | death+(10) |
Death+(2) | dialectic+(1) |
diffidence+(7) | diffident+(1)
| discretion+(1) |
dissolution+(1) | Donne+(1) |
Dorimant+(1) | duel+(1) |
effeminate+(1) | Eliot+(1) |
empire+(1) | Epictetus+(1) |
Eton+(1) | exemples+(1) |
expenditure+(1) | family+(1) |
Faulkner+(1) | feminism+(1) |
flies+(2) | foppery+(1) |
formalities+(1)
| fortitude+(1) |
fortuna+(1) | fortune+(10) |
Fortunes+(1) | Freud+(1) |
friend+(4) | friendship+(2)
| gentlenesse+(1) |
gift+(3) | give+(1) |
glory+(2) | goodnesse+(1) |
grace_of_God+(1) | gratitude+(1)
| Gratitude+(1) |
Hal+(10) | history+(1) |
honest_man+(1) | honestie+(1)
| honor+(2) | honour+(5)
| Hotspur+(4) | Iago+(1)
| ingenuity+(1) |
innocency+(1) | innovation+(1)
| instructions+(1) |
interpretations+(1) | justice+(1)
| Kent+(3) | king+(1)
| King+(1) | kings_duty+(1)
| Laputa+(1) | law+(3)
| Lawes+(1) | lawing+(1)
| lawyers+(1) |
Lawyers+(1) | Lear+(6) |
learning+(1) | liberality+(2)
| licentiousnesse+(1) |
list+(1) | love+(2) |
magnificence+(1) | Mahomet+(1)
| man_of_honor+(1) |
manly+(1) | marriage+(2) |
military+(1) | Millamant+(1)
| mirth+(1) |
Man_of_Mode+(1) | modestie+(1)
| money+(2) | Mrs_Frail+(1)
| nature+(1) |
nobilitie+(2) | Non_nobis+(1)
| obligation+(1) |
Oswald+(1) | ought+(1) |
Pages+(1) | patience+(1) |
peasant+(1) | plague+(1) |
PlainDealer+(19) | plaine+(1) |
Plaine_wordes+(1) | plainely+(1)
| plainenesse+(1) |
Plutarch+(1) | Plutark+(2) |
Pompey+(2) | Pope+(1) |
posterity+(2) |
potlach+(1) |
profit+(1) | promise+(1) |
Prospero+(1) | public_serevice+(1)
| publike_societie+(1) |
purged+(1) | Regulus+(1) |
reputation+(1) | revenge+(1) |
Revenge+(1) | revolution+(1)
| ring+(1) | Rome+(3)
| royal_duty+(1) |
selfcrit+(1)
| Seneca+(1) | service+(2)
| sexism+(1) | Shylock+(2)
| simple+(3) |
simplicitie+(1) | simplicity+(3)
| sociall+(1) |
Socrates+(3) | Souldier+(1) |
sprezzatura+(1) | stoicism_pays+(1)
| stone_arch+(3) |
Swift+(1) | Thoreau+(1) |
trueth+(1) | trust+(2) |
usthem+(7) | utility+(1) |
valor+(1) | valour+(1) |
VANITIE+(1) | Venus+(1) |
Vertue+(1) | warlike+(1) |
wel_borne+(1) |
wit+(1) |
word+(1) | Yahoo+(2)
CHAPTER 3.I+ OF PROFIT AND HONESTY +
No man living is free from speaking foolish things; the ill lucke is
to speake them curiously:
Nae iste magno conatu magnas nugas dixerit./1
This fellow sure with much a doe,
Will tell great tales and trifles too.
That concerneth not me; mine slip from me with as little care as they are
of smal worth: whereby they speed the better. I would suddenly quit
them, for the least cost were in them: Nor do I buy or sell them
but for what they weigh. I speake unto paper as to the first man
I meete. That this is true, marke well what followes. To whom
should not treachery be detestable, when Tiberius refused it on such great
interest? One sent him word out of Germany, that if he thought it
good, Ariminius should be made away by poison. He was the mightiest
enemy the Romans had, who had so vilely used them under Varus, and
-----
1 TER. Heaut. act iv. sc. 1.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
who onely empeached the encrease of his domination in that country.
His answer was, that the people of Rome were accustomed to be revenged
on their enemies by open courses, with weapons in hand; not by subtill
sleights, nor in hugger mugger: thus left he the profitable for the honest.
He was (you will say) a cosener. I beleive it; that's no wonder in
men of his profession. But the confession of virtue is of no less
consequence in his mouth that hateth the same, forsomuch as truth by force
doth wrest it from him, and if he will not admire it in him, at least,
to adorne himselfe he will put it on. Our composition, both publike
and private, is full of imperfection; yet is there nothing in nature unserviceable,
no not inutility it selfe; nothing thereof hath beene insinuated in this
huge universe but holdeth some fit place therein. Our essence is
cymented with crased qualities; ambition, jealosie, envy, revenge, superstition,
dispaire, lodge in us, with so naturall a possession, as their image is
also discerned in beasts: yea and cruelty, so unnatumll a vice: for in
the middest of compassion, we inwardly feele a kinde of bitter-sweet-pricking
of malicious delight to see others suffer; and children feele it also:
Suave mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis,
E terra magnum alterius spectare laborem./1
'Tis sweet on graund seas, when windes waves turmoyle,
From land to see an others greevous toyle.
The seed of which qualities, who should roote out of man, should ruine
the fundamental conditions of our life: In matter of policy likewise
some necessary functions are not onely base, but faulty: vices finde therein
a seate and employ themselves in the stitching up of our frame; as poysons
in the preservations of our health. {Yahoo+}
If they become excusable because wee have neede of them, and that common
necessity effaceth their true property; let us resigne the acting of this
part to hardy Citizens, who sticke not to sacrifice their
-----
1 LUCR. 1. ii. 1.
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honours and consciences, as those of old, their lives, for their Countries
availe and safety. We that are more weake had best assume taskes
of more ease and lesse hazard. The Common-wealth requireth some to
betray, some to lie, and some to massaker: leave we that commission to
people more obedient and more pliable. Truly, I have often beene
vexed to see our judges, by fraude or false hopes of favour or pardon,
draw on a malefactor, to bewray his offence; employing therein both cousenage
and impudencie. It were fit for justice, and Plato himselfe, who
favoureth this custome, to furnish me with meanes more sutable to my humour.
'Tis a malicious justice, and in my conceit no lesse wounded by it selfe
then by others. I answered not long since, that hardly could I betray
my Prince for a particular man, who should be very sory to betray a particular
man for my Prince. And loath not onely to deceive, but that any be
deceived in me; whereto I will neither furnish matter nor occasion.
In that little busines I have managed betweene our Princes, amid the divisions
and subdivisions which at this day so teare and turmoile us, I have curiously
heeded, that they mistake me not, nor muffled themselves in my maske.
The professors of that trade hold themselves most covert; pretending and
counterfeiting the greatest indifference and neernes to the cause they
can. As for me, I offer my selfe in my liveliest reasons, in a forme
most mine owne: A tender and young Negotiator, and who had rather
faile in my businesses then in my selfe. Yet hath this been hitherto
with so good hap (for surely fortune is in these matters a principal actor)
that few have dealt betwene party and party with lesse suspition and more
inward favour. I have in all my proceedings an open fashion, easie
to insinuate and give itselfe credit at first acquaintance. Sincerity,
plainenesse, and naked truth, in what age soever, finde also their opportunitie
and employment. {PlainDealer+!!}
Besides, their liberty is little called in question, or subject to hate,
who deale without respect of their owne interest. And they may truely
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
use the answer of Hyperides unto the Athenians, complaining of his bitter
invectives and sharpenesse of his speech: Consider not, my masters
whether I am free, but whether I be so, without taking ought, or bettering
my state by it. My liberty also hath easily discharged me from all
suspition of faintnesse, by it's vigor (for forbearing to speake any thing,
though it bit or stung them; I could not have said worse in their absence)
and because it carrieth an apparant show of
simplicity+ and
carelesnesse+. I pretend no other fruit by negotiating then
to negotiate; and annex no long pursuites or propositions to it.
Every action makes his particular game, win he if he can. Nor am
I urged with the passion of love or hate unto great men; nor is my wil
shackled with anger+,
or particular respect. I regard our Kings with an affection simply
lawfull and meerely civil, neither mooved nor unmoov'd by private interest:
for which I like my selfe the better. The generall and just cause bindes
me no more then moderately, and without violent fits. I am not subject
to these piercing pledges and inward gages. Choller and hate are beyond
the duty of justice, and are passions fitting only those whose reason is
not sufficient to hold them to their duty, Utatur motu animi, qui uti ratione
non potest: 'Let him use the motion of his minde that cannot use reason.'
All lawfull intentions are of themselves temperate: if not, they are altered
into sedicious and unlawful. It is that makes me march every where
with my head aloft, my face and heart open. Verily (and I feare not to
avouch it) I could easily for a neede bring a candle to Saint Michaell,
and another to his Dragon, as the good old woman. I will follow the
best side to the fire, but not into it, if I can choose. If neede
require, let Montaigne my Mannor-house be swallowed up in publike ruine:
but if there be no such necessity, I will acknowledge my selfe beholding
unto fortune if she please to save it; and for it's safety employ as much
scope as my endevours can affoord me. Was it not Atticus, who, cleaving
to the right (but losing
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side), saved himself by his moderation, in that generall Shipwracke
of the world, amidst so many changes and divers alterations? To private
men, such as he was, it is more easie. And in such kinde of businesse
I think one dealeth justly not to be too forward to insinuate or invite
himselfe. To hold a staggering or middle course, to beare an unmooved affection,
and without inclination in the troubles of his country and publike divisions,
I deeme neither seemely nor honest: Ea non media, sed nulla via est,
velut eventum expectantium, quo fortunae consilia sua applicant: 'That
is not the mid-way, but a mad way, or no way, as of those that expect the
event with intent to apply their dessignes as fortune shall fall out.'
That may be permitted in the affaires of neighbours. So did Gelon,
the tyrant of Siracusa, suspend his inclination in the Barbarian wars against
the Greeks, keeping Ambasdours at Delphos, with presents, to watch on what
side the victory would light, and to apprehend the fittest occasion of
reconcilement with the victors. It were a kind of treason to do so
in our owne affaires and domesticall matters, wherein of necessity one
must resolve and take a side; but for a man that hath neither charge nor
expresse commandement to urge him, not to busie or entermedle himselfe
therein, I holde it more excusable: (Yet frame I do not this excuse for
my selfe), then in forraine and strangers wars, wherewith, according to
our laws, no man is troubled against his will. Neverthelesse, those
who wholly ingage themselves into them, may carry such an order and temper,
as the storme (without offending them) may glide over their head.
Had wee not reason to hope as much of the deceased Bishop of Orleans, Lord
of Morvilliers? And I know some who at this present worthily bestirre
themselves, in so even a fashion or pleasing a manner, that they are likely
to continue on foote, whatsoever iniurious alteration or fall the heavens
may prepare against us. I holde it onely fit for Kings to to be angry
with Kings: And mocke at those rash spirits, who from the braverie
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
of their hearts offer themselves to so unproportionate quarrels.
For one undertaketh against a Prince, in marching couragiously for his
honour, and according to his duty: I hee love not such a man, hee
doth better: at least he esteemeth him. And the cause of lawes esoecially,
and defence of the auncient state, hath ever found this priviledge, that
such as for their owne interest disturbe the same, excuse (if they honour
not) their defenders. But wee ought not terme duty (as now a dayes
wee do) a sower rigour and intestine carbbednesse, proceeding of private
interest and passion: nor courage a treacherous and malicious proceeding.
Their disposition to frowardnesse and mischiefs, they entitle Zeale:
That's not the cause doth heate them, 'tis their owne interest: They
kindle a warre, not because it is just, but because it is warre.
Why may not a man beare himselfe betweene enemies featly and faithfully?
Doe it, if not altogether with an equall (for it may admit different measure
at least with a sober affection, which may not so much engage you to the
one, that he looke for al at your bands. Content your selfe with a moderate
proportion of their favour, and to glide in troubled waters without fishing
in them. Th' other manner of offering ones uttermost endevours to
both sides, implyeth lesse discretion then conscience. What knows
he to whom you betray another, as much your friend as himselfe, but you
will do the like for him, when his turne shall come. He takes you for a
villaine: whilst that hee heares you, and gathers out of you, and makes
his best use of your disloyalty. For double fellowes are onely beneficiall
in what they bring, but we must looke they carry away as little as may
be. I carry nothing to the one which I may not (having opportunity)
say unto the other, the accent only changed a little: and report either
but indifferent or knowne or common things. No benefit can induce
mee to lye unto them: what is entrusted to my silence I conceale religiously,
but take as little in trust as I can. Princes secrets are
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a troublesome charge to such as have nought to do with them. I
ever by my good will capitulate with them, that they trust mee with very
little: but let them assuredly trust what I disclose unto them. I
alwayes knew more than I womd. {Kent+!!!}
An open speach opens the way to another, and draws all out, even as Wine
and Love. {trust+}
Philippedes, in my minde, answered King Lysimachus wisely when hee demaunded
of him, what of his wealth or state hee should empart unto him: Which
and what you please (quoth hee) so it be not your secrets.
I see every one mutinie, if another conceale the deapth or mysterie
of the affaires from him, wherein he pleaseth to employ him, or have but
purloyned any circumstance from him. For my part, I am content one
tell me no more of his businesse then he will have me know or deale in;
nor desire I that my knowledge exceede or straine my word. If I must
needs be the instrument of cozinage it shall at least be with safety of
my conscience. I will not be esteemed a servant, nor so affectionate, nor
yet so faithfull, that I be judged fit to betray any man. {Oswald+}
Who is unfaithfull to himselfe may be excused if hee be faithlesse to his
Master. But Princes entertaine not men by halfes, and despise bounded
and conditionall service. What remedy? I freely tell them my limits;
for a slave I must not be but unto reason, which yet I cannot compasse;
And they are to blame, to exact from a free man the like subjection unto
their service, and the same obligation, which they may from those they
have made and bought, and whose fortune dependeth particularly and expresly
on theirs. The lawes have delivered mee from much trouble; they have
chosen mee a side to followe, and appointed mee a maister to obey; all
other superiority and duty ought to bee relative unto that, and bee restrained.
Yet, may it not be concluded, that if my affection should otherwise transport
mee, I would presently afforde my helping band unto it. Will and
desires are a lawe to themselves, actions are to receive it of publike
institutions: All these procedings of mine are
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
somewhat dissonant from our formes. They should produce no great
effects, nor holde out long among us. Innocencie itselfe could not
in these times nor negotiate without dissimulation, nor trafficke without
lying. Neither are publike functions of my diet; what my profession
requires thereto, I furnish in the most private manner I can. Being
a childe, I was plunged into them up to the eares, and had good successe;
but I got loose in good time. I have often since shunned medling
with them, seldome accepted, and never required; ever holding my back toward
ambition; but if not as rowers, who goe forward as it were backeward:
Yet so, as I am lesse beholding to resolution, then to my good fortune,
that I was not wholly embarked in them. For there are courses lesse
against my taste, and more comfortable to my carriage, by which, if heretofore
it had called mee to the service of the common-wealth, and my advancement
unto credit in the world: I know that in following the same I had
exceeded the reason of my conceite. Those which commonly say against
my profession that what I terme liberty,
simplicity+ and plainenesse+
in my behaviour, is arte, {Cornwall+}
cunning and subtilty; and rather discretion then goodnesse, industry then
nature, good wit then good hap, doe mee more honour then shame. But
truely they make my cunning overcunning. And whosoever hath traced
mee and nearely looked into my humours, Ile loose a good wager if hee confesse
not that there is no rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked
pathes and divers windings, square and report this naturall motion, and
maintaine an apparance of liberty and licence so equall and inflexible:
and that all the attention and wit is not of power to bring them to it.
The way to trueth is but one and simple, that of particular profit and
benefit of affaires a man hath in charge, double, uneven and accidentall.
I have often seene these counterfet and artificiall liberties in practise,
but most commonly without successe. They favour of Aesopes Asse, who in
emulation of the dogge, layde his two fore-feete very jocondly upon his
masters shoulders
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but looke how many blandishments the prety dogge received, under one,
so many bastinadoes were redoubled upon the poore Asses backe. Id maxime
quemque decet: quod est cuiusque suum maxime:/1 'That
becomes every man especially which is his owne especially.' I will
not deprive cousinage of her ranke, that were to understand the world but
ill: I know it hath often done profitable service, it supporteth,
yea and nourisheth the greatest part of mens vacations. There are
some lawfull vices: as many actions, or good or excusable, unlawfull.
Iustice in it selfe naturall and universall is otherwise ordered, and more
nobly distributed, then this other especiall and nationall justice, restrained
and suted to the neede of our pollicie: Veri juris germanaeque iustitiae
solidam et excess effigiem nullam tenemus: umbra et imaginibus utimur:/2
'Wee
have no lively nor life-like portraiture of upright law and naturall justice:
wee use but the shaddowes and colours of them.' So that wise Dandamys,
hearing the lives of Socrates, Pythagoras and Diogenes repeated, in other
things judged them great and worth men, but overmuch subjected to the reverence
of the lawes: which to authorize and second, true vertue is to decline
very much from his naturall vigor: and not onely by their permission, but
perswasions, divers vicious actions are committed and take place.
Ex Senatus consultis plebisque scitis scelera exercentur: 'Even by decrees
of counsell and by statute-laws are mischiefes put in practise.' I follow
the common phrase, which makes a difference betweene profitable and honest
things: terming some natural] actions which are not only profitable but
necessary, dishonest and filthy. But to continue our examples of
treason. Two which aspired unto the kingdome of Thrace were falne
into controversie for their right. The Emperor hindred them from
falling together by the eares: the one, under colour of contriving some
friendly accord by an enterview inviting the other to a feast in his house,
imprisoned and murthred him.
-----
1 CIC. Off. 1. 1. 2 CIC. Off. 1. 8.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
Justice required that the Romanes should be satisfied for this outrage:
some difficulties empeached the ordinary course. What they could
not lawfully doe without warre and hazard, they attempted to accomplish
by treason; what they coulde not honestly atchieve, they profitably compassed.
For exployting whereof, Pomponius Flaccus was thought most fitte; who trayning
the fellow into his Nettes by fained wordes and sugred assurances, in liew
of the favour and honour hee promised him, sent him bound hand and foote
to Rome. One traytor over-reached another against common custome;
For, they are all full of distrust, and 'tis very hard to surprize them
in their owne arte: witnesse the heavy and dismall experience we have lately
felt of it. Let who liste bee Pomponius Flaccus; and there are too-too
many that will bee so. As for my part, both my word and faith are
as the rest, pieces of this common body; their best effect is the publicke
service: that's ever presupposed with mee. But as if one should command
mee to take the charge of the Rolles or Recordes of the Pallace, I would
answere, I have no skill in them; or to bee a leader of Pioners, I would
say, I am called to a worthier office. Even so, who would goe about
to employ mee, not to murther or poyson, but to lye, betraye and forsweare
my selfe, I would tell him, If I have robbed or stolne any thing from any
man, send mee rather to the Gallies. For a Gentleman may lawfully
speake, as did the Lacedemonians, defeated by Antipater, upon the points
of their agreement: 'You may impose as heavy burdens, and harmfull taxes
upon us as you please, but you lose your time to command us any shamefull
or dishonest things.' Every man should give himselfe the oath, which the
Aegyptian Kings solemnly and usually presented to their judges: Not
to swarve from their consciences, what command soever they should receive
from themselves to the contrary. In such commissions there is an evident
note of ignominie and condemnation. And whosoever gives them you, accuseth
you; and if you conceive
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them right, gives you them as a trouble and burthen. As much as
the publike affaires amend by your endevours, your owne empaireth; the
better you do, so much the worse doe you. And it shall not bee newe,
nor peradventure without shadowe of justice, that hee who setteth you a
worke, becommeth your ruine. If treason bee in any case excusable,
it is onely then, when 'tis employed to punish and betray treason.
Wee shall finde many treacheries to have beene not refused, but punished
by them, in whose favour they were undertaken. Who knowes not the
sentence of Fabritius against Pyrrus his Physition? And the commaunder
hath often severely revenged them on the partie bee employed in them, refusing
so unbridled a credite and power, and disavowing so lewde and so vile an
obedience. Iaropelc, Duke of Russia, sollicited an Hungarian Gentleman
to betraye Boleslaus, King of Polonia, in contriving his death or furnishing
the Russians with meanes to work him some notable mischiefe. This
gallant presently bestirres him in it, and more than ever applying himselfe
to the Kings service, obtained to bee of his counsell, and of those hee
most trusted. By which advantages, and with the opportunity of his
masters absence, hee betrayed Vicilicia, a great and rich citie, to the
Russians: which was whollie sakt and burnt by them, with a generall slaughter,
both of the inhabitans, of what sexe or age soever, and a great number
of nobility thereabouts, whom to that purpose be had assembled. Iaropelc,
his anger thus asswaged with revenge, and his rage mitigated (which was
not without pretext, for Boleslaus had mightily wronged and in like manner
incensed him) and glutted with the fruite of treason, examining the uglinesse
thereof, naked and alone, and with impartiall eyes beholding the same,
not distempered by passion, conceived such a remorse, and tooke it so to
heart that hee forthwith caused the eyes of his instrumentall executioner
to be pulled out, and his tongue and privy parts to be cut off. Antigonus
perswaded the Argiraspides soldiers to betray Eumenes their generall, and
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
his adversaries unto him, whom when they had delivered, and he had caused
to be slaine, himselfe desired to be the Commissary of divine justice,
for the punishment of so detestable a trecherie: and resigning them into
the hands of the Governor of the Province, gave him expresse charge, in
what manner soever it were, to rid himselfe of them, and bring them to
some mischievions end. Whereby, of that great number they were, not
one ever after sawe the smoake of Macedon. The better they served
his turne, the more wicked hee judged them, and the more worthie of punishment.
The slave that betraied the corner wherein his master P. Sulpicius
lay hid, was set at liberty, according to the promise of Syllas proscription:
but according to the promise of common reason, being freed, hee was throwne
headlong from off the Tarpeyan rocke. And Clovis, King of France,
in liew of the golden armes he had promised the three servants of Cannacre,
caused them to be hanged, after they had by his sollicitation betraide
their maister unto him. They hang them up with the purse of their
reward about their neckes. Having satisfied their second and speciall
faith, they also satisfie the generall and first. Mahomet the second,
desirous to rid himselfe of his brother (through jealousie of rule, and
according to the stile of that race) employed one of his officers in it;
who stifled him, by in much water powred downe his throate all at once:
which done, in expiation of the fact, he delivered the murtherer into the
hands of his brothers mother (for they were brethren but by the father's
side) shee, in his presence, opened his bosome, and with hir owne revenging
handes searching for his heart, pluckt it out and cast it unto dogges to
eate. Even unto vile dispositions (having made use of a filthy action)
it is so sweete and pleasing, if they may with security, as it were, in
way of recompence and holy correction, sowe one sure stitch of goodnesse
and justice unto it. Besides, they respect the ministers of such
horrible crimes as people that still upbraide them with them, and covet
by their deaths to smother the knowledge
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and cancell the testimony of their practises. Now if, perhaps,
not to frustrate the publike neede of that last and desperate remedy, one
rewarde you for it: yet hee who doth it (if hee bee not as bad himselfe),
will hould you a most accursed and execrable creature. And deemeth
you a greater traytor than he whom you have betrayed; for with your owne
handes hee touched the lewdnesse of your disposition, without disavowing,
without object. But employeth you, as we do out-cast persons in the executions
of justice; an office as profitable as little honest. Besides the
basenesse of such commissions, there is in them a prostitution of conscience.
The daughter of Sejanus could not in Rome, by any true formall course of
lawe, bee put to death, because shee was a virgine: that lawes might have
their due course, shee was first deflowred by the common hang-man and then
strangled. Not his hand onely, but his soule is a slave unto publike
commodity. When Amurath the first to agravate the punishment of his
subjects who had given support unto his son's unnatural rebellion, appointed
their neerest kinsmen to lend their hands unto this execution: I
finde it verie honest in some of them, who rather chose unjustly to bee
held guiltie of anothers parricide then to serve justice with their owne.
And whereas in some paltrie townes forced in my time, I have seene base
varlets for the savegard of their owne lives, yeild to hang their friends
and companions, I ever thought them of worse condition then such as were
hanged. It is reported that Witoldus Prince of Lituania, introduced
an order with that nation, which was that the party condemned to die should,
with his owne hands, make himselfe away; finding it strange that a third
man, being guiltlesse of the fact, shoulde bee employed and charged ta
commit a murther. When an urgent circumstance, or any violent and
unexpected accident, induceth a Prince for the necessitie of his estate,
or as they say for state matters, to breake his worde and faith, or otherwise
forceth him out of his ordinary duty, hee is to ascribe, that necessity
unto a lash of Gods rod. It is no vice,
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
for hee hath quit his reason unto a reason more publike and more powerfull,
but surely 'tis ill fortune. So that to one who asked mee what remedy?
I replyde, none; were hee truely rackt betweene these two extreames (Sed
videat ne quaeretur latebra periurio:/1 'But let him take heede he
seeke not a starting hole for perjurie') hee must have done it; but if
hee did it sans regret or scruple, if it greeved him not to doe it, 'tis
an argument his conscience is but in ill tearmes. Now were there
any one of so tender or cheverell a conscience, to whome no cure might
seeme worthy of so extreame a remedy, I should prise or regard him no whit
the lesse. He cannot loose himselfe more handsomely nor more excusablie.
We cannot doe every thing, nor bee in every place. When all is done,
thus and thus must wee often, as unto our last Anker and sole refuge, resigne
the protection of our vessell unto the onely conduct of heaven. To
what juster necessity can hoe reeerve himselfe? What is lesse possible
for him to do, then what he cannot effect, without charge unto his faith,
and imputation to his honour? things which peradventure should bee dearer
to him then his owne salvation and the safety of his people. When
with enfoulded armes hee shall devoutly call on God for his ayde, may hee
not hope that his fatherlie mercie shall not refuse the extraordinary favour
and sinne-forgiving grace of his all powerfull hand, unto a pure and righteous
hand? They are dangerous examples, rare and crased exceptions to
our naturall rules: wee must yeelde unto them, but with great moderation
and heedie circumspection. No private commodity may any way deserve
we should offer conscience this wrong; the common-wealth may, when it is
most apparant and important. Timoleon did fitlie warrant and ward
the strangenes of his exploite by the teares he shed, remembering it was
with a brothierlie hand he slew the tyrant. And it neerely pinched
his selfe gnawne conscience that he was compelled to purchas the common
good at the rate of his honestie. The
-----
1 CIC. Off. 1. iii.
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sacred Senate itselfe, by his meanes delivered from thraldome, durst
not definitively decide of so haughtie an action and rend in two so urgent
and different semblances. But the Siracusans having opportunely and
at that very instant sent to the Corinthians to require their protection,
and a governour able to reestablish their towne in former majestie, and
deliver Sicilie from a number of pettie tyrants, which grievously oppressed
the same, they appointed Timoleon, with this new caveat and declaration:
That according as hee should well or ill demeane himselfe in his charge,
their sentence should incline either to grace him as the redeemer of his
country or disgrace him as the murtherer of his brother. {Brutus+}
The fantasticall conclusion hath some excuse upon the danger of the example
and importance of an act so different, and they did well to discharge their
judgement of it, or to embarke him some where else, and on their considerations.
Now the proceedings of Timoleon in his renowned journie did soone yeelde
his cause the cleerer, so worthily and vertuously did hee every way beare
himselfe therein. And the good hap which ever accompanied him in
the encombrances and difficulties hee was to subdue in the atchievement
of his noble enterprise, seemed to bee sent him by the Gods, conspiring
to second, and consenting to favour his justification. This mans
end is excusable, if ever any could bee. But the encrease and profit
of the publike revenues, which served the Roman Senate for a pretext of
the ensuing-foule conclusion I purpose to relate, is not of sufficient
force to warrant such injustice. Certaine cities had by the order
and permission of the Senate, with mony purchased their libertie at the
hands of L. Sylla. The matter comming in question againe, the
Senate condemned them to be fineable and taxed as before; and the mony
they had employed for their ransome should bee deemed as lost and forfeited.
Civill warres do often produce such enormous examples, That we punish private
men, for so much as they have beleeved us when wee were other then now
wee are. And one same magistrate doth
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
lay the penalty of his change on such as cannot do withal. The
scboole- master whippeth his scholler for his docility, and the guide striketh
the blind man he leadeth. A horrible image of justice. {Lear+}
Some rules in philosophy are both false and faint. The example proposed
unto us of respecting private utility before faith given, hath not sufficient
power by the circumstance they adde unto it. Theeves have taken you,
and on your oath to pay them a certaine sum of money, have set you at liberty
againe. They erre that say an honest man is quit of his worde and
faith without paying, beeing out of their hands. There is no such
matter. What feare and danger hath once forced mee to will and consent
unto, I am bound to will and performe, being out of danger and feare.
And although it have but forced my tongue and not my will, yet am I bound
to make my word good and keepe my promise. For my part, when it hath sometimes
unadvisedly over-runne my thought, yet have I made a conscience to disavowe
the same. Otherwise wee should by degrees come to abolish all the
right a third man taketh and may challenge of our promises. Quasi
vero forti viro vis possit adhiberi:/1 As though any force could be used
upon a valiant man.' 'Tis onely lawfull for our private interest to excuse
the breache of promise, if wee have rashlie promised things in themservles
wicked and unjust. For, the right of vertue ought to overrule the
right of our bond. {ring+} I have heretofore
placed Epaminondas in the first ranke of excellent men, and now recant
it not. Unto what high pitch raised hee the consideration of his particular
duty? who never slew man hee had vanquished, who for that unvaluable good
of restoring his country hir liberty, made it a matter of conscience to
murther a Tyrant or his complhces, without a due and formall course of
lawe: and who judged him a bad man, how good a citizen soever, that amongst
his enemies and in the fury of a battle, spared not his friend or his hoste.
Loe here a minde of a rich composition. Hee matched unto the most
-----
1 CIC. Off. 1. iii.
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violent and rude actions of men, goodnesse and courtesie, yea and the
most choise and delicate that may be found in the scboole of Philosophie.
This so high-raised courage, so swelling and so obstinate against sorow,
death and povertie, was it nature or arte made it relent, even to the utmost
straine of exceeding tendernesse and debonarety of complexion? Being
cloathed in the dreadfull livery of steele and blood, he goeth on crushing
and brusing a nation, invincible to all others but to himselfe: yet mildely
relenteth in the midst of a combat or confusion, when he meets with his
host or with his friend+.
Verily this man was deservedly fit to command in warre, which in the extremest
furie of his innated rage, made him to feele the sting of courtesies and
remorse of gentlenesse+ then when, all
inflamed, it foamed with furie and burned with murder. 'Tis a miracle to
be able to joyne any shew of justice with such actions. But it onIy
belongeth to the unmatched courage of Epaminondas, in that confused plight,
to joyne mildnesse and facility of the most gentle behaviour that ever
was unto them, yea, and pure innocency+
it selfe. And whereas one told the Mamertins, that statutes were
of no force against armed men: another to the Tribune of the people, that
the time of justice and warre were two: a third, that the confused noise
of warre and clangor of armes bindred him from understanding the sober
voice of the lawes: This man was not so much as empeached from conceiving
the milde sound of civilitie and kindnesse. Borroived hee of his
enemies the custome of sacrificing to the muses (when he went to the warres)
to qualifie by their sweetnesse and mildnesse that martiall furie and hostile
surlinesse? Let us not feare, after so great a master, to hold that
some things are unlawfull, even against our fellest enemies: that publike
interest ought not to challenge all of all against private interest: Manente
memoria etiam in dissidio publicorum foederum privati juris:
'Some memorie of private right continuing even in disagreement of publike
contracts.'
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
-----et nulla potentia vires
Praestandi, ne quid peccet amicus, habet:/1
No power hath so great might,
To make friends still goe right.
And that all things be not lawfull to an honest man, for the service of
his King, the generall cause and defence of the lawes. Non enim patria
praestat omnibus officiis, et ipsi conducit pios habere cives in parentes:/2
'For our countrey is not above all other duties: it is good for the country
to have her inhabitans use pietie toward their parents.' 'Tis an instruction
befitting the times: wee need not harden our hearts with these plates of
iron and steele; it sufficeth our shoulders be armed with them: it is enough
to d'ipe our pens in inke, too much to die them in blood. If it be
greatnesse of courage, and th' effect of a rare and singular vertue, to
neglect friendship+,
despise private respects and bonds; ones word and kindred, for the common
good and obedience of the Magistrate: it is verily able to excuse us from
it, if we but alledge that it is a greatnesse unable to lodge in the greatnesse
of Epaminondas his courage. I abhorre the enraged admonitions of
this other unruly spirit.
----- dum tela micant, non vos pietatis
imago
Ulla, nec adversa conspecti fronte parentes
Commoveant, vultus gladio turbante verendos./3
While swords are brandisht, let no shew of grace
Once moove you, nor your parents face to face,
But with your swords disturb their reverend grace.
Let us bereave wicked, bloodie and traiterous dispositions of this pretext
of reason: leave we that impious and exorbitant justice, and adhere unto
more humane imitations. Oh, what may time and example bring to passe!
In an encounter of the civill warres against Cinna, one of Pompeyes souldiers,
having unwittingly slaine his brother, who was on the other
-----
1 OVID. Pont. 1. i. El. viii. 37. 2 CIC. Off. 1.
iii. 3 LUCAN. 1. vii. 320.
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side, through shame and sorrow presently killed himselfe; And some yeeres
after, in another civill warre of the said people, a souldier boldly demanded
a reward of his Captaines for killing his owne brother. Falsly doe
wee argue honour, and the beautie of an action, by it's
profit+: and conclude as ill, to thinke every one is bound unto it,
and that it is honest if it be commodious.
Omnia non pariter rerum sunt omnibus apta./1
All things alike to all
Do not well-fitting fall.
Choose we out the most necessary and most beneficiall matter of humane
society, it will be a mariage; yet is it that the Saints counsell findeth
and deemeth the contrary side more honest, excluding from it the most reverend
vocation of men; as wee to our races assigne such beasts as are of least
esteeme.
-----
1 OVID. Epist. 1. iii. El. viii. 7.
CHAPTER 3.II+ OF REPENTING +
OTHERS fashion man, I repeat him; and represent a particular one, but
ill made; and whom were I to forme a new, he should be far other than he
is; but he is now made. And though the lines of my picture change
and vary, yet loose they not themselves. The world runnes all on
wheeles. All things therein moove without intermission; yea, the
earth, the rockes of Caucasus, and the Pyramides of Aegypt, both with the
publike and their own motion. Constancy it selfe is nothing but a languishing
and wavering dance. I cannot settle my object; it goeth so unquietly
and staggering, with a naturall drunkennesse; I take it in this plight
as it is at the instant I ammuse my selfe about it, I describe not th'
essence but the passage; not a passage from age to age, or as the people
reckon, from seaven yeares to seaven, but from day to day, from minute
to minute. My history must be fitted to the present. I may
soone change, not onely fortune, but intention. It is a counter-roule
of divers and variable accidents or irresolute imaginations, and sometimes
contrary; whether it be that my selfe am other, or that I apprehend subjects
by other circumstances and considerations. Howsoever, I may perhaps
gaine-say my selfe, but truth (as Demades said) I never gaine- say.
Were my mind setled, I would not essay, but resolve my selfe: It
is still a Prentise and a probationer. I propose a meane l;ife and
without luster; 'Tis all one. They fasten all Morall Philosophy as
well to a popular and private life as to one of richer stuffe. Every
man beareth the whole stampe of humane condition. Authors communicate
thenselves unto the world by
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some speciall and strange marke; I the first, by my de Montaigne, not
as a Grammarian, or a Poet or a Lawyer. If the world complaine I
speake too much of my selfe. , I complaine it speakes no more of it selfe.
But is it reason, that being so private in use, I should pretend to make
my selfe publike in knowledge? Or is it reason I should produce into
the world, where fashion and arte have such sway and command, the raw and
simple effects of nature, and of a nature as yet exceeding weak?
To write bookes without learning is it not to make a wall without stone
or such like thing? Conceits of musicke are directed by arte, mine
by hap. Yet have I this according to learning, that never man handled
subject he understood or knew better then I doe this I have undertaken,
being therein the cunningest man alive.
Secondly, that never man waded further into
his matter, nor more distinctly sifted the parts and dependances of it,
nor arrived more exactly and fully to the end he proposed unto himselfe.
To finish the same, I have neede of naught but faithfulnesse ; which is
therein as sincere and pure as may be found. I speake truth, not
my belly-full, but as much as I dare ; and I dare the more the more I grow
into yeares, for it seemeth, custome alloweth old age more liberty to babbel,
and indiscretion to talke of it selfe. It cannot herein be, as in
trades, where the Crafts-man and his worke doe often differ. Being
a man of so sound and honest conversation, writ he so foolishly?
Are such learned writings come from a man of so weake a conversation? who
hath but an ordinary conceit, and writeth excellently, one may say his
capacitio is borrowed, not of himselfe. A skilfull man is not skilfull
in all things; But a sufficient man is sufficient every where, even unto
ignorance. Here my books and my selfe march together, and keepe one
pace. Else-where one may commend or condemne the worke without the
worke- man, heere not; who toucheth one toucheth the other. He who
shall judge of it without knowing him shal wrong himself more then me,
he
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
that knows it hath wholly satisfied mee. Happie beyond my merite,
if I get this onely portion of publike approbation, as I may cause men
of understanding to thinke I had beene able to make use and benefit of
learning, had I beene endowed with any, and deserved better helpe of memorie;
excuse wee here what I often say that I seldome repent my selfe, and that
my conscience is contented with it selfe; not of an Angels or a horses
conscience, but as of a mans conscience. Adding ever this clause,
not of ceremonie, but of true and essentiall submission; that I speake
enquiring and doubting, meerely and simply referring my selfe, from resolution,
unto common and lawfull opinions. I teach not; I report: No
vice is absolutely vice, which offendeth not, and a sound judgement accuseth
not: For, the deformitie and incommoditie thereof is so palpable,
as peradventure they have reason who say it is chiefly produced by sottishnesse
and brought forth by ignorance; so hard is it to imagine one should know
it without hating it. Malice sucks up the greatest part of her owne
venome, and therewith impoysoneth herselfe. Vice leaveth, as an ulcer in
the flesh, a repentance in the soule, which still scratcheth and bloodieth
it selfe. For reason effaceth other griefes and sorrowes, but engendereth
those of repentance: the more yrkesome because inward: as the colde and
heate of agues is more offensive then that which comes outward. I
account vices (but each according to their measure) not onely those which
reason disalowes and nature condemnes, but such as mans opinion hath forged
as false and erroneous, if lawes and custome authorize the same.
In like manner there is no goodnesse but gladdeth an honest disposition.
There is truely I wot not what kinde or congratulation of well doing which
rejoyceth in ourselves, and a generous jollitie that accompanieth a good
conscience.
A minde couragiously vicious may happily furnish it selfe with security,
but shee cannot be fraught with this selfe-joyning delight and satisfaction.
It is no smal pleasure for one to feele himselfe preserved
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from the contagion of an age so infected as ours, and to say to himselfe;
could a man enter and see even into my soule, yet shold he not finde me
guilty either of the affliction or ruine of any body, nor culpable of envie
or revenge, nor of publike offence against the lawes, nor tainted withinnovation+,
trouble or sedition; nor spotted with falsifying of my word: and although
the libertie of times slowed and taught it every man, yet could I never
be induced to touch the goods or dive into the purse of any French man,
and have alwayes lived upon mine own as wel in time of war as peace: nor
did I ever make use of any poore mans labor without reward. These testimonies
of an unspotted conscience are very pleasing, which naturall joy is a great
benefit unto us: and the onely payment never faileth us. To ground the
recompence of vertuous actions upon the approbation of others is to undertake
a most uncertaine or troubled foundation, namely in an age so corrupt and
times so ignorant as this is: the vulgar peoples good opinion is is injurious.
Whom trust you in seeing what is commendable? God keepe me from being an
honest man, according to the description I dayly see made of honour, each
one by himselfe. Quae fuerant vitia, mores sunt. 'What earst were
vices are now growne fashions.' Some of my friends have sometimes attempted
to schoole me roundly, and sift me plainly, either of their owne motion,
or envited by me, as to an office, which to a well composed minde, both
in profit and lovingnesse, exceedeth all the duties of sincere amity.
Such have I ever entertained with open armes of curtesie and kinde acknowledgement.
But now to speake from my conscience I often found so much false measure
in their reproaches and praises, that I had not greatly erred if I had
rather erred then done well after their fashion. Such as we especially,
who live a private life not exposed to any gaze but our owne, ought in
our hearts establish a touch-stone, and there to touch our deedes and try
our actions; and accordingly, now cherish and now chastise ourselves.
I have my owne lawes and tribunall, to judge of mee,
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whither I addresse my selfe more then any where els. I restraine
my actions according to other, but extend them according to my selfe.
None but yourself knows rightly whether you be demiss and cruel, or loyal
and devout. Others see you not, but ghesse you by uncertaine conjectures.
They see not so much your nature as your arte. Adhere not then to
their opinion, but hold unto your owne. Tuo tibi judicio est utendum,
Virtutis et viciorum grave ipsius conscientiae pondus est: qua sublata
jacent omnia:/1 'You must use your owne judgement. The weight
of the very conscience of vice and vertues is heavy: take that away and
al is downe.' But whereas it is said that repentance neerely followeth
sin, seemeth not to imply sinne placed in his rich aray, which lodgeth
in us as in his proper mansion. One may disavow and disclaime vices that
surprise us, and whereto our passions transport us; but those which by
long habite are rooted in a strong and ankred in a powerfull will, are
not subject to contradiction. Repentance is but a denying of our
will, and an opposition of our fantasies which diverts us here and there.
It makes some disavow his former vertue and continencie.
Quae mens est hodie, cur eadem non puero fuit,
Vel cur his animis incolumes non redeunt genae?/2
Why was not in a youth same mind as now?
Or why beares not this mind a youthfull brow?
That is an exquisite life which even in his owne private keepeth it selfe
in awe and order. Every one may play the jugler and represent an
honest man upon the stage; but within, and in bosome, where all things
are lawfull, where all is concealed; to keepe a due rule or formall decorum,
that's the point. The next degree is to be so in ones owne home,
and in his ordinary actions, whereof we are to give accoumpt to nobody,
wherein is no study, nor art; and therefore Bias describing the perfect
state of a family whereof (saith he)
-----
1 CIC. Nat. Deor. 1. iii. ù HOR. Car. 1. iv.
Od. x. 7.
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the maister be such inwardly by himselfe, as he is outwardly, for feare
of the lawes, and respect of mens speaches. And it was a worthy saying
of Iulius Drusus to those worke-men, which for three thousand crownes offered
so to reforme his house that his neighbours should no more over looke into
it. I will give you sixe thousand (said he) and contrive it so that
on all sides every man may looke into it. The custome of Agesilaus
is remembred with honour, who in his travaile was wont to take up his lodging
in churches, that the people and Gods themselves might pry into his private
actions. Some have beene admirable to the world, in whom nor his wife,
nor his servants ever noted anything remarkeable. 'Few men have beene admired
of their familiars. No man hath beene a Prophet, not onely in his house,
but in his owne country,' saith the experience of histories. Even
so in things of nought. And in this base example is the image of
greatnesse discerned. In my climate of Gascoigne they deeme it a
jest to see mee in print. The further the knowledge which is taken
of mee is from my home, of so much more woorth am I. In Guienne I
pay Printers, in other places they pay mee. Upon this accident they
ground, who living and present keepe close-lurking, to purchase credit
when they shall be dead and absent. I had rather have lesse.
And I cast not my selfe into the world, but for the portion I draw from
it. That done I quit it. The people attend on such a man with
wonderment, from a publike act, unto his owne doores; together with his
roabes hee leaves of his part: falling so much the lower by how much higher
hee was mounted. View him within, there all is turbulent, disordered
and vile. And were order and formality found in him, a lively, impartiall
and well sorted judgement is required to perceive and fully to discerne
him in these base and private actions. Considering that order is
but a dumpish and drowsie vertue: to gaine a Battaile, perfourme an Ambassage,
and governe a people, are noble and woorthy actions; to chide, laugh, sell,
pay, love, hate, and mildely and justly to converse
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
both with his owne and with himselfe; not to relent, and not gaine-say
himselfe, are thinges more rare, more difficult and lesse remarkeable.
Retired lives sustaine that way, whatever some say, offices as much more
crabbed and extended than other lives doe. And private men (saith
Aristotle) serve vertue more hardly and more highly attend her, then those
which are magistrates or placed in authority. Wee prepare ourselves
unto eminent occasions, more for glory then for conscience. The nearest
way to come unto glory were to doe that for conscience which wee doe forglory+.
And me seemeth the vertue of Alexander representeth much lesse vigor in
her large Theater then that of Socrates in his base and obscure exercitation.
I easily conceive Socrates in the roome of Alexander; Alexander in that
of Socrates I cannot. If any aske the one what hee can do, he will
answer, 'Conquer the world': let the same question bee demanded of the
other, he will say, 'Leade my life conformably to its naturall condition';
A science much more generous, more important, and more lawfull.
The woorth of the minde consisteth not in going high, but in marching
orderly. Her greatnesse is not exercised in greatnesse; in mediocritye
it is. As those which judge and touch us inwardely make no great
accoumpt of the brightnesse of our publique actions, and see they are but
streakes and poyntes of cleare Water surging from a bottome otherwise slimie
and full of mud: {Yahoo+} So those who
judge us by this gay outward apparance conclude the same of our inward
constitution, and cannot couple popular faculties as theirs are, unto these
other faculties, which amaze them so farre from their levell. So
do we attribute savage shapes and ougly formes unto divels. As who
doeth not ascribe high-raised eye-browes, open nostrils, a sterne frightfull
visage and a huge body unto Tamberlaine, as is the forme or shape of the
imagination we have fore- conceived by the bruite of his name? had any
heretofore shewed me Erasmus, I could hardly had bin induced to think but
whatsover he had said to
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his boy or hostes, had been Adages and Apothegmes. We imagine
much more fitly an Artificer upon his close stoole or on his wife, then
a great judge, reverend for his carriage and regardfull for his sufficiencie;
we think, that from those high thrones they should not abase themselves
so low, as to live. As vitious mindes are often incited to do well
by some strange impulsion, so are vertuous spirits mooved to do ill.
They must then be judged by their settled estate, when they are neare themselves,
and as we say, at home, if at any time they be so; or when they are nearest
unto rest, and in their naturall seate. Naturall inclinations are
by institution helped and strengthned, but they neither change nor exceed.
A thousand natures in my time have a thwart, a contrary discipline escaped
toward vertue or toward vice.
Sic ubi desuetae silvis in carcere clausae
Mansuevere ferae, et vultus posuere minaces,
Atque hominem didicere pati, si torrida parvus
Venit in ora cruor, redeunt rabiesque furorque,
Admonitaeque tument gustato sanguine fauces,
Fervet, et a trepido vix abstinet ira magistro./1
So when wilde beasts, disused from the wood,
Fierce lookes laid-downe, grow tame, closde in a cage,
Taught to beare man, if then a little blood
Touch their hot lips, furie returnes and rage;
Their jawes by taste admonisht swell with vaines,
Rage boyles, and from faint keeper scarse abstaines.
These originall qualities are not grubd out, they are but covered and hidden.
The Latine tongue is to me in a manner naturall; I understand it better
then French: but it is now fortie yeares I have not made use of it to speake,
nor much to write; yet in some extreame emotions and suddaine passions,
wherein I have twice or thrice falne, since my yeares of discretion, and
namely once, when my father being in perfect health, fell all along upon
me in a swoune, I have ever, even from my very hart uttered my first words
in latine: nature rushing and by force expressing it selfe, against
-----
1 LUCAN. 1. iv. 287
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so long a custome; the like example is alleadged of divers others.
Those which in my time have attempted to correct the passions of the world
by new opinions, reforme the vices of apparance; those of essence they
leave untouched if they encrease them not. And their encrease is
much to be feared. We willingly protract al other well-doing upon these
externall reformations of lesse cost and of greater merit; whereby we satisfie
good cheape, other naturall consubstantiall and intestine vices.
Looke a little into the course of our experience. There is no man
(if he listen to himselfe) that doth not discover in himselfe a peculiar
forme of his, a swaying forme, which wrestleth against the institution,
and against the tempests of passions, which are contrary unto him.
As for me, I feele not my selfe much agitated by a shocke; I commonly finde
my selfe in mine owne place, as are sluggish and lumpish bodies.
If I am not close and neare unto my selfe, I am never farre-offe; My debauches
or excesses transport me not much. There is nothing extreame and
strange; yet have I sound fits and vigorous lusts. The true condemnation,
and which toucheth the common fashion of our men, is that their very retreate
is full of corruption and filth. The Idea of their amendment blurred
and deformed; their repentance crazed and faultie very neere as much as
their sinne. Some, either because they are so fast and naturally
joyned unto vice, or through long custome have lost all - ense of its uglinesse.
To others (of whose ranke I am) vice is burthenous, but they counter-ballance
it with pleasure or other occasions, and suffer it, and at a certaine rate
lend themselves unto it though basely and viciously. Yet might happily
so remote a disposition of measure bee imagined, where with justice, the
pleasure might excuse the offence, as we say of profit. Not onely being
accidentall, and out of sinne, as in thefts, but even in the very exercise
of it, as in the acquaintance or copulation with women; where the provocation
is so violent, and as they say, sometime unresistible. In a towne of a
kinsman of mine, the other day, being
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in Armignac, I saw a country man, commonly sirnamed the Theefe, who
himselfe reported his life to have beene thus. Being borne a begger,
and perceiving that to get his bread by the sweate of his browe and labour
of his bands, would never sufficiently arme him against penury, he resolved
to become a Theefe; and that trade had employed all his youth safely, by
meanes of his bodily strength: for he ever made up Harvest and Vintage
in other mens grounds: but so farre off, and in so great heapes, that it
was beyond imagination one man should in one night carry away so much upon
his shoulders: and was so carefull to equall the pray and disperce the
mischiefe he did, that the spoile was of lesse import to every particular
man.
Hee is now in old yeares indifferently rich;
for a man of his condition (Godamercy his trade) which he is not ashamed
to confesse openly. And to reconcile himselfe with God, he affirmeth;
to be dayly ready, with his gettings, and other good turnes, to satisfie
the posterity of those hee hath heretofore wronged or robbed; which if
himselfe bee not of abilitie to performe (for hee cannot do all at once)
hee will charge his heires withall, according to the knowledge he hath
of the wrongs by him done to every man. By this description, bee
it true or false, he respecteth theft, as a dishonest and unlawfull action,
and hateth the same: yet lesse then pinching want: He repents but
simply; for in regard it was so counterballanced and recompenced, he repenteth
not. That is not that habit which incorporates us unto vice, and
confirmeth our understanding in it; nor is it that boysterous winde, which
by violent blastes dazeleth and troubleth our mindes, and at that time
confoundes and overwhelmes both us, our judgement, and all into the power
of vice. What I doe is ordinarily full and compleate, and I march
(as wee say) all in one pace: I have not many motions, that hide
themselves and slinke away from my reason, or which very neare are not
guided by the consent of all my partes, without
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division, or intestine sedicion: my judgement hath the whole blame or
commendation; and the blame it hath once, it hath ever: for almost from
it's birth it hath beene one of the same inclination, course and force.
And in matters of generall opinions, even from my infancy, I ranged my
selfe to the point I was to hold. Some sinnes there are outrageous,
violent and suddaine; leave we them.
But those other sinnes, so often reassumed,
determined and advised upon, whether they be of complexion, or of profession
and calling, I cannot conceive how they should so long be settled in one
same courage, unlesse the reason and conscience of the sinner were thereunto
inwardly privie and constantly willing. And how to imagine or fashion
the repentance thereof, which, he vanteth, doth some times visit him, seemeth
somewhat hard unto me. I am not of Pythagoras Sect, that men take
a new soule, when to receive Oracles they approach the images of Gods,
unlesse he would say with all, that it must be a strange one, new, and
lent him for the time: our owne, giving so little signe of purification,
and cleanesse worthie of that office. They doe altogether against
the Stoycall precepts, which appoint us to correct the imperfections and
vices we finde in our selves, but withall forbid us to disturbe the quiet
of our minde. They make us beleeve they feele great remorse, and
are inwardly much displeased with sinne; but of amendment, correction or
intermission, they shew us none. Surely there can be no perfect health,
where the disease is not perfectly remooved. Were repentance put
in the scale of the ballance, it would weigh downe sinne. I find
no humour so easie to be counterfeited as Devotion: If one conforme not
his life and conditions to it, her essence is abstruse and concealed, her
apparance gentle and stately.
For my part, I may in generall wish to be
other then I am; I may condemne and mislike my universall forme, I may
beseech God to grant me an undefiled reformation, and excuse my naturall
weakenesse: but
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meeseemeth I ought not to tearme this repentance, no more then the displeasure
of being neither Angell nor Cato. My actions are squared to what
I am and confirmed to my condition. I cannot doe better: And
repentance doth not properly concerns what is not in our power; sorrow
doth. I may imagine infinite dispositions of a higher pitch, and
better governed then myne, yet doe I nothing better my faculties; no more
then mine arme becommeth stronger, or my wit more excellent, by conceiving
some others to be so. If to suppose and wish a more nobler working then
ours, might produce the repentance of our owne, wee should then repent
us of our most innocent actions: for so much as we judge that in a more
excellent nature, they had beene directed with greater perfection and dignity;
and our selves would doe the like. When I consult with my age of
my youthes proceedings, I finde that commonly (according to my opinion),
I managed them in order. This is all my resistance is able to performe.
I flatter not myselfe: in like circumstances, I should ever be the same.
It is not a spot, but a whole dye that staynes me. I acknowledge
no repentance, this is superficiall, meane, and ceremonious. It must
touch me on all sides before I can terme it repentance. It must pinch
my entrailes, and afflict them as deepely and throughly as God himselfe
beholds mee. When in negotiating, many good fortunes have slipt me
for want of good discretion, yet did my projects make good choice, according
to the occurrences presented unto them. Their manner is ever to take
the easier and surer side. I finde that in my former deliberations,
I proceeded, after my rules, discreetely for the subjects state propounded
to mee; and in like occasions, would proceede alike a hundred yeares hence.
I respect not what now it is, but what it was, when I consulted of it.
The consequence of all dessignes consists in the seasons; occasions passe,
and matters change uncessantly. I have in my time runne into some
grosse, absurde, and important errors; not for want of good advise, but
of good happe. There
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are secret and indivinable parts in the objects men doe handle, especially
in the nature of men and mute conditions without shew, and sometimes unknowne
of the very possessors, produced and stirred up by suddaine occasions.
If my wit could neyther finde nor presage them, I am not offended with
it; the function thereof is contained within it's owne limits. If
the successe beare me, and favour the side I refused, there is no remedy;
I fall not out with my selfe: I accuse my fortune, not my endevour:
that's not called repentance. Phocion had given the Athenians some
counsell, which was not followed: the matter, against his opinion, succeeding
happily: 'How now, Phocion (quoth one), art thou pleased the matter hath
thrived so well?' 'Yea (said hee) and I am glad of it; yet repent not the
advise I gave.'
When any of my friends come to me for counsell,
I bestow it francklie and clearelie, not (as well-nigh all the world doth)
wavering at the hazard of the matter, whereby the contrary of my meaning
may happen that so they may justly finde fault with my advise for which
I care not greatly. For they shall doe me wrong, and it became not
mee to refuse them that dutie. I have no body to blame for my faults
or misfortunes but my self. For in effect I seldome use the advise
of other unlesse it be for complement sake, and where I have need of instruction
or knowledge of the fact. Marry in things wherein nought but judgement
is to be employed; strange reasons may serve to sustaine, but not to divert
me. I lend a favourable and courteous care unto them all. But
(to my remembrance) I never beleeved any but mine owne. With me they
are but Flyes and Moathes, which distract my wil. I little regard
mine owne opinions, other mens I esteeme as little: Fortune payes mee accordingly.
If I take no counsell I give as little. I am not much sought after for
it, and lesse credited when I give it: Neither know I any enterprise,
either private or publike, that my advise hath directed and brought to
conclusion. Even those whom fortune had
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some-way tyde thereunto, have more willingly admitted the direction
of others conceits then mine. As one that am as jealous of the rights
of my quiet, as of those of my autthority; I would rather have it thus.
Where leaving me, they jumpe with my profession,
which is wholly to settle and containe me in my selfe. It is a pleasure
unto mee to bee disinteressed of other mens affayres, and disingaged from
their contentions. When sutes or businesses bee over-past, howsoever
it bee, I greeve little at them. For, the imagination that they must
necessarily happen so, puts mee out of paine; Behould them in the course
of the Universe, and enchained in Stoycall causes, Your fantazie cannot
by wish or imagination remoove one point of them, but the whole order of
things must reverse both what is past and what is to come. Moreover,
I hate that accidentall repentance which olde age brings with it.
Hee that in ancient times said be was beholden to yeares because they had
ridde him of voluptuousnesse, was not of mine opinion. I shall never
give impuissance thankes for any good it can do me: Nec tam aversa
unquam videbitur ab opere suo providential ut debilitas inter optima inventa
sit: 'Nor shall fore-sight ever bee seene so averse from hir owne worke,
that weakenesse bee found to bee one of the best things.' Our appetites
are rare in olde-age: the blowe overpassed, a deepe saciety seazeth upon
us: therein see no conscience. Fretting care and weakenesse imprint
in us an effeminate and drowzie vertue.
Wee must not suffer our selves so fully to bee carried into naturall
alterations as to corrupt or adulterate our judgement by them. Youth
and pleasure have not heretofore prevailed so much over me, but I could
ever (even in the midst of sensualities) discerne the ugly face of sinne:
nor can the distaste which yeares mee from discerning that of voluptuousnesse
in in vice. Now I am no longer in it, I judge of it as if I were
still there. I who lively and attentively examine my reason, finde
it to be the same that possessed me in my most dissolute
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
and licentious age; unlesse, perhaps, they being enfeebled and empayred
by yeares, doe make some difference: And finde, that what delight
it refuseth to affoorde me in regarde of my bodilie health, it would no
more denie mee, then in times past, for the health of my soule. To
see it out of co-mb'ate, I holde it not the more couragious. My temptations
are so mortified and crazed as they are not worthy of it's oppositions:
holding but my hand before me, I becalme them. Should one present
that former concupiscence unto it, I feare it would be of lesse power to
sustaine it than heretofore it hath beene. I see in it, by it selfe
no increase of judgement, nor accesse of brightnesse; what it now judgeth,
it did then. Wherefore if there be any amendment, 'tis but diseased.
Oh miserable kinde of remedie to bee beholden unto sicknesse for our health.
It is not for our mishap, but for the good successe of our judgement to
performe this office. Crosses and afflictions make me doe nothing
but curse them. They are for people that cannot bee awaked but by
the whip, the course of my reason is the nimbler in prosperity. It
is much more distracted and busied in the digesting of mischiefes than
of delights. I see much clearer in faire weather. Health forewarneth
me as with more pleasure, so to better purpose than sicknesse. I approached
the nearest I could unto amendment and regularity, when I should have enjoyed
the same; I should be ashamed and vexed that the misery and mishap of my
old age could exceede the health, attention, and vigor of my youth: and
that I should be esteemed, not for what I have beene, but for what I am
leaft to be. The happy life (in my opinion), not (as said Antisthenes)
the happy death+, is
it that makes mans happinesse in this world.
I have not preposterously busied my selfe to tie the taile of a Philosopher
unto the head and bodie of a varlet: nor that this paultrie end should
disavow and belie the fairest, soundest, and longest part of my life.
I will present my selfe and make a generall muster of
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my whole, every where uniformally. Were I to live againe it should-be
as I have already lived. I neither deplore what is past, nor dread
what is to come: and if I be not deceived, the inward parts have neerely
resembled the outward.
It is one of the chiefest points wherein I am beholden to fortune,
that in the course of my bodies estate, each thing hath beene carried in
season. I have seene the leaves, the blossomes, and the fruit; and
now see the drooping and withering of it. Happily, because naturally.
I beare my present miseries the more gently because they are in season,
and with greater favour make me remember the long bappinesse of my former
life. In like manner my discretion may well bee of like proportion in the
one and the other time: but sure it was of much more performance, and had
a better grace, being fresh, jolly, and full of spirit, then now that it
is worne, decrepite, and toylesome.
I therefore renounce these casuall and dolourous reformations.
God must touch our heartes; our conscience must amende of it selfe, and
not by re-inforcement of our reason, nor by the enfeebling of our appetites.
Voluptuousnesse in it selfe is neither pale nor discoloured to bee discerned
by bleare and troubled eyes. Wee should affect temperance and chastity
for it selfe, and for Gods cause, who hath ordained them unto us: that
which Catars bestow upon us, and which I am beholden to my chollicke, is
for neither temperance nor chastitie: A man cannot boast of contemning
or combating sensuality if hee see her not, or know not her grace, her
force, and most attractive beauties. I know them both, and therefore
may speake it. But mee thinks our soules in age are subject unto
more importunate diseases and imperfections then they are in youth.
I said so, being young, when my beardlesse chinne was upbraided me; and
I say it againe now that my gray beard gives me authority. We entitle
wisdome, the frowardnesse of our humours, and the distaste of present things;
but in truth wee abandon not vices so much as we change them; and in mine
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
opinion for the worse. Besides a sillie and ruinous pride, combersome
tattle, wayward and unsotiable humours, superstition, and a ridiculous
carking for wealth, when the use of it is well-nigh lost, I finde the more
envie, injustice, and leaudnesse in it. It sets more wrinckles in
our minds then on our foreheads: nor are there any spirits, or very rare
ones, which in growing old taste not sowrely and mustily. Man marcheth
entirely towards his increase and decrease. View but the wisedome
of Socrates, and divers circumstances of his condemnation. I dare
say he something lent himselfe unto it by prevarication of purpose: being
so neere, and at the age of seventy, to endure the benumming of his spirits
richest pace and the dimming of his accustomed brightnesse, What Metamorphoses
have I seene it daily make in divers of mine acquaintances.
It is a powerfull maladie which naturally and imperceptibly glideth
into us: There is required great provision of study, heed, and precaution
to avoid the imperfections wherewith it chargeth us; or at least to weaken
their further progresse. I finde that notwithstanding all my entrenchings,
by little and little it getteth ground upon me: I hold out as long
as I can, but know not whither at length it will bring me. Happe
what happe will, I am pleased the world know from what height I tumbled.
CHAPTER 3.III+ OF THREE COMMERCES OR SOCIETIES
+
WE must not cleave so fast unto our humours and dispositions.
Our chiefest sufficiency is to apply our selves to divers fashions.
It is a being, but not a life, to bee tied and bound by necessity to one
onely course. The goodliest mindes are those that have most variety
and pliablenesse in them. Behold an honourable testimony of old Cato.
Huic versatile ingenium sic pariter ad omnia fuit, ut natum ad id unum
diceres, quodcunque ageret:/1
'He had a wit so turneable for all things
alike, as one would say hee had beene onely borne for that hee went about
to do.' Were I to dresse my selfe after mine owne manner, there is no fashion
so good whereto I would be so affected or tied as not to know how to leave
and loose it. Life is a motion unequall, irregular, and multiforme.
It is not to bee the friend (lesse the master) but the slave of ones selfe
to follow uncessantly, and bee so addicted to his inclinations, as hee
cannot stray from them, nor wrest them. This I say now, as being
extreamly pestred with the importunity of my mind, forsomuch as shee cannot
ammuse her selfe, but whereon it is busied; nor employ it selfe, but bent
and whole. How light soever the subject is one gives it, it willingly
amplifiethl and wire-drawes the same, even unto the highest pitch of toile.
It's idlenesse is therefore a painefull trade unto mee, and offensive to
my health. Most wits have neede of extravagant stuffe, to un-benumme
and exercise themselves: mine hath neede of it rather to settle and continue
it selfe.
-----
1 LIV. Bel. Mac. 1. ix.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
Vitia otii negotio discutienda sunt:/1 'The vices of idlenesse
should be shaken off with businesse.' For, the most laborious care and
principall studie of it is to studie it selfe. Bookes are one of
those businesses that seduce it from studie. At the first thoughts
that present themselves, it rouzeth up and makes proofe of all the vigour
it hath. It exerciseth it's function sometimes toward force, sometimes
towards order and comelinesse, it rangeth, moderates and fortifieth.
It hath of it selfe to awaken the faculties of it: Nature having
given it, as unto all other, matter of it's owne for advantage, subjects
fit enough whereon to devise and determine. Meditation is a large
and powerfull study to such as vigorously can taste and employ themselves
therein. I had rather forge then furnish my minde.
There is no office or occupation either weaker
or stronger then that of entertaining of ones thoughts according to the
mind, whatsoever it be. The greatest make it their vacation, Quibus
vivere est cogitate, to whom it is all one to live and to meditate.
Nature hath also favoured it with this priviledge, that there is nothing
we can do so long, nor action whereto we give our selves more ordinarily
and easily. It is the worke of Gods (saith Aristotle) whence both their
happinesse and ours proceedeth. Reading serves mee especially to
awake my conceit by divers objects: to busie my judgement, not my memory.
Few entertainements then stay mee without vigour and force. 'Tis true thatcourtesie+
and beautie possesse mee as much or more then waight and depth. And
because I slumber in all other communications, and lend but the superficiall
parts of my attention unto them, it often befalleth mee in such kinde of
weake and absurd discourses (discourses of countenance) to blurt out and
answer ridiculous toies and fond absurdities, unworthy a childe; or wilfully
to hold my Peace; therewithall more foolishly and incivilly. I have
a kind of raving fancie-full behaviour, that retireth mee
-----
1 SEN. Epist. lvi.
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into my selfe; and on the other side, a grosse and childish ignorance
of many ordinary things; by meanes of which two qualities, I have in my
daies committed five or six as sottish trickes as any one whosoever; which
to my derogation may bee reported. But to follow my purpose, this
harsh complexion of mine makes me mee nice in conversing with men (whom
I must picke and cull out for the nonce) and unfit for common actions.
Wee live and negotiate with the people: If their behaviour importune
us, if wee disdaine to lend our selves to base and vulgar spirits, which
often are as regular as those of a finer mould; and all wisedome is unsavourie
that is not conformed to common insipience. Wee are no longer to
inter-meddle either with our or other mens affaires; and both publicke
and private forsake such kinde of people.
The least wrested and most naturall proceedings
of our minde are the fairest; the best occupations, those which are least
forced. Good God, how good an office doth wisedome unto those whose
desires she squareth according to their power! There is no science
more profitable. As one may, was the burden and favoured saying of Socrates:
A sentence of great substance. We must addresse and stay our desires
to things most easie and neerest. Is it not a fond-peevish humour
in mee to disagree from a thousand to whom my fortune joineth mee, without
whom I cannot live, to adhere unto one or two that are out of my commerce
and conversion; or rather to a fantasticall conceit, or fanciefull desire,
for a thing I cannot obtaine? My soft behaviours and milde manners,
enemies to all sharpenesse and foes to all bitternesse, may easily have
discharged mee from envie and contention: To bee beloved, I say not,
but not to be hated, never did man give more occasion. But the coldnesse
of my conversation hath with reason robd mee of the good will of many;
which may bee excused if they interpret the same to other or worse sense.
I am most capable of getting rare amities, and continuing exquisite acquaintances.
For so as with so greedie hunger I snatch at
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such acquaintances as answer my taste and square with my humour.
I so greedily produce and headlong cast my selfe upon them, that I do not
easily misse to cleave unto them, and where I light on, to make a steady
impression; I have often made happie and successefull trial of it.
In vulgar worldly friendships, I am somewhat
cold and barren: for my proceeding is not naturall, if not unresisted and
with hoised-full sailes. Moreover, my fortune having enured and allured
mee, even from my infancie, to one sole singular and perfect amitie, hath
verily, in some sort, distasted mee from others: and over deeply imprinted
in my fantasies that it is a beast sociable and for companies and not of
troupe, as said an ancient writer. So that it is naturally a paine
unto mee to communicate my selfe by halves and with modification: and that
servile or suspicious wisedome which in the conversation of these numerous
and imperfect amities, is ordained and proposed unto us: Prescribed
in these dayes especially, wherein one cannot speake of the world but dangerously
or falsely. Yet I see, that who (as I do) makes for his ende, the
commodities of his life (I meane essentiall commodities) must avoide as
a plague these difficulties and quaintnesse of humour.
I should commend a high-raysed minde, that
could both bende and discharge it selfe: that where-ever hir fortune might
transport hir, shee might continue constant: that could discourse with
hir neighbours of all matters, as of hir building, of hir bunting and of
any quarrell; and entertaine with delight a Carpenter or a Gardiner.
I envie those which can be familiar with the meanest of their followers,
and vouchsafe to contract friendship and frame discourse with their owne
servants. Nor do I like the advise of Plato, ever to speake imperiously
unto our attendants, without blithnesse and sance any familiarity: be it
to men or women servants. For, besides my reason, it is inhumanity
and injustice to attribute so much unto that prerogative of fortune and
the governement: where lesse inequality is permitted betweene the servant
and master, is in my
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conceite the more indifferent. Some other study to rouze and raise
their minde, but I to abase and prostrate mine: it is not faulty but in
extension. Narras et genus Aeaci, Et pugnata sacro bella sub Ilio.
Quo Chium pretio eadum Mercemur, quis aquam temperet ignibus, Quo praebente
domum, et quota Pelignis caream frigoribus, taces./1 You tell of Aeacus
the pedegree - The warres at sacred Troye you do display. You tell
not at what price a hogs-head we May buy of the best Wine; who shall allaye
Wine-fire with water, at whose house to holde. At what a-clock I
may be kept from colde.
Even as the Lacedemonian valour had neede
of moderation and of sweet and pleasing sounds of Flutes, to flatter and
allay it in time of warre, least it should runne head-long into rashnesse
and fury: whereas all other nations use commonly pearcing sounds and strong
shouts, which violently excite and enflame their souldiers courage: so
thinke I (against ordinary custome) that in the employment of our spirit,
wee have for the most part more need of leade then wings; of coldnesse
and quiet, then of heate and agitation. Above all, in my mind, the
onely way to play the foole well is to seeme wise among fooles: to speake
as though ones tongue were ever bent to Favelar' in punta di forchetta:/2
'To syllabize or speake minsingly.' One must lend himself unto those hee
is with, and sometimes affect ignorance. Set force and subtiltie
aside; In common employments 'tis enough to reserve order; dragge your
selfe even close to the ground, they will have it so. The learned
stumble willingly on this blocke: making continuall muster and open show
of their skill, and dispersing their bookes abroade: And have in
these dayes so filled the closets, and possessed the eares of Ladyes, that
if they retaine not their substance, at
-----
1 HOR. Car. 1. ii. 3, Od. xix. 2 Italian proverb.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
least they have their countenance: using in all sorts of discourse and
subject how base or popular soever, a newe, an affected and learned fashion
of speaking and writing.
Hoc sermone pavent, hoc iram, gaudia, curas,
Hoc cuncta effundunt animi secreta, quid ultra?
Concumbunt docte./1
They in this language feare, in this they fashion
Their joyes, their cares, their rage, their inward passion;
What more? they learned are in copulation.
And alledge Plato and Saint Thomas for things, which the first man they
meete would decide as well, and stand for as good a witnesse. Such
learning as could not enter into their minde, hath staid on their tongues.{PlainDealer+}
If the well-borne will give any credit unto me, they shall be pleased to
make their own and naturall riches to prevaile and be of worth: They
hide and shroud their formes under forraine and borrowed beauties:
It is great simplicity for any body to smoother and conceale his owne brightnesse,
to shine with a borrowed light: They are buried and entombed under
the Arte of CAPSVLA TOTAE. It is because they do not sufficiently
know themselves: the world containes nothing of more beauty: It is
for them to honour artes, and to beautifie embellishment. What neede
they more then to live beloved and honoured: They have, and know
but too much in that matter. There needes but a little rouzing and
enflaming of the faculties that are in them.
When I see them medling with Rhetoricke, with
Law, and with Logicke, and such like trash, so vaine and unprofitable for
their use, I enter into feare that those who advise them to such things,
doe it that they may have more law to governe them under that pretence.
For what other excuse can I devise for them? It is sufficient, that
without us, they may frame, or roule the grace of their eyes, unto cheerefulnesse,
unto severity, and unto mildnesse: and season a 'No' with
-----
1 JUVEN. Sat. vi. 189.
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frowardnesse, with doubt and with favour; and require not an interpreter
in discourses made for their service. With this learning they command
without controule, and over-rule both Regents and Schooles. Yet if
it offend them to yeeld us any preheminence, and would for curiosity sake
have part in bookes also: Poesie is a study fit for their purpose,
being a wanton, ammusing, subtill, disguised, and pratling Arte; all in
delight, all in shew, like to them-selves. They may also select divers
commodities out of History. In Morall Philosopby they may take the discourses
which enable them to judge of our humours, to censure our conditions, and
to avoid our guiles and treacheries; to temper the rashnesse of their owne
desires, to husband their liberty: lengthen the delights of life, gently
to beare the inconstancy of a servant, the peevishnesse of rudenesse of
a husband, the importunity of yeares, the unwelcomnesse of wrinkles, and
such like minde-troubling accidents. Loe here the most and greatest
share of learning I would assigne them. There are some particular,
retired and close dispositions.
My essentiall forme is fit for communication
and proper for production: I am all outward and in apparance; borne
for society and unto friendship. The solitude I love and commend
is especially but to retire my affections and redeeme my thoughts unto
my selfe to restraine and close up, not my steppes, but my desires and
my cares, resigning all forraigne solicitude and trouble, and mortally
shunning all manner of servitude and obligation; and not so much the throng
of men as the importunity of affaires. Locall solitarinesse (to say
trueth) doth rather extend and enlarge me outwardly; I give my selfe to
State-businesse and to the world more willingly when I am all alone.
At the court, and in presse of people, I close and slinke into mine owne
skinne. Assemblies thrust mee againe into my selfe. And I never
entertaine my selfe so fondly, so licentiously, and so particularly, as
in places of respect and ceremonious discretion. Our follies make
mee not laugh, but our wisdomes doe. Of mine owne
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
complexion, I am no enemy to the agitations and stirrings of our Courts:
I have there past great part of my life and am inured to bee merry in great
assemblies so it be by intermission, and sutable to my humour.
But this tendernesse and coinesse of judgement
(whereof I speake) doth perforce tie me unto solitarinesse. Yea even
in mine owne house, in the middest of a numerous family and most frequented
houses, I see people more then a good many, but seldome such as I love
to converse or communicate withall. And there I reserve, both for
my selfe and others, an unaccustomed liberty; making truce with ceremonies,
assistance, and invitings, and such other troublesome ordinances of our
courtesies (O servile custome and importunate manner) there every man demeaneth
himselfe as hee pleaseth, and entertaineth what his thoughts affect: whereas
I keepe my selfe silent, meditating and close, without offence to my guests
or friends.
The men whose familiarity and society I hunt
after, are those which are called honest, vertuous, and sufficient: the
image of whom doth distaste and divert mee from others. It is (being
rightly taken) the rarest of our formes; and a forme or fashion chiefly
due unto nature.
The end or scope of this commerce is principally
and simply familiarity, conference and frequentation: the exercise of mindes,
without other fruite. In our discourses all subjects are alike to
me: I care not though they want either waight or depth; grace and
pertinency are never wanting; all therein is tainted with a ripe and constant
udgement, and commixt with goodnesse, liberty, cheerefulnesse, and kindnesse.
It is not onely in the subject of Laws and affaires of Princes, that our
spirit sheweth it's beauties grace and vigor: It sheweth them as
much in private conferences. I know my people by their very silence
and smyling, and peradventure discover them better at a Table then sitting
in serious counsell.
Hippomacus said, hee discerned good Wrestlers
but
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by seeing them march through a Street. If learning vouchsafe to
step into our talke, shee shall not be refused; yet must not shee bee sterne,
mastring, imperious and importunate, as commonly shee is; but assistant
and docile of hirselfe. {PlainDealer+}
Therein wee seeke for nothing but recreation and pastime: when we shall
looke to be instructed, taught and resolved, we will go seeke and sue to
hir in hir throne. Let hir if she please keepe from us at that time;
for, as commodious and pleasing as shee is. I presume that for a
neede we could spare hir presence, and doe our businesse well enough without
hir. Wits well borne, soundly bred and exercised in the practise
and commerce of men, become gracious and plausible of themselves. {sprezzatura+}
Arte is but the Checke-roule and Register of the Productions uttered and
conceites produced by them.
The company of faire and society of honest women is likewise a sweet
commerce for me: Nam nos quoque oculos eruditos habemus:/1 'For
we also have learned eyes.' If the minde have not so much to solace hirselfe
as in the former, the corporall sences, whose part is more in the second,
bring it to a proportion neere unto the other: although in mine opinion
not equall. But it is a society wherein it behooveth a man somewhat
to stand upon his guard: and especially those that are of a strong constitution,
and whose body can do much, as in me. In my youth I heated my selfe
therein and was very violent: and indured all the rages and furious assaults
which Poets say happen to those who, without order or discretion, abandon
them-selves over-loosly and riotously unto it. True it is indeed,
that the same lash hath since stood me instead of an instruction.
Quicunque Argolico de classe Capharea fugit,
Semper ab Euboicis vela retorquet aquis./2
Greeke Sailers that Capharean Rockes did fly
From the Euboean Seas their sailes still ply.
-----
1 CIC. Parad. 2 OVID. Trist. 1. i. El. i. 83.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
It is folly to fasten all ones thoughts upon it, and with a furious
and indiscret affection to engage himselfe unto it: But on the otherside,
to meddle with it without love or bond of affection, as Comedians do, to
play a common part of age and manners, without ought of their owne but
bare-conned words, is verily a provision for ones safety: and yet but a
cowardly one; as is that of him who would forgoe his
honour+, his profit or his pleasure, for feare of danger; for it
is certaine that the practisers of such courses cannot hope for any fruite
able to moove or satisfie a worthy minde.
One must very earnestly have desired that
whereof he would enjoy an absolute delight. I meane, though fortune
should unjustly favour their intention: which often hapneth, because there
is no woman, how deformed or unhandsome soever, but thinkes hir selfe lovely,
amiable and praiseworthy, either for hir age, hir haire or gate (for there
are generally no more faire then foule ones): and the Brachmanian maides
wanting other commendations, by Proclamation for that purpose, made shew
of their matrimoniall parts unto the people assembled, to see if thereby
at least they might get them husbands. By consequence there is not
one of them, but upon the first oath one maketh to serve her, will very
easily be perswaded to thinke well of her selfe. Now this common
treason and ordinary protestations of men in these dayes must needs produce
the effects experience already discovereth: which is, that either they
joyne together, and cast away themselves on themselves to avoid us, or
on their side follow also the example wee give them; acting their part
of the play without passion, without care, and without love, lending themselves
to this entercourse: Neque affectui suo, aut alieno obnoxiae: 'Neither
liable to their own nor other folkes affection.' Thinking, according to
Lysias perswasions in Plato, they may so much the more profitably and commodiously
yield unto us, by how much lesse we love them: Wherein it will happen
as in Comedies, the spectators shall have as much or
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more pleasure as the Comedians. For my part, I no more acknowledge
Venus without Cupid, then a mother-hood without an off-spring: They
are things which enterlend and enter-owe one another their essence.
Thus doth this cozening rebound on him that useth it, and as it cost him
little, so gets he not much by it. Those which made
Venus+ a goddesse, have respected that her principall beautie was incorporeall
and spirituall. But shee whom these kinde of people hunt after is
not so much as humane, nor also brutall; but such as wilde beasts would
not have her so filthy and terrestriall. We see that imagination enflames
them, and desire or lust urgeth them, before the body: We see in
one and other sex, even in whole heards, choise and distinctions in their
affections, and amongst themselves, acquaintances of long continued good-will
and liking: And even those to whom age denieth bodily strength, doe
yet bray, neigh, roare, skip and wince for
love+. Before the deed we see them full of hope and heat; and when
the body hath plaid his part, even tickle and tingle themselves with the
sweetenesse of that remembrance: some of them swell with pride at parting
from it, others all weary and glutted, ring out songs of glee and triumph.
Who makes no more of it but to discharge his body of some naturall necessitie,
hath no cause to trouble others with so curious a preparation. It
is no food for a greedy and clownish hunger. As one that would not
be accounted better than I am, thus much I will display of my youths wanton-errors:
Not onely for the danger of ones health that followes that game (yet could
I not avoid two, although light and cursorie assaults) but also for contempt,
I have not much beene given to mercenarie and common acquaintances.
I have coveted to set an edge on that sensuall pleasure by difficultie,
by desire, and for some glory. And liked Tiberius his fashions, who
in his amours was swaied as much by modesty and noblenesse as by any other
quality. And Floras humour, who would Prostitute her selfe to none
worse then Dictators, Consuls, or Censors, and tooke delight
<Mont3-48>MONTRAIGNE'S ESSAYES
in the dignitie and greatnesse of her lovers, doth somewhat sute with
mine. Surely glittering pearles and silken cloathes adde some-thing
unto it, and so doe titles, nobilitie and a worthie traine. Besides
which, I made high esteeme of the minde, yet so as the body might not justly
be found fault withall: For, to speake my conscience, if either of
the two beauties were necessarily to be wanting, I would rather have chosen
to want the mentall, whose use is to be emploied in better things.
But in the subject of love, a subject that chiefly hath reference unto
the two senses of seeing and touching, some thing may be done without the
graces of the minde, but little or nothing without the corporall.
Beautie is the true availefull advantage of women: It is so peculiarly
theirs, that ours, though it require some features and differeni allurements,
is not in her right kue or true bias, unlesse confused with theirs: childish
and beardlesse. It is reported that such as serve the great Turke under
the title of beautie (whereof the number is infinite) are dismissed at
furthest when they once come to the age of two and twenty yeeres.
Discourse, discretion, together with the offices of true
amitie+, are better found amongst men: and therefore governe they
the worlds affaires. These two commerces or societies are accidentall
and depending of others; the one is troublesome and tedious for it's raritie,
the other withers with old age: nor could they have sufficiently provided
for my lives necessities. That of bookes, which is the third, is
much more solid-sure and much more ours, some other advantages it yeeldeth
to the two former, but hath for her share constancie and the facilite of
her service. This accosteth and secondeth all my course, and every
where assisteth me: It comforts me in age and solaceth me in solitarinesse;
It easeth mee of the burthen of a weary- some sloth and at all times rids
me of tedious companies: it abateth the edge of fretting sorrow, on condition
it be not extreme and over-insolent. To divert me from any importunate
imagination or insinuating conceit, there is no better way then to have
recourse unto
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books; with ease they allure mee to them, and with facility they remoove
them all. And though they perceive I neither frequent nor seeke them,
but wanting other more essential, lively, and more naturall commodities,
they never mutinie or murmur at mee; but still entertaine mee with one
and selfe-same visage. He may well walke a foote that leades his
horse by the bridle, saith the proverbe. And our James king of Naples
and Sicili, being faire, young, healthy and in good plight, caused himselfe
to be caried abroad in a plaine wagon or skreene, lying upon an homely
pillow of course feathers, cloathed in a sute of home spunne gray, and
a bonet of the same, yet royally attended on by a gallant troupe of Nobles,
of Litters, Coches, and of all sorts of choice led-horses, a number of
gentlemen and officers, represented a tender and wavering austerity.
The sicke man is not to be moaned that hath his health in his sleeve.
In the experience and use of this sentence, which is most true, consisteth
all the commoditie I reape of bookes. In effect I make no other use
of them then those who know them not. I enjoy them, as a miser doth
his gold; to know that I may enjoy them when I list, my mind is setled
and satisfied with the right of possession. I never travel without
bookes, nor in peace nor in warre: yet doe I passe many dayes and moneths
without using them. It shall be anon, say I, or to-morrow, or when
I please; in the meane while the time runnes away, and passeth withont
hurting me. For it is wonderfull what repose I take, and how I continue
in this consideration, that they are at my elbow to delight me when time
shall serve; and in acknowledging what assistance they give unto my life.
This is the best munition I have found in this humane peregrination, and
I extremely bewaile those men of understanding that want the same.
I accept with better will all other kindes of ammusements, how slight soever,
forsomuch as this cannot faile me. At home I betake me somewhat the
oftner to my library, whence all at once I command and survey all my houshold.
It is seated in the chiefe
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
entrie of my house, thence I behold under me my garden, my base court,
my yard, and looke even into most roomes of my house. There without
order, without method, and by peece-meales I turne over and ransacke, now
one booke and now another. Sometimes I muse and rave; and walking
up and downe I endight and enregister these my humours, these my conceits.
It is placed on the third storie of a tower. The lowermost is my
Chapell; the second a chamber with other lodgings, where; I often lie,
because I would be alone. Above it is a great ward-robe. It was in
times past the most unprofitable place of all my house. There I pass
the greatest part of my lives dayes, and weare out most houres of the day.
I am never there a nights. Next unto it is a handsome neat cabinet,
able and large enough to receive fire in winter, and very pleasantly windowen.
And if I feared not care more then cost (care which drives and diverts
me from all businesse), I might easily joyne a convenient gallerie of a
hundred paces long and twelve broad on each side of it, and upon one floore;
having already, for some other purpose, found all the walles raised unto
a convenient height. Each retired place requireth a walke.
My thoughts are prone to sleepe if I sit long. My minde goes not
alone, as if ledges did moove it. Those that studie without bookes
are all in the same case. The forme of it is round, and hath no flat
side, but what serveth for my table and chaire: In which bending
or circling manner, at one looke it offereth me the full sight of all my
books, set round about upon shelves or desks, five rancks one upon another.
It hath three bay-windowes of a farre-extending, rich and unresisted prospect,
and is in diameter sixteene paces void. In winter I am lesse continually
there: for my house (as the name of it importeth) is pearched upon an over-pearing
hillocke; and hath no part more subject to all wethers then this: which
pleaseth me the more, both because the accesse unto it is somwhat troublesome
and remote, and for the benefit of the exercise which is to be respected;
and that I may the better seclude
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my selfe from companies and keepe incrochers from me: There is
MY seat, that is my throne. I endevour to make my rule therein absolute,
and to sequester that only corner from the communitie of wife, of children
and of acquaintance. Else-where I have but a verball authoritie,
of confused essence. Miserable in my minde is he who in his owne
home hath no where to be to himselfe; where hee may particularly court,
and at his pleasure hide or with-draw selfe. Ambition paieth her
followers well to keepe them still in open view, as a statue in some conspicuous
place. Magna servitus est magna fortuna:/1 'A great fortune is a
great bondage.' They cannot bee private so much as at their privie.
I have deemed nothing so rude in the austerity of the life which our Church-men
affect as that in some of their companies they institute a perpetuall societie
of place, and a numerous assistance amongst them in anything they doe.
And deeme it somewhat more tolerable to be ever alone, then never be able
to be so. If any say to me, It is a kind of vilifying the Muses to use
them only for sport and recreation, he wots not as I do, what worth, pleasure,
sport and passe-time is of: I had well nigh termed all other ends
rediculous. I live from hand to mouth, and, with reverence be it spoken,
I live but to my selfe: there end all my designes. Being young I
studied for ostentation ; then a little to enable my selfe and become wiser;
now for delight and recreation, never for gaine. A vaine conceit
and lavish humour I had after this kind of stuffe; not only to provide
for my need, but somewhat further to adorne and embellish my selfe withall:
I have since partlie left it. Bookes have and containe divers peasing qualities
to those that can duly choose them. But no good without paines; no
Roses with out prickles. It is a pleasure not absolutely pure and
neate; no more then all others; it hath his inconveniences attending on
it, and sometimes waighty ones: The minde is therein exercised, but
the body (the care whereof I have not yet forgotten) remaineth
-----
1 SEN. Cons. ad Pel. c. xxvi. p.
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MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
there-whilst without action, and is wasted, and ensorrowed. I
know no excesse more hurtfull for me, nor more to be avoided by me, in
this declining age. Loe here my three most favoured and particular
employments. I speake not of those I owe of dutie to the world.
CHAPTER 3.IV+ OF DIVERTING AND DIVERSIONS
+
I WAS once employed in comforting of a truely-afflicted Ladie: the greatest
part of their discourses a |
