are more than ours," replied, "For how many then wilt thou reckon me ? 22 1 Life of Pelopidas. Archimedes had stated, that given the force, any given weight might be moved; and even boasted that if there were another earth, by going into it he could remove this. Life of Marcellus. It is a difficult task, O citizens, to make speeches to the belly, which has no ears.2 Life of Marcus Cato. Cato used to assert that wise men profited more by fools than fools by wise men; for that wise men avoided the faults of fools, but that fools would not imitate the good examples of wise men. Ibid. He said that in his whole life he most repented of three things: one was that he had trusted a secret to a woman; another, that he went by water when he might have gone by land; the third, that he had remained one whole day without doing any business of moment. Ibid. Marius said, "I see the cure is not worth the pain." Life of Caius Marius. Extraordinary rains pretty generally fall after great Ibid. battles. Lysander said that the law spoke too softly to be heard in such a noise of war. Ibid. As it is in the proverb, played Cretan against Cretan." Life of Lysander. Did you not know, then, that to-day Lucullus sups with Lucullus? aaid, Life of Lucullus. 1 The pilot telling Antigonus the enemy outnumbered him in ships, he "But how many ships do you reckon my presence to be worth?" Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. (Antignus 11.) 2 The belly has no ears, nor is it to be filled with fair words. - RABELAis: book iv. chap. lxvii. * See Bacon, page 165. This has been observed in modern times, and attributed to the effect of gunpowder. • Or cheat against cheat. The Cretans were famous as liars. It is no great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur. If the number and variety of subjects to be wrought upon be infinite, it is all the more easy for fortune, with such an abundance of material, to effect this similarity of results.1 Life of Sertorius. Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little. Ibid. Agesilaus being invited once to hear a man who admirably imitated the nightingale, he declined, saying he had heard the nightingale itself." Life of Agesilaus 11. It is circumstance and proper measure that give an action its character, and make it either good or bad. Ibid. The old proverb was now made good, "the mountain had brought forth a mouse. Ibid. Pompey bade Sylla recollect that more worshipped the rising than the setting sun.* Life of Pompey. 1 'Tis one and the same Nature that rolls on her course, and whoever has sufficiently considered the present state of things might certainly conclude as to both the future and the past. MONTAIGNE Essays, book ii. chap zi. Apology for Raimond Sebond. I shall be content if those shall pronounce my History useful who desire to give a view of events as they did really happen, and as they are very likely, in accordance with human nature, to repeat themselves at some future time, if not exactly the same, yet very similar.- THUCYDIDES: Historia, i. 2, 2. What is this day supported by precedents will hereafter become a precedent. - Ibid., Annals, xi. 24. 2 Agesilaus being exhorted to hear one that imitated the voice of a nightingale, "I have often," said he, "heard nightingales themselves."- Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. (Agesilaus.) 8 See Horace, page 706. 4 See Garrick, page 387. He [Tiberius] upbraided Macro in no obscure and indirect terms "with forsaking the setting sun and turning to the rising."- TACITUS: Annals, book iv c. 47, 20. When some were saying that if Cæsar should march against the city they could not see what forces there were to resist him, Pompey replied with a smile, bidding them be in no concern, "for whenever I stamp my foot in any part of Italy there will rise up forces enough in an instant, both horse and foot." Life of Pompey The most glorious exploits do not always furnish us with the clearest discoveries of virtue or vice in men. Life of Alexander. Whenever Alexander heard Philip had taken any town of importance, or won any signal victory, instead of rejoicing at it altogether, he would tell his companions that his father would anticipate everything, and leave him and them no opportunities of performing great and illustrious actions.1 Ibid. Alexander said, “I assure you I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion." Ibid. When Alexander asked Diogenes whether he wanted. anything, "Yes," said he, "I would have you stand from between me and the sun." Ibid. When asked why he parted with his wife, Cæsar replied, "I wished my wife to be not so much as sus pected." 2 Life of Cæsar. For my part, I had rather be the first man among these fellows than the second man in Rome. Ibid. Using the proverb frequently in their mouths who enter apon dangerous and bold attempts, "The die is cast," he took the river.1 Ibid. 1 While Alexander was a boy, Philip had great success in his affairs, at which he did not rejoice, but told the children that were brought up with him, "My father will leave me nothing to do." - Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. (Alexander.) Caesar's wife ought to be free from suspicion. - Roman Apophthegms. (Cæsar.) 3 I had rather be the first in this town than second in Rome. — Ibid. ◄ He passed the river Rubicon, saying, "Let every die be thrown." — Ibid "And this," said Cæsar, "you know, young man, is more disagreeable for me to say than to do."1 Life of Cæsar. Go on, my friend, and fear nothing; you carry Cæsar and his fortunes in your boat.❜ Ibid. Cæsar said to the soothsayer, "The ides of March are come;" who answered him calmly, "Yes, they are come, but they are not past." Ibid. Even a nod from a person who is esteemed is of more force than a thousand arguments or studied sentences from others. Life of Phocion. Demosthenes told Phocion, "The Athenians will kill you some day when they once are in a rage." "And you," said he, "if they are once in their senses.' Ibid. Pythias once, scoffing at Demosthenes, said that his arguments smelt of the lamp. Life of Demosthenes. Demosthenes overcame and rendered more distinct his inarticulate and stammering pronunciation by speaking with pebbles in his mouth. Ibid. In his house he had a large looking-glass, before which he would stand and go through his exercises. Ibid. Cicero called Aristotle a river of flowing gold, and said of Plato's Dialogues, that if Jupiter were to speak, it would be in language like theirs. Life of Cicero. (From Plutarch's Morals. Translated by several hands; corrected and revised by W. W. Goodwin, Ph. D., Harvard University.) For water continually dropping will wear hard rocks hollow.5 Of the Training of Children. 1 Cæsar said to Metellus, "This, young man, is harder for me to say than do." Roman Apophthegms. (Cæsar.) 2 Trust Fortune, and know that you carry Cæsar. — Ibid. 8 See Shakespeare, page 112. - * Demosthenes the orator told Phocion, "If the Athenians should be mad, they would kill you." "Like enough," said he, "me if they were mad, but you if they were wise.". ·Apophthegms of Kings and Great Comman ders. (Phocion.) 6 See Lyly, page 32. It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man you will learn to halt. Of the Training of Children. The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in the felicity of lighting on good education. Ibid. It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors. Ibid. According to the proverb, the best things are the most difficult. Ibid. To sing the same tune, as the saying is, is in everything cloying and offensive; but men are generally pleased with variety. Ibid. Children are to be won to follow liberal studies by exhortations and rational motives, and on no account to be forced thereto by whipping. Ibid. Nothing made the horse so fat as the king's eye. Ibid. Democritus said, words are but the shadows of actions. Ibid. 'Tis a wise saying, Drive on your own track. Ibid. It is a point of wisdom to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well. Ibid. Eat not thy heart; which forbids to afflict our souls, and waste them with vexatious cares. Ibid. Abstain from beans; that is, keep out of public offices, for anciently the choice of the officers of state was made by beans. Ibid. When men are arrived at the goal, they should not turn back.2 Ibid. The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose. Ibid. An old doting fool, with one foot already in the grave. 2 See Publius Syrus page 711. 1 See Spenser, page 30. Ibid. |