第16章

Gloryandcuriosityarethescourgesofthesoul;thelastpromptsustothrustournosesintoeverything，theotherforbidsustoleaveanythingdoubtfulandundecided。

EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V6

byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877

CONTENTSOFVOLUME6。

XXVII。Offriendship。

XXVIII。Nine—and—twentysonnetsofEstiennedelaBoetie。

XXIX。Ofmoderation。

XXX。Ofcannibals。

XXXI。Thatamanissoberlytojudgeofthedivineordinances。

XXXII。Thatwearetoavoidpleasures，evenattheexpenseoflife。

XXXIII。Thatfortuneisoftentimesobservedtoactbytheruleofreason。

XXXIV。Ofonedefectinourgovernment。

XXXV。Ofthecustomofwearingclothes。

XXXVI。OfCatotheYounger。

XXXVII。Thatwelaughandcryforthesamething。

XXXVIII。Ofsolitude。

CHAPTERXXVII

OFFRIENDSHIP

Havingconsideredtheproceedingsofapainterthatservesme，Ihadamindtoimitatehisway。Hechoosesthefairestplaceandmiddleofanywall，orpanel，whereintodrawapicture，whichhefinisheswithhisutmostcareandart，andthevacuityaboutithefillswithgrotesques，whichareoddfantasticfigureswithoutanygracebutwhattheyderivefromtheirvariety，andtheextravaganceoftheirshapes。Andintruth，whatarethesethingsIscribble，otherthangrotesquesandmonstrousbodies，madeofvariousparts，withoutanycertainfigure，oranyotherthanaccidentalorder，coherence，orproportion？

"Desinitinpiscemmulierformosasuperne。"

["Afairwomaninherupperformterminatesinafish。"

——Horace，DeArtePoetica，v。4。]

InthissecondpartIgohandinhandwithmypainter;butfallveryshortofhiminthefirstandthebetter，mypowerofhandlingnotbeingsuch，thatIdaretoofferatarichpiece，finelypolished，andsetoffaccordingtoart。IhavethereforethoughtfittoborrowoneofEstiennedelaBoetie，andsuchaoneasshallhonourandadornalltherestofmywork——namely，adiscoursethathecalled’VoluntaryServitude’;but，since，thosewhodidnotknowhimhaveproperlyenoughcalledit"LecontrUn。"Hewroteinhisyouth，——["Notbeingasyeteighteenyearsold。"——Editionof1588。]bywayofessay，inhonouroflibertyagainsttyrants;andithassincerunthroughthehandsofmenofgreatlearningandjudgment，notwithoutsingularandmeritedcommendation;foritisfinelywritten，andasfullasanythingcanpossiblybe。Andyetonemayconfidentlysayitisfarshortofwhathewasabletodo;andifinthatmorematureage，whereinIhadthehappinesstoknowhim，hehadtakenadesignlikethisofmine，tocommithisthoughtstowriting，weshouldhaveseenagreatmanyrarethings，andsuchaswouldhavegoneveryneartohaverivalledthebestwritingsofantiquity:forinnaturalpartsespecially，Iknownomancomparabletohim。Buthehasleftnothingbehindhim，savethistreatiseonly（andthattoobychance，forI

believeheneversawitafteritfirstwentoutofhishands），andsomeobservationsuponthatedictofJanuary——[1562，whichgrantedtotheHuguenotsthepublicexerciseoftheirreligion。]——madefamousbyourcivil—wars，whichalsoshallelsewhere，peradventure，findaplace。

ThesewereallIcouldrecoverofhisremains，Itowhomwithsoaffectionatearemembrance，uponhisdeath—bed，hebyhislastwillbequeathedhislibraryandpapers，thelittlebookofhisworksonlyexcepted，whichIcommittedtothepress。AndthisparticularobligationIhavetothistreatiseofhis，thatitwastheoccasionofmyfirstcomingacquaintedwithhim;foritwasshowedtomelongbeforeIhadthegoodfortunetoknowhim;andthefirstknowledgeofhisname，provingthefirstcauseandfoundationofafriendship，whichweafterwardsimprovedandmaintained，solongasGodwaspleasedtocontinueustogether，soperfect，inviolate，andentire，thatcertainlythelikeishardlytobefoundinstory，andamongstthemenofthisage，thereisnosignnortraceofanysuchthinginuse;somuchconcurrenceisrequiredtothebuildingofsuchaone，that’tismuch，iffortunebringitbutoncetopassinthreeages。

Thereisnothingtowhichnatureseemssomuchtohaveinclinedus，astosociety;andAristotle，saysthatthegoodlegislatorshadmorerespecttofriendshipthantojustice。Nowthemostsupremepointofitsperfectionisthis:for，generally，allthosethatpleasure，profit，publicorprivateinterestcreateandnourish，aresomuchthelessbeautifulandgenerous，andsomuchthelessfriendships，byhowmuchtheymixanothercause，anddesign，andfruitinfriendship，thanitself。

Neitherdothefourancientkinds，natural，social，hospitable，venereal，eitherseparatelyorjointly，makeupatrueandperfectfriendship。

Thatofchildrentoparentsisratherrespect:friendshipisnourishedbycommunication，whichcannotbyreasonofthegreatdisparity，bebetwixtthese，butwouldratherperhapsoffendthedutiesofnature;forneitherareallthesecretthoughtsoffathersfittobecommunicatedtochildren，lestitbegetanindecentfamiliaritybetwixtthem;norcantheadvicesandreproofs，whichisoneoftheprincipalofficesoffriendship，beproperlyperformedbythesontothefather。Therearesomecountrieswhere’twasthecustomforchildrentokilltheirfathers;

andothers，wherethefatherskilledtheirchildren，toavoidtheirbeinganimpedimentonetoanotherinlife;andnaturallytheexpectationsoftheonedependupontheruinoftheother。Therehavebeengreatphilosopherswhohavemadenothingofthistieofnature，asAristippusforone，whobeingpressedhomeabouttheaffectionheowedtohischildren，asbeingcomeoutofhim，presentlyfelltospit，saying，thatthisalsocameoutofhim，andthatwealsobreedwormsandlice;andthatother，thatPlutarchendeavouredtoreconciletohisbrother:

"Imakeneverthemoreaccountofhim，"saidhe，"forcomingoutofthesamehole。"Thisnameofbrotherdoesindeedcarrywithitafineanddelectablesound，andforthatreason，heandIcalledoneanotherbrothersbutthecomplicationofinterests，thedivisionofestates，andthatthewealthoftheoneshouldbethepropertyoftheother，strangelyrelaxandweakenthefraternaltie:brotherspursuingtheirfortuneandadvancementbythesamepath，’tishardlypossiblebuttheymustofnecessityoftenjostleandhinderoneanother。Besides，whyisitnecessarythatthecorrespondenceofmanners，parts，andinclinations，whichbegetsthetrueandperfectfriendships，shouldalwaysmeetintheserelations？Thefatherandthesonmaybeofquitecontraryhumours，andsoofbrothers:heismyson，heismybrother;butheispassionate，ill—natured，orafool。Andmoreover，byhowmuchthesearefriendshipsthatthelawandnaturalobligationimposeuponus，somuchlessisthereofourownchoiceandvoluntaryfreedom;whereasthatvoluntarylibertyofourshasnoproductionmorepromptlyand;properlyitsownthanaffectionandfriendship。NotthatIhavenotinmyownpersonexperimentedallthatcanpossiblybeexpectedofthatkind，havinghadthebestandmostindulgentfather，eventohisextremeoldage，thateverwas，andwhowashimselfdescendedfromafamilyformanygenerationsfamousandexemplaryforbrotherlyconcord:

"EtipseNotusinfratresanimipaterni。"

["AndImyself，knownforpaternallovetowardmybrothers。"

——Horace，Ode，ii。2，6。

Wearenotheretobringthelovewebeartowomen，thoughitbeanactofourownchoice，intocomparison，norrankitwiththeothers。Thefireofthis，Iconfess，"NequeenimestdeanescianostriQuxdulcemcurismiscetamaritiem，"

["Noristhegoddessunknowntomewhomixesasweetbitternesswithmylove。"———Catullus，lxviii。17。]

ismoreactive，moreeager，andmoresharp:butwithal，’tismoreprecipitant，fickle，moving，andinconstant;afeversubjecttointermissionsandparoxysms，thathasseizedbutononepartofus。

Whereasinfriendship，’tisageneralanduniversalfire，buttemperateandequal，aconstantestablishedheat，allgentleandsmooth，withoutpoignancyorroughness。Moreover，inlove，’tisnootherthanfranticdesireforthatwhichfliesfromus:

"ComeseguelalepreilcacciatoreAlfreddo，alcaldo，allamontagna，allito;

Nepiul’estimapoithepresavede;

Esoldietroachifuggeaffrettailpiede"

["Asthehunterpursuesthehare，incoldandheat，tothemountain，totheshore，norcaresforitfartherwhenheseesittaken，andonlydelightsinchasingthatwhichfleesfromhim。"——Aristo，x。7。]

sosoonasitentersuntothetermsoffriendship，thatistosay，intoaconcurrenceofdesires，itvanishesandisgone，fruitiondestroysit，ashavingonlyafleshlyend，andsuchaoneasissubjecttosatiety。

Friendship，onthecontrary，isenjoyedproportionablyasitisdesired;

andonlygrowsup，isnourishedandimprovedbyenjoyment，asbeingofitselfspiritual，andthesoulgrowingstillmorerefinedbypractice。

Underthisperfectfriendship，theotherfleetingaffectionshaveinmyyoungeryearsfoundsomeplaceinme，tosaynothingofhim，whohimselfsoconfessesbuttoomuchinhisverses;sothatIhadboththesepassions，butalwaysso，thatIcouldmyselfwellenoughdistinguishthem，andneverinanydegreeofcomparisonwithoneanother;thefirstmaintainingitsflightinsoloftyandsobraveaplace，aswithdisdaintolookdown，andseetheotherflyingatafarhumblerpitchbelow。

Asconcerningmarriage，besidesthatitisacovenant，theentranceintowhichonlyisfree，butthecontinuanceinitforcedandcompulsory，havinganotherdependencethanthatofourownfreewill，andabargaincommonlycontractedtootherends，therealmostalwayshappensathousandintricaciesinittounravel，enoughtobreakthethreadandtodivertthecurrentofalivelyaffection:whereasfriendshiphasnomannerofbusinessortrafficwithaughtbutitself。Moreover，tosaytruth，theordinarytalentofwomenisnotsuchasissufficienttomaintaintheconferenceandcommunicationrequiredtothesupportofthissacredtie;

nordotheyappeartobeenduedwithconstancyofmind，tosustainthepinchofsohardanddurableaknot。Anddoubtless，ifwithoutthis，therecouldbesuchafreeandvoluntaryfamiliaritycontracted，wherenotonlythesoulsmighthavethisentirefruition，butthebodiesalsomightshareinthealliance，andamanbeengagedthroughout，thefriendshipwouldcertainlybemorefullandperfect;butitiswithoutexamplethatthissexhaseveryetarrivedatsuchperfection;and，bythecommonconsentoftheancientschools，itiswhollyrejectedfromit。

ThatotherGrecianlicenceisjustlyabhorredbyourmanners，whichalso，fromhaving，accordingtotheirpractice，asonecessarydisparityofageanddifferenceofofficesbetwixtthelovers，answerednomoretotheperfectunionandharmonythatwehererequirethantheother:

"Quisestenimisteamoramicitiae？curnequedeformemadolescentemquisquamamat，nequeformosumsenem？"

["Forwhatisthatfriendlylove？whydoesnooneloveadeformedyouthoracomelyoldman？"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。33。]

NeitherwillthatverypicturethattheAcademypresentsofit，asI

conceive，contradictme，whenIsay，thatthisfirstfuryinspiredbythesonofVenusintotheheartofthelover，uponsightoftheflowerandprimeofaspringingandblossomingyouth，towhichtheyallowalltheinsolentandpassionateeffortsthatanimmoderateardourcanproduce，wassimplyfoundeduponexternalbeauty，thefalseimageofcorporalgeneration;foritcouldnotgroundthisloveuponthesoul，thesightofwhichasyetlayconcealed，wasbutnowspringing，andnotofmaturitytoblossom;thatthisfury，ifitseizeduponalowspirit，themeansbywhichitpreferreditssuitwererichpresents，favourinadvancementtodignities，andsuchtrumpery，whichtheybynomeansapprove;ifonamoregeneroussoul，thepursuitwassuitablygenerous，byphilosophicalinstructions，preceptstoreverereligion，toobeythelaws，todieforthegoodofone’scountry;byexamplesofvalour，prudence，andjustice，theloverstudyingtorenderhimselfacceptablebythegraceandbeautyofthesoul，thatofhisbodybeinglongsincefadedanddecayed，hopingbythismentalsocietytoestablishamorefirmandlastingcontract。

Whenthiscourtshipcametoeffectindueseason（forthatwhichtheydonotrequireinthelover，namely，leisureanddiscretioninhispursuit，theystrictlyrequireinthepersonloved，forasmuchasheistojudgeofaninternalbeauty，ofdifficultknowledgeandabstrusediscovery），thentheresprunginthepersonlovedthedesireofaspiritualconception;

bythemediationofaspiritualbeauty。Thiswastheprincipal;thecorporeal，anaccidentalandsecondarymatter;quitethecontraryastothelover。Forthisreasontheypreferthepersonbeloved，maintainingthatthegodsinlikemannerpreferredhimtoo，andverymuchblamethepoetAEschylusforhaving，inthelovesofAchillesandPatroclus，giventhelover’sparttoAchilles，whowasinthefirstandbeardlessflowerofhisadolescence，andthehandsomestofalltheGreeks。Afterthisgeneralcommunity，thesovereign，andmostworthypartpresidingandgoverning，andperformingitsproperoffices，theysay，thatthencegreatutilitywasderived，bothbyprivateandpublicconcerns;thatitconstitutedtheforceandpowerofthecountrieswhereitprevailed，andthechiefestsecurityoflibertyandjustice。OfwhichthehealthylovesofHarmodiusandAristogitonareinstances。Andthereforeitisthattheycalleditsacredanddivine，andconceivethatnothingbuttheviolenceoftyrantsandthebasenessofthecommonpeopleareinimicaltoit。Finally，allthatcanbesaidinfavouroftheAcademyis，thatitwasalovewhichendedinfriendship，whichwellenoughagreeswiththeStoicaldefinitionoflove:

"Amoremconatumesseamicitiaefaciendaeexpulchritudinisspecie。"

["Loveisadesireofcontractingfriendshiparisingfromthebeautyoftheobject。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，vi。34。]

Ireturntomyownmorejustandtruedescription:

"Omninoamicitiae，corroboratisjamconfirmatisque，etingeniis，etaetatibus，judicandaesunt。"

["Thoseareonlytobereputedfriendshipsthatarefortifiedandconfirmedbyjudgementandthelengthoftime。"

——Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。20。]

Fortherest，whatwecommonlycallfriendsandfriendships，arenothingbutacquaintanceandfamiliarities，eitheroccasionallycontracted，oruponsomedesign，bymeansofwhichtherehappenssomelittleintercoursebetwixtoursouls。ButinthefriendshipIspeakof，theymixandworkthemselvesintoonepiece，withsouniversalamixture，thatthereisnomoresignoftheseambywhichtheywerefirstconjoined。IfamanshouldimportunemetogiveareasonwhyIlovedhim，Ifinditcouldnootherwisebeexpressed，thanbymakinganswer:becauseitwashe，becauseitwasI。Thereis，beyondallthatIamabletosay，Iknownotwhatinexplicableandfatedpowerthatbroughtonthisunion。Wesoughtoneanotherlongbeforewemet，andbythecharactersweheardofoneanother，whichwroughtuponouraffectionsmorethan，inreason，merereportsshoulddo;Ithink’twasbysomesecretappointmentofheaven。

Weembracedinournames;andatourfirstmeeting，whichwasaccidentallyatagreatcityentertainment，wefoundourselvessomutuallytakenwithoneanother，soacquainted，andsoendearedbetwixtourselves，thatfromthenceforwardnothingwassoneartousasoneanother。HewroteanexcellentLatinsatire，sinceprinted，whereinheexcusestheprecipitationofourintelligence，sosuddenlycometoperfection，saying，thatdestinedtohavesoshortacontinuance，asbegunsolate（forwewerebothfull—grownmen，andhesomeyearstheolder），therewasnotimetolose，norwerewetiedtoconformtotheexampleofthoseslowandregularfriendships，thatrequiresomanyprecautionsoflongpreliminaryconversation:Thishasnootherideathanthatofitself，andcanonlyrefertoitself:thisisnoonespecialconsideration，nortwo，northree，norfour，norathousand;’tisIknownotwhatquintessenceofallthismixture，which，seizingmywholewill，carriedittoplungeandloseitselfinhis，andthathavingseizedhiswholewill，broughtitbackwithequalconcurrenceandappetitetoplungeandloseitselfinmine。Imaytrulysaylose，reservingnothingtoourselvesthatwaseitherhisormine。——[AllthisrelatestoEstiennedelaBoetie。]

WhenLaelius，——[Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。II。]——inthepresenceoftheRomanconsuls，whoafterthayhadsentencedTiberiusGracchus，prosecutedallthosewhohadhadanyfamiliaritywithhimalso;cametoaskCaiusBlosius，whowashischiefestfriend，howmuchhewouldhavedoneforhim，andthathemadeanswer:"Allthings。"——"How！Allthings！"saidLaelius。"Andwhatifhehadcommandedyoutofireourtemples？"——"Hewouldneverhavecommandedmethat，"repliedBlosius。——"Butwhatifhehad？"saidLaelius。——"Iwouldhaveobeyedhim，"saidtheother。IfhewassoperfectafriendtoGracchusasthehistoriesreporthimtohavebeen，therewasyetnonecessityofoffendingtheconsulsbysuchaboldconfession，thoughhemightstillhaveretainedtheassurancehehadofGracchus’disposition。However，thosewhoaccusethisanswerasseditious，donotwellunderstandthemystery;norpresuppose，asitwastrue，thathehadGracchus’willinhissleeve，bothbythepowerofafriend，andtheperfectknowledgehehadoftheman:theyweremorefriendsthancitizens，morefriendstooneanotherthaneitherenemiesorfriendstotheircountry，orthanfriendstoambitionandinnovation;

havingabsolutelygivenupthemselvestooneanother，eitherheldabsolutelythereinsoftheother’sinclination;andsupposeallthisguidedbyvirtue，andallthisbytheconductofreason，whichalsowithouttheseithadnotbeenpossibletodo，Blosius’answerwassuchasitoughttobe。Ifanyoftheiractionsflewoutofthehandle，theywereneither（accordingtomymeasureoffriendship）friendstooneanother，nortothemselves。Astotherest，thisanswercarriesnoworsesound，thanminewoulddotoonethatshouldaskme:"Ifyourwillshouldcommandyoutokillyourdaughter，wouldyoudoit？"andthatIshouldmakeanswer，thatIwould;forthisexpressesnoconsenttosuchanact，forasmuchasIdonotintheleastsuspectmyownwill，andaslittlethatofsuchafriend。’Tisnotinthepowerofalltheeloquenceintheworld，todispossessmeofthecertaintyIhaveoftheintentionsandresolutionsofmyfriend;nay，nooneactionofhis，whatfacesoeveritmightbear，couldbepresentedtome，ofwhichIcouldnotpresently，andatfirstsight，findoutthemovingcause。Oursoulshaddrawnsounanimouslytogether，theyhadconsideredeachotherwithsoardentanaffection，andwiththelikeaffectionlaidopentheverybottomofourheartstooneanother’sview，thatInotonlyknewhisaswellasmyown;

butshouldcertainlyinanyconcernofminehavetrustedmyinterestmuchmorewillinglywithhim，thanwithmyself。

Letnoone，therefore，rankothercommonfriendshipswithsuchaoneasthis。Ihavehadasmuchexperienceoftheseasanother，andofthemostperfectoftheirkind:butIdonotadvisethatanyshouldconfoundtherulesoftheoneandtheother，fortheywouldfindthemselvesmuchdeceived。Inthoseotherordinaryfriendships，youaretowalkwithbridleinyourhand，withprudenceandcircumspection，forinthemtheknotisnotsosurethatamanmaynothalfsuspectitwillslip。"Lovehim，"saidChilo，——[AulusGellius，i。3。]——"soasifyouwereonedaytohatehim;andhatehimsoasyouwereonedaytolovehim。"Thisprecept，thoughabominableinthesovereignandperfectfriendshipI

speakof，isneverthelessverysoundastothepracticeoftheordinaryandcustomaryones，andtowhichthesayingthatAristotlehadsofrequentinhismouth，"Omyfriends，thereisnofriend，"mayveryfitlybeapplied。Inthisnoblecommerce，goodoffices，presents，andbenefits，bywhichotherfriendshipsaresupportedandmaintained，donotdeservesomuchastobementioned;andthereasonistheconcurrenceofourwills;for，asthekindnessIhaveformyselfreceivesnoincrease，foranythingIrelievemyselfwithalintimeofneed（whatevertheStoicssay），andasIdonotfindmyselfobligedtomyselfforanyserviceIdomyself:sotheunionofsuchfriends，beingtrulyperfect，deprivesthemofallideaofsuchduties，andmakesthemloatheandbanishfromtheirconversationthesewordsofdivisionanddistinction，benefits，obligation，acknowledgment，entreaty，thanks，andthelike。Allthings，wills，thoughts，opinions，goods，wives，children，honours，andlives，beingineffectcommonbetwixtthem，andthatabsoluteconcurrenceofaffectionsbeingnootherthanonesoulintwobodies（accordingtothatveryproperdefinitionofAristotle），theycanneitherlendnorgiveanythingtooneanother。Thisisthereasonwhythelawgivers，tohonourmarriagewithsomeresemblanceofthisdivinealliance，interdictallgiftsbetwixtmanandwife;inferringbythat，thatallshouldbelongtoeachofthem，andthattheyhavenothingtodivideortogivetoeachother。

If，inthefriendshipofwhichIspeak，onecouldgivetotheother，thereceiverofthebenefitwouldbethemanthatobligedhisfriend;foreachofthemcontendingandaboveallthingsstudyinghowtobeusefultotheother，hethatadministerstheoccasionistheliberalman，ingivinghisfriendthesatisfactionofdoingthattowardshimwhichaboveallthingshemostdesires。WhenthephilosopherDiogeneswantedmoney，heusedtosay，thatheredemandeditofhisfriends，notthathedemandedit。Andtoletyouseethepracticalworkingofthis，Iwillhereproduceanancientandsingularexample。Eudamidas，aCorinthian，hadtwofriends，CharixenusaSicyonianandAreteusaCorinthian;thismancomingtodie，beingpoor，andhistwofriendsrich，hemadehiswillafterthismanner。"IbequeathtoAreteusthemaintenanceofmymother，tosupportandprovideforherinheroldage;andtoCharixenusI

bequeaththecareofmarryingmydaughter，andtogiveherasgoodaportionasheisable;andincaseoneofthesechancetodie，Iherebysubstitutethesurvivorinhisplace。"Theywhofirstsawthiswillmadethemselvesverymerryatthecontents:butthelegatees，beingmadeacquaintedwithit，accepteditwithverygreatcontent;andoneofthem，Charixenus，dyingwithinfivedaysafter，andbythatmeansthechargeofbothdutiesdevolvingsolelyonhim，Areteusnurturedtheoldwomanwithverygreatcareandtenderness，andoffivetalentshehadinestate，hegavetwoandahalfinmarriagewithanonlydaughterhehadofhisown，andtwoandahalfinmarriagewiththedaughterofEudamidas，andononeandthesamedaysolemnisedboththeirnuptials。

Thisexampleisveryfull，ifonethingwerenottobeobjected，namelythemultitudeoffriendsfortheperfectfriendshipIspeakofisindivisible;eachonegiveshimselfsoentirelytohisfriend，thathehasnothinglefttodistributetoothers:onthecontrary，issorrythatheisnotdouble，treble，orquadruple，andthathehasnotmanysoulsandmanywills，toconferthemalluponthisoneobject。Commonfriendshipswilladmitofdivision;onemaylovethebeautyofthisperson，thegood—humourofthat，theliberalityofathird，thepaternalaffectionofafourth，thefraternalloveofafifth，andsooftherest:

butthisfriendshipthatpossessesthewholesoul，andthererulesandswayswithanabsolutesovereignty，cannotpossiblyadmitofarival。

Iftwoatthesametimeshouldcalltoyouforsuccour，towhichofthemwouldyourun？Shouldtheyrequireofyoucontraryoffices，howcouldyouservethemboth？Shouldonecommitathingtoyoursilencethatitwereofimportancetotheothertoknow，howwouldyoudisengageyourself？Auniqueandparticularfriendshipdissolvesallotherobligationswhatsoever:thesecretIhaveswornnottorevealtoanyother，Imaywithoutperjurycommunicatetohimwhoisnotanother，butmyself。’Tismiracleenoughcertainly，foramantodoublehimself，andthosethattalkoftripling，talktheyknownotofwhat。Nothingisextreme，thathasitslike;andhewhoshallsuppose，thatoftwo，Iloveoneasmuchastheother，thattheymutuallyloveoneanothertoo，andlovemeasmuchasIlovethem，multipliesintoaconfraternitythemostsingleofunits，andwhereof，moreover，onealoneisthehardestthingintheworldtofind。TherestofthisstorysuitsverywellwithwhatI

wassaying;forEudamidas，asabountyandfavour，bequeathstohisfriendsalegacyofemployingthemselvesinhisnecessity;heleavesthemheirstothisliberalityofhis，whichconsistsingivingthemtheopportunityofconferringabenefituponhim;anddoubtless，theforceoffriendshipismoreeminentlyapparentinthisactofhis，thaninthatofAreteus。Inshort，theseareeffectsnottobeimaginednorcomprehendedbysuchashavenotexperienceofthem，andwhichmakemeinfinitelyhonourandadmiretheanswerofthatyoungsoldiertoCyrus，bywhombeingaskedhowmuchhewouldtakeforahorse，withwhichhehadwontheprizeofarace，andwhetherhewouldexchangehimforakingdom？——

"No，truly，sir，"saidhe，"butIwouldgivehimwithallmyheart，togettherebyatruefriend，couldIfindoutanymanworthyofthatalliance。"——[Xenophon，Cyropadia，viii。3。]——Hedidnotsayillinsaying，"couldIfind":forthoughonemayalmosteverywheremeetwithmensufficientlyqualifiedforasuperficialacquaintance，yetinthis，whereamanistodealfromtheverybottomofhisheart，withoutanymannerofreservation，itwillberequisitethatallthewardsandspringsbetrulywroughtandperfectlysure。

Inconfederationsthatholdbutbyoneend，weareonlytoprovideagainsttheimperfectionsthatparticularlyconcernthatend。Itcanbeofnoimportancetomeofwhatreligionmyphysicianormylawyeris;

thisconsiderationhasnothingincommonwiththeofficesoffriendshipwhichtheyoweme;andIamofthesameindifferenceinthedomesticacquaintancemyservantsmustnecessarilycontractwithme。Ineverinquire，whenIamtotakeafootman，ifhebechaste，butifhebediligent;andamnotsolicitousifmymuleteerbegiventogaming，asifhebestrongandable;orifmycookbeaswearer，ifhebeagoodcook。

Idonottakeuponmetodirectwhatothermenshoulddointhegovernmentoftheirfamilies，thereareplentythatmeddleenoughwiththat，butonlygiveanaccountofmymethodinmyown:

"Mihisicususest:tibi，utopusestfacto，face。"

["Thishasbeenmyway;asforyou，doasyoufindneedful。

——"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。，28。]

Fortable—talk，Ipreferthepleasantandwittybeforethelearnedandthegrave;inbed，beautybeforegoodness;incommondiscoursetheablestspeaker，whetherornotherebesincerityinthecase。And，ashethatwasfoundastrideuponahobby—horse，playingwithhischildren，entreatedthepersonwhohadsurprisedhiminthatposturetosaynothingofittillhimselfcametobeafather，——[Plutarch，LifeofAgesilaus，c。9。]——supposingthatthefondnessthatwouldthenpossesshisownsoul，wouldrenderhimafairerjudgeofsuchanaction;soI，also，couldwishtospeaktosuchashavehadexperienceofwhatIsay:though，knowinghowremoteathingsuchafriendshipisfromthecommonpractice，andhowrarelyitistobefound，Idespairofmeetingwithanysuchjudge。Foreventhesediscoursesleftusbyantiquityuponthissubject，seemtomeflatandpoor，incomparisonofthesenseIhaveofit，andinthisparticular，theeffectssurpasseventhepreceptsofphilosophy"Nilegocontulerimjucundosanusamico。"

["WhileIhavesenselefttome，therewillneverbeanythingmoreacceptabletomethananagreeablefriend。"

——Horace，Sat。，i。5，44。]

TheancientMenanderdeclaredhimtobehappythathadhadthegoodfortunetomeetwithbuttheshadowofafriend:anddoubtlesshehadgoodreasontosayso，especiallyifhespokebyexperience:foringoodearnest，ifIcomparealltherestofmylife，though，thanksbetoGod，Ihavepassedmytimepleasantlyenough，andatmyease，andthelossofsuchafriendexcepted，freefromanygrievousaffliction，andingreattranquillityofmind，havingbeencontentedwithmynaturalandoriginalcommodities，withoutbeingsolicitousafterothers;ifIshouldcompareitall，Isay，withthefouryearsIhadthehappinesstoenjoythesweetsocietyofthisexcellentman，’tisnothingbutsmoke，anobscureandtediousnight。FromthedaythatIlosthim:

"Quernsemperacerbum，Semperhonoratum（sic，di，voluistis）habebo，"

["Adayformeeversad，foreversacred，sohaveyouwilledyegods。"——AEneid，v。49。]

Ihaveonlyledalanguishinglife;andtheverypleasuresthatpresentthemselvestome，insteadofadministeringanythingofconsolation，doublemyafflictionforhisloss。Wewerehalvesthroughout，andtothatdegree，thatmethinks，byoutlivinghim，Idefraudhimofhispart。

"NecfasesseullamevoluptatehicfruiDecrevi，tantisperdumilleabestmeusparticeps。"

["Ihavedeterminedthatitwillneverberightformetoenjoyanypleasure，solongashe，withwhomIsharedallpleasuresisaway。"

——"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。97。]

Iwassogrownandaccustomedtobealwayshisdoubleinallplacesandinallthings，thatmethinksIamnomorethanhalfofmyself:

"IllammeaesipartemanimatulitMaturiorvis，quidmororaltera？

Neccarusaeque，necsuperstesInteger？IllediesutramqueDuxitruinam。"

["Ifthathalfofmysoulweresnatchawayfrommebyanuntimelystroke，whyshouldtheotherstay？Thatwhichremainswillnotbeequallydear，willnotbewhole:thesamedaywillinvolvethedestructionofboth。"

or:

["Ifasuperiorforcehastakenthatpartofmysoul，whydoI，theremainingone，lingerbehind？Whatisleftisnotsodear，noranentirething:thisdayhaswroughtthedestructionofboth。"

——Horace，Ode，ii。17，5。]

ThereisnoactionorimaginationofminewhereinIdonotmisshim;asI

knowthathewouldhavemissedme:forashesurpassedmebyinfinitedegreesinvirtueandallotheraccomplishments，sohealsodidinthedutiesoffriendship:

"Quisdesideriositpudor，autmodusTamcaricapitis？"

["Whatshamecanthere，ormeasure，inlamentingsodearafriend？"

——Horace，Ode，i。24，I。]

"Omiserofraterademptemihi！

Omniatecumunaperieruntgaudianostra，Quaetuusinvitadulcisalebatamor。

Tumea，tumoriensfregisticommoda，frater;

TecumunatotaestnostrasepultaanimaCujusegointeritutotadementhefugaviHaecstudia，atqueomnesdeliciasanimi。

Alloquar？audieronunquamtuaverbaloquentem？

Nunquamegote，vitafrateramabiliorAspiciamposthac;atcertesemperamabo;"

["Obrother，takenfrommemiserable！withthee，allourjoyshavevanished，thosejoyswhich，inthylife，thydearlovenourished。

Dying，thou，mybrother，hastdestroyedallmyhappiness。Mywholesoulisburiedwiththee。ThroughwhosedeathIhavebanishedfrommymindthesestudies，andallthedelightsofthemind。ShallI

addressthee？Ishallneverhearthyvoice。NevershallIbeholdtheehereafter。Obrother，dearertomethanlife。Noughtremains，butassuredlyIshalleverlovethee。"——Catullus，lxviii。20;lxv。]

Butletushearaboyofsixteenspeak:

——[InCotton’stranslationtheworkreferredtois"thoseMemoirsuponthefamousedictofJanuary，"ofwhichmentionhasalreadybeenmadeinthepresentedition。Theeditionof1580，however，andtheVariorumeditionof1872—1900，indicatenoparticularwork;buttheeditionof158ohasit"thisboyofeighteenyears"（whichwastheageatwhichLaBoetiewrotehis"ServitudeVolontaire"），speaksof"aboyofsixteen"asoccurringonlyinthecommoneditions，anditwouldseemtolerablyclearthatthismoreimportantworkwas，infact，theproductiontowhichMontaignerefers，andthattheproperreadingofthetextshouldbe"sixteenyears。"What"thisboyspoke"isnotgivenbyMontaigne，forthereasonstatedinthenextfollowingparagraph。

"BecauseIhavefoundthatthatworkhasbeensincebroughtout，andwithamischievousdesign，bythosewhoaimatdisturbingandchangingtheconditionofourgovernment，withouttroublingthemselvestothinkwhethertheyarelikelytoimproveit:andbecausetheyhavemixeduphisworkwithsomeoftheirownperformance，Ihaverefrainedfrominsertingithere。Butthatthememoryoftheauthormaynotbeinjured，norsufferwithsuchascouldnotcomenear—handtobeacquaintedwithhisprinciples，Iheregivethemtounderstand，thatitwaswrittenbyhiminhisboyhood，andthatbywayofexerciseonly，asacommonthemethathasbeenhackneyedbyathousandwriters。Imakenoquestionbutthathehimselfbelievedwhathewrote，beingsoconscientiousthathewouldnotsomuchaslieinjest:andImoreoverknow，thatcouldithavebeeninhisownchoice，hehadratherhavebeenbornatVenice，thanatSarlac;

andwithreason。Buthehadanothermaximsovereigntyimprintedinhissoul，veryreligiouslytoobeyandsubmittothelawsunderwhichhewasborn。Thereneverwasabettercitizen，moreaffectionatetohiscountry;noragreaterenemytoallthecommotionsandinnovationsofhistime:sothathewouldmuchratherhaveemployedhistalenttotheextinguishingofthosecivilflames，thanhaveaddedanyfueltothem;

hehadamindfashionedtothemodelofbetterages。Now，inexchangeofthisseriouspiece，Iwillpresentyouwithanotherofamoregayandfrolicair，fromthesamehand，andwrittenatthesameage。"