第12章

Butwhenceitshouldcometopass，thatamindenrichedwiththeknowledgeofsomanythingsshouldnotbecomemorequickandsprightly，andthatagrossandvulgarunderstandingshouldlodgewithinit，withoutcorrectingandimprovingitself，allthediscoursesandjudgmentsofthegreatestmindstheworldeverhad，Iamyettoseek。Toadmitsomanyforeignconceptions，sogreat，andsohighfancies，itisnecessary（asayounglady，oneofthegreatestprincessesofthekingdom，saidtomeonce，speakingofacertainperson）thataman’sownbrainmustbecrowdedandsqueezedtogetherintoalesscompass，tomakeroomfortheothers;Ishouldbeapttoconclude，thatasplantsaresuffocatedanddrownedwithtoomuchnourishment，andlampswithtoomuchoil，sowithtoomuchstudyandmatteristheactivepartoftheunderstandingwhich，beingembarrassed，andconfoundedwithagreatdiversityofthings，losestheforceandpowertodisengageitself，andbythepressureofthisweight，isbowed，subjected，anddoubledup。Butitisquiteotherwise;

foroursoulstretchesanddilatesitselfproportionablyasitfills;andintheexamplesofeldertimes，wesee，quitecontrary，menveryproperforpublicbusiness，greatcaptains，andgreatstatesmenverylearnedwithal。

And，astothephilosophers，asortofmenremotefromallpublicaffairs，theyhavebeensometimesalsodespisedbythecomiclibertyoftheirtimes;theiropinionsandmannersmakingthemappear，tomenofanothersort，ridiculous。Wouldyoumakethemjudgesofalawsuit，oftheactionsofmen？theyarereadytotakeituponthem，andstraightbegintoexamineiftherebelife，iftherebemotion，ifmanbeanyotherthananox;——["IfMontaignehascopiedallthisfromPlato’sTheatetes，p。127，F。asitisplainbyallwhichhehasaddedimmediatelyafter，thathehastakenitfromthatdialogue），hehasgrosslymistakenPlato’ssentiment，whosaysherenomorethanthis，thatthephilosopherissoignorantofwhathisneighbourdoes，thathescarceknowswhetherheisaman，orsomeotheranimal:——Coste。"]——whatitistodoandtosuffer？whatanimalslawandjusticeare？Dotheyspeakofthemagistrates，ortohim，’tiswitharude，irreverent，andindecentliberty。Dotheyheartheirprince，orakingcommended？theymakenomoreofhim，thanofashepherd，goatherd，orneatherd:alazyCoridon，occupiedinmilkingandshearinghisherdsandflocks，butmorerudelyandharshlythantheherdorshepherdhimself。Doyoureputeanymanthegreaterforbeinglordoftwothousandacresofland？theylaughatsuchapitifulpittance，aslayingclaimthemselvestothewholeworldfortheirpossession。Doyouboastofyournobility，asbeingdescendedfromsevenrichsuccessiveancestors？theylookuponyouwithaneyeofcontempt，asmenwhohavenotarightideaoftheuniversalimageofnature，andthatdonotconsiderhowmanypredecessorseveryoneofushashad，rich，poor，kings，slaves，Greeks，andbarbarians;andthoughyouwerethefiftiethdescendantfromHercules，theylookuponitasagreatvanity，sohighlytovaluethis，whichisonlyagiftoffortune。

And’twassothevulgarsortcontemnedthem，asmenignorantofthemostelementaryandordinarythings;aspresumptuousandinsolent。

ButthisPlatonicpictureisfardifferentfromthatthesepedantsarepresentedby。Thosewereenviedforraisingthemselvesabovethecommonsort，fordespisingtheordinaryactionsandofficesoflife，forhavingassumedaparticularandinimitablewayofliving，andforusingacertainmethodofhigh—flightandobsoletelanguage，quitedifferentfromtheordinarywayofspeaking:butthesearecontemnedasbeingasmuchbelowtheusualform，asincapableofpublicemployment，asleadingalifeandconformingthemselvestothemeanandvilemannersofthevulgar:

"Odiignavaopera，philosophasententia。"

["Ihatemenwhojabberaboutphilosophy，butdonothing。"

——Pacuvius，apGellium，xiii。8。]

Forwhatconcernsthephilosophers，asIhavesaid，iftheywereinscience，theywereyetmuchgreaterinaction。And，asitissaidofthegeometricianofSyracuse，——[Archimedes。]——whohavingbeendisturbedfromhiscontemplation，toputsomeofhisskillinpracticeforthedefenceofhiscountry，thathesuddenlysetonfootdreadfulandprodigiousengines，thatwroughteffectsbeyondallhumanexpectation;himself，notwithstanding，disdainingallhishandiwork，andthinkinginthishehadplayedthemeremechanic，andviolatedthedignityofhisart，ofwhichtheseperformancesofhisheaccountedbuttrivialexperimentsandplaythingssothey，whenevertheyhavebeenputupontheproofofaction，havebeenseentoflytosohighapitch，asmadeitverywellappear，theirsoulsweremarvellouslyelevated，andenrichedbytheknowledgeofthings。Butsomeofthem，seeingthereinsofgovernmentinthehandsofincapablemen，haveavoidedallmanagementofpoliticalaffairs;andhewhodemandedofCrates，howlongitwasnecessarytophilosophise，receivedthisanswer:"Tillourarmiesarenomorecommandedbyfools。"

——[DiogenesLaertius，vi。92。]——Heraclitusresignedtheroyaltytohisbrother;and，totheEphesians，whoreproachedhimthathespenthistimeinplayingwithchildrenbeforethetemple:"Isitnotbetter，"saidhe，"todoso，thantositatthehelmofaffairsinyourcompany？"Othershavingtheirimaginationadvancedabovetheworldandfortune，havelookeduponthetribunalsofjustice，andeventhethronesofkings，aspaltryandcontemptible;insomuch，thatEmpedoclesrefusedtheroyaltythattheAgrigentinesofferedtohim。Thales，onceinveighingindiscourseagainstthepainsandcaremenputthemselvestotobecomerich，wasansweredbyoneinthecompany，thathedidlikethefox，whofoundfaultwithwhathecouldnotobtain。Whereupon，hehadamind，forthejest’ssake，toshowthemtothecontrary;andhaving，forthisoccasion，madeamusterofallhiswits，whollytoemploythemintheserviceofprofitandgain，hesetatrafficonfoot，whichinoneyearbroughthiminsogreatriches，thatthemostexperiencedinthattradecouldhardlyintheirwholelives，withalltheirindustry，haverakedsomuchtogether。——[DiogenesLaertius，LifeofThales，i。26;Cicero，DeDivin。，i。49。]——ThatwhichAristotlereportsofsomewhocalledbothhimandAnaxagoras，andothersoftheirprofession，wisebutnotprudent，innotapplyingtheirstudytomoreprofitablethings——thoughIdonotwelldigestthisverbaldistinction——thatwillnot，however，servetoexcusemypedants，fortoseethelowandnecessitousfortunewherewiththeyarecontent，wehaveratherreasontopronouncethattheyareneitherwisenorprudent。

Butlettingthisfirstreasonalone，Ithinkitbettertosay，thatthisevilproceedsfromtheirapplyingthemselvesthewrongwaytothestudyofthesciences;andthat，afterthemannerweareinstructed，itisnowonderifneitherthescholarsnorthemastersbecome，thoughmorelearned，everthewiser，ormoreable。Inplaintruth，thecaresandexpenseourparentsareatinoureducation，pointatnothing，buttofurnishourheadswithknowledge;butnotawordofjudgmentandvirtue。

Cryout，ofonethatpassesby，tothepeople:"O，whatalearnedman！"

andofanother，"O，whatagoodman！"——[TranslatedfromSeneca，Ep。，88。]——theywillnotfailtoturntheireyes，andaddresstheirrespecttotheformer。Thereshouldthenbeathirdcrier，"O，theblockheads！"

Menareaptpresentlytoinquire，doessuchaoneunderstandGreekorLatin？Isheapoet？ordoeshewriteinprose？Butwhetherhebegrownbetterormorediscreet，whicharequalitiesofprincipalconcern，theseareneverthoughtof。Weshouldratherexamine，whoisbetterlearned，thanwhoismorelearned。

Weonlylabourtostuffthememory，andleavetheconscienceandtheunderstandingunfurnishedandvoid。Likebirdswhoflyabroadtoforageforgrain，andbringithomeinthebeak，withouttastingitthemselves，tofeedtheiryoung;soourpedantsgopickingknowledgehereandthere，outofbooks，andholditatthetongue’send，onlytospititoutanddistributeitabroad。AndhereIcannotbutsmiletothinkhowIhavepaidmyselfinshowingthefopperyofthiskindoflearning，whomyselfamsomanifestanexample;for，doInotthesamethingthroughoutalmostthiswholecomposition？Igohereandthere，cullingoutofseveralbooksthesentencesthatbestpleaseme，nottokeepthem（forIhavenomemorytoretainthemin），buttotransplantthemintothis;where，tosaythetruth，theyarenomoreminethanintheirfirstplaces。Weare，Iconceive，knowingonlyinpresentknowledge，andnotatallinwhatispast，ormorethanisthatwhichistocome。Buttheworston’tis，theirscholarsandpupilsarenobetternourishedbythiskindofinspiration;anditmakesnodeeperimpressionuponthem，butpassesfromhandtohand，onlytomakeashowtobetolerablecompany，andtotellprettystories，likeacounterfeitcoinincounters，ofnootheruseorvalue，buttoreckonwith，ortosetupatcards:

"Apudaliosloquididiceruntnonipsisecum。"

["Theyhavelearnedtospeakfromothers，notfromthemselves。"

——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes，v。36。]

"Nonestloquendum，sedgubernandum。"

["Speakingisnotsonecessaryasgoverning。"——Seneca，Ep。，108。]

Nature，toshewthatthereisnothingbarbarouswhereshehasthesoleconduct，oftentimes，innationswherearthastheleasttodo，causesproductionsofwit，suchasmayrivalthegreatesteffectofartwhatever。InrelationtowhatIamnowspeakingof，theGasconproverb，derivedfromacornpipe，isveryquaintandsubtle:

"Bouhaproubouha，masaremudalousditsquem。"

["Youmayblowtillyoureyesstartout;butifonceyouoffertostiryourfingers，itisallover。"]

Wecansay，Cicerosaysthus;thesewerethemannersofPlato;thesearetheverywordsofAristotle:butwhatdowesayourselves？Whatdowejudge？Aparrotwouldsayasmuchasthat。

AndthisputsmeinmindofthatrichgentlemanofRome，——[CalvisiusSabinus。Seneca，Ep。，27。]——whohadbeensolicitous，withverygreatexpense，toprocurementhatwereexcellentinallsortsofscience，whomhehadalwaysattendinghisperson，totheend，thatwhenamongsthisfriendsanyoccasionfelloutofspeakingofanysubjectwhatsoever，theymightsupplyhisplace，andbereadytoprompthim，onewithasentenceofSeneca，anotherwithaverseofHomer，andsoforth，everyoneaccordingtohistalent;andhefanciedthisknowledgetobehisown，becauseitwasintheheadsofthosewholiveduponhisbounty;astheyalsodo，whoselearningconsistsinhavingnoblelibraries。Iknowone，who，whenIquestionhimwhatheknows，hepresentlycallsforabooktoshewme，anddaresnotventuretotellmesomuch，asthathehaspilesinhisposteriors，tillfirsthehasconsultedhisdictionary，whatpilesandwhatposteriorsare。

Wetakeothermen’sknowledgeandopinionsupontrust;whichisanidleandsuperficiallearning。Wemustmakeitourown。Weareinthisverylikehim，whohavingneedoffire，wenttoaneighbour’shousetofetchit，andfindingaverygoodonethere，satdowntowarmhimselfwithoutrememberingtocarryanywithhimhome。——[Plutarch，HowaManshouldListen。]——Whatgooddoesitdoustohavethestomachfullofmeat，ifitdonotdigest，ifitbenotincorporatedwithus，ifitdoesnotnourishandsupportus？CanweimaginethatLucullus，whomletters，withoutanymannerofexperience，madesogreatacaptain，learnedtobesoafterthisperfunctorymanner？——[Cicero，Acad。，ii。I。]——Wesufferourselvestoleanandrelysostronglyuponthearmofanother，thatwedestroyourownstrengthandvigour。WouldIfortifymyselfagainstthefearofdeath，itmustbeattheexpenseofSeneca:wouldIextractconsolationformyselformyfriend，IborrowitfromCicero。Imighthavefounditinmyself，hadIbeentrainedtomakeuseofmyownreason。

Idonotlikethisrelativeandmendicantunderstanding;forthoughwecouldbecomelearnedbyothermen’slearning，amancanneverbewisebutbyhisownwisdom:

["Ihatethewiseman，whoinhisownconcernisnotwise。"

——Euripides，ap。Cicero，Ep。Fam。，xiii。15。]

WhenceEnnius:

"Nequidquamsaperesapientem，quiipsesibiprodessenonquiret。"

["Thatwisemanknowsnothing，whocannotprofithimselfbyhiswisdom。"——Cicero，DeOffic。，iii。15。]

"Sicupidus，siVanus，etEuganeaquantumvismollioragna。"

["Ifhebegrasping，oraboaster，andsomethingsofterthananEuganeanlamb。"——Juvenal，Sat。，viii。14。]

"Nonenimparandanobissolum，sedfruendasapientiaest。"

["Forwisdomisnotonlytobeacquired，buttobeutilised。"

——Cicero，DeFinib。，i。I。]

Dionysius——[ItwasnotDionysius，butDiogenesthecynic。DiogenesLaertius，vi。27。]——laughedatthegrammarians，whosetthemselvestoinquireintothemiseriesofUlysses，andwereignorantoftheirown;

atmusicians，whoweresoexactintuningtheirinstruments，andnevertunedtheirmanners;atorators，whomadeitastudytodeclarewhatisjustice，butnevertookcaretodoit。Ifthemindbenotbetterdisposed，ifthejudgmentbenobettersettled，Ihadmuchrathermyscholarhadspenthistimeattennis，for，atleast，hisbodywouldbythatmeansbeinbetterexerciseandbreath。Dobutobservehimwhenhecomesbackfromschool，afterfifteenorsixteenyearsthathehasbeenthere;thereisnothingsounfitforemployment;allyoushallfindhehasgot，is，thathisLatinandGreekhaveonlymadehimagreatercoxcombthanwhenhewentfromhome。Heshouldbringbackhissoulrepletewithgoodliterature，andhebringsitonlyswelledandpuffedupwithvainandemptyshredsandpatchesoflearning;andhasreallynothingmoreinhimthanhehadbefore。——[Plato’sDialogues:Protagoras。]

Thesepedantsofours，asPlatosaysoftheSophists，theircousin—

germans，are，ofallmen，theywhomostpretendtobeusefultomankind，andwhoalone，ofallmen，notonlydonotbetterandimprovethatwhichiscommittedtothem，asacarpenteroramasonwoulddo，butmakethemmuchworse，andmakeuspaythemformakingthemworse，toboot。IftherulewhichProtagorasproposedtohispupilswerefollowed——eitherthattheyshouldgivehimhisowndemand，ormakeaffidavituponoathinthetemplehowmuchtheyvaluedtheprofittheyhadreceivedunderhistuition，andsatisfyhimaccordingly——mypedagogueswouldfindthemselvessorelygravelled，iftheyweretobejudgedbytheaffidavitsofmyexperience。MyPerigordinpatoisverypleasantlycallsthesepretenderstolearning，’lettre—ferits’，asamanshouldsay，letter—marked——menonwhomlettershavebeenstampedbytheblowofamallet。And，intruth，forthemostpart，theyappeartobedeprivedevenofcommonsense;foryouseethehusbandmanandthecobblergosimplyandfairlyabouttheirbusiness，speakingonlyofwhattheyknowandunderstand;whereasthesefellows，tomakeparadeandtogetopinion，musteringthisridiculousknowledgeoftheirs，thatfloatsonthesuperficiesofthebrain，areperpetuallyperplexing，andentanglingthemselvesintheirownnonsense。

Theyspeakfinewordssometimes，’tistrue，butletsomebodythatiswiserapplythem。TheyarewonderfullywellacquaintedwithGalen，butnotatallwiththediseaseofthepatient;theyhavealreadydeafenedyouwithalongribble—rowoflaws，butunderstandnothingofthecaseinhand;theyhavethetheoryofallthings，letwhowillputitinpractice。

Ihavesatby，whenafriendofmine，inmyownhouse，forsport—sake，haswithoneofthesefellowscounterfeitedajargonofGalimatias，patchedupofphraseswithoutheadortail，savingthatheinterlardedhereandtheresometermsthathadrelationtotheirdispute，andheldthecoxcombinplayawholeafternoontogether，whoallthewhilethoughthehadansweredpertinentlyandlearnedlytoallhisobjections;andyetthiswasamanofletters，andreputation，andafinegentlemanofthelongrobe:

"Vos，Opatriciussanguis，quosvivereparestOccipiticaeco，posticaeoccurritesannae。"

["Oyou，ofpatricianblood，towhomitispermittedtolivewith（out）eyesinthebackofyourhead，bewareofgrimacesatyoufrombehind。"——Persius，Sat。，i。61。]

Whosoevershallnarrowlypryintoandthoroughlysiftthissortofpeople，wherewiththeworldissopestered，will，asIhavedone，find，thatforthemostpart，theyneitherunderstandothers，northemselves;

andthattheirmemoriesarefullenough，butthejudgmenttotallyvoidandempty;someexcepted，whoseownnaturehasofitselfformedthemintobetterfashion。AsIhaveobserved，forexample，inAdrianTurnebus，whohavingnevermadeotherprofessionthanthatofmerelearningonly，andinthat，inmyopinion，hewasthegreatestmanthathasbeenthesethousandyears，hadnothingatallinhimofthepedant，butthewearingofhisgown，andalittleexteriorfashion，thatcouldnotbecivilisedtocourtierways，whichinthemselvesarenothing。Ihateourpeople，whocanworseendureanill—contrivedrobethananill—contrivedmind，andtaketheirmeasurebythelegamanmakes，byhisbehaviour，andsomuchastheveryfashionofhisboots，whatkindofmanheis。Forwithintherewasnotamorepolishedsouluponearth。Ihaveoftenpurposelyputhimuponargumentsquitewideofhisprofession，whereinI

foundhehadsoclearaninsight，soquickanapprehension，sosolidajudgment，thatamanwouldhavethoughthehadneverpractisedanyotherthingbutarms，andbeenallhislifeemployedinaffairsofState。

Thesearegreatandvigorousnatures，"QueisartebenignaEtmeliorelutofinxitpraecordiaTitan。"

["WhombenignTitan（Prometheus）hasframedofbetterclay。"

——Juvenal，xiv。34。]

thatcankeepthemselvesuprightindespiteofapedanticeducation。Butitisnotenoughthatoureducationdoesnotspoilus;itmust，moreover，alterusforthebetter。

SomeofourParliaments，whentheyaretoadmitofficers，examineonlytheirlearning;towhichsomeoftheothersalsoaddthetrialofunderstanding，byaskingtheirjudgmentofsomecaseinlaw;ofthesethelatter，methinks，proceedwiththebettermethod;foralthoughbotharenecessary，andthatitisveryrequisitetheyshouldbedefectiveinneither，yet，intruth，knowledgeisnotsoabsolutelynecessaryasjudgment;thelastmaymakeshiftwithouttheother，buttheotherneverwithoutthis。ForastheGreekversesays——

["Towhatuseserveslearning，ifunderstandingbeaway。"

——ApudStobaeus，tit。iii。，p。37（1609）。]

WouldtoGodthat，forthegoodofourjudicature，thesesocietieswereaswellfurnishedwithunderstandingandconscienceastheyarewithknowledge。

"Nonvita，sedscolaediscimus。"

["Wedonotstudyforlife，butonlyfortheschool。"

——Seneca，Ep。，106。]

Wearenottotielearningtothesoul，buttoworkandincorporatethemtogether:nottotinctureitonly，buttogiveitathoroughandperfectdye;which，ifitwillnottakecolour，andmeliorateitsimperfectstate，itwerewithoutquestionbettertoletitalone。’Tisadangerousweapon，thatwillhinderandwounditsmaster，ifputintoanawkwardandunskilfulhand:

"Utfueritmeliusnondidicisse。"

["Sothatitwerebetternottohavelearned。"

——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。4。]

Andthis，peradventure，isthereasonwhyneitherwenortheologyrequiremuchlearninginwomen;andthatFrancis，DukeofBrittany，sonofJohnV。，onetalkingwithhimabouthismarriagewithIsabellathedaughterofScotland，andaddingthatshewashomelybred，andwithoutanymanneroflearning，madeanswer，thathelikedherthebetter，andthatawomanwaswiseenough，ifshecoulddistinguishherhusband’sshirtfromhisdoublet。Sothatitisnosogreatwonder，astheymakeofit，thatourancestorshadlettersinnogreateresteem，andthateventothisdaytheyarebutrarelymetwithintheprincipalcouncilsofprinces;andiftheendanddesignofacquiringriches，whichistheonlythingweproposetoourselves，bythemeansoflaw，physic，pedantry，andevendivinityitself，didnotupholdandkeepthemincredit，youwould，withdoubt，seetheminaspitifulaconditionasever。Andwhatlosswouldthisbe，iftheyneitherinstructustothinkwellnortodowell？

"Postquamdoctiprodierunt，bonidesunt。"

[Seneca，Ep。，95。"Sincethe’savans’havemadetheirappearanceamongus，thegoodpeoplehavebecomeeclipsed。"

——Rousseau，DiscourssurlesLettres。]

Allotherknowledgeishurtfultohimwhohasnotthescienceofgoodness。

ButthereasonIglanceduponbutnow，mayitnotalsohenceproceed，that，ourstudiesinFrancehavingalmostnootheraimbutprofit，exceptastothosewho，bynatureborntoofficesandemploymentsratherofglorythangain，addictthemselvestoletters，ifatall，onlyforsoshortatime（beingtakenfromtheirstudiesbeforetheycancometohaveanytasteofthem，toaprofessionthathasnothingtodowithbooks），thereordinarilyremainnootherstoapplythemselveswhollytolearning，butpeopleofmeancondition，whointhatonlyseekthemeanstolive;

andbysuchpeople，whosesoulsare，bothbynatureandbydomesticeducationandexample，ofthebasestalloythefruitsofknowledgeareimmaturelygatheredandilldigested，anddeliveredtotheirrecipientsquiteanotherthing。Foritisnotforknowledgetoenlightenasoulthatisdarkofitself，nortomakeablindmansee。Herbusinessisnottofindaman’seyes，buttoguide，govern，anddirectthem，providedhehavesoundfeetandstraightlegstogoupon。Knowledgeisanexcellentdrug，butnodrughasvirtueenoughtopreserveitselffromcorruptionanddecay，ifthevesselbetaintedandimpurewhereinitisputtokeep。

Suchaonemayhaveasightclearenoughwholooksasquint，andconsequentlyseeswhatisgood，butdoesnotfollowit，andseesknowledge，butmakesnouseofit。Plato’sprincipalinstitutioninhisRepublicistofithiscitizenswithemploymentssuitabletotheirnature。Naturecandoall，anddoesall。Cripplesareveryunfitforexercisesofthebody，andlamesoulsforexercisesofthemind。

Degenerateandvulgarsoulsareunworthyofphilosophy。Ifweseeashoemakerwithhisshoesoutatthetoes，wesay，’tisnowonder;for，commonly，nonegoworseshodthanthey。Inlikemanner，experienceoftenpresentsusaphysicianworsephysicked，adivinelessreformed，and（constantly）ascholaroflesssufficiency，thanotherpeople。

OldAristoofChioshadreasontosaythatphilosophersdidtheirauditorsharm，forasmuchasmostofthesoulsofthosethatheardthemwerenotcapableofderivingbenefitfrominstruction，which，ifnotappliedtogood，wouldcertainlybeappliedtoill:

["TheyproceededeffeminatedebaucheesfromtheschoolofAristippus，cynicsfromthatofZeno。"

——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，iii。，31。]

InthatexcellentinstitutionthatXenophonattributestothePersians，wefindthattheytaughttheirchildrenvirtue，asothernationsdoletters。Platotellsusthattheeldestsonintheirroyalsuccessionwasthusbroughtup;afterhisbirthhewasdelivered，nottowomen，buttoeunuchsofthegreatestauthorityabouttheirkingsfortheirvirtue，whosechargeitwastokeephisbodyhealthfulandingoodplight;andafterhecametosevenyearsofage，toteachhimtorideandtogoa—hunting。Whenhearrivedatfourteenhewastransferredintothehandsoffour，thewisest，themostjust，themosttemperate，andmostvaliantofthenation;ofwhomthefirstwastoinstructhiminreligion，thesecondtobealwaysuprightandsincere，thethirdtoconquerhisappetitesanddesires，andthefourthtodespisealldanger。

Itisathingworthyofverygreatconsideration，thatinthatexcellent，and，intruth，foritsperfection，prodigiousformofcivilregimensetdownbyLycurgus，thoughsosolicitousoftheeducationofchildren，asathingofthegreatestconcern，andevenintheveryseatoftheMuses，heshouldmakesolittlementionoflearning;asifthatgenerousyouth，disdainingallothersubjectionbutthatofvirtue，oughttobesupplied，insteadoftutorstoreadtothemartsandsciences，withsuchmastersasshouldonlyinstructtheminvalour，prudence，andjustice;

anexamplethatPlatohasfollowedinhislaws。Themanneroftheirdisciplinewastopropoundtothemquestionsinjudgmentuponmenandtheiractions;andiftheycommendedorcondemnedthisorthatpersonorfact，theyweretogiveareasonforsodoing;bywhichmeanstheyatoncesharpenedtheirunderstanding，andlearnedwhatwasright。

Astyages，inXenophon，asksCyrustogiveanaccountofhislastlesson;

andthusitwas，"Agreatboyinourschool，havingalittleshortcassock，byforcetookalongerfromanotherthatwasnotsotallashe，andgavehimhisowninexchange:whereuponI，beingappointedjudgeofthecontroversy，gavejudgment，thatIthoughtitbesteachshouldkeepthecoathehad，forthattheybothofthemwerebetterfittedwiththatofoneanotherthanwiththeirown:uponwhichmymastertoldme，Ihaddoneill，inthatIhadonlyconsideredthefitnessofthegarments，whereasIoughttohaveconsideredthejusticeofthething，whichrequiredthatnooneshouldhaveanythingforciblytakenfromhimthatishisown。"AndCyrusaddsthathewaswhippedforhispains，asweareinourvillagesforforgettingthefirstaoristof——————。

[Cotton’sversionofthisstorycommencesdifferently，andincludesapassagewhichisnotinanyoftheeditionsoftheoriginalbeforeme:

"Mandane，inXenophon，askingCyrushowhewoulddotolearnjustice，andtheothervirtuesamongsttheMedes，havingleftallhismastersbehindhiminPersia？Hemadeanswer，thathehadlearnedthosethingslongsince;thathismasterhadoftenmadehimajudgeofthedifferencesamongsthisschoolfellows，andhadonedaywhippedhimforgivingawrongsentence。"——W。C。H。]

Mypedantmustmakemeaverylearnedoration，’ingeneredemonstrativo’，beforehecanpersuademethathisschoolislikeuntothat。Theyknewhowtogothereadiestwaytowork;andseeingthatscience，whenmostrightlyappliedandbestunderstood，candonomorebutteachusprudence，moralhonesty，andresolution，theythoughtfit，atfirsthand，toinitiatetheirchildrenwiththeknowledgeofeffects，andtoinstructthem，notbyhearsayandrote，butbytheexperimentofaction，inlivelyformingandmouldingthem;notonlybywordsandprecepts，butchieflybyworksandexamples;totheenditmightnotbeaknowledgeinthemindonly，butitscomplexionandhabit:notanacquisition，butanaturalpossession。Oneaskingtothispurpose，Agesilaus，whathethoughtmostproperforboystolearn？"Whattheyoughttodowhentheycometobemen，"saidhe。——[Plutarch，ApothegmsoftheLacedamonians。RousseauadoptstheexpressioninhisDiswuyssurtesLettres。]——Itisnowonder，ifsuchaninstitutionproducedsoadmirableeffects。

Theyusedtogo，itissaid，totheothercitiesofGreece，toinquireoutrhetoricians，painters，andmusicians;buttoLacedaemonforlegislators，magistrates，andgeneralsofarmies;atAthenstheylearnedtospeakwell:heretodowell;theretodisengagethemselvesfromasophisticalargument，andtounraveltheimpostureofcaptioussyllogisms;heretoevadethebaitsandallurementsofpleasure，andwithanoblecourageandresolutiontoconquerthemenacesoffortuneanddeath;thosecudgelledtheirbrainsaboutwords，thesemadeittheirbusinesstoinquireintothings;therewasaneternalbabbleofthetongue，hereacontinualexerciseofthesoul。Andthereforeitisnothingstrangeif，whenAntipaterdemandedofthemfiftychildrenforhostages，theymadeanswer，quitecontrarytowhatweshoulddo，thattheywouldrathergivehimtwiceasmanyfull—grownmen，somuchdidtheyvaluethelossoftheircountry’seducation。WhenAgesilauscourtedXenophontosendhischildrentoSpartatobebred，"itisnot，"saidhe，"theretolearnlogicorrhetoric，buttobeinstructedinthenoblestofallsciences，namely，thesciencetoobeyandtocommand。"——[Plutarch，LifeofAgesilaus，c。7。]

ItisverypleasanttoseeSocrates，afterhismanner，rallyingHippias，——[Plato’sDialogues:HippiasMajor。]——whorecountstohimwhataworldofmoneyhehasgot，especiallyincertainlittlevillagesofSicily，byteachingschool，andthathemadeneverapennyatSparta:"Whatasottishandstupidpeople，"saidSocrates，"arethey，withoutsenseorunderstanding，thatmakenoaccounteitherofgrammarorpoetry，andonlybusythemselvesinstudyingthegenealogiesandsuccessionsoftheirkings，thefoundations，rises，anddeclensionsofstates，andsuchtalesofatub！"Afterwhich，havingmadeHippiasfromonesteptoanotheracknowledgetheexcellencyoftheirformofpublicadministration，andthefelicityandvirtueoftheirprivatelife，heleaveshimtoguessattheconclusionhemakesoftheinutilitiesofhispedanticarts。

Exampleshavedemonstratedtousthatinmilitaryaffairs，andallothersofthelikeactivenature，thestudyofsciencesmoresoftensanduntempersthecouragesofmenthanitinanywayfortifiesandexcitesthem。ThemostpotentempirethatatthisdayappearstobeinthewholeworldisthatoftheTurks，apeopleequallyinuredtotheestimationofarmsandthecontemptofletters。IfindRomewasmorevaliantbeforeshegrewsolearned。Themostwarlikenationsatthistimeinbeingarethemostrudeandignorant:theScythians，theParthians，Tamerlane，serveforsufficientproofofthis。WhentheGothsoverranGreece，theonlythingthatpreservedallthelibrariesfromthefirewas，thatsomeonepossessedthemwithanopinionthattheyweretoleavethiskindoffurnitureentiretotheenemy，asbeingmostpropertodivertthemfromtheexerciseofarms，andtofixthemtoalazyandsedentarylife。

WhenourKingCharlesVIII。，almostwithoutstrikingablow，sawhimselfpossessedofthekingdomofNaplesandaconsiderablepartofTuscany，thenoblesabouthimattributedthisunexpectedfacilityofconquesttothis，thattheprincesandnoblesofItaly，morestudiedtorenderthemselvesingeniousandlearned，thanvigorousandwarlike。

EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V5

byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877

OFTHEEDUCATIONOFCHILDREN

TOMADAMEDIANEDEFOIX，ComtessedeGursonIneveryetsawthatfather，butlethissonbeneversodecrepitordeformed，wouldnot，notwithstanding，ownhim:not，nevertheless，ifhewerenottotallybesotted，andblindedwithhispaternalaffection，thathedidnotwellenoughdiscernhisdefects;butthatwithalldefaultshewasstillhis。Justso，Iseebetterthananyother，thatallIwriteherearebuttheidlereveriesofamanthathasonlynibbledupontheoutwardcrustofsciencesinhisnonage，andonlyretainedageneralandformlessimageofthem;whohasgotalittlesnatchofeverythingandnothingofthewhole，’alaFrancoise’。ForIknow，ingeneral，thatthereissuchathingasphysic，asjurisprudence:fourpartsinmathematics，and，roughly，whatalltheseaimandpointat;and，peradventure，Iyetknowfarther，whatsciencesingeneralpretendunto，inordertotheserviceofourlife:buttodivefartherthanthat，andtohavecudgelledmybrainsinthestudyofAristotle，themonarchofallmodernlearning，orparticularlyaddictedmyselftoanyonescience，Ihaveneverdoneit;neitheristhereanyoneartofwhichIamabletodrawthefirstlineamentsanddeadcolour;insomuchthatthereisnotaboyofthelowestforminaschool，thatmaynotpretendtobewiserthanI，whoamnotabletoexaminehiminhisfirstlesson，which，ifIamatanytimeforcedupon，Iamnecessitatedinmyowndefence，toaskhim，unaptlyenough，someuniversalquestions，suchasmayservetotryhisnaturalunderstanding;alessonasstrangeandunknowntohim，ashisistome。