Seneca'sEssaysVolumeI

Source:LuciusAnnasusSeneca.MoralEssays.TranslatedbyJohnW.Basore.The
LoebClassicalLibrary.London:W.Heinemann,19281935.3vols.:VolumeI.Before
usinganyportionofthistextinanytheme,essay,researchpaper,thesis,ordissertation,
pleasereadthedisclaimer.
Transcriptionconventions:Pagenumbersinanglebracketsrefertotheeditioncitedas
thesource.TheLatintext,whichappearsonevennumberedpages,isnotincludedhere.
Wordsorphrasessingledoutforindexingaremarkedbyplussigns.Intheindex,
numbersinparenthesesindicatehowmanytimestheitemappears.Aslashfollowedbya
smallletteroranumberindicatesafootnoteatthebottomofthepage.Onlynotesof
historical,philosophical,orliteraryinteresttoageneralreaderhavebeenincluded.Ihave
allowedGreekpassagestostandasthescannerreadthem,inunintelligiblestringsof
characters.

TableofContents:ONPROVIDENCE+|ONFIRMNESS+|ONANGER+|ONMERCY+

Index:ambition+(1)|anger+(2)|Anger_vs_reason+(1)|Animal_rationis_capax+(1)|
avarice+(1)|bees+(1)|caligo_mist+(1)|common+(2)|conscientious_objectors+(1)|
Cordelia+(1)|depravity+(1)|Douglas+(1)|effeminacy+(1)|epilepsy+(1)|equality+(1)|
fortune+(1)|fortune_favours_bold+(1)|HenV+(1)|Hotspur+(1)|injury+(1)|insanity+(1)|
interests+(1)|Jesus+(3)|king_over_himself+(1)|knowing_self+(1)|Lear+(5)|liberal+(1)
|Liberty+(1)|Lucy_poem+(1)|Macbeth+(1)|Macro_Micro+(1)|other_cheek+(1)|
Man_of_Mode+(1)|manly+(1)|nil_admirari+(1)|noblesse_oblige+(1)|Orig_sin+(1)|
Ovid_Phaeton+(1)|PlainDealer+(1)|Prom_Unbound+(1)|Prospero+(8)|rage+(2)|
rank+(1)|Regulus+(1)|Revenge+(1)|Saeva_indignatio+(1)|sentiment+(1)|
servitude+(1)|sinful_nature_of_man+(1)|social_creature+(1)|suicide+(1)|
Thou_owest_God_a_death+(1)|usurers+(1)|what_is_is_right+(1)|
whom_the_lord_loveth+(1)|woman+(1)|Yahoo+(2)|Yeats_to_a_friend+(1)

THEDIALOGUESOF
LUCIUSANNAEUSSENECA
BOOKI
TOLUCILIUSONPROVIDENCE+
Why,thoughthereisaProvidence,someMisfortunesbefallGoodMen.
Youhaveaskedme,Lucilius,why,ifaProvidencerulestheworld,itstillhappensthat
manyevilsbefallgoodmen.Thiswouldbemorefittinglyansweredinacoherentwork
designedtoprovethataProvidencedoespresideovertheuniverse,andthatGod
concernshimselfwithus.Butsinceitisyourwishthatapartbeseveredfromthewhole,
andthatIrefuteasingleobjectionwhilethemainquestionisleftuntouched,Ishalldoso
thetaskisnotdifficult,Ishallbepleadingthecauseofthegods.
Forthepresentpurposeitisunnecessarytoshowthatthismightystructureofthe
worlddoesnotendurewithoutsomeonetoguardit,andthattheassemblingandthe
separateflightofthestarsabovearenotduetotheworkingsofchancethatwhilebodies
whichowetheirmotiontoaccidentoftenfallintodisorderandquicklycollide,thisswift
revolutionoftheheavens,beingruledbyeternallaw,goes
<Ess13>
ONPROVIDENCE,i.24
onunhindered,producingsomanythingsonlandandsea,somanybrilliantlightsinthe
skyallshininginfixedarraythatthisregularitydoesnotbelongtomattermovingat
random,andthatwhatevercombinationsresultfromchancedonotadjustthemselves
withthatartistrywherebytheearth,theheaviestinweight,abidesimmovableandbeholds
theflightoftheskyasitwhirlsaroundit,andtheseas,floodingathevalleys,softenthe
land,andfeelnoincreasefromtherivers,andwherebyhugegrowthsspringupfromthe
tiniestseeds.EventhephenomenawhichseemirregularandundeterminedImean
showersandclouds,thestrokeofcrashingthunderboltsandthefiresthatbelchfromthe
rivenpeaksofmountains,tremorsofthequakingground,andtheotherdisturbances
whichtheturbulentelementinnaturesetsinmotionabouttheearth,these,nomatterhow
suddenlytheyoccur,donothappenwithoutareasonnay,theyalsoaretheresultof
specialeauses,andso,inlikemanner,arethosethingswhichseemmiraculousby
reasonoftheincongruoussituationsinwhichtheyarebeheld,suchaswarmwatersin
themidstoftheseawaves,andtheexpansesofnewislandsthatspringupinthewide
ocean.Moreover,ifanyoneobserveshowtheshoreislaidbareastheseawithdrawsinto
itself,andhowwithinashorttimethesamestretchiscoveredoveragain,hewillsuppose
thatitissomeblindfluctuationwhichcausesthewavesnowtoshrinkandflowinwards,
nowtoburstforthandinmightysweepseektheirformerrestingplace,whereasinfact
theyincreasebydegrees,andtruetothehourandthedaytheyapproachinpropor<
<Ess15>
ONPROVIDENCE,i.4ii.1
tionatelylargerorsmallervolumeaccordingastheyareattractedbythestarwecallthe
moon,atwhosebiddingtheoceansurges.Butletsuchmattersbekeptfortheirfitting
time,allthemoreso,indeed,becauseyoudonotlackfaithinProvidence,butcomplain
ofit.Ishallreconcileyouwiththegods,whoareeverbesttothosewhoarebest.For
Natureneverpermitsgoodtobeinjuredbygoodbetweengoodmenandthegodsthere
existsafriendshipbroughtaboutbyvirtue.
Friendship,doIsay?Nay,ratherthereisatieofrelationshipandalikeness,since,
intruth,agoodmandiffersfromGodintheelementoftimeonlyheisGod'spupil,his
imitator,andtrueoffspring,whomhisallgloriousparent,beingnomildtaskmasterof
virtues,rears,asstrictfathersdo,withmuchseverity.Andso,whenyouseethatmen
whoaregoodandacceptabletothegodslabourandsweatandhaveadifficultroadto
climb,thatthewicked,ontheotherhand,makemerryandaboundinpleasures,reflect
thatourchildrenpleaseusbytheirmodesty,butslaveboysbytheirforwardnessthatwe
holdinchecktheformerbysternerdiscipline,whileweencouragethelattertobebold.Be
assuredthatthesameistrueofGod.Hedoesnotmakeaspoiledpetofagoodmanhe
testshim,hardenshim,andfitshimforhisownservice.Youask,"Whydomany
adversitiescometogoodmen?"Noevilcanbefallagoodmanoppositesdonotmingle.
Justasthecountlessrivers,thevastfallofrainfromthesky,andthehugevolumeof
mineralspringsdonotchangethetasteofthesea,donotevenmodifyit,sotheassaults
ofadversitydonotweakenthespiritofabraveman.Italways
<Ess17>
ONPROVIDENCE,ii.16
maintainsitspoise,anditgivesitsowncolourtoeverythingthathappensforitismightier
thanallexternalthings.AndyetIdonotmeantosaythatthebravemanisinsensibleto
these,butthatheovercomesthem,andbeinginallelseunmovedandcalmrisestomeet
whateverassailshim.Allhisadversitieshecountsmeretraining.Who,moreover,ifheis
amanandintentupontheright,isnoteagerforreasonabletoilandreadyforduties
accompaniedbydanger?Towhatenergeticmanisnotidlenessapunishment?
Wrestlers,whomakestrengthofbodytheirchiefconcern,weseepittingthemselves
againstnonebutthestrongest,andtheyrequireofthosewhoarepreparingthemforthe
arenathattheyuseagainstthemalltheirstrengththeysubmittoblowsandhurts,andif
theydonotfindtheirmatchinsingleopponents,theyengagewithseveralatatime.
Withoutanadversary,prowessshrivels.Weseehowgreatandhowefficientitreallyis,
onlywhenitshowsbyendurancewhatitiscapableof.Beassuredthatgoodmenought
toactlikewisetheyshouldnotshrinkfromhardshipsanddifficulties,norcomplainagainst
fatetheyshouldtakeingoodpartwhateverhappens,andshouldturnittogood.Notwhat
youendure,buthowyouendure,isimportant.
Doyounotseehowfathersshowtheirloveinoneway,andmothersinanother?
Thefatherordershischildrentobearousedfromsleepinorderthattheymaystartearly
upontheirpursuits,evenonholidayshedoesnotpermitthemtobeidle,andhedraws
fromthemsweatandsometimestears.Butthemotherfondlestheminherlap,wishesto
keepthemoutofthesun,wishesthemnevertobeunhappy,nevertocry,nevertotoil.
Towardgood
<Ess19>
ONPROVIDENCE,ii.610
menGodhasthemindofafather,hecherishesforthemamanlylove,andhesays,"Let
thembeharassedbytoil,bysuffering,bylosses,inorderthattheymaygathertrue
strength."Bodiesgrownfatthroughslothareweak,andnotonlylabour,buteven
movementandtheirveryweightcausethemtobreakdown.Unimpairedprosperitycannot
withstandasingleblowbuthewhohasstruggledconstantlywithhisillsbecomes
hardenedthroughsufferingandyieldstonomisfortunenay,evenifhefalls,hestillfights
uponhisknees.DoyouwonderifthatGod,whomostdearlylovesthegood,whowishes
themtobecomesupremelygoodandvirtuous,allotstothemafortunethatwillmake
themstruggle?Formypart,Idonotwonderifsometimesthegodsaremovedbythe
desiretobeholdgreatmenwrestlewithsomecalamity.Wemenattimesarestirredwith
pleasureifayouthofsteadycouragemeetswithhisspearanonrushingwildbeast,if
unterrifiedhesustainsthechargeofalion.Andthemorehonourabletheyouthwhodoes
this,themorepleasingthisspectaclebecomes.Butthesearenotthethingstodraw
downthegazeofthegodsuponustheyarechildish,thepastimesofman'sfrivolity.But
lo!hereisaspectacleworthyoftheregardofGodashecontemplateshisworklo!here
acontestworthyofGod,abravemanmatchedagainstillfortune,anddoublysoifhis
alsowasthechallenge.Idonotknow,Isay,whatnoblersighttheLordofHeavencould
findonearth,shouldhewishtoturnhisattentionthere,thanthespectacleofCato,after
hiscausehadalreadybeenshatteredmorethanonce,neverthelessstandingerectamid
theruinsofthecommonwealth."Although,"saidhe,
<Ess111>
ONPROVIDENCE,ii.10iii.1
"alltheworldhasfallenunderoneman'ssway,althoughCaesar'slegionsguardtheland,
hisfleetsthesea,andCaesar'stroopsbesetthecitygates,yetCatohasawayof
escapewithonesinglehandhewillopenawidepathtofreedom.Thissword,unstained
andblamelessevenincivilwar,shallatlastdogoodandnobleservice:thefreedom
whichitcouldnotgivetohiscountryitshallgivetoCato!Essay,mysoul,thetasklong
planneddeliveryourselffromhumanaffairs.AlreadyPetreiusandJubahavemetandlie
fallen,eachslainbytheother'shand./aTheircompactwithFatewasbraveandnoble,but
formygreatnesssuchwouldbeunfit.ForCatoitwereasignobletobegdeathfromany
manastobeglife."Iamsurethatthegodslookedonwithexceedingjoywhilethathero,
mostruthlessinavenginghimself,tookthoughtforthesafetyofothersandarrangedthe
escapeofhisdepartingfollowerswhileevenonhislastnighthepursuedhisstudies
whilehedrovetheswordintohissacredbreastwhilehescatteredhisvitals,anddrew
forthbyhishandthatholiestspirit,toonobletobedefiledbythesteel./bIshouldliketo
believethatthisiswhythewoundwasnotwellaimedandefficaciousitwasnotenough
fortheimmortalgodstolookbutonceonCato.Hisvirtuewasheldincheckandcalled
backthatitmightdisplayitselfinaharderrolefortoseekdeathneedsnotsogreatasoul
astoreseekit.Surelythegodslookedwithpleasureupontheirpupilashemadehis
escapebysogloriousandmemorableanend!Deathconsecratesthosewhoseendeven
thosewhofearmustpraise.Butasthediscussionprogresses,Ishallshowhow
<Ess113>
ONPROVIDENCE,iii.12
thethingsthatseemtobeevilsarenotreallyso.ThismuchInowsaythatthosethings
whichyoucallhardships,whichyoucalladversitiesandaccursed,are,inthefirstplace,
forthegoodofthepersonsthemselvestowhomtheycomeinthesecondplace,that
theyareforthegoodofthewholehumanfamily,forwhichthegodshaveagreater
concernthanforsinglepersonsagain,Isaythatgoodmenarewillingthatthesethings
shouldhappenand,iftheyareunwilling,thattheydeservemisfortune.Ishalladd,further,
thatthesethingshappenthusbydestiny,andthattheyrightlybefallgoodmenbythe
samelawwhichmakesthemgood.Ishallinduceyou,infine,nevertocommiseratea
goodman.Forhecanbecalledmiserable,buthecannotbeso.
OfallthepropositionswhichIhaveadvanced,themostdifficultseemstobetheone
statedfirst,thatthosethingswhichweallshudderandtrembleatareforthegoodofthe
personsthemselvestowhomtheycome."Isit,"youask,"fortheirowngoodthatmenare
drivenintoexile,reducedtowant,thattheybeartothegravewifeorchildren,thatthey
sufferpublicdisgrace,andarebrokeninhealth?"Ifyouaresurprisedthatthesethingsare
foranyman'sgood,youmustalsobesurprisedthatbymeansofsurgeryandcautery,
andalsobyfastingandthirst,thesickaresometimesmadewell.Butifyouwillreflectthat
forthesakeofbeingcuredthesicksometimeshavetheirbonesscrapedandremoved,
andtheirveinspulledout,andthatsometimesmembersareamputatedwhichcouldnot
beleftwithoutcausingdestructiontothewholebody,youwillallowyourselftobe
convincedofthisaswell,thatillsaresometimesforthegoodofthosetowhom
<Ess115>
theycomejustasmuchso,mywordforit,asthatthingswhicharelaudedandsought
afteraresometimestothehurtofthosewhodelightinthem,beingverymuchlike
overeating,drunkenness,andtheotherindulgenceswhichkillbygivingpleasure.Among
themanyfinesayingsofonefriendDemetriusthereisthisone,whichIhavejustheardit
stillringsinmyears."Noman,"saidhe,"seemstomemoreunhappythanonewhohas
nevermetwithadversity."Forsuchamanhasneverhadanopportunitytotesthimself.
Thoughallthingshaveflowedtohimaccordingtohisprayer,thoughevenbeforehis
prayer,neverthelessthegodshavepassedanadversejudgementuponhim.Hewas
deemedunworthyevertogainthevictoryoverFortune,whodrawsbackfromallcowards,
asifshesaid,"WhyshouldIchoosethatfellowasmyadversary?Hewillstraightwaydrop
hisweaponsagainsthimIhavenoneedofallmypowerhewillberoutedbyapaltry
threathecannotbeareventhesightofmyface.Letmelookaroundforanotherwith
whomtojoinincombat.Iamashamedtomeetamanwhoisreadytobebeaten."
{fortune_favours_bold+}Agladiatorcountsitadisgracetobematchedwithaninferior,
andknowsthattowinwithoutdangeristowinwithoutglory.ThesameistrueofFortune.
Sheseeksoutthebravestmentomatchwithhersomeshepassesbyindisdain.Those
thataremoststubbornandunbendingsheassails,menagainstwhomshemayexertall
herstrength.Muciusshetriesbyfire,Fabriciusbypoverty,Rutiliusbyexile,Regulusby
torture,Socratesbypoison,Catobydeath.Itisonlyevilfortunethatdiscoversagreat
exemplar.
<Ess117>
ONPROVIDENCE,iii.57
IsMuciusunfortunatebecausehegraspstheflamesoftheenemywithhisright
handandforceshimselftopaythepenaltyofhismistake?becausewithhischarredhand
heroutsthekingwhomwithhisarmedhandhecouldnotrout?Tellme,then,wouldhebe
happierifhewerewarminghishandinhismistress'sbosom?
IsFabriciusunfortunatebecause,wheneverhehasleisurefromaffairsofstate,he
tillshisfields?becausehewageswarnotlessonrichesthanonPyrrhus?becausethe
rootsandherbsonwhichhedinesbesidehisheartharethosethathehimself,anold
manandhonouredbyatriumph,grubbedupincleaningoffhisland?Tellme,then,would
hebehappierifheloadedhisbellywithfishfromadistantshoreandwithbirdsfrom
foreignparts?ifhearousedthesluggishnessofhisloathingstomachwithshellfishfrom
theeasternandthewesternsea?ifhehadgameofthefirstorder,whichhadbeen
capturedatthecostofmanyahunter'slife,servedwithfruitpiledhigharound?
IsRutiliusunfortunatebecausethosewhocondemnedhimwillhavetopleadtheir
causethroughalltheages?becausehewasmorecontenttoendurethathiscountry
shouldberobbedofhimthanthatheshouldberobbedofexile?becausehewastheonly
onewhorefusedanythingtothedictatorSulla,andwhenrecalledfromexileallbutdrew
backandfledfartheraway?"Letthose,"sayshe,"whomyourI'happy'era/ahascaughtat
Rome,beholdit.Letthemseetheforumstreamingwithblood,andtheheadsofsenators
placedabovethepoolofServiliusfortherethevictimsofSulla'sproscriptionsare
strippedandbandsofassassins
<Ess119>
ONPROVIDENCE,III.710
roamingatlargethroughoutthecity,andmanythousandsofRomancitizensbutcheredin
onespotafter,nay,byreasonof,apromiseofsecurity,letthosewhocannotgointo
exilebeholdthesethings!"IsLuciusSullahappybecausehiswayisclearedbythesword
whenhedescendstotheforum?becausehesufferstheheadsofconsularstobeshown
himandhasthetreasurerpaythepriceoftheirassassinationoutofthepublicfunds?And
theseallarethedeedsofthatmanthatmanwhoproposedtheCornelianLaw!/aLetus
comenowtoRegulus+:whatinjurydidFortunedotohimbecauseshemadehima
patternofloyalty,apatternofendurance?Nailspiercehisskin,andwhereverherestshis
weariedbodyheliesuponawoundhiseyesarestarkineternalsleeplessness.Butthe
greaterhistortureis,thegreatershallbehisglory.Wouldyouliketoknowhowlittlehe
regretsthatheratedvirtueatsuchaprice?Makehimwholeagainandsendhimbackto
thesenatehewillexpressthesameopinion.Doyou,then,thinkMaecenasahappier
man,who,distressedbyloveandgrievingoverthedailyrepulsesofhiswaywardwife,
courtedslumberbymeansofharmoniousmusic,echoingfaintlyfromadistance?
Althoughhedrugshimselfwithwine,anddivertshisworriedmindwiththesoundof
ripplingwaters,andbeguilesitwithathousandpleasures,yethe,uponhisbedofdown,
willnomoreclosehiseyesthanthatotheruponhiscross.Butwhiletheone,consoledby
thethoughtthatheissufferinghardshipforthesakeofright,turnshiseyesfromhis
sufferingtoitscause,theother,jadedwithpleasuresandstrugglingwithtoomuchgood
fortune,
<Ess121>
ONPROVIDENCE,iii.1114
isharassedlessbywhathesuffersthanbythereasonforhissuffering.Surelythehuman
racehasnotcomesocompletelyundertheswayofviceastocauseadoubtwhether,if
Fateshouldgivethechoice,moremenwouldratherbebornaRegulusthanaMaecenas
orifthereshouldbeoneboldenoughtosaythathewouldratherhavebeenborna
MaecenasthanaRegulus,thefellow,althoughhemaynotadmitit,wouldratherhave
beenbornaTerentia/a!DoyouconsiderthatSocrateswasillusedbecausehedrank
downthatdrought/bwhichthestatehadbrewedasifitwereanelixirofimmortallife,and
uptothepointofdeathdiscoursedondeath?Washeilltreatedbecausehisbloodgrew
cold,and,asthechillspread,graduallythebeatingofhispulsesstopped?Howmuch
moreshouldweenvyhimthanthosewhoareservedincupsofpreciousstone,whose
wineacatamiteatoolforanything,anunsexedorsexlesscreaturediluteswithsnow
heldaboveinagoldenvessel!Theywillmeasureoutafreshalltheirdrinkinvomit,with
wryfacestastinginitssteadtheirownbilebuthewillquaffthepoisongladlyandwith
goodcheer.TouchingCato,enoughhasbeensaid,anditwillbegrantedbythe
consensusofmankindthatthatgreatmanreachedthepinnacleofhappiness,hewhom
Naturechosetobetheonewithwhomherdreadpowershouldclash."Theenmityofthe
powerful,"saidshe,"isahardshipthenlethimmatchhimselfatoneandthesametime
againstPompey,Caesar,andCrassus.Itisahardshiptobeoutstrippedbyaninferiorin
thecandidacyforofficethenlethimbedefeatedbyVatinius./cItis
<Ess123>
ONPROVIDENCE,iii.14iv.4
ahardshiptoengageincivilwarthenlethimfightthewholeworldoverforajustcause,
everwithillsuccessbutwithequalstubbornness.Itisahardshiptolayhandupononeself
thenlethimdoit.AndwhatshallIgaintherebythatallmayknowthatthesethingsof
whichIhavedeemedCatoworthyarenotrealills."
Successcomestothecommonman,andeventocommonplaceabilitybutto
triumphoverthecalamitiesandterrorsofmortallifeisthepartofagreatmanonly.Truly,
tobealwayshappyandtopassthroughlifewithoutamentalpangistobeignorantofone
halfofnature.YouareagreatmanbuthowdoIknowitifFortunegivesyouno
opportunityofshowingyourworth?YouhaveenteredasacontestantattheOlympic
games,butnoneotherbesidesyouyougainthecrown,thevictoryyoudonotgain.You
havemycongratulationsnotasabraveman,butasifyouhadobtainedtheconsulship
orpraetorshipyouhaveenhancedyourprestige.Inlikemanner,also,Imaysaytoagood
man,ifnohardercircumstancehasgivenhimtheopportunitywherebyalonehemight
showthestrengthofhismind,"Ijudgeyouunfortunatebecauseyouhaveneverbeen
unfortunateyouhavepassedthroughlifewithoutanantagonistnoonewillknowwhat
youcando,notevenyourself."Forifamanistoknowhimself,hemustbetestedno
onefindsoutwhatbecandoexceptbytrying.{knowing_self+}andsosomemenhave
presentedthemselvesvoluntarilytolaggardmisfortune,andhavesoughtanopportunityto
blazonforththeirworthwhenitwasbuttopassintoobscurity.Greatmen,Isay,rejoice
ofttimesinadversity,asdobravesoldiersin
<Ess125>
ONPROVIDENCE,iv.46
warfare.IonceheardTriumphus,agladiatorinthetimeofTiberiusCaesar,complaining
ofthescarcityofshows."Howfairanage,"hesaid,"haspassedaway!"
Trueworthiseagerfordangerandthinksratherofitsgoalthanofwhatitmay
havetosuffer,sinceevenwhatitwillhavetosufferisapartofitsglory.{Hotspur+}
Warriorsgloryintheirwoundsandrejoicetodisplaythebloodspilledwithluckierfortune+.
Thosewhoreturnfromthebattleunhurtmayhavefoughtaswell,butthemanwho
returnswithawoundwinsthegreaterregard.God,Isay,isshowingfavourtothose
whomhewillsshallachievethehighestpossiblevirtuewheneverhegivesthemthe
meansofdoingacourageousandbravedeed,andtothisendtheymustencountersome
difficultyinlife.Youlearntoknowapilotinastorm,asoldierinthebattleline.HowcanI
knowwithwhatspirityouwillfacepoverty,ifyouwallowinwealth?HowcanIknowwith
whatfirmnessyouwillfacedisgrace,illfame,andpublichatred,ifyouattaintooldage
amidstroundsofapplause,ifapopularityattendsyouthatisirresistible,andflowstoyou
fromacertainleaningofmen'sminds?HowdoIknowwithwhatequanimityyouwould
bearthelossofchildren,ifyouseearoundyouallthatyouhavefathered?Ihaveheard
youofferingconsolationtoothers.Ifyouhadbeenofferingittoyourself,ifyouhadbeen
tellingyourselfnottogrieve,thenImighthaveseenyourtruecharacter.Donot,Ibegof
you,shrinkinfearfromthosethingswhichtheimmortalgodsapplylikespurs,asitwere,
to,oursouls.DisasterisVirtue'sopportunity.Justlymaythosebetermedunhappywho
aredulledby
<Ess127>
ONPROVIDENCE,iv.69
anexcessofgoodfortune,whorest,asitwere,indeadcalmuponaquietseawhatever
happenswillcometothemasachange.
Cruelfortunebearshardestupontheinexperiencedtothetendernecktheyokeisheavy.
Therawrecruitturnspaleatthethoughtofawound,buttheveteranlooksundaunted
uponhisowngore,knowingthatbloodhasoftenbeenthepriceofhisvictory.
InlikemannerGodhardens,reviews,anddisciplinesthosewhomheapproves,whomhe
loves.{whom_the_lord_loveth+}Those,however,whomheseemstofavour,whomhe
seemstospare,heisreallykeepingsoftagainstillstocome.Foryouarewrongifyou
supposethatanyoneisexemptfromill.Eventhemanwhohasprosperedlongwillhave
hissharesomedaywhoeverseemstohavebeenreleasedhasonlybeenreprieved.
WhyisitthatGodafflictsthebestmenwithillhealth,orsorrow,orsomeother
misfortune?Forthesamereasonthatinthearmythebravestmenareassignedtothe
hazardoustasksitisthepickedsoldierthatageneralsendstosurprisetheenemybya
nightattack,ortoreconnoitretheroad,ortodislodgeagarrison.Notamanofthesewill
sayashegoes,"Mycommanderhasdonemeanillturn,"butinstead,"Hehaspaidmea
compliment."Inlikemanner,allthosewhoarecalledtosufferwhatwouldmakecowards
andpoltroonsweepmaysay,"Godhasdeemedusworthyinstrumentsofhispurposeto
discoverhowmuchhumannaturecanendure."
Fleeluxury,fleeenfeeblinggoodfortune,fromwhichmen'smindsgrowsodden,
andifnothingintervenestoremindthemofthecommonlot,theysink,asitwere,intothe
stuporofunendingdrunkenness.Themanwhohasalwayshadglazed
<Ess129>
windowstoshieldhimfromadrought,whosefeethavebeenkeptwarmbyhot
applicationsrenewedfromtimetotime,whosedininghallshavebeentemperedbyhot
airpassingbeneaththefloorandcirculatingroundthewalls,thismanwillrungreatriskif
heisbrushedbyagentlebreeze.Whileallexcessesarehurtful,themostdangerousis
unlimitedgoodfortune.Itexcitesthebrain,itevokesvainfanciesinthemind,andclouds
indeepfogtheboundarybetweenfalsehoodandtruth.Woulditnotbebetter,summoning
virtue'shelp,toendureeverlastingillfortunethantobeburstingwithunlimitedand
immoderateblessings?Deathfromstarvationcomesverygently,butfromgorgingmen
explode.Andso,inthecaseofgoodmenthegodsfollowthesamerulethatteachers
followwiththeirpupilstheyrequiremosteffortfromthoseofwhomtheyhavethesurest
hopes.DoyouimaginethattheLacedaemonianshatetheirchildrenwhentheytesttheir
mettlebylashingtheminpublic?Theirownfatherscalluponthemtoendurebravelythe
blowsofthewhip,andaskthem,thoughmangledandhalfdead,tokeepofferingtheir
woundedbodiestofurtherwounds.Why,then,isitstrangeifGodtriesnoblespiritswith
severity?Noproofofvirtueisevermild.IfwearelashedandtornbyFortune,letusbearit
itisnotcrueltybutastruggle,andtheoftenerweengageinit,thestrongerweshallbe.
Thestaunchestmemberofthebodyistheonethatiskeptinconstantuse.Weshould
offerourselvestoFortuneinorderthat,strugglingwithher,wemaybehardenedbyher.
Graduallyshewillmakeusamatchforherself.Familiaritywithexposuretodangerwill
givecontemptfordanger.Sothe
<Ess131>
bodiesofsailorsarehardyfrombuffetingthesea,thehandsoffarmersarecallous,the
soldier'smuscleshavethestrengthtohurlweapons,andthelegsofarunnerarenimble.
Ineach,hisstaunchestmemberistheonethathehasexercised.Byenduringillsthe
mindattainscontemptfortheenduranceofthemyouwillknowwhatthiscanaccomplish
inourowncase,ifyouwillobservehowmuchthepeoplesthataredestituteand,by
reasonoftheirwant,moresturdy,securebytoil.ConsiderallthetribeswhomRoman
civilizationdoesnotreachImeantheGermansandallthenomadtribesthatassailus
alongtheDanube.Theyareoppressedbyeternalwinterandagloomysky,thebarrensoil
grudgesthemsupport,theykeepofftherainwiththatchorleaves,theyrangeover
iceboundmarshes,andhuntwildbeastsforfood.Aretheyunhappy,doyouthink?There
isnounhappinessforthosewhomhabithasbroughtbacktonature./aForwhatthey
beginfromnecessitybecomesgraduallyapleasure.Theyhavenohomesandno
restingplacesexceptthosewhichwearinessallotsforthedaytheirfoodismeanand
mustbegotbythehandterribleharshnessofclimate,bodiesunclothed,suchfor
countlesstribesisthelifewhichseemstoyousocalamitous!Why,then,doyouwonder
thatgoodmenareshakeninorderthattheymaygrowstrong?Notreebecomesrooted
andsturdyunlessmanyawindassailsit.Forbyitsverytossingittightensitsgripand
plantsitsrootsmoresecurelythefragiletreesarethosethathavegrowninasunny
valley.Itis,therefore,totheadvantageevenifgoodmen,totheendthattheymaybe
unafraid,toliveconstantlyamidstalarms
<Ess133>
ONPROVIDENCF,,iv.16v.4
andtobearwithpatiencethehappeningswhichareillstohimonlywhoillsupportsthem.
Consider,too,thatitisforthecommongoodtohavethebestmenbecome
soldiers,{rank+}sotospeak,anddoservice.ItisGod'spurpose,andthewiseman'sas
well,toshowthatthosethingswhichtheordinarymandesiresandthosewhichhedreads
arereallyneithergoodsnorevils./aItwillappear,however,thattherearegoods,ifthese
arebestowedonlyongoodmen,andthatthereareevils,iftheseareinflictedonlyonthe
evil.Blindnesswillbeacurseifnooneloseshiseyesbutthemanwhodeservestohave
themtornoutthereforeletanAppiusandaMetellusbedeprivedofthelight.Richesare
notagoodthereforeleteventhepandererEliuspossesstheminorderthatmen,though
theyhallowwealthintemples,mayseeitalsoinabrothel.InnobetterwaycanGod
discreditwhatwecovetthanbybestowingthosethingsonthebasestmenwhile
withholdingthemfromthebest."But,"yousay,"itisunjustthatagoodmanbebrokenin
healthortransfixedorfettered,whilethewickedarepamperedandstalkatlargewith
wholeskins."Whatthen?Isitnotunjustthatbravemenshouldtakeuparms,andstayall
nightincamp,andstandwithbandagedwoundsbeforetherampart,whilepervertsand
professionalprofligatesrestsecurewithinthecity?Whatthen?Isitnotunjustthatthe
noblestmaidens/bshouldbearousedfromsleeptoperformsacrificesatnight,while
othersstainedwithsinenjoysoundestslumber?Toilsummonsthebestmen.Thesenate
isoftenkeptinsessionthewholedaylong,thoughallthewhileeveryworthlessfellowis
eitheramusinghimselfattherecreation<Ess135>
ONPROVIDENCE,v.47
ground,orlurkinginaneatinghouse,orwastinghistimeinsomegathering.Thesameis
trueinthisgreatcommonwealthoftheworld.Goodmenlabour,spend,andarespent,
andwithalwillingly.Fortunedoesnotdragthemtheyfollowher,andmatchherpace.If
theyhadknownhow,theywouldhaveoutstrippedher.Hereisanotherspiritedutterance
which,Iremember,Iheardthatmostvaliantman,Demetrius,make:"Immortalgods,"he
said,"Ihavethisonecomplainttomakeagainstyou,thatyoudidnotearliermakeknown
yourwilltomeforIshouldhavereachedthesoonerthatconditioninwhich,afterbeing
summoned,Inowam.Doyouwishtotakemychildren?itwasforyouthatIfathered
them.Doyouwishtotakesomememberofmybody?takeitnogreatthingamI
offeringyouverysoonIshallleavethewhole.Doyouwishtotakemylife?whynot?I
shallmakenoprotestagainstyourtakingbackwhatonceyougave.Withmyfreeconsent
youshallhavewhateveryoumayaskofme.What,then,ismytrouble?Ishouldhave
preferredtoofferthantorelinquish.Whatwastheneedtotakebyforce?Youmighthave
haditasagift.Yetevennowyouwillnottakeitbyforce,becausenothingcanbe
wrenchedawayfromamanunlesshewithholdsit."
Iamundernocompulsion,Isuffernothingagainstmywill,andIamnotGod's
slavebuthisfollower,andthemoreso,indeed,becauseIknowthateverythingproceeds
accordingtolawthatisfixedandenactedforalltime.Fateguidesus,anditwassettledat
thefirsthourofbirthwhatlengthoftimeremainsforeach.Causeislinkedwithcause,
andallpublicandprivateissuesaredirected
<Ess137>
ONPROVIDENCE,v.79
byalongsequenceofevents.Thereforeeverythingshouldbeenduredwithfortitude,
sincethingsdonot,aswesuppose,simplyhappentheyallcome.Longagoitwas
determinedwhatwouldmakeyourejoice,whatwouldmakeyouweep,andalthoughthe
livesofindividualsseemtobemarkedbygreatdissimilarity,yetistheendonewe
receivewhatisperishableandshallourselvesperish.Why,therefore,dowechafe?why
complain?Forthiswereweborn.LetNaturedealwithmatter,whichisherown,asshe
pleasesletusbecheerfulandbraveinthefaceofeverything,reflectingthatitisnothing
ofourownthatperishes.
Whatthen,isthepartofagoodman?ToofferhimselftoFate.Itisagreat
consolationthatitistogetherwiththeuniversewearesweptalongwhateveritisthathas
ordainedussotolive,sotodie,bythesamenecessity{Lucy_poem+}itbindsalsothe
gods.Oneunchangeablecoursebearsalongtheaffairsofmenandgodsalike.Although
thegreatcreatorandruleroftheuniversehimselfwrotethedecreesofFate,yethe
followsthem.{Prom_Unbound+}Heobeysforever,hedecreedbutonce."Why,
however,"doyouask,"wasGodsounjustinhisallotmentofdestinyastoassigntogood
menpoverty,wounds,andpainfuldeath?"Itisimpossibleforthemouldertoaltermatter
tothislawithassubmitted.Certainqualitiescannotbeseparatedfromcertainothers
theyclingtogether,areindivisible.Naturesthatarelistless,thatarepronetosleep,ortoa
kindofwakefulnessthatcloselyresemblessleep,arecomposedofsluggishelements.It
takessternerstufftomakeamanwhodeservestobementionedwithconsideration.His
coursewillnotbethelevelway
<Ess139>
ONPROVIDENCE,v.9vi.1
uphillanddownhillmusthego,betossedabout,andguidehisbarkthroughstormy
watershemustkeephiscourseinspiteoffortune.Muchthatishard,muchthatisrough
willbefallhim,buthehimselfwillsoftentheone,andmaketheothersmooth.Firetests
gold,misfortunebravemen.Seetowhataheightvirtuemustclimb!youwillfindthatit
hasnosaferoadtotread:
Thewayissteepatfirst,andthecoursersstrain
Toclimbit,freshintheearlymorn.Theygain
ThecrestofheavenatnoonfromhereIgaze
Adownonlandandseawithdreadamaze,
Andofmyheartwillbeatinpanicfear.
Theroadwayendsinsharpdescentkeephere
Asurecontrol'twillhappenevenso
ThatTethys,stretchingoutherwavesbelow,
Willoften,whileshewelcomes,beaffright
Toseemespeedingdownwardfromtheheight./a
{Ovid_Phaeton+}
Havingheardthewords,thatnobleyouthreplied,Iliketheroad,Ishallmounteventhough
Ifall,itwillbeworthwhiletotravelthroughsuchsights."Buttheotherdidnotceasefrom
tryingtostrikehisboldheartwithfear:
Andthoughyoumaynotmissthebeatentrack,
Nor,ledtowander,leavethezodiac,
YetthroughtheBull'sfiercehorns,theCentaur'sbow
AndragingLion'sjawsyoustillmustgo./b
Inreplytothishesaid,"Harnessthechariotyouofferedtheverythingsthatyouthink
affrightmeurgemeon.IlongtostandaloftwhereeventheSungodquakeswithfear."
Thegrovellerandthecowardwillfollowthesafepath:virtueseekstheheights.
"Butwhy,"youask,doesGodsometimesalloweviltobefallgoodmen?Assuredly
hedoesnot.
<Ess141>
ONPROVIDENCE,vi.14
Evilofeverysorthekeepsfarfromthemsinandcrime,evilcounselandschemesfor
greed,blindlustandavariceintentuponanother'sgoods.Thegoodmanhimselfhe
protectsanddelivers:doesanyonerequireofGodthatheshouldalsoguardthegood
man'sluggage?Nay,thegoodmanhimselfrelievesGodofthisconcernhedespises
externals.Democritus,considering1111111richestobeaburdentothevirtuousmind,
renouncedthem.Why,then,doyouwonderifGodsuffersthattobethegoodman'slot
whichthegoodmanhimselfsometimeschoosesshouldbehislot?Goodmenlosetheir
sonswhynot,sincesometimestheyevenslaythem?/aTheyaresentintoexilewhynot,
sincesometimestheyvoluntarilyleavetheirnativeland,nevertoreturn?Theyareslain
whynot,sincesometimestheyvoluntarilylayhanduponthemselves?/bWhydothey
suffercertainhardships?Itisthattheymayteachotherstoendurethemtheywerebornto
beapattern.Think,then,ofGodassaying:"Whatpossiblereasonhaveyoutocomplain
ofme,youwhohavechosenrighteousness?OthersIhavesurroundedwithunrealgoods,
andhavemockedtheiremptyminds,asitwere,withalong,deceptivedream.Ihave
bedeckedthemwithgold,andsilver,andivory,butwithinthereisnothinggood.The
creatureswhomyouregardasfortunate,ifyoucouldseethem,notastheyappeartothe
eye,butastheyareintheirhearts,arewretched,filthy,baseliketheirownhousewalls,
adornedonlyontheoutside.Soundandgenuinesuchgoodfortuneisnotitisaveneer,
andthatathinone.Solong,therefore,astheycanstandfirmandmaketheshowthat
theydesire,theyglitteranddeceive
<Ess143>
ONPROVIDENCE,vi.47
when,however,somethingoccurstooverthrowanduncoverthem,thenyouseewhat
deepsetandgenuineuglinesstheirborrowedsplendourhid.ButtoyouIhavegiventhe
trueandenduringgoods,whicharegreaterandbetterthemoreanyoneturnsthemover
andviewsthemfromeveryside.Ihavepermittedyoutoscornallthatdismaysandto
disdaindesires.Outwardlyyoudonotshineyourgoodsaredirectedinward.Evensothe
cosmos,rejoicinginthespectacleofitself,scornseverythingoutside.
{Yeats_to_a_friend+}WithinIhavebestoweduponyoueverygoodyourgoodfortuneis
nottoneedgoodfortune.
'Yet,'yousay,'manysorrows,thingsdreadfulandhardtobear,dobefallus.'Yes,
becauseIcouldnotwithdrawyoufromtheirpath,Ihavearmedyourmindstowithstand
themallendurewithfortitude.InthisyoumayoutstripGodheisexemptfromenduring
evil,whileyouaresuperiortoit.Scornpovertynoonelivesaspoorashewasborn.
Scornpainitwilleitherberelievedorrelieveyou.Scorndeath,whicheitherendsyouor
transfersyou.ScornFortuneIhavegivenhernoweaponwithwhichshemaystrikeyour
soul.Aboveall,Ihavetakenpainsthatnothingshouldkeepyouhereagainstyourwillthe
wayoutliesopen.Ifyoudonotchoosetofight,youmayrunaway.Thereforeofallthings
thatIhavedeemednecessaryforyou,Ihavemadenothingeasierthandying.Ihaveset
lifeonadownwardslope:ifitisprolonged,onlyobserveandyouwillseewhatashortand
easypathleadstoliberty.Ihavenotimposeduponyouatyourexitthewearisomedelay
youhadatentrance.Otherwise,ifdeathcametoamanasslowlyashisbirth,Fortune
wouldhavekepther
<Ess145>
ONPROVIDENCE,vi.89
greatdominionoveryou.Leteveryseason,everyplace,teachyouhoweasyitisto
renounceNatureandflinghergiftbackinherface.Intheverypresenceofthealtarsand
thesolemnritesofsacrifice,whileyouprayforlife,learnwellconcerningdeath.Thefatted
bodiesofbullsfallfromapaltrywound,andcreaturesofmightystrengtharefelledbyone
strokeofaman'shandatinybladewillseverthesuturesoftheneck,andwhenthatjoint,
whichbindstogetherheadandneck,iscut,thebody'smightymasscrumplesinaheap.
Nodeepretreatconcealsthesoul,youneednoknifeatalltorootitout,nodeeplydriven
woundtofindthevitalpartsdeathliesnearathand.ForthesemortalstrokesIhaveset
nodefinitespotanywherevouwish,thewayisopen.Eventhatwhichwecalldying,the
momentwhenthebreathforsakesthebody,issobriefthatitsfleetnesscannotcome
withintheken.Whetherthethroatisstrangledbyaknot,orwaterstopsthebreathing,or
thehardgroundcrushesintheskullofonefallingheadlongtoitssurface,orflameinhaled
cutsoffthecourseofrespiration,beitwhatitmay,theendisswift.Doyounotblushfor
shame?Youdreadsolongwhatcomessoquickly!
<Ess147>
BOOKII
TOSERENUSONTHEFIRMNESS+{CONSTANTIA}
OFTHEWISEMAN

TheWiseMancanreceiveneitherInjurynorInsult.
Imightsaywithgoodreason,Serenus,thatthereisasgreatadifferencebetweenthe
Stoicsandtheotherschoolsofphilosophyasthereisbetweenmalesandfemales,since
whileeachsetcontributesequallytohumansociety,theoneclassisborntoobey,the
othertocommand.Otherphilosophers,usinggentleandpersuasivemeasures,arelike
theintimatefamilyphysician,who,commonly,triestocurehispatients,notbythebest
andthequickestmethod,butasheisallowed.TheStoics,havingadoptedtheheroic
course,arenotsomuchconcernedinmakingitattractivetouswhoenteruponit,asin
havingitrescueusassoonaspossibleandguideustothatloftysummitwhichrisesso
farbeyondthereachofanymissileastotowerhighaboveallfortune."But,"yousay,"the
pathbywhichwearecalledtogoissteepandrugged."Whatofit?Cantheheightsbe
reachedbyalevelpath?Butthewayisnotsosheerassomesuppose.Thefirstpartonly
hasrocksandcliffs,andappearsimpassable,justasmanyplaces,whenviewedfrom
afar,seemoftento
<Ess149>
ONFIRMNESS,1.2ii.2
beanunbrokensteepsincethedistancedeceivestheeyethen,asyoudrawnearer,
thesesameplaces,whichbyatrickoftheeyeshadmergedintoone,openupgradually,
andwhatseemedfromadistanceprecipitousisnowreducedtoagentleslope.
Recently,whentherehappenedtobesomementionofMarcusCato,you,with
yourimpatienceofinjustice,grewindignantbecauseCato'sownagehadfailedto
understandhim,becauseithadratedhimlowerthananyVatiniusthoughhetowered
aboveanyPompeyandCaesaranditseemedtoyoushamefulthatwhenhewasabout
tospeakagainstsomelawintheforum,histogawastornfromhisshoulders,andthat,
afterhehadbeenhustledbyalawlessmoballthewayfromtherostrumtotheArchof
Fabius,hehadtoendurevilelanguage,andspittle,andalltheotherinsultsofamaddened
crowd.AndthenImadeanswerthatonbehalfofthestateyouhadgoodreasontobe
stirredthestatewhichPubliusClodiusontheonehand,Vatiniusandallthegreatest
rascalsontheother,wereputtingupforsale,and,carriedawaybyblindcupidity,didnot
realizethat,whiletheywereselling,theytoowerebeingsold.ForCatohimselfIbadeyou
havenoconcern,fornowisemancanreceiveeitherinjuryorinsult.Isaid,too,thatin
Catotheimmortalgodshadgiventousatruerexemplarofthewisemanthanearlier
ageshadinUlyssesandHercules.ForweStoicshavedeclaredthatthesewerewise
men,becausetheywereunconqueredbystruggles,weredespisersofpleasure,and
victorsoverallterrors.Catodidnotgrapplewithwildbeaststhepursuitoftheseisfor
thehuntsmanandthe
<Ess151>
ONFIRMNESS,ii.2iii.1
peasanthedidnothuntdownmonsterswithfireandsword,nordidhechancetolivein
thetimeswhenitwaspossibletobelievethattheheavensrestedononeman's
shoulders.Inanagewhentheoldcredulityhadlongbeenthrownaside,andknowledge
hadbytimeattaineditshighestdevelopment,hecameintoconflictwithambition+,a
monsterofmanyshapes,withtheboundlessgreedforpowerwhichthedivisionofthe
wholeworldamongthreemen\acouldnotsatisfy.Hestoodaloneagainstthevicesofa
degeneratestatethatwassinkingtodestructionbeneathitsveryweight,andhestayed
thefalloftherepublictotheutmostthatoneman'shandcoulddotodrawitback,untilat
lasthewashimselfwithdrawnandsharedthedownfallwhichhehadsolongaverted,and
thetwowhomheavenwilledshouldneverpartwereblottedouttogether.ForCatodidnot
survivefreedom,norfreedomCato.Thinkyouthatwhatthepeopledidtosuchaman
couldhavebeenaninjury,eveniftheytorefromhimeitherhispraetorshiporhistoga?
eveniftheybespatteredhissacredheadwithfilthfromtheirmouths?Thewisemanis
safe,andnoinjuryorinsultcantouchhim.IimaginethatIseeyouflaringupinatemper
andabouttoboiloveryouaregettingreadytoexclaim:"Thisisthesortofthingthat
detractsfromtheweightoftheteachingsofyouStoics.Youmakegreatpromises,
promiseswhicharenoteventobedesired,stilllessbelievedthenafterallyourbig
words,whileyoudenythatawisemanispoor,youdonotdenythatheusuallypossesses
neitherslavenorhousenorfoodwhileyoudenythatawisemanismad,youdonotdeny
thathedoeslose
<Ess153>
ONFIRMNESS,iii.1.4
hisreason,thathebabblescrazywords,thathewillventuretodowhateverhisviolent
disorderimpelshimtodowhileyoudenythatawisemaniseveraslave,youdonot
likewisegoontodenythathewillbesold,thathewilldowhatheisorderedtodo,and
rendertohismastertheservicesofaslave.So,forallyourloftyassumption,youreach
thesamelevelastheotherschoolsonlythenamesofthingsarechanged.AndsoI
suspectthatsomethingofthissortlurksbehindthismaximalso,"Awisemanwillreceive
neitherinjurynorinsult"amaximwhichatfirstsight,appearsnobleandsplendid.Butit
makesagreatdifferencewhetheryouplacethewisemanbeyondfeelinginjuredor
beyondbeinginjured.Forifyousaythathewillbearinjurycalmly,hehasnopeculiar
advantageheisfortunateinpossessingacommonquality,onewhichisacquiredfrom
theveryrepetitionofinjuriesnamely,endurance.Ifyousaythathewillnotreceiveinjury,
thatis,thatnoonewillattempttoinjurehim,then,abandoningallotherbusiness,Iamfor
becomingaStoic."\aIassuredlydidnotintendtodeckupthewisemanwiththefanciful
honourofwords,buttoplacehiminthepositionwherenoinjurymayreachhim."What
then?"yousay"willtherebenoonetoassailhim,noonetoattemptit?"Nothinginthe
worldissosacredthatitwillnotfindsomeonetoprofaneit,butholythingsarenonethe
lessexalted,evenifthosedoexistwhostrikeatagreatnessthatissetfarbeyondthem,
andwhichtheywillneverdamage.Theinvulnerablethingisnotthatwhichisnotstruck,
butthatwhichisnothurtbythismarkIwillshowyouthewiseman.Isthereanydoubt
thatthestrengththatcannotbeovercomeisatruer
<Ess155>
ONFIRMNESS,iii.4iv.1
sortthanthatwhichisunassailed,seeingthatuntestedpowersaredubious,whereasthe
stabilitythatrepelsallassaultsisrightlydeemedmostgenuine?Soyoumustknowthat
thewiseman,ifnoinjuryhurtshim,willbeofahighertypethanifnoneisofferedtohim,
andthebraveman,Ishouldsay,ishewhomwarcannotsubdue,whomtheonsetofa
hostileforcecannotterrify,nothewhobattensateaseamongtheidlepopulace.
ConsequentlyIwillassertthisthatthewisemanisnotsubjecttoanyinjury.Itdoesnot
matter,therefore,howmanydartsarehurledagainsthim,sincenonecanpiercehim.As
thehardnessofcertainstonesisimpervioustosteel,andadamantcannotbecutor
hewedorground,butinturnbluntswhatevercomesintocontactwithitcertain
substancescannotbeconsumedbyfire,but,thoughencompassedbyflame,retaintheir
hardnessandtheirshapeascertaincliffs,projectingintothedeep,breaktheforceofthe
sea,and,thoughlashedforcountlessages,shownotracesofitswrath,justsothespirit
ofthewisemanisimpregnableandhasgatheredsuchameasureofstrengthastobeno
lesssafefrominjurythanthosethingswhichIhavementioned.
"Whatthen?"yousay"willtherebenoonewhowillattempttodothewiseman
injury?"Yes,theattemptwillbemade,buttheinjurywillnotreachhim.Forthedistance
whichseparateshimfromcontactwithhisinferiorsissogreatthatnobanefulforcecan
extenditspowerallthewaytohim.Evenwhenthemighty,exaltedbyauthorityand
powerfulinthesupportoftheirservitors,strivetoinjurehim,alltheirassaultsonwisdom
willfallasshortoftheirmarkasdothemissilesshotonhighby
<Ess157>
ONFIRMNESS,iv.1v.2
bowstringorcatapult,whichthoughtheyleapbeyondourvision,yetcurvedownwardsthis
sideofheaven.Tellme,doyousupposethatwhenthatstupidking\adarkenedtheday
withtheshowerofhisdarts,anyarrowfelluponthesun,orthathewasabletoreach
Neptunewhenheloweredhischainsintothedeep?Asheavenlythingsescapethehands
ofmananddivinitysuffersnoharmfromthosewhodemolishtemplesandmeltdown
images,soeverywanton,insolent,orhaughtyactdirectedagainstthewisemanis
essayedinvain."Butitwouldbebetter,"yousay,"ifnoonecaredtodosuchthings."You
areprayingforwhatisahardmatterthathumanbeingsshoulddonowrong.Andthat
suchactsbenotdoneisprofitabletothoscwhoarepronetodothem,nottohimwho
cannotbeaffectedbythemeveniftheyaredone.No,Iaminclinedtothinkthatthepower
ofwisdomisbettershownbyadisplayofcalmnessinthemidstofprovocation,justas
thegreatestproofthatageneralismightyinhisarmsandmenishisquietunconcernin
thecountryoftheenemy.Letusmakeadistinction,Serenus,ifyoulike,betweeninjury
andinsult.Theformerisbyitsnaturemoreseriousthelatter,aslightermatterserious
onlytothethinskinnedformenarenotharmed,butangeredbyit.Yetsuchisthe
weaknessandvanityofsomemen'sminds,therearethosewhothinkthatnothingis
morebitter.Andsoyouwillfindtheslavewhowouldratherbestruckwiththelashthan
thefist,whoconsidersstripesanddeathmoreendurablethaninsultingwords.Tosucha
pitchofabsurdityhavewecomethatweareharrowednotmerelybypainbutbytheidea
ofpain,like
<Ess159>
ONFIRMNESS,v.25
childrenwhoareterrorstrickenbydarknessandtheuglinessofmasksandadistorted
countenancewhoareprovokedeventotearsbynamesthatareunpleasanttotheirears,
bygesticulationofthefingers,\aandotherthingswhichintheirignorancetheyshrinkfrom
inakindofblunderingpanic.Injuryhasasitsaimtovisiteviluponaperson.Butwisdom
leavesnoroomforevil,fortheonlyevilitknowsisbaseness,whichcannotenterwhere
virtueanduprightnessalreadyabide.Consequently,iftherecanbenoinjurywithoutevil,
noevilwithoutbaseness,andif,moreover,basenesscannotreachamanalready
possessedbyuprightness,theninjurydoesnotreachthewiseman.Forifinjuryisthe
experiencingofsomeevil,if,moreover,thewisemancanexperiencenoevil,noinjury
affectsawiseman.Allinjuryisdamagingtohimwhoencountersit,andnomancan
receiveinjurywithoutsomelosseitherinrespecttohispositionorhispersonorthings
externaltous.Butthewisemancanlosenothing.Hehaseverythinginvestedinhimself,
hetrustsnothingtofortune,hisowngoodsaresecure,sinceheiscontentwithvirtue,
whichneedsnogiftfromchance,andwhich,therefore,canneitherbeincreasednor
diminished.Forthatwhichhascometothefullhasnoroomforfurthergrowth,and
Fortunecansnatchawayonlywhatsheherselfhasgiven.Butvirtueshedoesnotgive
thereforeshecannottakeitaway.Virtueisfree,inviolable,unmoved,unshaken,so
steeledagainsttheblowsofchancethatshecannotbebent,muchlessbroken.Facing
theinstrumentsoftorturesheholdshergazeunflinching,herexpressionchangesnotat
all,whetherahardorahappylotisshownher.Thereforethewisemanwilllose
<Ess161>
ONFIRMNESS,v.5vi.2
nothingwhichhewillbeabletoregardaslossfortheonlypossessionhehasisvirtue,
andofthishecanneverberobbed.{Jesus+}Ofallelsehehasmerelytheuseon
sufferance.Who,however,ismovedbythelossofthatwhichisnothisown?Butifinjury
candonoharmtoanythingthatawisemanowns,sinceifhisvirtueissafehis
possessionsaresafe,thennoinjurycanhappentothewiseman.
WhenDemetrius,theonewhohadtheappellationofPoliorcetes,hadcaptured
Megara,hequestionedStilbo,aphilosopher,tofindoutwhetherhehadlostanything,and
hisanswerwas,"NothingIhaveallthatisminewithme."Yethisestatehadbeengiven
uptoplunder,hisdaughtershadbeenoutragedbytheenemy,hisnativecityhadpassed
underforeignsway,andthemanhimselfwasbeingquestionedbyakingonhisthrone,
ensconcedamidthearmsofhisvictoriousarmy.Buthewrestedthevictoryfromthe
conqueror,andborewitnessthat,thoughhiscityhadbeencaptured,hehimselfwasnot
onlyunconqueredbutunharmed.Forhehadwithhimhistruepossessions,uponwhich
nohandcanbelaid,whilethepropertythatwasbeingscatteredandpillagedand
plunderedhecountednothisown,buttheadventitiousthingsthatfollowthebeckof
Fortune.Thereforehehadesteemedthemasnotreallyhisownforallthatflowstous
fromwithoutisaslipperyandinsecurepossession.Considernow,cananythiefor
traducerorviolentneighbour,oranyrichmanwhowieldsthepowerconferredbya
childlessoldage,doinjurytothisman,fromwhomwarandtheenemyandthatexponent
oftheillustriousartofwreckingcitiescouldsnatchawaynothing?Amidswordsflashing
<Ess163>
ONFIRMNESS,vi.25
oneverysideandtheuproarofsoldiersbentonpillage,amidflamesandbloodandthe
havocofthesmittencity,amidthecrashoftemplesfallingupontheirgods,oneman
alonehadpeace.Itisnotforyou,therefore,tocallrecklessthisboastofmine\aandifyou
donotgivemecredence,Ishalladduceavoucherforit.Foryoucanhardlybelievethat
somuchsteadfastness,thatsuchgreatnessofsoulfallstothelotofanyman.Buthereis
one\bwhocomesintoourmidstandsays:"Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushoulddoubtthat
amortalmancanraisehimselfabovehishumanlot,thathecanviewwithunconcern
painsandlosses,soresandwounds,andnature'sgreatcommotionsassheragesall
aroundhim,canbearhardshipcalmlyandprosperitysoberly,neitheryieldingtotheone
nortrustingtotheotherthathecanremainwhollyunchangedamidthediversitiesof
fortuneandcountnothingbuthimselfhisown,andofthisself,even,onlyitsbetterpart.
See,hereamItoprovetoyouthisthat,thoughbeneaththehandofthatdestroyerofso
manycitiesfortificationsshakenbythebatteringrammaytotter,andhightowers
underminedbytunnelsandsecretsapsmaysinkinsuddendownfall,andearthworksrise
tomatchtheloftiestcitadel,yetnowarenginescanbedevisedthatwillshakethe
firmfixedsoul.Icreptjustnowfromtheruinsofmyhouse,andwhiletheconflagration
blazedoneveryside,Ifledfromtheflamesthroughbloodwhatfatebefallsmydaughters,
whetheraworseonethantheircountry'sown,Iknownot.Aloneandold,andseeingthe
enemyinpossessionofeverythingaroundme,I,nevertheless,declarethatmyholdings
areallintact
<Ess165>
ONFIRMNESS,vi.6vii.1
andunharmed.IstillpossessthemwhateverIhavehadasmyown,Ihave.Thereisno
reasonforyoutosupposemevanquishedandyourselfthevictoryourfortunehas
vanquishedmyfortune.Wherethosethingsarethatpassandchangetheirowners,I
knownotsofarasmypossessionsareconcernedtheyarewithme,andeverwillbewith
me.Thelosersareyonderrichmenwhohavelosttheirestatesthelibertineswhohave
losttheirlovestheprostituteswhomtheycherishedatagreatexpenditureofshame
politicianswhohavelostthesenatehouse,theforum,andtheplacesappointedforthe
publicexerciseoftheirfailingstheusurers+havelosttheirrecordsonwhichtheir
avarice+,rejoicingwithoutwarrant,baseditsdreamofwealth.ButIhavestillmyall,
untouchedandundiminished.Doyou,accordingly,putyourquestiontothosewhoweep
andwail,who,indefenceoftheirmoney,presenttheirnakedbodiestothepointofthe
sword,who,whentheirpocketsareloaded,fleefromtheenemy."Know,therefore,
Serenus,thatthisperfectman,fullofvirtueshumananddivine,canlosenothing.His
goodsaregirtaboutbystrongandinsurmountabledefences.NotBabylon'swalls,which
anAlexanderentered,aretobecomparedwiththese,nottherampartsofCarthageor
Numantia,bothcapturedbyoneman'shand,\anottheCapitolorcitadelofRomeupon
themtheenemyhaslefthismarks.Thewallswhichguardthewisemanaresafefrom
bothflameandassault,theyprovidenomeansofentrance,arelofty,impregnable,
godlike.Thereisnoreasonforyoutosay,Serenus,asyourhabitis,thatthiswisemanof
oursisnowheretobefound.HeisnotafictionofusStoics,asortof
<Ess167>
ONFIRMNESS,vii.14
phantomgloryofhumannature,norisheamereconception,themightysemblanceofa
thingunreal,butwehaveshownhiminthefleshjustaswedelineatehim,andshallshow
himthoughperchancenotoften,andafteralonglapseofyearsonlyone.Forgreatness
whichtranscendsthelimitoftheordinaryandcommontypeisproducedbutrarely.But
thisselfsameMarcusCato,thementionofwhomstartedthisdiscussion,\aIalmostthink
surpassesevenourexemplar.Again,thatwhichinjuresmustbemorepowerfulthanthat
whichisinjuredbutwickednessisnotstrongerthanrighteousnessthereforeitis
impossibleforthewisemantobeinjured.Onlythebadattempttoinjurethegoodthe
goodareatpeacewitheachother,thebadarenolessharmfultothegoodthantheyare
toeachother.Butifonlytheweakermancanbeinjured,andifthebadmanisweaker
thanthegoodman,andthegoodhavetofearnoinjuryexceptfromonewhoisnomatch
forthem,theninjurycannotbefallthewiseman.Forbythistimeyoudonotneedtobe
remindedofthefactthatthereisnogoodmanexceptthewiseman."But,"someone
says,"ifSocrateswascondemnedunjustly,hereceivedaninjury."Atthispointitis
needfulforustounderstandthatitispossibleforsomeonetodomeaninjuryandforme
nottoreceivetheinjury.Forexample,ifamanshouldstealsomethingfrommy
countryhouseandleaveitinmytownhouse,hewouldhavecommittedatheft,butI
shouldhavelostnothing.Itispossibleforonetobecomeawrongdoer,althoughhemay
nothavedoneawrong.Ifamanlieswithhiswifeasifshewereanother
<Ess169>
ONFIRMNESS,vii.4viii.1
man'swife,hewillbeanadulterer,thoughsbewillnotbeanadulteress.{Jesus+}Some
onegavemepoison,butthepoisonlostitsefficacybybeingmixedwithfoodtheman,by
givingthepoison,becameguiltyofacrime,evenifhedidmenoinjury.Amanisnolessa
murdererbecausehisblowwasfoiled,interceptedbythevictim'sdress.Allcrimes,sofar
asguiltisconcerned,arecompletedevenbeforetheaccomplishmentofthedeed.
Certainactsareofsuchacharacter,andarelinkedtogetherinsucharelation,thatwhile
thefirstcantakeplacewithoutthesecond,thesecondcannottakeplacewithoutthefirst.
IshallendeavourtomakeclearwhatImean.Icanmovemyfeetwithoutrunning,butI
cannotrunwithoutmovingmyfeet.Itispossibleforme,thoughbeinginthewater,notto
swimbutifIswim,itisimpossibleformenottobeinthewater.Tothesamecategory
belongsthematterunder(discussion.IfIhavereceivedaninjury,itmustnecessarilyhave
beendone.Ifaninjurywasdone,Ihavenotnecessarilyreceiveditformanythingscan
happentoaverttheinjury.Justas,forexample,somechancemaystrikedownthehand
whileittakesaimandturnthespeedingmissileaside,soitispossiblethatsome
circumstancemaywardoffinjuriesofanysortandintercepttheminmidcourse,withthe
resultthattheymayhavebeendone,yetnotreceived.
Moreover,justicecansuffernoinjustice,becauseoppositesdonotmeet.Butno
injurycanbedonewithoutinjusticethereforenoinjurycanbedonetothewiseman.And
youneednotbesurprisedifnoonecandohimaninjury,noonecandohimaservice
either.Thewiseman,ontheonehand,lacksnothingthathecanreceiveasagifttheevil
<Ess171>
ONFIRMNESS,viii.13
man,ontheother,canbestownothinggoodenoughforthewisemantohave.Foraman
musthavebeforehecangivetheevilman,however,hasnothingthatthewiseman
wouldbegladtohavetransferredtohimself.Itisimpossible,therefore,foranyoneeither
toinjureortobenefitthewiseman,sincethatwhichisdivinedoesnotneedtobehelped,
andcannotbehurtandthewisemanisnextdoorneighbourtothegodsandlikeagodin
allsavehismortality.Ashestrugglesandpressesontowardsthosethingsthatarelofty,
wellordered,undaunted,thatflowonwithevenandharmoniouscurrent,thatare
untroubled,kindly,adaptedtothepublicgood,beneficialbothtohimselfandtoothers,the
wisemanwillcovetnothinglow,willneverrepine.Themanwho,relyingonreason,
marchesthroughmortalvicissitudeswiththespiritofagod,hasnovulnerablespotwhere
hecanreceiveaninjury.FrommanonlydoyouthinkImean?No,notevenfromFortune,
who,whenevershehasencounteredvirtue,hasalwaysleftthefieldoutmatched.Ifthat
supremeevent,beyondwhichoutragedlawsandthemostcruelmastershavenothing
withwhichtothreatenus,andinwhichFortuneusesupallherpower,ismetwithcalm
andunruffledmind,andifitisrealizedthatdeathisnotanevilandthereforenotaninjury
either,weshallmuchmoreeasilybearallotherthingslossesandpains,disgrace,
changesofabode,*bereavements,andseparations.Thesethingscannotoverwhelmthe
wiseman,eventhoughtheyallencompasshimatoncestilllessdoeshegrievewhen
theyassaulthimsingly.AndifhebearscomposedlytheinjuriesofFortune,howmuch
<Ess173>
ONFIRMNESS,viii.3ix.3
themorewillhebearthoseofpowerfulmen,whomheknowstobemerelythe
instrumentsofFortune!
Allsuchthings,therefore,heenduresinthesamewaythathesubmitstothe
rigoursofwinterandtoinclementweather,tofeversanddisease,andtheotheraccidents
ofchancenordoesheformsohighanestimateofanymanastothinkthathehasdone
anythingwiththegoodjudgementthatisfoundonlyinthewiseman./aAllothersare
actuated,notbyjudgement,butbydelusionsanddeceptionsandillformedimpulsesof
themind,whichthewisemen<sic>setsdowntotheaccountofchancebuteverypower
ofFortuneragesroundaboutusandstrikeswhatcountsfornaught!
Consider,further,thatthemostextensiveopportunityforinjuryisfoundinthose
thingsthroughwhichsomedangeriscontrivedforus,as,forexample,thesuborningof
anaccuser,orthebringingofafalseaccusation,orthestirringupofthehatredofthe
powerfulagainstus,andalltheotherformsofrobberythatexistamongcivilians.Another
commontypeofinjuryariseswhenamanhashisprofitsoralongchasedprizetornfrom
hisgrasp,aswhenalegacywhichhehasmadegreatefforttosecureisturnedaside,or
thegoodwillofalucrativehouseiswithdrawn.Allthisthewisemanescapes,forhe
knowsnothingofdirectinghislifeeithertowardshopeortowardsfear.Add,further,that
nomanreceivesaninjurywithoutsomementaldisturbance,yeamore,heisperturbed
evenbythethoughtofitbutthemanwhohasbeensavedfromerror,whoisself
controlledandhasdeepandcalmrepose,isfreefromsuchperturbation.Forifan
<Ess175>
ONFIRMNESS,ix.3x.1
injuryreacheshim,itdoesstirandincitehimyet,ifheisawiseman,heisfreefromthat
angerwhichisarousedbythemereappearanceofinjury,andinnootherwaycouldhebe
freefromtheangerthanbybeingfreealsofromtheinjury,knowingthataninjurycan
neverbedonetohim.Forthisreasonheissoresoluteandcheerful,forthisreasonheis
elatewithconstantjoy.Sofar,moreover,ishefromshrinkingfromthebuffetingsof
circumstancesorofmen,thathecountseveninjuryprofitable,forthroughithefindsa
meansofputtinghimselftotheproofandmakestrialofhisvirtue.Letus,Ibeseechyou,
besilent\ainthepresenceofthisproposition,andwithimpartialmindsandearsgiveheed
whilethewisemanismadeexemptfrominjury!Norbecauseofitisaughtdiminished
fromyourwantonness,orfromyourgreediestlusts,orfromyourblindpresumptionand
pride!Youmaykeepyourvicesitisthewisemanforwhomthislibertyisbeingsought.
Ouraimisnotthatyoumaybepreventedfromdoinginjury,butthatthewisemanmay
castallinjuriesfarfromhim,andbyhisenduranceandhisgreatnessofsoulprotect
himselffromthem.Justsointhesacredgamesmanyhavewonthevictorybywearing
outthehandsoftheirassailantsthroughstubbornendurance.Doyou,then,reckonthe
wisemaninthisclassofmenthemenwhobylongandfaithfultraininghaveattainedthe
strengthtoendureandtireoutanyassaultoftheenemy.Havingtoucheduponthefirst
partofthediscussion,letusnowpasstothesecond,inwhichbyargumentssomeof
themourown,mostofthem,however,commontoourschoolweshalldisprovethe
possibilityofinsult.Itisaslighteroffencethan
<Ess177>
ONFIRMNESS,x.i4
injury,somethingtobecomplainedofratherthanavenged,somethingwhicheventhe
lawshavenotdeemedworthyofpunishment.Thisfeelingisstirredbyasenseof
humiliationasthespiritshrinksbeforeanuncomplimentarywordoract."Soandsodid
notgivemeanaudiencetoday,thoughhegaveittoothers""hehaughtilyrepulsedor
openlylaughedatmyconversation""hedidnotgivemetheseatofhonour,butplacedme
atthefootofthetable."TheseandsimilarreproacheswhatshallIcallthembutthe
complainingsofasqueamishtemper?Anditisgenerallythepamperedandprosperous
whoindulgeinthemforifamanispressedbyworseills,hehasnottimetonoticesuch
things.Byreasonoftoomuchleisurenatureswhicharenaturallyweakandeffeminate
and,fromthedearthofrealinjury,havegrownspoiled,aredisturbedbytheseslights,the
greaternumberofwhichareduetosomefaultintheonewhosointerpretsthem.
Thereforeanymanwhoistroubledbyaninsultshowshimselflackinginbothinsightand
beliefinhimselfforhedecideswithouthesitationthathehasbeenslighted,andthe
accompanyingstingistheinevitableresultofacertainabjectnessofspirit,aspiritwhich
depreciatesitselfandbowsdowntoanother.Butnoonecanslightthewiseman,forhe
knowshisowngreatnessandassureshimselfthatnooneisaccordedsomuchpower
overhim,andallthesefeelings,whichIprefertocallratherannoyancesthandistresses
ofthemind,hedoesnothavetoovercomenay,hedoesnotevenhavethem.Quite
differentarethethingsthatdobuffetthewiseman,eventhoughtheydonotoverthrow
him,suchasbodilypainandinfirmity,orthelossoffriends
<Ess179>
ONFIRMNESS,x.4xi.2
andchildren,andtheruinthatbefallshiscountryamidtheflamesofwar.Idonotdeny
thatthewisemanfeelsthesethingsforwedonotclaimforhimthehardnessofstoneor
ofsteel.Thereisnovirtuethatfailstorealizethatitdoesendure.What,then,isthecase?
Thewisemandoesreceivesomewounds,butthosethatherecieveshebindsup,
arrests,andhealstheselesserthingshedoesnotevenfeel,nordoesheemployagainst
themhisaccustomedvirtueofbearinghardship,butheeitherfailstonoticethem,or
countsthemworthyofasmile.
Moreover,since,inlargemeasure,insultscomefromtheproudandarrogantand
fromthosewhobearprosperityill,thewisemanpossessesthatwhichenableshimto
scorntheirpuffedupattitudethenoblestofallthevirtues,magnanimity.Thispasses
overeverythingofthatsortasofnomoreconsequencethanthedelusiveshapesof
dreamsandtheapparitionsofthenight,whichhavenothinginthemthatissubstantialand
real.Atthesametimeheremembersthis,thatallothersaresomuchhisowninferiors
thattheywouldnotpresumetodespisewhatissofarabovethem.Theword"contumely"
isderivedfromtheword"contempt,"fornooneoutragesanotherbysograveawrong
unlesshehascontemptforhimbutnomancanbecontemptuousofonewhoisgreater
andbetterthanhimself,evenifhisactionisofakindtowhichthecontemptuousare
prone.Forchildrenwillstriketheirparentsintheface,andtheinfanttumblesandtearshis
mother'shairandslobbersuponher,orexposestothegazeofthefamilypartsthatwere
bettercoveredover,andachilddoesnotshrinkfromfoullanguage.Yetwedonotcount
anyofthesethingsaninsult,
<Ess181>
ONFIRMNESS.xi.2xii.2
Andwhy?becausehewhodoesthemisincapableofbeingcontemptuous.Forthesame
reasonthewaggeryofslaves,insultingtotheirmasters,amusesus,andtheirboldnessat
theexpenseofguestshaslicenseonlybecausetheybeginwiththeirmasterhimselfand
themorecontemptibleandevenridiculousanyslaveis,themorefreedomoftonguehe
has.Forthispurposesomepeoplebuyyoungslavesbecausetheyarepert,andthey
whettheirimpudenceandkeepthemunderaninstructorinorderthattheymaybe
practisedinpouringforthstreamsofabuseandyetwecallthissmartness,notinsult.But
whatmadnessitisatonetimetobeamused,atanothertobeaffronted,bythesame
things,andtocallsomething,ifspokenbyafriend,aslanderifspokenbyaslave,a
playfultaunt!
Thesameattitudethatwehavetowardyoungslaves,thewisemanhastowardall
menwhosechildhoodenduresevenbeyondmiddleageandtheperiodofgreyhairs.Or
hasagebroughtanyprofitatalltomenofthissort,whohavethefaultsofachildishmind
withitsdefectsaugmented,whodifferfromchildrenonlyinthesizeandshapeoftheir
bodies,butarenotlesswaywardandunsteady,whoareundiscriminatingintheirpassion
forpleasure,timorous,andpeaceable,notfrominclination,butfromfear?Thereforeno
onemaysaythattheydifferinanywayfromchildren.Forwhilechildrenaregreedyfor
knucklebones,nuts,andcoppers,thesearegreedyforgoldandsilver,andcitieswhile
childrenplayamongthemselvesatbeingmagistrates,andinmakebelievehavetheir
borderedtoga,lictors'rodsandtribunal,thineplayinearnestatthesamethingsinthe
CampusMartiusandthe
<Ess183>
ONFIRMNESS,xii.2xiii.2
forumandthesenatewhilechildrenreartheirtoyhousesontheseashorewithheapsof
sand,these,asthoughengagedinamightyenterprise,arebusiedinpilingupstonesand
wallsandroofs,andconvertwhatwasintendedasaprotectiontothebodyintoa
menace.\aThereforechildrenandthosewhoarefartheradvancedinlifearealike
deceived,butthelatterindifferentandmoreseriousthings.Andsothewisemannot
improperlyconsidersinsultfromsuchmenasafarce,andsometimes,justasifthey
werechildren,hewilladmonishthemandinflictsufferingandpunishment,notbecausehe
hasreceivedaninjury,butbecausetheyhavecommittedone,andinorderthattheymay
desistfromsodoing.Forthusalsowebreakinanimalsbyusingthelash,andwedonot
getangryatthemwhentheywillnotsubmittoarider,butwecurbtheminorderthatby
painwemayovercometheirobstinacy.Now,therefore,youwillknowtheanswertothe
questionwithwhichweareconfronted:"Why,ifthewisemancannotreceiveeitherinjury
orinsult,doeshepunishthosewhohaveofferedthem?"Forheisnotavenginghimself,
butcorrectingthem.Butwhyisitthatyourefusetobelievethatthewisemanisgranted
suchfirmnessofmind,whenyoumayobservethatothershavethesame,althoughfora
differentreason?Whatphysiciangetsangrywithalunatic?Whotakesinillparttheabuse
ofamanstrickenwithfeverandyetdeniedcoldwater?Thewiseman'sfeelingtowards
allmenisthatofthephysiciantowardshispatients:hedoesnotscorntotouchtheirprivy
partsiftheyneedtreatment,ortoviewthebody'srefuseanddischarges,ortoendure
violentwordsfromthosewhorageindelirium.<Ess185>
ONFIRMNESS,xiii.24
Thewisemanknowsthatallwhostrutaboutintogasandinpurple,asiftheywerewell
andstrong,are,foralltheirbrightcolour,quiteunsound,andinhiseyestheydifferinno
wayfromthesickwhoarebereftofselfcontrol.Andsoheisnotevenirritatedifintheir
sickconditiontheyventuretobesomewhatimpertinenttotheirphysician,andinthesame
spiritinwhichhesetsnovalueonthehonourstheyhave,hesetsnovalueonthelackof
honourtheyshow.Justashewillnotbeflatteredifabeggarshowshimrespect,nor
countitaninsultifamanfromthedregsofthepeople,onbeinggreeted,failstoreturnhis
greeting,so,too,hewillnotevenlookupifmanyrichmenlookupathim.Forheknows
thattheydiffernotawhitfrombeggars{equality+}yea,thattheyareevenmorewretched
sincethebeggarwantslittle,therichmanmuch.And,ontheotherhand,hewillnotbe
disturbediftheKingoftheMedesorKingAttalusofAsia,ignoringhisgreeting,passes
himbyinsilenceandwithalookofdisdain.Heknowsthatthepositionofsuchamanis
nomoretobeenviedthanthatoftheslaveinalargehouseholdwhosedutyitistokeep
underconstraintthesickandtheinsane.Themenwhotrafficinwretchedhuman
chattels,buyingandsellingnearthetempleofCastor,whoseshopsarepackedwitha
throngofthemeanestslavesifsomeoneofthesedoesnotcallmebyname,shallItake
umbrage?No,Ithinknot.Forofwhatgoodisamanwhohasunderhimnonebutthe
bad?Therefore,justasthewisemandisregardsthisone'scourtesyordiscourtesy,so
willhelikewisedisregardtheking's:"You,Oking,haveunderyouParthiansandMedes
andBactrians,butyouholdthemincheekbyfeartheyneverallow
<Ess187>
ONFIRMNESS,xiii.4xiv.2
youtorelaxyourbowtheyareyourbitterestenemies,opentobribes,andeagerfora
newmaster."Consequentlythewisemanwillnotbemovedbyanyman'sinsult.Formen
mayalldifferonefromanother,yetthewisemanregardsthemasallalikebecausethey
areallequallyfoolishsinceifheshouldoncesofarcondescendastobemovedeitherby
insultorinjury,hecouldneverbeunconcerned.Unconcern,however,isthepeculiar
blessingofthewiseman,andhewillneverallowhimselftopaytotheonewhooffered
himaninsultthecomplimentofadmittingthatitwasoffered.For,necessarily,whoeveris
troubledbyanother'sscorn,ispleasedbyhisadmiration.
Somemenaremadenoughtosupposethatevenawomancanoffertheman
insult.Whatmattersithowtheyregardher,howmanylackeysshehasforherlitter,how
heavilyweightedherears,howroomyhersedan?Sheisjustthesameunthinking
creaturewild,andunrestrainedinherpassionsunlessshehasgainedknowledgeand
hadmuchinstruction.Someareaffrontedifahairdresserjostlesthem,andsomecallthe
rudenessofahouseporter,anusher'sarrogance,oravalet'sloftinessaninsult.Owhat
laughtershouldsuchthingsdraw!Withwhatsatisfactionshouldaman'smindbefilled
whenhecontrastshisownreposewiththeunrestintowhichothersblunder!"What
then?"yousay,"willthewisemannotapproachadoorthatisguardedbyasurlykeeper?"
Assuredly,ifsomenecessarybusinesssummonshimhewillmaketheventure,and
placatethekeeper,behewhathemay,asonequietsadogbytossinghimfood,andhe
willnotdeemitimpropertopaysomethinginorderthat
<Ess189>
ONFIRMNESS,xiv.2xv.2
hemaypassthethreshold,rememberingthatevenonsomebridgesonehastopayto
cross.Andsotothefellow,behewhathemay,whopliesthissourceofrevenueat
receptions,hewillpayhisfeeheknowsthatmoneywillbuywhateverisforsale.The
manhasasmallmindwhoispleasedwithhimselfbecausehespokehismindtoa
porter,becausehebrokehisstaffonhim,madehiswaytohismasteranddemandedthe
fellow'shide.Whoeverentersacontestbecomestheantagonistofanother,and,forthe
sakeofvictory,isonthesamelevel."But,"youask,"ifawisemanreceivesablow,what
shallhedo?"WhatCatodidwhenhewasstruckintheface.Hedidnotflareup,hedidnot
avengethewrong,hedidnotevenforgiveit,buthesaidthatnowronghadbeendone.He
showedfinerspiritinnotacknowledgingitthanifhehadpardonedit.{Prospero+}Butwe
shallnotlingerlonguponthispoint.Forwhoisnotawarethatnoneofthethingsreputed
tobegoodsorillsappeartothewisemanastheydotomenatlarge?Hedoesnotregard
whatmenconsiderbaseorwretchedhedoesnotwalkwiththecrowd,butastheplanets
maketheirwayagainstthewhirlofheaven,\asoheproceedscontrarytotheopinionof
theworld.Thereforeleaveoffsaying:"Willthewiseman,then,receivenoinjuryifheis
givenalashing,ifhehasaneyegougedout?Willhereceivenoinsultifheishooted
throughtheforumbythevilewordsofafoulmouthedcrowd?Ifataking'sbanquetheis
orderedtotakeaplacebeneaththetableandtoeatwiththeslavesassignedtothemost
disreputableservice?Ifheisforeedtobearwhateverelsecanbethoughtofthatwill
offendhisnativeselfrespect?"
Nomatterhowgreatthesethingsmaycometobe,
<Ess191>
ONFIRMNESS,xv.25
whetherinnumberorinsize,theirnaturewillremainthesame.Ifsmallthingsdonot
movehim,neitherwillthegreateronesifafewdonotmovehim,neitherwillmore.But
fromthemeasureofyourownweaknessyouformyourideaofanheroicspirit,and,
havingpicturedhowmuchyouthinkthatyoucanendure,yousetthelimitofthewise
man'sendurancealittlefartheron.Buthisvirtuehasplacedhiminanotherregionofthe
universehehasnothingincommonwithyou.Thereforesearchoutthehardthingsand
whateverisgrievoustobearthingsfromwhichtheearandtheeyemustshrink.The
wholemassofthemwillnotcrushhimandashewithstandsthemsingly,sowillhe
withstandthemunited.Hewhosaysthatonethingistolerableforthewiseman,another
intolerable,andrestrictsthegreatnessofhissoultodefinitebounds,doeshimwrong
Fortuneconquersus,unlesswewhollyconquerher.Donotsupposethatsuchausterity
isStoiconly.Epicurus,whomyouclaimastheadvocateofyourpolicyofinaction,\awho,
asyouthink,enjoinsthecoursethatissoftandindolentandconducivetopleasure,has
said,"RarelydoesFortuneblockthepathofthewiseman."\bHownearhecameto
utteringamanly+sentiment!WillyouspeakmoreheroicallyandclearFortunefromhis
pathaltogether?Thishouseofthewisemaniscramped,withoutadornment,without
bustle,withoutpomp,isguardedbynodoormenwho,withvenalfastidiousness,
discriminatebetweenthevisitorsbutoveritsthreshold,emptyanddevoidofkeepers,
Fortunedoesnotpass.Sheknowsthatshehasnoplacethere,wherenothingisherown.
<Ess193>
ONFIRMNESS,xvi.14
ButifevenEpicurus,whomostofallindulgedtheflesh,isupinarmsagainst
injury,howcansuchanattitudeonourpartseemincredibleortobebeyondtheboundsof
humannature?Hesaysthatinjuriesaretolerableforthewisemanwesaythatinjuriesdo
notexistforhim.Nor,indeed,isthereanyreasonwhyyoushouldclaimthatthiswars
againstnature.Wedonotdenythatitisanunpleasantthingtobebeatenandhit,tolose
somebodilymember,butwedenythatallsuchthingsareinjuries.Wedonotdivestthem
ofthesensationofpain,butofthenameofinjury,whichisnotallowablesolongasvirtue
isunharmed.Whichofthetwospeaksmoretrulywewillconsider:astocontempt,atany
rate,forinjuryboththinkalike.Doyouask,then,whatisthedifferencebetweenthetwo?
Thesamedifferencethatdistinguishestwogladiators,bothverybrave,oneofwhom
stopshiswoundandstandshisground,theother,turningtotheshoutingcrowd,makesa
signthathehasnowound,andpermitsnointerference.Thereisnoneedforyouto
supposethatourdifferenceisgreatastothepoint,anditistheonlyonethatconcerns
you,bothschoolsurgeyoutoscorninjuriesand,whatImaycalltheshadowsand
suggestionsofinjuries,insults.Andonedoesnotneedtobeawisemantodespise
these,butmerelyamanofsenseonewhocansaytohimself:"DoI,ordoInot,deserve
thatthesethingsbefallme?IfIdodeservethem,thereisnoinsultitisjusticeifIdonot
deservethem,hewhodoestheinjusticeistheonetoblush."Andthisinsult,socalled,
whatisit?Somejestatthebaldnessofmyhead,theweaknessofmyeyes,thethinness
ofmylegs,mybuild.Butwhyisitaninsulttobetoldwhatisselfevident?
<Ess195>
ONFIRMNESS,xvi.4xvii.3
Somethingissaidinthepresenceofonlyonepersonandwelaughifseveralarepresent,
webecomeindignant,andwedonotallowothersthelibertyofsayingtheverythingsthat
weareinthehabitofsayingaboutourselves.Jests,ifrestrained,amuseusif
unrestrained,theymakeusangry.Chrysippussaysthatacertainmangrewindignant
becausesomeonehadcalledhim"aseawether."\aWesawFidusCornelius,the
soninlawofOvidiusNaso,shedtearsinthesenate,whenCorbulocalledhimaplucked
ostrich.Inthefaceofothercharges,damagingtohischaracterandstanding,the
composureofhiscountenancewasunruffled,butatonethusabsurdoutbursthistears!
Suchistheweaknessofthemindwhenreasonflees.Whyareweoffendedifanyone
imitatesourtalkorwalk,ormimimicssomedefectofbodyorspeech?Justasifthese
wouldbecomemorenotoriousbyanother'simitatingthemthanbyourdoingthem!Some
disliketohearoldagespokenofandgreyhairsandotherthingswhichmenpraytocome
to.Thecurseofpovertygallssome,butamanmakesitareproachtohimselfifhetriesto
hideit.Andsosneerersandthosewhopointtheirwitwithinsultarerobbedofanexcuseif
youanticipateitwithamoveonyourpart.Noonebecomesalaughingstockwholaughs
athimself.ItiscommonknowledgethatVatinius,amanborntobeabuttforridiculeand
hate,wasagracefulandwittyjester.Heutteredmanyajestattheexpenseofhisown
feetandhisscarredjowls.\bSoheescapedthewitofhisenemiestheyoutnumbered
hisafflictionsand,aboveall,Cicero's.Ifthemanwho,throughconstantabuse,had
forgottenhowtoblush,wasable,byreasonofhisbrazenface,todothis,why
<Ess197>
ONFIRMNESS,xvii.3xviii.2
shouldanyonebeunabletodoso,who,thankstotheliberal+studiesandthetrainingof
philosophy,hasattainedtosomegrowth?Besides,itisasortofrevengetorobtheman
whohassoughttoinflictaninsultofthepleasureofhavingdoneso."Ohdearme!"hewill
say,"Isupposehedidn'tunderstand."Thusthesuccessofaninsultdependsuponthe
sensitivenessandtheindignationofthevictim.Theoffender,too,willonedaymeethis
matchsomeonewillbefoundwhowillavengeyoualso.
GaiusCaesar,whoamidthemultitudeofhisotherviceshadabentforinsult,was
movedbythestrangedesiretobrandeveryonewithsomestigma,whilehehimselfwas
amostfruitfulsourceofridiculesuchwastheuglinessofhispalefacebespeakinghis
madness,suchthewildnessofhiseyeslurkingbeneaththebrowofanoldhag,suchthe
hideousnessofhisbaldbeadwithitssprinklingofbeggarlyhairs.Andhehad,besides,a
neckovergrownwithbristles,spindleshanks,andenormousfeet.Itwouldbeanendless
taskwereItoattempttomentiontheseparateactsbywhichhecastinsultuponhis
parentsandgrandparentsanduponmenofeveryclassIshall,therefore,mentiononly
thosewhichbroughthimtohisdestruction.
AmonghisespecialfriendstherewasacertainAsiaticusValerius,aproudspirited
manwhowashardlytobeexpectedtobearwithequanimityanother'sinsults.Ata
banquet,thatisatapublicgathering,usinghisloudestvoice,Gaiustauntedthismanwith
thewayhiswifebehavedinsexualintercourse.Yegods!whatatalefortheearsofa
husband!whatafactforanemperortoknow!andwhatindecencythatanemperor
shouldgosofarasto
<Ess199>
ONFIRMNESS,xviii.25
reporthisadulteryandhisdissatisfactioninittothewoman'sveryhusbandtosay
nothingofhisbeingaconsular,tosaynothingofhisbeingafriend!Ontheotherhand,
Chaerea,atribuneofthesoldiers,hadawayoftalkingthatillaccordedwithMsprowess
hisvoicewasfeebleand,unlessyouknewhisdeeds,wasapttostirdistrust.Whenhe
askedforthewatchword,Gaiuswouldgivehimsometimes"Venus,"sometimes
"Priapus,"seekingtotauntthemanofarms,inonewayoranother,withwantonness.
{effeminacy+}Hehimself,allthewhile,wasinshiningapparel,shodwithsandals,\aand
deckedwithgold.AndsoChaereawasdriventousetheswordinordertoavoidhavingto
askforthewatchwordanymore!Amongtheconspiratorshewasthefirsttolifthishand
itwashewhowithoneblowseveredtheemperor'sneck.Afterthatfromallsidesblades
showereduponhim,avengingpublicandprivatewrongs,butthefirstherowasChaerea,
wholeastappearedone.YetthissameGaiuswouldinterpreteverythingasaninsult,asis
thewayofthosewho,beingmosteagertoofferanaffront,areleastabletoendureone.
HebecameangryatHerenniusMacerbecauseheaddressedhimasGaius,whilea
centurionofthefirstmaniple\bgotintotroublebecausehesaid"Caligula."Forinthe
camp,wherehewasbornandhadbeenthepetofthetroops,thiswasthenameby
whichhewascommonlycalled,norwasthereeveranyotherbywhichhewassowell
knowntothesoldiers.Butnow,havingattainedtoboots,heconsidered"LittleBoots"\ca
reproachanddisgrace.This,then,willbeourcomfort:evenifbyreasonoftolerancewe
omitrevenge,someonewillarisetobringtheimpertinent,arrogant,andinjuriousmanto
punish
<Ess1101>
ONFIRMNESS,xviii.5xxx.3
mentforhisoffencesareneverexhaustedupononeindividualorinoneinsult.Letusturn
nowtotheexamplesofthosewhoseendurancewecommendforinstancetothatof
Socrates,whotookingoodpartthepublishedandactedgibesdirectedagainsthimin
comedies,\aandlaughedasheartilyaswhenhiswifeXanthippedrenchedhimwithfoul
water.Antistheneswastauntedwithhavingabarbarian,aThracianwoman,forhis
motherhisretortwasthateventhemotherofthegodswasfromMountIda.\b
Strifeandwranglingwemustnotcomenear.Weshouldfleefarfromthesethings,
andalltheprovocationstheretoofunthinkingpeoplewhichonlytheunthinkingcangive
shouldbeignored,andthehonoursandtheinjuriesofthecommonherdbevaluedboth
alike.Wemustneithergrieveovertheone,norrejoiceovertheother.Otherwise,fromthe
fearofinsultsorfromwearinessofthem,weshallfallshortinthedoingofmanyneedful
things,and,sufferingfromawomanishdistasteforhearinganythingnottoourmind,we
shallrefusetofacebothpublicandprivateduties,sometimesevenwhentheyareforour
wellbeing.Attimes,also,enragedagainstpowerfulmen,weshallrevealourfeelingswith
unrestrainedliberty.{Prospero+}Butnottoputupwithanythingisnotlibertywedeceive
ourselves.Liberty+ishavingamindthatrisessuperiortoinjury,thatmakesitselftheonly
sourcefromwhichitspleasuresspring,thatseparatesitselffromallexternalthingsin
orderthatmanmaynothavetolivehislifeindisquietude,fearingeverybody'slaughter,
everybody'stongue.Forifanymancanofferinsult,whoistherewhocannot?Butthetruly
wisemanandtheaspiranttowisdom
<Ess1103>
ONFIRMNFSS,xix.34
willusedifferentremedies.Forthosewhoarenotperfectedandstillconductthemselves
inaccordancewithpublicopinionmustbearinmindthattheyhavetodwellinthemidstof
injuryandinsultallmisfortunewillfallmorelightlyonthosewhoexpectit.Themore
honourableamanisbybirth,reputation,andpatrimony,themoreheroicallyheshould
bearhimself,rememberingthatthetallestranksstandinthefrontbattleline.Lethimbear
insults,shamefulwords,civildisgrace,andallotherdegradationashewouldtheenemy's
warcry,andthedartsandstonesfromafarthatrattlearoundasoldier'shelmetbutcause
nowound.Lethimendureinjuries,insooth,ashewouldwoundsthoughsomeblows
piercehisarmour,othershisbreast,neveroverthrown,norevenmovedfromhisground.
Evenifyouarehardpressedandbesetwithfierceviolence,yetitisadisgracetoretreat
maintainthepostthatNaturehasassignedyoou.Doyouaskwhatthismaybe?Thepost
ofahero.{noblesse_oblige+}Thewiseman'ssuccourisofanothersort,theoppositeof
thisforwhileyouareintheheatofaction,hehaswonthevictory.Donotwaragainst
yourowngoodkeepalivethishopeinyourbreastsuntilyouarriveattruth,andgladlygive
eartothebetterdoctrineandhelpitonbyyourbeliefandprayer.Thatthereshouldbe
somethingunconquerable,somemanagainstwhomFortunehasnopower,worksforthe
goodofthecommonwealthofmankind.
<Ess1105>

BOOKIII
TONOVATUSONANGER+
BOOKI
Youhaveimportunedme,Novatus,towriteonthesubjectofhowangermaybe
allayed,anditseemstomethatyouhadgoodreasontofearinanespecialdegreethis,
themosthideousandfrenziedofalltheemotions.Fortheotheremotionshaveinthem
someelementofpeaceandcalm,whilethisoneiswhollyviolentandhasitsbeinginan
onrushofresentment,ragingwithamostinhumanlustforweapons,blood,and
punishment,givingnothoughttoitselfifonlyitcanhurtanother,hurlingitselfuponthevery
pointofthedagger,andeagerforrevengethoughitmaydragdowntheavengeralong
withit.Certainwisemen,therefore,haveclaimedthatangeristemporarymadness.
{Lear+}Foritisequallydevoidofselfcontrol,forgetfulofdecency,unmindfulofties,
persistentanddiligentinwhateveritbegins,closedtoreasonandcounsel,excitedby
triflingcauses,unfittodiscerntherightandtruetheverycounterpartofaruinthatis
shatteredinpieceswhereitoverwhelms.Butyouhaveonlytobeholdtheaspectofthose
possessedbyangertoknowthattheyareinsane.Forasthemarksofamadmanare
unmistakableaboldandthreateningmien,agloomy
<Ess1107>
ONANGER,I.i.37
brow,afierceexpression,ahurriedstep,restlesshands,analteredcolour,aquickand
moreviolentbreathingsolikewisearethemarksoftheangrymanhiseyesblazeand
sparkle,hiswholefaceiscrimsonwiththebloodthatsurgesfromthelowestdepthsof
theheart,hislipsquiver,histeethareclenched,hishairbristlesandstandsonend,his
breathingisforcedandharsh,hisjointscrackfromwrithing,hegroansandbellows,
burstsoutintospeechwithscarcelyintelligiblewords,strikeshishandstogether
continually,andstampsthegroundwithhisfeethiswholebodyisexcitedand"performs
greatangrythreats"/aitisanuglyandhorriblepictureofdistortedandswollenfrenzyyou
cannottellwhetherthisviceismoreexecrableormorehideous.Othervicesmaybe
concealedandcherishedinsecretangershowsitselfopenlyandappearsinthe
countenance,andthegreateritis,themorevisiblyitboilsforth.Doyounotseehow
animalsofeverysort,assoonastheybestirthemselvesformischief,showpremonitory
signs,andhowtheirwholebody,forsakingitsnaturalstateofrepose,accentuatestheir
ferocity?Wildboarsfoamatthemouthandsharpentheirtusksbyfriction,bullstosstheir
hornsintheairandscatterthesandbypawing,lionsroar,snakespuffuptheirnecks
whentheyareangry,andmaddogshaveasullenlook.Noanimalissohatefulandso
deadlybynatureasnottoshowafreshaccessoffiercenessassoonasitisassailedby
anger.AndyetIamawarethattheotheremotionsaswellarenoteasilyconcealedthat
lustandfearandboldnessallshowtheirmarksandcanberecognizedbeforehand.For
noviolentagitationcantakeholdofthemindwithoutaffectingin
<Ess1109>
ONANGER,1.1.7ii.3
somewaythecountenance.Where,then,liesthedifference?Inthistheotheremotion
nsshow,angerstandsout.
Moreover,ifyouchoosetoviewitsresultsandtheharmofit,noplaguehascost
thehumanracemoredear.Youwillseebloodshedandpoisoning,thevile
counterchargesofcriminals,/athedownfallofcitiesandwholenationsgivento
destruction,princelypersonssoldatpublicauction,housesputtothetorch,and
conflagrationthathaltsnotwithinthecitywalls,butmakesgreatstretchesofthecountry
glowwithhostileflame./bBeholdthemostgloriouscitieswhosefoundationscanscarcely
betracedangercastthemdown.Beholdsolitudesstretchinglonelyformanymiles
withoutasingledwellerangerlaidthemwaste.Beholdalltheleaderswhohavebeen
handeddowntoposterityasinstancesofanevilfateangerstabbedthisoneinhisbed,
struckdownthisoneamidthesanctitiesofthefeast,/ctorethisonetopiecesinthevery
homeofthelawandinfullviewofthecrowdedforum,/dforcedthisonetohavehisblood
spilledbythemurderousactofhisson,anothertohavehisroyalthroatcutbythehandof
aslave,anothertohavehislimbsstretcheduponthecross.AndhithertoIhavementioned
thesufferingsofindividualpersonsonlywhatif,leavingasidethesewhosinelyfeltthe
forceofanger'sflame,youshouldchoosetoviewthegatheringscutdownbythesword,
thepopulacebutcheredbysoldieryletlooseuponthem,andwholepeoplescondemned
todeathincommonruin
<Ess1111>
asifeitherforsakingourprotection,ordespisingourauthority.Tellme,whydoweseethe
peoplegrowangrywithgladiators,andsounjustlyastodeemitanoffencethattheyare
notgladtodie?Theyconsiderthemselvesaffronted,andfrommerespectatorstransform
themselvesintoenemies,inlooks,ingesture,andinviolence.Whateverthismaybe,itis
notanger,butmockanger,likethatofchildrenwho,iftheyfalldown,wanttheearthtobe
thrashed,andwhooftendonotevenknowwhytheyareangrytheyaremerelyangry,
withoutanyreasonandwithoutbeinginjured,thoughnotwithoutsomesemblanceof
injuryandnotwithoutsomedesireofexactingpunishment.Andsotheyaredeceivedby
imaginaryblowsandarepacifiedbythepretendedtearsofthosewhobegforgiveness,
andmockresentmentisremovedbyamockrevenge."Weoftengetangry,"someone
rejoins,"notatthosewhohavehurtus,butatthosewhointendtohurtusyoumay,
therefore,besurethatangerisnotbornofinjury."/aItistruethatwedogetangryatthose
whointendtohurtus,butbytheveryintentiontheydohurtusthemanwhointendstodo
injuryhasalreadydoneit."But,"ourfriendreplies,"thatyoumayknowthatangerisnot
thedesiretoexactpunishment,theweakestmenareoftenangryatthemostpowerful,
andiftheyhavenohope"ofinflictingpunishment,theyhavenotthedesire.Inthefirst
place,Ispokeofthedesiretoexactpunishment,notofthepowertodosomoreover,
mendodesireevenwhattheycannotattain.Inthesecondplace,nooneissolowlythat
hecannothopetopunisheventheloftiestofmenweallhavepowertodoharm.
Aristotle's
<Ess1113>
ONANGER,I.iii.37
definition/adifferslittlefrommineforhesaysthatangeristhedesiretorepaysuffering.
Totracethedifferencebetweenhisdefinitionandminewouldtaketoolong.Incriticismof
bothitmaybesaidthatwildbeastsbecomeangrythoughtheyareneitherstirredbyinjury
norbentonthepunishmentorthesufferingofanotherforeveniftheyaccomplishthese
ends,theydonotseekthem.Butourreplymustbethatwildbeastsandallanimals,
exceptman,arenotsubjecttoangerforwhileitisthe
foeofreason,itis,nevertheless,bornonlywherereasondwells.Wildbeastshave
impulses,madness,fierceness,aggressivenessbuttheynomorehaveangerthanthey
haveluxuriousness.Yetinregardtocertainpleasurestheyarelessselfrestrainedthan
man.Youarenottobelievethewordsofthepoet:
Theboarhiswrathforgets,thehindhertrustinflight,
Norbearswillnowessaythesturdykinetofight./b
Theirbeingarousedandspurredtoactionhecallstheir"wrath"buttheyknownomore
howtobewroththantopardon.Dumbanimalslacktheemotionsofman,buttheyhave
certainimpulsessimilartotheseemotions.Otherwise,iftheywerecapableofloveand
hate,theywouldalsobecapableoffriendshipandenmity,discordandharmonyand
sometracesofthesequalitiesdoappearinthemalso,butthequalitiesofgoodandbad
arepeculiartothehumanbreast.Wisdom,foresight,diligence,andreflectionhavebeen
grantedtonocreaturebutman,andnotonlyhisvirtuesbutalsohisfaultshavebeen
withheldfromtheanimals.{Yahoo+}Astheiroutwardformiswhollydifferentfromthatof
man,soistheirinner
<Ess1115>
ONANGER,I.iii.7iv.3
natureitsguidinganddirectingprincipleiscastinadifferentmould.Theyhaveavoice,it
istrue,butitisunintelligible,uncontrolled,andincapableofspeechtheyhaveatongue,
butitisshackledandnotfreetomakemanydifferentmovements.Solikewiseinthemthe
rulingprincipleitselfislackinginfinenessandprecision.Consequently,whileitforms
impressionsandnotionsofthethingsthatarouseittoaction,theyarecloudedand
indistinct.Itfollows,accordingly,thatwhiletheyhaveviolentoutbreaksandmental
disturbances,theydonothavefearandanxiety,sorrowandanger,butcertainstates
similartothem.These,therefore,quicklypassandchangetotheexactreverse,and
animals,aftershowingthesharpestfrenzyandfear,willbegintofeed,andtheirfrantic
bellowingandplungingisimmediatelyfollowedbyreposeandsleep.
Whatangerishasnowbeensufficientlyexplained.Thedifferencebetweenitand
irascibilityisevidentitislikethedifferencebetweenadrunkenmanandadrunkard,
betweenafrightenedmanandacoward.Anangrymanmaynotbeanirasciblemanan
irasciblemanmay,attimes,notbeanangryman.Theothercategorieswhichthe
Greeks,usingamultiplicityofterms,establishforthedifferentkindsofangerIshallpass
over,sincewehavenodistinctivewordsforthemandyetwecallmenbitterandharsh,
and,justasoften,choleric,rabid,brawlsome,captious,andfierceallofwhichdesignate
differentaspectsofanger.Here,too,youmayplacethepeevishman,whosestateisa
mildsortofirascibility.Nowtherearecertainkindsofangerwhichsubsideinnoisesome
areaspersistentastheyarecommonsomearefierceindeedbutinclinedtobefrugalof
<Ess1117>
wordssomeareventedinbitternessofspeechandcursescertainkindsdonotgo
beyondawordofcomplaintandashowofcoolness,othersaredeepseatedandweighty
andbroodinamanThereareathousanddifferentshapesofthemultiformevil.
Hithertowehaveinquiredwhatangeris,whetheritbelongstoanyothercreature
thanman,howitdiffersfromirascibility,andinhowmanyaspectsitappearsletusnow
inquirewhetherangerisinaccordancewithnaturewhetheritisexpedientandought,
therefore,insomemeasuretobekept."/aWhether,itisinaccordancewithnaturewill
becomeclearifweturnoureyestoman.Whatismoregentlethanhewhileheisina
rightstateofmind?Butwhatismorecruelthananger?Whatismorelovingtoothersthan
man?Whatmorehostilethananger?Manisbornformutualhelpangerformutual
destruction.Theonedesiresunion,theotherdisuniontheonetohelp,theothertoharm
onewouldsuccourevenstrangers,theotherattackitsbestbelovedtheoneisready
eventoexpendhimselfforthegoodofothers,theothertoplungeintoperilonlyifitcan
dragothersalong.Who,therefore,haslessknowledgeofthewaysofNaturethanthe
manwhowouldascribetoherbestandmostfinishedworkthiscruelanddeadlyvice?
Anger,asIhavesaid,isbentonpunishment,andthatsuchadesireshouldfindaharbour
inman'smostpeacefulbreastaccordsleastofallwithhisnature.Forhumanlifeis
foundedonkindnessandconcord,andisboundintoanallianceforcommonhelp,notby
terror,butbymutuallove.
"Whatthen"yousay"isnotcorrectionsometimesnecessary?"Ofcourseitis
butwith
<Ess1119>
ONANGER,I.vi.13
discretion,notwithanger.Foritwillnothurt,butwillhealundertheguiseofhurting.Aswe
applytheflametocertainspearshafts/awhentheyarecrookedinordertostraighten
them,andcompressthembydrivinginwedges,nottocrushthem,buttotakeouttheir
kinks,sothroughpainappliedtobodyandmindwereformthenaturesofmenthatare
distortedbyvice.Manifestly,aphysician,inthecaseofslightdisorders,triesatfirstnotto
makemuchchangeinhispatient'sdailyhabitshelaysdownaregimenforfood,drink,
andexercise,andtriestoimprovehishealthonlythroughachangeintheorderingofhis
life.Hisnextconcernistoseethattheamountisconducivetohealth.Ifthefirstamount
andregimenfailtobringrelief,heordersareductionandlopsoffsomethings.Ifstillthere
isnoresponse,heprohibitsfoodanddisburdensthebodybyfasting.Ifthesemilder
measuresareunavailingheopensavein,andthen,ifthelimbsbycontinuingtobe
attachedtothebodyaredoingitharmandspreadingthedisease,helaysviolenthands
onthem.Notreatmentseemsharshifitsresultissalutary.Similarly,itbecomesa
guardianofthelaw,therulerofthestate,tohealhumannaturebytheuseofwords,and
theseofthemildersort,aslongashecan,totheendthathemaypersuadeamantodo
whatheoughttodo,andwinoverhishearttoadesireforthehonourableandthejust,and
implantinhismindhatredofviceandesteemofvirtue.Lethimpassnexttoharsher
language,inwhichhewillstillaimatadmonitionandreproof.Lastly,lethimresortto
punishment,yetstillmakingitlightandnotirrevocable.Extremepunishmentlethim
appointonlytoextremecrime,sothatno
<Ess1121>
ONANGER,I.vi.4vii.1
manwilllosehislifeunlessitistothebenefitevenofthelosertoloseit.Inonlyone
particularwillhedifferfromthephysician.Forwhiletheonesuppliestothepatientsto
whomhehasbeenunabletogivetheboonoflifeaneasyexitfromit,theotherforcibly
expelsthecondemnedfromlife,coveredwithdisgraceandpublicignominy,notbecause
hetakespleasureinthepunishmentofanyoneforthewisemanisfarfromsuch
inhumanferocitybutthattheymayproveawarningtoall,and,sincetheywereunwilling
tobeusefulwhilealive,thatindeathatanyratetheymaybeofservicetothestate.Man's
nature,then,doesnotcravevengeanceneither,therefore,doesangeraccordwithman's
nature,becauseangercravesvengeance.AndImayadduceheretheargumentofPlato
forwhatharmisthereinusingtheargumentsofothers,sofarastheyareourown?"The
goodman,"hesays,"doesnoinjury."/aPunishmentinjuresthereforepunishmentisnot
consistentwithgood,nor,forthesamereason,isanger,sincepunishmentisconsistent
withanger.Ifthegoodmanrejoicesnotinpunishment,neitherwillherejoiceinthatmood
whichtakespleasureinpunishmentthereforeangeriscontrarytonature.
Althoughangerbecontrarytonature,mayitnotberighttoadoptit,becauseithas
oftenbeenuseful?Itrousesandincitesthespirit,andwithoutitbraveryperformsno
splendiddeedinwarunlessitsuppliestheflame,unlessitactsasagoadtospuron
bravemenandsendthemintodanger.Thereforesomethinkthatthebestcourseisto
controlanger,nottobanishit,andbyremovingitsexcessestoconfineitwithinbeneficial
bounds,keeping,however,that
<Ess1123>
ONANGER,I.vii.1viii.1
partwithoutwhich,actionwillbeinertandthemind'sforceandenergybroken.Inthefirst
place,itiseasiertoexcludeharmfulpassionsthantorulethem,andtodenythem
admittancethan,aftertheyhavebeenadmitted,tocontrolthemforwhentheyhave
establishedthemselvesinpossession,theyarestrongerthantheirruleranddonotpermit
themselvestoberestrainedorreduced.Inthesecondplace,Reasonherself,towhom
thereinsofpowerhavebeenentrusted,remainsmistressonlysolongassheiskept
apartfromthepassions:ifonceshemingleswiththemandiscontaminated,she
becomesunabletoholdbackthosewhomshemighthaveclearedfromherpath.
{Anger_vs_reason+}Forwhenoncethemindhasbeenarousedandshaken,itbecomes
theslaveofthedisturbingagent.Therearecertainthingswhichatthestartareunderour
control,butlaterhurryusawaybytheirviolenceandleaveusnoretreat.Asavictim
hurledfromtheprecipicehasnocontrolofhisbody,and,oncecastoff,canneitherstop
norstay,but,speedingonirrevocably,iscutofffromallreconsiderationandrepentance
andcannotnowavoidarrivingatthegoaltowardwhichhemightoncehaveavoided
starting,sowiththemindifitplungesintoanger,love,ortheotherpassions,ithasno
powertocheckitsimpetusitsveryweightandthedownwardtendencyofviceneeds
musthurryiton,anddriveittothebottom.
Thebestcourseistorejectatoncethefirstincitementtoanger,toresistevenits
smallbeginnings,andtotakepainstoavoidfallingintoanger.Forifitbeginstoleadus
astray,thereturntothesafepathisdifficult,since,ifonceweadmittheemotionandby
ourownfreewillgrantitanyauthority,reason
<Ess1125>
ONANGER,1.viii.16
becomesofnoavailafterthatitwilldo,notwhateveryouletit,butwhateveritchooses.
Theenemy,Irepeat,mustbestoppedattheveryfrontierforifhehaspassedit,and
advancedwithinthecitygates,hewillnotrespectanyboundssetbyhiscaptives.Forthe
mindisnotamemberapart,nordoesitviewthepassionsmerelyobjectively,thus
forbiddingthemtoadvancefartherthantheyought,butitisitselftransformedintothe
passionandis,therefore,unabletorecoveritsformerusefulandsavingpowerwhenthis
hasoncebeenbetrayedandweakened.For,asIsaidbefore,thesetwodonotdwell
separateanddistinct,butpassionandreasonareonlythetransformationofthemind
towardthebetterortheworse.How,then,willthereason,afterithassurrenderedto
anger,riseagain,assailedandcrushedasitisbyvice?Orhowshallitfreeitselffromthe
motleycombinationinwhichablendingofalltheworsequalitiesmakesthemsupreme?
"But,"sayssomeone,"therearethosewhocontrolthemselveseveninanger."You
mean,then,thattheydononeofthethingsthatangerdictates,oronlysomeofthem?If
theydonone,itisevidentthatangerisnotessentialtothetransactionsoflife,andyetyou
wereadvocatingitonthegroundthatitissomethingstrongerthanreason.Iask,infine,is
angermorepowerfulorweakerthanreason?Ifitismorepowerful,howwillreasonbe
abletosetlimitationsuponit,since,ordinarily,itisonlythelesspowerfulthingthat
submits?Ifitisweaker,thenreasonwithoutitissufficientinitselffortheaccomplishment
ofourtasks,andrequiresnohelpfromathinglesspowerful.Yetyousay,"Thereare
thosewho,eventhoughangry,remaintruetothemselves
<Ess1127>
andareselfcontrolled."Butwhenaretheyso?Onlywhenangergraduallyvanishesand
departsofitsownaccord,notwhenitisatwhiteheatthenitisthemorepowerfulofthe
two."Whatthen?"yousay"donotmensometimeseveninthemidstofangerallowthose
whomtheyhatetogetoutsafeandsoundandrefrainfromdoingtheminjury?"Theydo
butwhen?Whenpassionhasbeatenbackpassion,andeitherfearorgreedhasobtained
itsend.Thenthereispeace,notwroughtthroughthegoodofficesofreason,butthrough
atreacherousandevilagreementbetweenthepassions.Again,angerembodiesnothing
useful,nordoesitkindlethemindtowarlikedeedsforvirtue,beingselfsufficient,never
needsthehelpofvice.Wheneverthereisneedofviolenteffort,theminddoesnot
becomeangry,butitgathersitselftogetherandisarousedorrelaxedaccordingtoits
estimateoftheneedjustaswhenenginesofwarhurlforththeirarrows,itistheoperator
whocontrolsthetensionwithwhichtheyarehurled."Anger,"saysAristotle/a"is
necessary,andnobattlecanbewonwithoutitunlessitfillsthemindandfiresthesoulit
mustserve,however,notasaleader,butasthecommonsoldier."Butthisisnottrue.For
ifitlistenstoreasonandfollowswherereasonleads,itisnolongeranger,ofwhichthe
chiefcharacteristiciswilfulness.If,however,itresistsandisnotsubmissivewhen
ordered,butiscarriedawaybyitsowncapriceandfury,itwillbeaninstrumentofthe
mindasuselessasisthesoldierwhodisregardsthesignalforretreat.If,therefore,anger
suffersanylimitationtobeimposeduponit,itmustbecalledbysomeothernameithas
ceasedtobeanger
<Ess1129>
ONANGER,1.ix.3x.3
forIunderstandthistobeunbridledandungovernable.Ifitsuffersnolimitation,itisa
banefulthingandisnottobecountedasahelpfulagent.Thuseitherangerisnotangeror
itisuseless.Forthemanwhoexactspunishment,notbecausehedesirespunishment
foritsownsake,butbecauseitisrighttoinflictit,oughtnottobecountedasanangry
man.Theusefulsoldierwillbeonewhoknowshowtoobeyordersthepassionsareas
badsubordinatestheyareleaders.
Consequently,reasonwillnevercalltoitshelpblindandviolentimpulsesover
whichitwillitselfhavenocontrol,whichitcannevercrushsavebysettingagainstthem
equallypowerfulandsimilarimpulses,asfearagainstanger,angeragainstsloth,greed
againstfear.Mayvirtuebesparedthecalamityofhavingreasoneverfleeforhelptovice!
Itisimpossibleforthemindtofindhereasurereposeshatteredandstormtossedit
musteverbeifitdependsuponitsworstqualitiestosaveit,ifitcannotbebravewithout
beingangry,ifitcannotbeindustriouswithoutbeinggreedy,ifitcannotbequietwithout
beingafraidsuchisthetyrannyunderwhichthatmanmustlivewhosurrenderstothe
bondageofanypassion.Isitnotashametodegradethevirtuesintodependenceupon
thevices?Again,reasonceasestohavepowerifithasnopowerapartfrompassion,and
sogetstobeonthesamelevelwithpassionandlikeuntoit.Forwhatdifferenceisthere,
ifpassionwithoutreasonisathingasunguidedasreasonwithoutpassionisineffective?
Bothareonthesamelevel,ifonecannotexistwithouttheother.Yetwhowouldmaintain
thatpassionisonalevelwithreason?"Passion,"someone
<Ess1131>
ONANGER,1.x.4xi.3
says,"isuseful,providedthatitbemoderate."No,onlybyitsnaturecanitbeuseful.If,
however,itwillnotsubmittoauthorityandreason,theonlyresultofitsmoderationwillbe
thatthelessthereisofit,thelessharmitwilldo.Consequentlymoderatepassionis
nothingelsethanamoderateevil."Butagainsttheenemy,"itissaid,"angeris
necessary."Nowhereisitlesssofortheretheattackoughtnottobedisorderly,but
regulatedandundercontrol.Whatelseisit,infact,buttheirangeritsownworstfoe
thatreducestoimpotencythebarbarians,whoaresomuchstrongerofbodythanwe,
andsomuchbetterabletoendurehardship?So,too,inthecaseofgladiatorsskillistheir
protection,angertheirundoing.Ofwhatuse,further,isanger,whenthesameendmaybe
accomplishedbyreason?Thinkyouthehunterhasangertowardwildbeasts?Yetwhen
theycome,hetakesthem,andwhentheyflee,hefollows,andreasondoesitallwithout
anger.TheCimbriansandtheTeutons/a"whopouredovertheAlpsincountless
thousandswhatwipedthemoutsocompletelythateventhenewsofthegreatdisaster
wascarriedtotheirhomes,notbyamessenger,butonlybyrumour,exceptthatthey
substitutedangerforvalour?Anger,althoughitwillsometimesoverthrowandlaylow
whatevergetsinitsway,yetmoreoftenbringsdestructiononitself.Whoaremore
courageousthantheGermans?Whoarebolderinacharge?Whohavemoreloveofthe
armstowhichtheyarebornandbred,whichtotheexclusionofallelsebecometheironly
care?Whoaremorehardenedtoenduranceofeverykind,sincetheyare,inlarge
measure,providedwithnoprotectionfortheirbodies,
<Ess1133>
ONANGER,I.xi.47
withnoshelteragainstthecontinualrigouroftheclimate?Yetthesearetheywhomthe
SpaniardsandtheGaulsandmenofAsiaandSyria,uninuredtowar,cutdownbefore
theycouldevenglimpseaRomanlegion,thevictimsofnothingelsethananger.Butmark
you,oncegivedisciplinetothosebodies,givereasontothosemindsthatarestrangers
stilltopamperedways,excess,andwealth,andweRomanstmentionnothingfurther
shallassuredlybeforeeeltoreturntotheancientRomanways.HowelsedidFabius
restorethebrokenforcesofthestatebutbyknowinghowtoloiter,toputoff,andtowait/a
thingsofwhichangrymenknownothing?Thestate,whichwasstandingtheninthe
utmostextremity,hadsurelyperishedifFabiushadventuredtodoallthatanger
prompted.Buthetookintoconsiderationthewellbeingofthestate,and,estimatingits
strength,ofwhichnownothingcouldbelostwithoutthelossofall,heburiedallthoughtof
resentmentandrevengeandwasconcernedonlywithexpediencyandthefitting
opportunityheconqueredangerbeforeheconqueredHannibal.AndwhatofScipio?Did
henotleavebehindhimHannibalandtheCarthaginianarmyandallthosewithwhomhe
hadreasontobeangry,anddallysolong/bintransferringthewartoAfricathathegaveto
evilmindedpeopletheimpressionthathewasasensualistandasluggard?What,too,of
theotherScipio?/cDidhenotsitbeforeNumantia,idlingmuchandlong,andbear
unmovedthereproachtohimselfandtohiscountrythatittooklongertoconquer
NumantiathantoconquerCarthage?Butbyblockadingandinvesting/dtheenemyhe
forcedthemtosuchstraitsthattheyperishedby
<Ess1135>
ONANGER,1.xi.8xll.4
theirownswords.Anger,therefore,isnotexpedienteveninbattleorinwarforitisproneto
rashness,andwhileitseekstobringaboutdanger,doesnotguardagainstit.Thetruest
formofwisdomistomakeawideandlonginspection,toputselfinsubjection,andthen
tomoveforwardslowlyandinasetdirection.
"Whatthen?"youask"willthegoodmannotbeangryifhisfatherismurdered,his
motheroutragedbeforehiseyes?"No,hewillnotbeangry,buthewillavengethem,will
protectthem.
Why,moreover,areyouafraidthatfilialaffection,evenwithoutanger,maynotprovea
sufficientlystrongincentiveforhim?Oryoumightaswellsay:"Whatthen?ifagoodman
shouldseehisfatherorhissonundertheknife,willhenotweep,willhenotfaint?"But
thisisthewayweseewomenactwhenevertheyareupsetbytheslightestsuggestionof
danger.Thegoodmanwillperformhisdutiesundisturbedandunafraidandhewillin
suchawaydoallthatisworthyofagoodmanastodonothingthatisunworthyofaman.
MyfatherisbeingmurderedIwilldefendhimheisslainIwillavengehim,notbecause
Igrieve,butbecauseitismyduty."Goodmenaremadeangrybytheinjuriesofthose
theylove."Whenyousaythis,Theophrastus,youseektomakemoreheroicdoctrine
unpopularyouturnfromthejudgetothebystanders.Becauseeachindividualgrows
angrywhensuchamishapcomestothoseheloves,youthinkthatmenwilljudgethat
whattheydoistherightthingtobedoneforasaruleeverymandecidesthatthatisa
justifiablepassionwhichheacknowledgesashisown.Buttheyactinthesamewayif
they
<Ess1137>
ONANGER,I.xii.4xiii.1
arenotwellsuppliedwithhotwater,ifaglassgobletisbroken,ifashoegetssplashed
withmud.Suchangercomes,notfromaffection,butfromaweaknessthekindwesee
inchildren,whowillshednomoretearsoverlostparentsthanoverlosttoys.Tofeel
angeronbehalfoflovedonesisthemarkofaweakmind,notofaloyalone.Foramanto
standforthasthedefenderofparents,children,friends,andfellowcitizens,ledmerelyby
hissenseofduty,actingvoluntarily,usingjudgement,usingforesight,movedneitherby
impulsenorbyfurythisisnobleandbecoming.Nownopassionismoreeagerfor
revengethananger,andforthatveryreasonisunfittotakeitbeingundulyardentand
frenzied,asmostlustsare,itblocksitsownprogresstothegoaltowardwhichithastens,
Thereforeithasneverbeenofadvantageeitherinpeaceorinwarforitmakespeace
seemlikewar,andamidtheclashofarmsitforgetsthattheWargodshowsnofavour
and,failingtocontrolitself,itpassesintothecontrolofanother.Again,itdoesnotfollow
thatthevicesaretobeadoptedforusefromthefactthattheyhavesometimesbeento
someextentprofitable.Forafevermaybringreliefincertainkindsofsickness,andyetit
doesnotfollowfromthisthatitisnotbettertobealtogetherfreefromfever.Amethodof
curethatmakesgoodhealthdependentupondiseasemustberegardedwithdetestation.
Inlikemanneranger,likepoison,afall,orashipwreck,evenifithassometimesproved
anunexpectedgood,oughtnotforthatreasontobeadjudgedwholesomeforofttimes
poisonshavesavedlife./aAgain,ifanyqualityisworthhaving,themoreofitthereis,the
betterandthemoredesirableitbecomes.
<Ess1139>
ONANGER,I.xix.1xiv.1
Ifjusticeisagood,noonewillsaythatitbecomesagreatergoodaftersomethinghas
beenwithdrawnfromitifbraveryisagood,noonewilldesireittobeinanymeasure
reduced.Consequently,also,thegreaterangeris,thebetteritisforwhowouldoppose
theaugmentationofanygood?Andyet,itisnotprofitablethatangershouldbeincreased
therefore,thatangershouldexisteither.Thatisnotagoodwhichbyincreasebecomes
anevil"Angerisprofitable,"itissaid,"becauseitmakesmenmorewarlike."Bythat
reasoning,soisdrunkennesstooforitmakesmenforwardandbold,andmanyhave
beenbetterattheswordbecausetheywere.theworsefordrink.Bythesamereasoning
youmustalsosaythatlunacyandmadnessareessentialtostrength,sincefrenzyoften
makesmenmore,powerful.Buttellme,doesnotfear,intheoppositeway,sometimes
makeamanbold,anddoesnottheterrorofdeatharouseevenerrantcowardstofight?
Butanger,drunkenness,fear,andthelike,arebaseandfleetingincitementsanddonot
givearmstovirtue,whichneverneedsthehelpofvicetheydo,however,assist
somewhatthemindthatisotherwiseslackandcowardly.Nomanisevermadebraver
throughanger,excepttheonewhowouldneverhavebeenbravewithoutanger.Itcomes,
then,notasahelptovirtue,butasasubstituteforit.Andisitnottruethatifangerwerea
good,itwouldcomenaturallytothosewhoarethemostperfect?Butthefactis,children,
oldmen,andthesickaremostpronetoanger,andweaknessofanysortisbynature
captious.
"Itisimpossible",saysTheophrastus,"foragoodmannottobeangrywithbad
men."Accord
<Ess1141>
ONANGER,I.xiv.1xv.2
ingtothis,thebetteramanis,themoreirasciblehewillbeonthecontrary,besurethat
noneismorepeaceable,morefreefrompassion,andlessgiventohate.Indeed,what
reasonhasheforhatingwrongdoers,sinceitiserrorthatdrivesthemtosuchmistakes?
{Prospero+}Butnomanofsensewillhatetheerringotherwisehewillhatehimself.Let
himreflecthowmanytimesheoffendsagainstmorality,howmanyofhisactsstandin
needofpardonthenhewillbeangrywithhimselfalso.Fornojustjudgewillpronounce
onesortofjudgementinhisowncaseandadifferentoneinthecaseofothers.Noone
willbefound,Isay,whoisabletoacquithimself,andanymanwhocallshimselfinnocent
isthinkingmoreofwitnessesthanconscience.Howmuchmorehumantomanifest
towardwrongdoersakindandfatherlyspirit,nothuntingthemdownbutcallingthem
back!Ifamanhaslosthiswayandisroamingacrossourfields,itisbettertoputhim
upontherightpaththantodrivehimout.
Andsothemanwhodoeswrongoughttobesetrightbothbyadmonitionandby
force,bymeasuresbothgentleandharsh,andweshouldtrytomakehimabetterman
forhisownsake,aswellasforthesakeofothers,stinting,notourreproof,butouranger.
Forwhatphysicianwillshowangertowardapatient?"But,"yousay,"theyareincapable
ofbeingreformed,thereisnothingpliableinthem,nothingthatgivesroomforfairhope."
Thenletthemberemovedfromhumansocietyiftheyareboundtomakeworseallthat
theytouch,andletthem,intheonlywaythisispossible,ceasetobeevilbutletthisbe
donewithouthatred.ForwhatreasonhaveIfor
<Ess1143>
ONANGER,Ixv.2xvi.2
hatingamantowhomIamofferingthegreatestservicewhenIsavehimfromhimself?
Doesamanhatethemembersofhisownbodywhenheusestheknifeuponthem?
Thereisnoangerthere,butthepityingdesiretoheal.Maddogsweknockonthehead
thefierceandsavageoxweslaysicklysheepweputtotheknifetokeepthemfrom
infectingtheflockunnaturalprogenywedestroywedrownevenchildrenwhoatbirthare
weaklyandabnormal.Yetitisnotangerbutreasonthatseparatestheharmfulfromthe
sound.Fortheonewhoadministerspunishmentnothingissounfittingasanger,since
punishmentisallthebetterabletoworkreformifitisbestowedwithjudgement.Thisis
thereasonSocratessaystohisslave:"IwouldbeatyouifIwerenotangry."Theslave's
reproofhepostponedtoamorerationalmomentatthetimeitwashimselfhereproved.
Willtherebeanyone,pray,whohaspassionundercontrol,whenevenSocratesdidnot
daretotrusthimselftoanger?Consequently,thereisnoneedthatcorrectionbegivenin
angerinordertorestraintheerringandthewicked.Forsinceangerisamentalsin,itis
notrighttocorrectwrongdoingbydoingwrong."Whatthen?youexclaim"shallInotbe
angrywitharobber?ShallInotbeangrywithapoisoner?"NoforIamnotangrywith
myselfwhenIletmyownblood.ToeveryformofpunishmentwillIresort,butonlyasa
remedy.Ifyouarelingeringasyetinthefirststageoferrorandarelapsing,notseriously,
butoften,Ishalltrytocorrectyoubychiding,firstinprivate,theninpublic.Ifyouhave
alreadyadvancedsofarthatwordscannolongerbringyoutoyoursenses,thenyoushall
be
<Ess1145>
ONANGER,I.xvi.25
heldincheckbypublicdisgrace.Shoulditbenecessarytobrandyouinmoredrastic
fashion,withapunishmentyoucanfeel,youshallbesentintoexile,banishedtoan
unknownregion.Shouldyourwickednesshavebecomedeeprooted,demandingharsher
remediestoniectyourcase,tochainsandthestateprisonweshallhaveresort.Ifwith
mindincurableyoulinkcrimetocrimeandareactuatednolongerbytheexcuseswhich
willneverfailtheevilman,butwrongdoingitselfbecomestoyoupretextenoughfordoing
wrongifyouhavedrainedthecupofwickednessanditspoisonhassomingledwithyour
vitalsthatitcannotissueforthwithoutthemif,poorwretch!youhavelongdesiredtodie,
thenweshalldoyougoodserviceweshalltakefromyouthatmadnessbywhich,while
youharassothers,youyourselfareharassed,andtoyouwhohavelongwallowedinthe
sufferingofyourselfandothersweshallgladlygivetheonlyboonstillleftforyou,death!
WhyshouldIbeangrywithamantowhomIamgivingthegreatesthelp?Sometimesthe
truestformofpityistokill.IfwiththetrainingofanexpertphysicianIhadentereda
hospitalorarichman'shousehold,Ishouldnothaveprescribedthesametreatmenttoall,
thoughtheirdiseasesdiffered.Diverse,too,aretheillsIseeincountlessminds,andIam
calledtocurethebodypoliticforeachman'smaladythepropertreatmentshouldbe
soughtletthisoneberestoredbyhisownselfrespect,thisonebyasojournabroad,this
onebypain,thisonebypoverty,thisonebythesword!Accordingly,evenifasa
magistrateImustputonmyrobeawry/aandsummontheassemblybythetrumpet/bI
shall
<Ess1147>
ONANGER,I.xvi.57
advancetothehightribunal,notinragenorinenmity,butwiththevisageofthelaw,and
asIpronouncethosesolemnwordsmyvoicewillnotbefierce,butrathergraveand
gentle,andnotwithanger,butwithsternness,Ishallorderthelawtobeenforeed.And
whenIcommandacriminaltobebeheaded,orsewupaparricideinthesack,/aorsend
asoldiertohisdoom,orstandatraitororapublicenemyupontheTarpeianRock,Ishall
havenotraceofanger,butshalllookandfeelasImightifIwerekillingasnakeorany
poisonouscreature."Wehavetobeangry,"yousay,"inordertopunish."What!Thinkyou
thelawisangrywithmenitdoesnotknow,whomithasneverseen,whoithopeswill
neverbe?Thespiritofthelaw,therefore,weshouldmakeourownthelawwhichshows
notangerbutdetermination.Forifitisrightforagoodmantobeangryatthecrimesof
wickedmen,itwillalsoberightforhimtobeenviousoftheirprosperity.Andwhat,indeed,
seemsmoreunjustthanthatcertainreprobatesshouldprosperandbecomethepetsof
fortunemenforwhomtherecouldbefoundnofortunebadenough?Butthegoodman
willnomoreviewtheirblessingswithenvythanheviewstheircrimeswithanger.Agood
judgecondemnswrongfuldeeds,buthedoesnothatethem."Whatthen?"yousay
"whenthewisemanshallhavesomethingofthissorttodealwith,willnothismindbe
affectedbyit,willitnotbemovedfromitsusualcalm?"Iadmitthatitwillitwillexperience
someslightandsuperficialemotion.ForasZenosays:"Eventhewiseman'smindwill
keepitsscarlongafterthewoundhashealed."Hewill

ai.e.,tobedrowned
<Ess1149>
ONANGER,I.xvi.7xvii.5
experience,therefore,certainsuggestionsandshadowsofpassion,butfrompassion
itselfhewillbefree.
Aristotlesaysathatcertainpassions,ifonemakesaproperuseofthem,serveas
arms.Andthiswouldbetrueif,liketheimplementsofwar,theycouldbeputonandlaid
asideatthepleasureoftheuser.Butthese"arms"whichAristotlewouldgranttovirtue
fightundertheirownorderstheyawaitnoman'sgestureandarenotpossessed,but
possess.Naturehasgiventousanadequateequipmentinreasonweneednoother
implements.Thisistheweaponshehasbestoweditisstrong,enduring,obedient,not
doubleedgedorcapableofbeingturnedagainstitsowner.Reasonisallsufficientin
itself,servingnotmerelyforcounsel,butforactionaswell.What,really,ismorefoolish
thanthatreasonshouldseekprotectionfromangerthatwhichissteadfastfromthat
whichiswavering,thatwhichistrustworthyfromthatwhichisuntrustworthy,thatwhichis
wellfromthatwhichissick?Eveninmattersofaction,inwhichalonethehelpofanger
seemsnecessary,isitnottruethatreason,iflefttoitself,hasfarmorepower?For
reason,havingdecideduponthenecessityofsomeaction,persistsinherpurpose,since
sheherselfcandiscovernobetterthingtoputinherplacethereforeherdeterminations,
oncemade,stand.Butangerisoftenforcedbackbypityforithasnoenduringstrength,
butisadelusiveinflation,violentattheoutset.Itislikethewindsthatrisefromoffthe
earthgeneratedfromstreamsandmarshestheyhavevehemence,butdonotlast.So
angerbeginswithamightyrush,thenbreaksdownfromuntimelyexhaustion,andthough
allitsthoughtshadbeenconcernedwith
<Ess1151>
ONANGER,1.xvii.5xviii.2
crueltyandunheardofformsoftorture,yetwhenthetimeisripeforpurnishmentithas
alreadybecomecrippledandweak.Passionquicklyfalls,reasonisbalanced.Butevenif
angerpersists,itwilloftenhappenthathavingtakenthebloodoftwoorthreevictimsitwill
ceasetoslay,althoughtheretheremorewhodeservetodie.Itsfirstblowsarefierceso
serpentswhentheyfirstcrawlfromtheirlairarechargedwithvenom,buttheirfangsare
harmlessaftertheyhavebeendrainedbyrepeatedbiting.Consequently,notallwhohave
sinnedalikearepushedalike,andoftenhewhohascommittedthesmallersinreceives
thegreaterpunishment,becausehewassubjectedtoangerwhenitwasfresh.Andanger
isaltogetherunbalanceditnowrushesfartherthanitshould,nowhaltssoonerthanit
ought.Foritindulgesitsownimpulses,iscapriciousinjudgement,refusestolistento
evidence,grantsnoopportunityfordefence,maintainswhateverpositionithasseized,
andisneverwillingtosurrenderitsjudgementevenifitiswrong.
Reasongrantsahearingtobothsides,thenseekstopostponeaction,evenits
own,inorderthatitmaygaintimetosiftoutthetruthbutangerisprecipitate.Reason
wishesthedecisionthatitgivestobejustangerwishestohavethedecisionwhichithas
givnseemthejustdecision.Reasonconsidersnothingexceptthequestionatissue
angerismovedbytriflingthingsthatheoutsidethecase.Anoverconfidentdemeanour,a
voicetooloud,boldnessofspeech,foppishnessindress,apretentiousshowof
patronage,popularitywiththepublictheseinflameanger.Manytimesitwillcondemnthe
accusedbecauseithateshislawyerevenifthetruthis
<Ess1153>
ONANGER,I.xviii.2
piledupbeforeitsveryeyes,itloveserrorandclingstoititrefusestobeconvinced,and
havingentereduponwrongitcountspersistencetobemorehonourablethanpenitence.
TherewasGnaeusPiso,whomIcanrememberamanfreefrommanyvices,but
misguided,inthathemistookinflexibilityaforfirmness.Oncewhenhewasangryhe
orderedtheexecutionofasoldierwhohadreturnedfromleaveofabsencewithouthis
comrade,onthegroundthatifthemandidnotproducehiscompanion,hehadkilledhim
andwhenthesoldieraskedforalittletimetoinstituteasearch,therequestwasrefused.
Thecondemnedmanwasledoutsidetherampart,andashewasintheactofpresenting
hisneck,theresuddenlyappearedtheverycomradewhowassupposedtohavebeen
murdered.Hereuponthecenturioninchargeoftheexecutionbadetheguardsman
sheathehissword,andledthecondemnedmanbacktoPisoinordertofreePisofrom
blameforFortunehadfreedthesoldier.Ahugecrowdamidgreatrejoicinginthecamp
escortedthetwocomradeslockedineachother'sarms.Pisomountedthetribunalina
rage,andorderedbothsoldierstobeledtoexecution,theonewhohaddonenomurder
andtheonewhohadescapedit!Couldanythinghavebeenmoreunjustthanthis?Two
weredyingbecauseonehadbeenprovedinnocent.ButPisoaddedalsoathirdforhe
orderedthecenturionwhohadbroughtbackthecondemnedmantobeexecutedaswell.
Onaccountoftheinnocenceofonemanthreewereappointedtodieintheselfsame
place.Ohowcleverisangerindevisingexcusesforitsmadness!"You,"itsays,"Iorder
tobeexecutedbecauseyouwerecondemnedyou,
<Ess1155>
ONANGER,I.xviii.6xix.4
becauseyouwerethecauseofyourcomrade'scondemnationyou,becauseyoudidnot
obeyyourcommanderwhen,youwereorderedtokill."Itthoughtoutthreecharges
becauseithadgroundsfornone.
Anger,Isay,hasthisgreatfaultitrefusestoberuled.
Itisenragedagainsttruthitselfifthisisshowntobecontrarytoitsdesire.Withoutcryand
uproarandgesturesthatshakethewholebodyitpursuesthosewhomithasmarkedout,
heapinguponthemabuseandcurses.Notthusdoesreasonact.Butifneedshouldso
require,itsilentlyandquietlywipesoutwholefamiliesrootandbranch,andhouseholds
thatarebanefultothestateitdestroystogetherwithwivesandchildrenittearsdowntheir
veryhouses,levellingthemtotheground,andexterminatestheverynamesofthefoesof
liberty.Allthisitwilldo,butwithnognashingoftheteeth,nowildtossingofthehead,
doingnothingthatwouldbeunseemlyforajudge,whosecountenanceshouldatnotime
bemorecalmandunmovedthanwhenheisdeliveringaweightysentence."Whatisthe
need,"asksHieronymus,/a"ofbitingyourownlipsbeforeyoustarttogiveamana
thrashing?"Whatifhehadseenaproconsulleapdownfromthetribunal,snatchthe
fascesfromthelictor,andtearhisownclothesbecausesomevictim'sclotheswerestill
untorn!Whatistobegainedbyoverturningthetable,byhurlingcupsuponthefloor,by
dashingoneselfagainstpillars,tearingthehair,andsmitingthethighandthebreast?How
mightyistheanger,thinkyou,whichturnsbackuponitselfbecauseitcannotbevented
uponanotherasspeedilyasit

aSeeIndex
<Ess1157>
ONANGER,I.xix.48
desires!Andsosuchmenareseizedbythebystandersandbeggedtobecomeatpeace
withthemselves.
Noneofthesethingswillhedo,who,beingfreefromanger,imposesuponeach
onethepunishmentthathemerits.Hewilloftenletamangofreeevenafterdetectinghis
guilt.Ifregretfortheactwarrantsfairhope,ifhediscernsthattheSindoesnotissuefrom
theinmostsouloftheman,but,sotospeak,isonlyskindeep,hewillgranthimimpunity,
seeingthatitwillinjureneithertherecipientnorthegiver.Sometimeshewillbangreat
crimeslessruthlesslythansmallones,ifthese,intheonecase,werecommittednotin
crueltybutinamomentofweakness,and,intheother,wereinstinctwithsecret,hidden,
andlongpractisedcunning.Totwomenguiltyofthesameoffencehewillmeteout
differentpunishment,ifonesinnedthroughcarelessness,whiletheotherintendedtobe
wicked.Alwaysineverycaseofpunishmenthewillkeepbeforehimtheknowledgethat
oneformisdesignedtomakethewickedbetter,theothertoremovethemineithercase
hewilllooktothefuture,nottothepast,ForasPlatosays:/a"Asensiblepersondoesnot
punishamanbecausehehassinned,butinordertokeephimfromsinforwhilethepast
cannotberecalled,thefuturemaybeforestalled."Andhewillopenlykillthosewhomhe
wishestohaveserveasexamplesofthewickednessthatisslowtoyield,notsomuch
thattheythemselvesmaybedestroyedasthattheymaydeterethersfromdestruction.
Thesearethethingsamanmustweighandconsider,andyouseehowfreeheoughtto
befromallemotionwhenheproceedstodealwithamatterthatrequiresthe
<Ess1159>
ONANGER,I.xix.8xx.4
utmostcautiontheuseofpoweroverlifeanddeath.'Tisilltrustinganangrymanwitha
sword.
Andyoumustnotsupposethis,eitherthatangercontributesanythingto
greatnessofsoul.Thatisnotgreatness,itisaswellingnorwhendiseasedistendsthe
bodywithamassofwaterycorruptionistheresultgrowth,butapestilentexcess.All
whomfrenzyofsoulexaltstopowersthataremorethanhumanbelievethattheybreathe
forthsomethingloftyandsublimebutitrestsonnothingsolid,andwhateverriseswithout
afirmfoundationisliabletofall.Angerhasnothingonwhichtostanditspringsfrom
nothingthatisstableandlasting,butisapuffedup,emptything,asfarremovedfrom
greatnessofsoulasfoolhardinessisfrombravery,arrogancefromconfidence,
sullennessfromausterity,orcrueltyfromsternness.Thedifferencebetweenaloftyanda
haughtysoul,Isay,isgreat.Angeraimsatnothingsplendidorbeautiful.Ontheother
hand,itseemstometoshowafeebleandharassedspirit,oneconsciousofitsown
weaknessandoversensitive,justasthebodyiswhenitissickandcoveredwithsores
andmakesmoanattheslightesttouch.Thusangerisamostwomanishandchildish
weakness."But,"youwillsay,"itisfoundinmenalso."True,forevenmenmayhave
childishandwomanishnatures."Whatthen?"youcry"donottheutterancesofangry
mensometimesseemtobetheutterancesofagreatsoul?"Yes,tothosewhodonot
knowwhattruegreatnessis.Takethefamouswords:"Letthemhateifonlytheyfear,"/a
whicharesodreadandshockingthatyoumightknowthattheywerewritteninthetimes
ofSulla.Iamnotsurewhichwishwasworsethat
<Ess1161>
ONANGER,I.xx.48
heshouldbehatedorthatheshouldbefeared."Letthemhate,"quothhethenhe
bethinkshimthattherewillcomeatimewhenmenwillcursehim,plotagainsthim,
overpowerhimsowhatdidheadd?Omaythegodscursehimfordevisingsohatefula
cureforhate!"Letthemhate"andthenwhat?"Ifonlytheyobey?"
No!Ifonlytheyapprove?No!Whatthen?"Ifonlytheyfear!"
OnsuchtermsIshouldnothavewishedeventobeloved.Youthinkthistheutteranceofa
greatsoul?Youdeceiveyourselfforthereisnothinggreatinititismonstrous.
Youneedputnotrustinthewordsoftheangry,fortheirnoiseisloudand
threatening,butwithin,theirheartisverycowardly.Norneedyoucountastruethesaying
foundinthatmosteloquentwriter,TitusLivius:/a"Amanwhosecharacterwasgreat
ratherthangood."Incharactertherecanbenosuchseparationitwilleitherbegoodor
elsenotgreat,becausegreatnessofsoul,asIconceiveit,isathingunshakable,soundto
thecore,uniformandstrongfromtoptobottomsomethingthatcannotexistinevil
natures.Evilmenmaybeterrible,turbulent,anddestructive,butgreatnesstheywillnever
have,foritssupportandstayisgoodness.Yetbyspeech,byendeavour,andbyall
outwarddisplaytheywillgivetheimpressionofgreatnesstheywillmakeutterances
whichvoumaythinkbespeakthegreatsoul,asinthecaseifGaiusCaesar./bHegrew
angryatheavenbecauseitsthunderinterruptedsomepantomimists,whomhewasmore
anxioustoimitatethantowatch,andwhenitsthunderboltssurelytheymissedtheir
markaffrightedhisownrevels,hechallengedJoveto
<Ess1163>
ONANGER,I.xx.8xxi.4
fight,eventothedeath,shoutinginthewordsofHomer:

Orupliftme,orIwillthee./a
Whatmadness!HethoughtthatnotevenJovecouldharmhim,orthathecouldharm
evenJove.Isupposethatthesewordsofhishadnolittleweightinarousingthemindsof
conspiratorsfortoputupwithamanwhocouldnotputupwithJoveseemedthelimitof
endurance!
Thereisinanger,consequently,nothinggreat,nothingnoble,evenwhenitseems
impassioned,contemptuousalikeofgodsandmen.Elselethimwhothinksthatanger
revealsthegreatsoul,thinkthatluxurydoesthesameitdesirestorestonivory,tobe
arrayedinpurple,toberoofedwithgold,toremovelands,toconfinethewatersofthesea,
tohurlriversheadlong,/btohanggardensintheair.Lethimthinkthatavaricealso
betokensthegreatsoulitbroodsoverheapsofgoldandsilver,ittillsfieldsthatare
provincesinallbutname,andholdsunderasinglestewardbroaderacresthanwere
allottedoncetoconsuls.Lethimalsothinkthatlustbetokensthegreatsoulitswims
acrossstraits,itunsexesladsbythescore,anddespisingdeathbravesthehusband's
sword.Andlethimthinkthatambitionalsobetokensthegreatsoulitisnotcontentwith
annualofficeitwouldfillthecalendarwithonlyonenameifthatmightbe,andsetupits
memorialsthroughoutalltheworld.Suchqualities,itmattersnottowhatheightorlength
theyreach,areallnarrow,pitiable,grovelling.Virtuealoneisloftyandsublime,andnothing
isgreatthatisnotatthesametimetranquil.<Ess1165>
BOOKIV
NOVATUSONANGER

Myfirstbook,Novatus,hadamorebountifulthemeforeasyisthedescentintothe
downwardcourseofvice./aNowwemustcometonarrowermattersforthequestionis
whetherangeroriginatesfromchoiceorfromimpulse,thatis,whetheritisarousedofits
ownaccord,orwhether,likemuchelsethatgoesonwithinus,itdoesnotarisewithout
ourknowledge.Butthediscussionmustbeloweredtotheconsiderationofthesethingsin
orderthatitmayafterwardsrisetotheother,loftier,themes.Forinourbodies,too,there
comesfirstthesystemofbones,sinews,andjoints,whichformtheframeworkofthe
wholeandarevitalparts,yetarebynomeansfairtolookuponnextthepartsonwhichall
thecomelinessoffaceandappearancedepend,andafterallthese,whenthebodyisnow
complete,thereisaddedlastthatwhichaboveallelsecaptivatestheeye,thecolour.
Therecanbenodoubtthatangerisarousedbythedirectimpressionofaninjury
butthequestioniswhetheritfollowsimmediatelyupontheimpressionandspringsup
withoutassistancefromthemind,orwhetheritisarousedonlywiththeassentofthe
mind.
<Ess1167>
ONANGER,II.i.4ii.3
Ouropinionisthatitventuresnothingbyitself,butactsonlywiththeapprovalofthemind.
Fortoformtheimpressionofhavingreceivedaninjuryandtolongtoavengeit,andthen
tocoupletogetherthetwopropositionsthatoneoughtnottohavebeenwrongedandthat
oneoughttobeavengedthisisnotamereimpulseofthemindactingwithoutour
volition.Theoneisasinglementalprocess,theotheracomplexonecomposedof
severalelementsthemindhasgraspedsomething,hasbecomeindignant,has
condemnedtheact,andnowtriestoavengeit.Theseprocessesareimpossibleunless
themindhasgivenassenttotheimpressionsthatmovedit.
"But,"youask,"whatisthepurposeofsuchaninquiry?"Ianswer,inorderthatwe
mayknowwhatangerisforifitarisesagainstourwill,itwillneversuccumbtoreason.
Forallsensationsthatdonotresultfromourownvolitionareuncontrolledand
unavoidable,as,forexample,shiveringwhenwearedashedwithcoldwaterand
recoilmentfromcertaincontactsbadnewsmakesthehairstandonend,vilelanguage
causesablushtospread,andwhenonelooksdownfromaprecipice,dizzinessfollows.
Becausenoneofthesethingslieswithinourcontrol,noreasoningcankeepthemfrom
happening.Butangermayberoutedatourbehestforitisaweaknessofthemindthatis
subjecttothewill,notoneofthosethingsthatresultfromsomeconditionofthegeneral
lotofmanandthereforebefalleventhewisest,amongwhichmustbeplacedforemost
thatmentalshockwhichaffectsusafterwehaveformedtheimpressionofawrong
committed.Thisstealsuponusevenfromthesightofplaysuponthestage
<Ess1169>
ONANGER,II.ii.3iii.1
andfromreadingofhappeningsoflongago.Howoftenweseemtogrowangrywith
ClodiusforbanishingCicero,withAntonyforkillinghim!Whoisnotarousedagainstthe
armswhichMariustookup,againsttheproscriptionwhichSullaused?Whoisnot
incensedagainstTheodotusandAchillas,andthechildhimself/awhodaredanunchildish
crime?Singingsometimesstirsus,andquickenedrhythm,andthewellknownblareof
theWargod'strumpetsourmindsareperturbedbyashockingpictureandbythe
melancholysightofpunishmentevenwhenitisentirelyjustinthesamewaywesmile
whenotherssmile,wearesaddenedbyathrongofmourners,andarethrownintoa
fermentbythestrugglesofothers.Suchsensations,however,arenomoreangerthan
thatissorrowwhichfurrowsthebrowatsightofamimicshipwreck,{sentiment+}no
moreangerthanthatisfearwhichthrillsourmindswhenwereadhowHannibalafter
CannaebesetthewallsofRome,buttheyareallemotionsofamindthatwouldprefernot
tobesoaffectedtheyarenotpassions,butthebeginningsthatarepreliminaryto
passions.So,too,thewarriorinthemidstofpeace,wearingnowhisciviliandress,will
prickuphisearsattheblastofatrumpet,andarmyhorsesaremaderestivebythe
clatterofarms.ItissaidthatAlexander,whenXenophantus/bplayedtheflute,reachedfor
hisweapons.Noneofthesethingswhichmovethemindthroughtheagencyofchance
shouldbecalledpassionsthemindsuffersthem,sotospeak,ratherthancausesthem.
Passion,consequently,doesnotconsistinbeingmovedbytheimpressionsthatare
presentedtothemind,butinsurrenderingtotheseandfollow
<Ess1171>
ONANGER,II.iii.25
ingupsuchachanceprompting.Forifanyonesupposesthatpallor,fallingtears,prurient
itchingordeepdrawnsigh,asuddenbrighteningoftheeyes,andthelike,areanevidence
ofpassionandamanifestationofthemind,heismistakenandfailstounderstandthat
thesearedisturbancesofthebody.Andsoveryofteneventhebravestmanturnspale
whilehefitsonhisarms,thekneesoftheboldestsoldieroftentremblealittlewhenthe
battlesignalisgiven,themightycommanderhashisheartinhisthroatbeforethe
battlelinesclash,andwhilethemosteloquentoratorisgettingreadytospeak,his
extremitiesbecomerigid,Angermustnotonlybearousedbutitmustrushforth,foritis
anactiveimpulsebutanactiveimpulsenevercomeswithouttheconsentofthewill,forit
isimpossibleforamantoaimatrevengeandpunishmentwithoutthecognizanceofhis
mind.Amanthinkshimselfinjured,wishestotakevengeance,butdissuadedbysome
considerationimmediatelycalmsdown.ThisIdonotcallanger,thispromptingofthe
mindwhichissubmissivetoreasonangeristhatwhichoverleapsreasonandsweepsit
away.Thereforethatprimarydisturbanceofthemindwhichisexcitedbytheimpression
ofinjuryisnomoreangerthantheimpressionofinjuryisitselfangertheactiveimpulse
consequentuponit,whichhasnotonlyadmittedtheimpressionofinjurybutalso
approvedit,isreallyangerthetumultofamindproceedingtorevengebychoiceand
determination.Therecanneverbeanydoubtthatasfearinvolvesflight,angerinvolves
assaultconsider,therefore,whetheryoubelievethatanythingcaneitherbeassailedor
avoidedwithoutthemind'sassent.
<Ess1173>
ONANGER,II.iv.1v.3
Thatyoumayknow,further,howthepassionsbegin,grow,andrunriot,Imaysay
thatthefirstpromptingisinvoluntary,apreparationforpassion,asitwere,andasortof
menacethenextiscombinedwithanactofvolition,althoughnotanunrulyone,which
assumesthatitisrightformetoavengemyselfbecauseIhavebeeninjured,orthatitis
rightfortheotherpersontobepunishedbecausehehascommittedacrimethethird
promptingisnowbeyondcontrol,inthatitwishestotakevengeance,notifitisrighttodo
so,butwhetherorno,andhasutterlyvanquishedreason.Wecannomoreavoidbythe
useofreasonthatfirstshockwhichthemindexperiencesthanwecanavoidthose
effectsmentionedbeforewhichthebodyexperiencesthetemptationtoyawnwhen
anotheryawns,andwinkingwhenfingersaresuddenlypointedtowardtheeyes.Such
impulsescannotbeovercomebyreason,althoughperchancepracticeandconstant
watchfulnesswillweakenthem.Differentisthatpromptingwhichisbornofthe
judgement,isbanishedbythejudgement.Thispointalsomustnowbeconsidered,
whetherthosewhoarehabituallycruelandrejoiceinhuxanbloodareangrywhentheykill
peoplefromwhomtheyhaveneitherreceivedinjurynorthinkeventhemselvesthatthey
havereceivedoneofsuchsortwereApollodorusaandPhalaris./aButthisisnotanger,it
isbrutalityforitdoesnotharmbecauseithasreceivedaninjury,butitisevenreadyto
receiveoneprovidedthatitcanharm,anditspurposeindesiringtobeatandtomangleis
notvengeancebutpleasure.Andwhydoesithappen?Thesourceofthisevilisanger,
andwhenangerfrom
<Ess1175>
ONANGER,II.V.3vi.1
oftrepeatedindulgenceandsurfeithasarrivedatadisregardformercyandhasexpelled
fromthemindeveryconceptionthehumanbond,itpassesatlastintocruelty.Andso
thesemenlaughandrejoiceandexperiencegreatpleasure,andwearacountenance
utterlyunlikethatofanger,makingapastimeofferocity.WhenHannibalsawatrench
flowingwithhumanblood,heissaidtohaveexclaimed,"Obeauteoussight!"Howmuch
morebeautifulwouldithaveseemedtohimifthebloodhadfilledsomeriverorlake!What
wonder,OHannibal,ifyou,borntobloodshedandfromchildhoodfamiliarwithslaughter,
findespecialdelightinthisspectacle?Afortunewillattendyouthatfortwentyyearswill
gratifyyourcruelty,andwilleverywheresupplytoyoureyesthewelcomesightyouwill
seeitatTrasumennusandatCannae,andlastofallatyourownCarthage!Onlyrecently
Volesus,governorofAsiaunderthedeifiedAugustus,beheadedthreehundredpersonsin
oneday,andashestruttedamongthecorpseswiththeproudairofonewhohaddone
somegloriousdeedworthbeholding,hecriedoutinGreek,"Whatakinglyact!"Butwhat
wouldhehavedoneifhehadbeenaking?No,thiswasnotanger,butanevilstillgreater
andincurable."If,"someoneargues,"virtueiswelldisposedtowardwhatishonourable,it
isherdutytofeelangertowardwhatisbase."Whatifheshouldsaythatvirtuemustbe
bothlowandgreat?Andyetthisiswhathedoessayhewouldhaveherbebothexalted
anddebased,sincejoyonaccountofarightactionissplendidandglorious,whileanger
onaccountofanother'ssinismeanandnarrowminded.
<Ess1177>
ONANGER,II.vi.2vii.2
Andvirtuewillneverbeguiltyofsimulatingviceintheactofredressingitangerinitself
sheconsidersreprehensible,foritisinnowaybetter,oftenevenworse,thanthose
shortcomingswhichprovokeanger.Thedistinctiveandnaturalpropertyofvirtueisto
rejoiceandbegladitnomorecomportswithherdignitytobeangrythantobesad.But
sorrowisthecompanionofanger,andallangercomesroundtothisastheresulteitherof
remorseorofdefeat.Besides,ifitisthepartofawisemantobeangryatsin,thegreater
thisisthemoreangrywillhebe,andhewillbeangryoftenitfollowsthatthewiseman
willnotonlybecomeangry,butwillbepronetoanger.Butifwebelievethatneithergreat
angernorfrequentangerhasaplaceinthemindofawiseman,isthereanyreasonwhy
weshouldnotfreehimfromthispassionaltogether?Nolimit,surely,canbesetifthe
degreeofhisangeristobedeterminedbyeachman'sdeed.Foreitherhewillbeunjustif
hehasequalangertowardunequaldelinquencies,orhewillbehabituallyangryifhe
blazesupeverytimecrimesgivehimwarrant.
Andwhatismoreunworthyofthewisemanthanthathispassionshoulddepend
uponthewickednessofothers?ShallgreatSocrateslosethepowertocarrybackhome
thesamelookhehadbroughtfromhome?Butifthewisemanistobeangeredbybase
deeds,ifheistobeperturbedandsaddenedbycrimes,surelynothingismorewoeful
thanthewiseman'slothiswholelifewillbepassedinangerandingrief.Forwhat
momentwilltherebewhenhewillnotseesomethingtodisapproveof?Everytimehe
leaveshishouse,hewillhavetowalkamongcriminalsandmisersandspendthriftsand
<Ess1179>
ONANGER,II.vii.2viii.3
profligatesmenwhoarehappyinbeingsuch.Nowherewillheturnhiseyeswithout
findingsomethingtomovethemtoindignation.Hewillgiveoutifheforceshimselftobe
angryeverytimeoccasionrequires.Allthesethousandshurryingtotheforumatbreakof
dayhowbasetheircases,andhowmuchbaseraretheiradvocates!Oneassailshis
father'swill,whichitweremorefittingthatherespectanotherarraignshismotheratthe
baranothercomesasaninformeroftheverycrimeinwhichheismoreopenlythe
culpritthejudge,too,ischosenwhowillcondemnthesamedeedsthathehimselfhas
committed,{Lear+}andthecrowd,misledbythefinevoiceofapleader,showsfavourto
awickedcause.
Butwhyrecountallthedifferenttypes?Wheneveryouseetheforumwithits
throngingmultitude,andthepollingplacesfilledwithallthegatheredconcourse,andthe
greatCircuswherethelargestpartofthepopulacedisplaysitself,youmaybesurethat
justasmanyvicesaregatheredthereasmen.Amongthosewhomyouseeincivilian
garbthereisnopeaceforaslightrewardanyoneofthemcanbeledtocompassthe
destructionofanothernoonemakesgainsavebyanother'slosstheprosperousthey
hate,theunprosperoustheydespisesuperiorstheyloathe,andtoinferiorsare
loathsometheyaregoadedonbyoppositedesirestheydesireforthesakeofsomelittle
pleasureorplundertoseethewholeworldlost.Theyliveasthoughtheywereina
gladiatorialschoolThosewithwhomtheyeat,theylikewisefight.Itisacommunityof
wildbeasts,onlythatbeastsaregentletowardeachotherandrefrainfromtearingtheir
ownkind,whilemen
<Ess1181>
ONANGER,II.viii.ix.3
glutthemselveswithrendingoneanother.Theydifferfromthedumbanimalsinthisalone
thatanimalsgrowgentletowardthosewhofeedthem,whilemenintheirmadnessprey
upontheverypersonsbywhomtheyarenurtured.{Yahoo+}Neverwillthewiseman
ceasetobeangryifoncehebegins.Everyplaceisfullofcrimeandvicetoomany
crimesarecommittedtobecuredbyanypossiblerestraint.Menstruggleinamighty
rivalryofwickedness.Everydaythedesireforwrongdoingisgreater,thedreadofitless
allregardforwhatisbetterandmorejustisbanished,lusthurlsitselfwhereveritlikes,
andcrimesarenownolongercovert.Theystalkbeforeourveryeyes,andwickedness
hascometosuchapublicstate,hasgainedsuchpowerovertheheartsofall,that
innocenceisnotrareitisnonexistent.Forisitonlythecasualmanorthefewwho
breakthelaw?Oneveryhand,asifatagivensignal,menrisetolevelallthebarriersof
rightandwrong:

Noguestfromhostissafe,nordaughter'ssire
Fromdaughter'sspousee'enbrothers'loveisrare.
Thehusbanddothhiswife,shehim,ensnare
Ferociousstepdamesbrewtheirghastlybanes
Thesontoosoonhisfather'syearsarraigns./a
Andyethowfewofallthecrimesarethese!Thepoetmakesnomentionofthebattling
campsthatclaimacommonblood,oftheparentsandthechildrensunderedbya
soldier'soath,oftheflamesaRomanhandappliedtoRome,ofthehostilebandsof
horsementhatscourthelandtofindthehidingplacesofcitizensproscribed,ofsprings
defiledbypoison,ofplaguethehandofmanhasmade,ofthetrenchflungaround
beleagueredparents,ofcrowdedprisons,of
<Ess1183>
ONANGER,II.ix.3x.2
firesthatburnwholecitiestotheground,ofbalefultyranniesandsecretplotsforregal
powerandforsubversionofthestate,ofactsthatnowareglorified,butstillarecrimesso
longaspowerendurestocrushthem,rapeandlecheryandthelustthatsparesnoteven
humanmouths.Addnowtothese,publicactsofperjurybetweennations,brokentreaties,
andallthebootyseizedwhenresistancecouldnotsaveitfromthestronger,the
doubledealings,thetheftsandfraudsanddebtsdisownedforsuchcrimesallthree
forums/asupplynotcourtsenough!Ifyouexpectthewisemantobeasangryasthe
shamefulnessofcrimescompels,hemustnotbeangrymerely,butgomad.
{Saeva_indignatio+}
Thisratheriswhatyoushouldthinkthatnooneshouldbeangryatthemistakes
ofmen.Fortellme,shouldonebeangrywiththosewhomovewithstumblingfootstepsin
thedark?withthosewhodonotheedcommandsbecausetheyaredeaf?withchildren
becauseforgettingtheobservanceoftheirdutiestheywatchthegamesandfoolishsports
oftheirplaymates?Wouldyouwanttobeangrywiththosewhobecomewearybecause
theyaresickorgrowingold?Amongthevariousillstowhichhumanityispronethereis
thisbesidesthedarkness{caligo_mist+}{Prospero+}thatfillsthemind,andnotso
muchthenecessityofgoingastray,astheloveofstraying.Thatyoumaynotbeangry
withindividuals,youmustforgivemankindatlarge,youmustgrantindulgencetothe
humanrace.Ifyouareangrywiththeyoungandtheoldbecausetheysin,beangrywith
babesaswelltheyaredestinedtosin.Butwhoisangrywithchildrenwhoarestilltoo
youngtohavethepowerofdiscrimination?Yettobeahumanbeingisaneven
<Ess1185>
ONANGER,II.x.26
greaterandtruerexcuseforerrorthantobeachild.Thisisthelottowhichweareborn
wearecreaturessubjecttoasmanyillsofthemindasofthebody,{Orig_sin+}and
thoughourpowerofdiscernmentisneitherbluntednordull,yetwemakepooruseofit
andbecomeexamplesofvicetoeachother.Ifanyonefollowsinthefootstepsofothers
whohavetakenthewrongroad,shouldhenotbeexcusedbecauseitwasthepublic
highwaythatledhimastray?Upontheindividualsoldierthecommandermayunsheathe
allhissternness,butheneedsmustforbearwhenthewholearmydeserts.What,then,
keepsthewisemanfromanger?Thegreatmassofsinners.Heunderstandsbothhow
unjustandhowdangerousitistogrowangryatuniversalsin.
WheneverHeraclituswentforthfromhishouseandsawallaroundhimsomany
menwhowerelivingawretchedlifeno,rather,weredyingawretcheddeathhewould
weep,andallthejoyousandhappypeoplehemetstirredhispityhewasgentlehearted,
buttooweak,andwashimselfoneofthosewhohadneedofpity.Democritus,onthe
otherhand,itissaid,neverappearedinpublicwithoutlaughingsolittledidtheserious
pursuitsofmenseemserioustohim.Whereinallthisisthereroomforanger?
Everythinggivescauseforeitherlaughterortears.
Thewisemanwillhavenoangertowardsinners.Doyouaskwhy?Becausehe
knowsthatnooneisbornwisebutbecomesso,knowsthatonlythefewestineveryage
turnoutwise,becausehehasfullygraspedtheconditionsofhumanlife,andnosensible
manbecomesangrywithnature.Thinkyouasanemanwouldmarvelbecauseapplesdo
nothangfrom
<Ess1187>
ONANGER,II.x.6xi.2
thebramblesofthewoodland?Wouldhemarvelbecausethorns.Andbriarsarenot
coveredwithsomeusefulfruit?Noonebecomesangrywithafaultforwhichnature
standssponsor.Andsothewisemaniskindlyandjusttowarderrors,heisnotthefoe,
butthereformerofsinners,andasheissuesfortheachdayhisthoughtwillbe:"Ishall
meetmanywhoareinbondagetowine,manywhoarelustful,manyungrateful,many
grasping,manywhoarelashedbythefrenzyofambition."Hewillviewallthesethingsin
askindlyawayasaphysicianviewsthesick.Whentheskipperfindsthathisshiphas
sprungherseamsandineverypartislettinginacopiousflowofwater,doeshethen
becomeangrywiththeseamenandwiththeshipherself?No,herushesrathertothe
rescueandshutsoutapartoftheflood,aparthebalesout,andheclosesupthevisible
openings,thehiddenleaksthatsecretlyletwaterintotheholdhetriestoovercomeby
ceaselesslabour,andhedoesnotrelaxhiseffortsimplybecauseasmuchwatersprings
upasispumpedout.Thesuccouragainstcontinuousandprolificevilsmustbe
tenacious,aimednotattheircessationbutagainsttheirvictory.
"Anger,"itissaid,"isexpedientbecauseitescapescontempt,becauseitterrifies
thewicked."Inthefirstplace,ifthepowerofangeriscommensuratewithitsthreats,for
theveryreasonthatitisterribleitislikewisehatedbesides,itismoredangeroustobe
fearedthantobescorned.If,however,angerispowerless,itisevenmoreexposedto
contemptanddoesnotescaperidicule.Forwhatismoresillythanthefutileblusteringof
anger?Inthesecondplace,becausecertainthingsaremore
<Ess1189>
ONANGER,II.xi.25
terrible,theyarenotforthatreasonpreferable,andIwouldnothaveitsaidtothewise
man:"Thewildbeastandthewisemanhavethesameweapontheyarefeared."What?
Isnotafeverfeared,thegout,amalignantsore?Anddotheyforthatreasonhaveany
goodinthem?Orarethey,onthecontrary,alldespisedandloathsomeanduLTIv.andfor
thisandnootherreasonarefeared?Soangerisinuglyonlyrepulsiveandisbynomeans
tobedreaded,yetmostpeoplefearitjustaschildrenfeararepulsivemask.Andwhatof
thefactthatfearalwaysrecoilsuponthosewhoinspireitandthatnoonewhoisfearedis
himselfunafraid?YoumayrecallinthisconnexionthefamouslineofLaberius:

Fullmanyhemustfearwhommanyfear,/a
whichwhendeliveredinthetheatre/bintheheightofcivilwarcaughttheearofthewhole
peopleasifutterancehadbeengiventothepeople'svoice.Naturehassoordaineditthat
whateverismightythroughthefearthatothersfeelisnotwithoutitsown.Howeventhe
lion'sheartquakesattheslightestsound!Theboldestofwildbeastsisstartledbya
shadoworavoiceoranunfamiliarsmell.Whateverterrifiesmustalsotremble.Thereis
noreason,then,whyanywisemanshoulddesiretobefeared,norshouldhethinkthat
angerisamightythingsimplybecauseitarousesdread,sinceeventhemost
contemptiblethings,suchaspoisonousbrews/candnoxiousbones/dandbitesare
likewisefeared.Sinceacordhungwithfeatherswillstopthemightiestdrovesofwild
beastsandguidethemintotraps,itisnotstrangethatthisfromthevery
<Ess1191>
ONANGER,II.xi.5xii.4
resultshouldbecalleda"scare"/afortothefoolishfoolishthingsareterrible.The
speedingoftheracechariotandthesightofitsrevolvingwheelswilldrivebacklionsto
theircage,andelephantsareterrifiedbythesquealingofapig.Andsowefearangerjust
aschildrenfearthedarkandwildbeastsfearagaudyfeather.Angerinitselfhasnothing
ofthestrongortheheroic,butshallowmindsareaffectedbyit."Wickedness,"itissaid,
"mustbeeliminatedfromtheschemeofnature,ifyouwouldeliminateangerneither,
however,ispossible."Inthefirstplace,onecanavoidbeingcoldalthoughinthescheme
ofnatureitiswinter,andonecanavoidbeinghotalthoughthehotmonthsarehere.A
manmayeitherbeprotectedagainsttheinclemencyoftheseasonbyafavourableplace
ofresidence,orhemaybyphysicalendurancesubduethesensationofbothheatand
cold.Inthesecondplace,reverse/bthisstatement:Amanmustbanishvirtuefromhis
heartbeforehecanadmitwrath,sincevicesdonotconsortwithvirtues,andamancan
nomorebebothangryandgoodatthesametimethanhecanbesickandwell."Butitis
notpossible,"yousay,"tobanishangeraltogetherfromtheheart,nordoesthenatureof
manpermitit."Yetnothingissohardanddifficultthatitcannotbeconqueredbythe
humanintellectandbebroughtthroughpersistentstudyintointimateacquaintance,and
therearenopassionssofierceandselfwilledthattheycannotbesubjugatedby
discipline.Whatevercommandthemindgivestoitselfholdsitsground.Somehave
reachedthepointofneversmiling,somehavecutthemselvesofffromwine,othersfrom
sexualpleasure,othersfromeverykindofdrinkanother,satisfiedbyshort
<Ess1193>
ONANGER,II.xii.4xiii.1
sleep,prolongshiswakinghoursunweariedsomehavelearnedtorunonverysmalland
slantingropes,tocarryhugeburdensthatarescarcelywithinthecompassofhuman
strength,todivetounmeasureddepthsandtoenduretheseawithoutanydrawingof
breath.Thereareathousandotherinstancestoshowthatpersistencesurmountsevery
obstacleandthatnothingisreallydifficultwhichthemindenjoinsitselftoendure.Themen
Imentionedalittlewhileagohadeithernorewardfortheirunflaggingzealornoneworthy
ofitforwhatglorydoesheattainwhohastrainedhimselftowalkatightrope,tocarrya
hugeloaduponhisshoulders,towithholdhiseyesfromsleep,topenetratetothebottom
ofthesea?andyetbyefforttheyattainedtheendforwhichtheyworkedalthoughthe
remunerationwasnotgreat.Shallwe,then,notsummonourselvestoendurancewhen
sogreatarewardawaitsustheunbrokencalmofthehappysoul?Howgreatablessing
toescapeanger,thegreatestofallills,andalongwithitmadness,ferocity,cruelty,rage,
andtheotherpassionsthatattendanger!
Itisnotforustoseekadefenceforourselvesandanexcuseforsuchindulgence
bysayingthatitiseitherexpedientorunavoidableforwhatvice,pray,haseverlackedits
defender?Itisnotforyoutosaythatangercannotbeeradicatedtheillsfromwhichwe
sufferarecurable,andsinceweareborntodoright,natureherselfhelpsusifwedesire
tobeimproved.Nor,assomethink,isthepathtothevirtuessteepandroughtheyare
reachedbya
<Ess1195>
ONANGER,II.xiii.2xiv.2
levelroad.ItisnoidletalethatIcometotellyou.Theroadtothehappylifeisaneasyone
dobutenteronitwithgoodauspicesandthegoodhelpofthegodsthemselves!Itisfar
hardertodowhatyouarenowdoing.Whatismorereposefulthanpeaceofmind,what
moretoilsomethananger?Whatismoredisengagedthanmercy,whatmorebusythan
cruelty?Chastitykeepsholiday,whilelustisalwaysoccupied.Inshort,themaintenance
ofallthevirtuesiseasy,butitiscostlytocultivatethevices.Angermustbedislodged
eventhosewhosaythatitoughttobereducedadmitthisinpartletusberidofit
altogether,itcandousnogood.Withoutitweshallmoreeasilyandmorejustlyabolish
crimes,punishthewicked,andsetthemuponthebetterpath,Thewisemanwill
accomplishhiswholedutywithouttheassistanceofanythingevil,andhewillassociate
withhimselfnothingwhichneedstobecontrolledwithanxiouscare.
Wrathisthereforeneveradmissiblesometimeswemustfeignitifwehaveto
arousethesluggishmindsofourhearers,justasweapplygoadsandbrandstoarouse
horsesthatareslowinstartingupontheircourse.Sometimeswemuststrikefearintothe
heartsofthosewithwhomreasonisofnoavailyetitisnomoreexpedienttobeangry
thantobesadortobeafraid."Whatthen?"yousay"donotincidentsoccurwhich
provokeanger?"Yes,butitisthenmostofallthatwemustgrapplewithithandtohand.
Norisitdifficulttosubduethespirit,sinceevenathletes,concernedastheyarewith
man'sbasestpart,neverthelessendureblowsandpaininorderthattheymaydrainthe
strengthoftheirassailantandstrike,notwhenanger,but
<Ess1197>
ONANGER,II.xiv.3xv.3
whenadvantage,prompts.Pyrrhus,themostfamoustrainerforgymnasticcontests,
madeitarule,itissaid,towarnthosewhomhewastrainingagainstgettingangryfor
angerconfoundsartandlooksonlyforachancetoinjure.Often,therefore,reason
counselspatience,butangerrevenge,andwhenwehavebeenabletoescapeourfirst
misfortunes,weareplungedintogreaterones.Somehavebeencastintoexilebecause
theycouldnotbearcalmlyoneinsultingword,andthosewhohadrefusedtobearin
silenceaslightwronghavebeencrushedwiththeseverestmisfortunes,and,indignantat
anydiminutionofthefullestliberty,havebroughtuponthemselvestheyokeofslavery.
"Thatyoumaybeconvinced,"saysouropponent,thatangerdoeshaveinitsomething
noble,youwillseethatsuchnationsasarefreeforexample,theGermansand
Scythiansarethosewhicharemostpronetoanger."Thereasonofthisisthatnatures
whichareinherentlybraveandsturdyarepronetoangerbeforetheybecomesoftenedby
discipline.Forcertainqualitiesareinnateonlyinbetternatures,justasrichground,
althoughitisneglected,producesastronggrowthandatallforestisthemarkoffertile
soil.Andsonaturesthathaveinnatevigourlikewiseproducewrath,andbeinghotand
fierytheyhavenoroomforanythingweakandfeeble,buttheirenergyisdefective,asis
thecasewitheverythingthatspringsupwithoutcultivationthroughthebountymerelyof
natureherselfyes,and,unlesssuchnaturesarequietlytamed,whatwasadispositionto
braverytendstobecomerecklessnessandtemerity.Andtellme,isitnotwiththemore
gentletempersthatthemilderfaults,suchaspity
<Ess1199>
ONANGER,II.xv.3xvi.2
andloveandbashfulness,arefoundcombined?Accordingly,Icanoftenprovetoyou
evenbyaman'sownevilsthathisnaturalbentisgoodbuttheseevilsarenonetheless
viceseventhoughtheyareindicativeofasuperiornature.Then,again,allthosepeoples
whichare,likelionsandwolves,freebyreasonoftheirverywildness,evenasthey
cannotsubmittoservitude,neithercantheyexercisedominionfortheabilitythey
possessisnotthatofahumanbeingbutofsomethingwildandungovernableandno
manisabletoruleunlesshecanalsosubmittoberuled.Consequently,thepeopleswho
haveheldempirearecommonlythosewholiveinarathermildclimate.Thosewholie
towardthefrozennorthhavesavagetemperstemperswhich,asthepoetsays,are
Mostliketheirnativeskies./a

"Thoseanimals,"yousay,"whicharemuchgiventoangerareheldtobethe
noblest."Butitiswrongforonetoholdupthecreaturesinwhomimpulsetakestheplace
ofreasonasapatternforahumanbeing{Animal_rationis_capax+}inmanreasontakes
theplaceofimpulse.Butnoteveninthecaseofsuchanimalsisthesameimpulse
equallyprofitableforallangerservesthelion,fearthestagaggressivenessthehawk,
cowardicethedove.Butwhatifitisnoteventruethatitisthebestanimalsthataremost
pronetoanger?Wildbeastswhichgaintheirfoodbyrapine,Icanbelieve,dosothebetter
theangriertheyarebutitistheenduranceoftheoxandthehorse,obedienttotherein,
thatIwouldcommend.Forwhatreason,however,doyoudirectmantosuchmiserable
standardswhenyouhavetheuniverseandGod,whommanofallcreaturesalonecom
<Ess1201>
ONANGER,II.xvi.3xviii.1
prehendsinorderthathealonemayimitatehim"Thosewhoarepronetoanger,"yousay,
"areofallmenconsideredthemostingenuous."Yes,incontrastwiththetrickyandthe
craftytheydoseemingenuousbecausetheyareundisguised.I,however,shouldcall
them,notingenuous,butrecklessthatisthetermweapplytofools,tovoluptuariesand
spendthrifts,andtoallwhoilldisguisetheirvices.
"Theorator,"yousay,"attimesdoesbetterwhenheisangry."Notso,butwhenhe
pretendstobeangry.Fortheactorlikewisestirsanaudiencebyhisdeclamationnot
whenheisangry,butwhenheplayswelltheroleoftheangrymanconsequentlybeforea
jury,inthepopularassembly,andwhereverwehavetoforceourwilluponthemindsof
otherpeople,wemustpretendnowanger,nowfear,nowpity,inorderthatwemayinspire
otherswiththesame,andoftenthefeigningofanemotionproducesaneffectwhich
wouldnotbeproducedbygenuineemotion."Themindthatisdevoidanger,"yousay,"is
inert."Verytrue,unlessitisactuatedbysomethingmorepowerfulthananger.Aman
shouldbeneitherahighwaymannorhisvictim,neithersoftheartednorcrueltheoneis
toomildinspirit,theothertooharsh.Letthewisemanshowmoderation,andtosituations
thatrequirestrongmeasureslethimapply,notanger,butforce.
Havingdealtwiththequestionsthatariseconcerninganger,letusnowpasstothe
considerationofitsremedies.Inmyopinion,however,therearebuttworulesnottofall
intoanger,andinangertodonowrong.Justasincaringforthebodycertainrulesareto
beobservedforguardingthehealth,othersforrestoringit,sowemustuseonemeans
<Ess1203>
ONANGER,II.xviii.1xix.4
torepelanger,anothertorestrainit.Tnorderthatwemayavoidanger,certainruleswill
belaiddownwhichapplytothewholeperiodoflifethesewillfallundertwoheadsthe
periodofeducationandthelaterperiodsoflife.
Theperiodofeducationcallsforthegreatest,andwhatwillalsoprovetobethe
mostprofitable,attentionforitiseasytotrainthemindwhileitisstilltender,butitisa
difficultmattertocurbthevicesthathavegrownupwithus.
ThefierymindisbyitsnaturemostliabletowratII.Forastherearethefour
elementsoffire,water,air,andearth,sotherearethecorrespondingproperties,thehot,
thecold,thedry,andthemoist./aAccordingly,thevariousdifferencesofregions,of
animals,ofsubstances,andofcharactersarecausedbytheminglingoftheelements
consequently,also,dispositionsshowagreaterbentinsomeonedirection,accordingas
theyaboundinalargersupplyofsomeoneelement.Henceitisthatwecallsomeregions
moist,somedry,somehot,somecold.Thesamedistinctionsapplytoanimalsandto
menitmakesagreatdifferencehowmuchofthemoistandthehoteachmanhasinhim
hischaracterwillbedeterminedbythatelementinhimofwhichhewillhaveadominant
proportion.Afieryconstitutionofmindwillproducewrathfulmen,forfireisactiveand
stubbornamixtureofcoldmakescowards,forcoldissluggishandshrunken.
Consequently,someofourschoolholdthatangerisarousedinthebreastbytheboiling
ofthebloodabouttheheartthereasonwhythisparticularspotisassignedtoangeris
noneotherthanthefactthatthewarmestpartthewholebodyisthebreast.Inthecaseof
thosewhohavemoreof
<Ess1205>
ONANGER,II.xix.4xx.2
themoistinthem,angergrowsupgraduallybecausetheyhavenoheatreadyathandbut
obtainitbymovement,andsotheangerofchildren/aandwomenismorevehementthan
serious,anditislighteratthestart.Inthedryperiodsoflife/bangerispowerfuland
strong,butiswithoutincrease,showinglittlegainbecausecoldsucceedsheat,/cwhichis
nowonthedecline.Oldmenaresimplytestyandquerulous,asalsoareinvalidsand
convalescentsandallwhoseheathasbeendrainedeitherbyexhaustionorbylossof
bloodthesameistheconditionofthosewhoaregauntfromthirstandhungerandof
thosewhosebodiesareanaemicandillnourishedandweak.Winekindlesanger
becauseitincreasestheheatsomeboiloverwhentheyaredrunk,otherswhentheyare
simplytipsy,eachaccordingtohisnature.Andtheonlyreasonwhyredhairedandruddy
peopleareextremelyhottemperedisthattheyhavebynaturethecolourwhichothersare
wonttoassumeinangerfortheirbloodisactiveandrestless.
Butwhilenaturemakescertainpersonspronetoanger,therearelikewisemany
accidentalcauseswhicharejustaseffectiveasnature.Somearebroughtintothis
conditionbysicknessorinjuryofthebody,othersbytoilorunceasingvigils,bynightsof
anxiety,byyearningsandtheaffairsoflovewhateverelseimpairseitherbodyormind,
producesadiseasedmentalstatepronetocomplaint.Buttheseareallonlybeginnings
andcauseshabitcountsformost,andifthisisdeepseated,itfostersthefault.Asfor
nature,itisdifficulttoalterit,andwemaynotchangetheelementsthatwerecombined
onceforallatourbirthbutthoughthisbeso,itisprofitabletoknowthatfiery
temperamentsshould
<Ess1207>
ONANGER,II.xx.2xxi.3
bekeptawayfromwine,whichPlato/athinksoughttobeforbiddentochildren,protesting
againstaddingfiretofire.Neithershouldsuchmengorgethemselveswithfoodfortheir
bodieswillbedistendedandtheirspiritswillbecomeswollenalongwiththebody.They
shouldgetexerciseintoil,stoppingshortofexhaustion,totheendthattheirheatmaybe
reduced,butnotusedup,andthattheirexcessivefevermaysubside.Gamesalsowillbe
beneficialforpleasureinmoderationrelaxesthemindandgivesitbalance.Themore
moistandthedriernatures,andalsothecold,areinnodangerfromanger,buttheymust
bewareoffaultsthataremorebasefear,moroseness,discouragement,andsuspicion.
Andsosuchnatureshaveneedofencouragementandindulgenceandthesummonsto
cheerfulness.Andsincecertainremediesaretobeemployedagainstanger,others
againstsullenness,andthetwofaultsaretobecured,notmerelybydifferent,butevenby
contrary,methods,weshallalwaysattackthefaultthathasbecomethestronger.
Itwillbeoftheutmostprofit,Isay,togivechildrensoundtrainingfromthevery
beginningguidance,however,isdifficult,becauseweoughttotakepainsneitherto
developinthemangernortoblunttheirnativespirit.Thematterrequirescarefulwatching
forbothqualitiesthatwhichshouldbeencouragedandthatwhichshouldbechecked
arefedbylikethings,andlikethingseasilydeceiveevenacloseobserver.Byfreedomthe
spiritgrows,byservitudeitiscrushedifitiscommendedandisledtoexpectgoodthings
ofitself,itmountsup,butthesesamemeasuresbreedinsolenceandtempertherefore
wemustguidethe
<Ess1209>
ONANGER,II.xxi.37
childbetweenthetwoextremes,usingnowthecurb,nowthespur.
Heshouldbesubjectedtonothingthatishumiliating,nothingthatisservileitshouldnever
benecessaryforhimtobegsubmissively,norshouldbeggingeverproveprofitable
ratherlethisowndesertandhispastconductandgoodpromiseofitinthefuturebe
rewarded.Instruggleswithhisplaymatesweshouldnotpermithimeithertobebeatenor
togetangryweshouldtakepainstoseethatheisfriendlytowardthosewithwhomitis
hispracticetoengageinorderthatinthestrugglehemayformthehabitofwishingnotto
hurthisopponentbutmerelytowin.Wheneverhegetstheupperhandanddoes
somethingpraiseworthy,weshouldallowhimtobeencouragedbutnotelated,forjoy
leadstoexultation,exultationtooverconceitandatoohighopinionofoneself.Weshall
granthimsomerelaxation,thoughweshallnotlethimlapseintoslothandease,andwe
shallkeephimfarfromalltaintofpamperingforthereisnothingthatmakesthechild
hottemperedsomuchasasoftandcoddlingbringingup.Thereforethemoreanonly
childisindulged,andthemorelibertyawardisallowed,themorewillhisdispositionbe
spoiled.Hewillnotwithstandrebuffswhohasneverbeendeniedanything,whosetears
havealwaysbeenwipedawaybyananxiousmother,whohasbeenallowedtohavehis
ownwaywithhistutor./aDoyounotobservethatwitheachadvancinggradeoffortune
theregoesthegreatertendencytoanger?Itisespeciallyapparentintherich,innobles,
andinofficialswhenallthatwaslightandtrivialintheirmindsoarsaloftuponthebreeze
ofgoodfortune.Prosperityfosterswrathwhenthecrowd
<Ess1211>
ONANGER,II.xxi.7xxii.1
offlatterers,gatheredaround,whisperstotheproudear:"What,shouldthatmananswer
youback?Yourestimateofyourselfdoesnotcorrespondwithyourimportanceyou
demeanyourself"theseandotheradulations,whicheventhesensibleandorginally
wellpoisedmindresistswithdifficulty.Childhood,therefore,shouldbekeptfarfromall
contactwithflatteryletachildhearthetruth,sometimesevenlethimfear,lethimbe
respectfulalways,lethimrisebeforehiselders.Lethimgainnorequestbyangerwhen
heisquietlethimbeofferedwhatwasrefusedwhenhewept.Lethim,moreover,have
thesightbutnottheuseofhisparents'wealth.Whenhehasdonewrong,lethimbe
reproved.Itwillworktotheadvantageofchildrentogivethemteachersandtutorsofa
quietdisposition.Everyyoungthingattachesitselftowhatisnearestandgrowstobelike
itthecharacteroftheirnursesandtutorsispresentlyreproducedinthatoftheyoung
men.TherewasaboywhohadbeenbroughtupinthehouseofPlato,andwhenhehad
returnedtohisparentsandsawhisfatherinablusteringrage,hiscommentwas:"Inever
sawthissortofthingatPlato's."Idoubtnotthathewasquickertocopyhisfatherthanhe
wastocopyPlato!Aboveall,lethisfoodbesimple,hisclothinginexpensive,andhisstyle
oflivinglikethatofhiscompanions.Theboywillneverbeangryatsomeonebeing
countedequaltohimself,whomyouhavefromthefirsttreatedastheequalofmany.
Buttheserulesapplytoourchildren.Inourcase,/a,however,ourlotatbirthand
oureducationgivenoexcusetheoneforthevice,ortheother,anylonger,for
instruction/bitistheir
<Ess1213>
ONANGERII.xxii.2xxiii.2
consequences"thatwemustregulate.Weought,therefore,tomakeourfightagainstthe
primarycauses.Nowthecauseofangerisanimpressionofinjury,andtothisweshould
noteasilygivecredence.Weoughtnottobeledtoitquicklyevenbyopenandevident
actsforsomethingsarefalsethathavetheappearanceoftruth.Weshouldalwaysallow
sometimeadaydisclosesthetruth.Letusnotgivereadyeartotraducersthis
weaknessofhumannatureletusrecognizeandmistrustwearegladtobelievewhatwe
arelothtohear,andwebecomeangrybeforewecanformajudgementaboutit.And
whatistobesaidwhenweareactuated,notmerelybycharges,butbybaresuspicions,
andhavingputtheworseinterpretationonanother'slookorsmile,becomeangryat
innocentmen?Thereforeweshouldpleadthecauseoftheabsentpersonagainst
ourselves,andangershouldbeheldinabeyanceforpunishmentpostponedcanstillbe
exacted,butonceexacteditcannotberecalled.
Everyoneknowsthestoryofthetyrannicidewhohavingbeenarrestedbeforehe
hadfinishedhistaskwasputtotorturebyHippias/binorderthathemightbeforcedto
revealhisaccompliceswhereuponhenamedthefriendsofthetyrantwhoweregathered
aroundhim,theveryonestowhom,asheknew,thesafetyofthetyrantwasespecially
dear.AfterHippiashadorderedthemtobeslainonebyone,astheywerenamed,he
askedwhethertherewasstillanyother."No,"saidtheman,"youaloneremainforIhave
leftnooneelsewhocaresanythingaboutyou."Theresultofhisangerwasthatthetyrant
lenthismighttothetyrantslayerandslewhisownprotectorswithhisownsword.
<Ess1215>
ONANGER,II.xxiii.2xxiv.2
HowmuchmorecourageouswasAlexander!Afterreadingaletterfromhismother
warninghimtobewareofpoisonfromhisphysicianPhilip,hetookthedraughtanddrank
itwithoutalarm.
Inthecaseofhisownfriendhetrustedhimselfmore.Hedeservedtofindhiminnocent,
deservedtoprovehimso!IapplaudthisallthemoreinAlexanderbecausenomanwas
sopronetoangerbuttherarerselfcontrolisamongkings,themorepraiseworthyit
becomes.ThegreatGaiusCaesaralsoshowedthis,hewho,victoriousincivilwar,used
hisvictorymostmercifullyhavingapprehendedsomepacketsofletterswrittentoGnaeus
Pompeiusbythosewhowerebelievedtobelongeithertotheopposingsideortothe
neutralparty,heburnedthem.Althoughhewasinthehabit,withinbounds,ofindulgingin
anger,yethepreferredbeingunabletodosohethoughtthatthemostgraciousformof
pardonwasnottoknowwhattheoffenceofeachpersonhadbeen.
Credulityisasourceofverygreatmischief.Oftenoneshouldnotevenlistento
report,sinceundersomecircumstancesitisbettertobedeceivedthantobesuspicious.
Suspicionandsurmiseprovocationsthataremostdeceptiveoughttobebanishedfrom
themind."Thatmandidnotgivemeacivilgreetingthatonedidnotretummykissthat
onebrokeofftheconversationabruptlythatonedidnotinvitemetodinnerthatone
seemedtoavoidseeingme."Pretextforsuspicionwillnotbelacking.Butthereisneedof
franknessandgenerosityininterpretingthings.Weshouldbelieveonlywhatisthrust
underoureyesandbecomesunmistakable,andeverytimeoursuspicion
<Ess1217>
ONANGER,II.xxiv.2xxv.4
provestobegroundlessweshouldchideourcredulityforthisselfreproofwilldevelopthe
habitofbeingslowtobelieve.
Next,too,comesthisthatweshouldnotbeexasperatedbytriflingandpaltry
incidents.Aslaveistooslow,orthewaterforthewineaislukewarm,orthe
couchcushiondisarranged,orthetabletoocarelesslysetitismadnesstobeincensed
bysuchthings.Themanisillorinapoorstateofhealthwhoshrinksfromaslight
draughtsomethingiswrongwithaman'seyesiftheyareoffendedbywhiteclothingthe
manisenfeebledbysoftlivingwhogetsapaininhissidefromseeingsomebodyelseat
work!ThestoryisthattherewasonceacitizenofSybaris,acertainMindyrides,who,
seeingamandiggingandswinginghismattockonhigh,complainedthatitmadehim
wearyandorderedthemannottodosuchworkinhissightthesamemancomplained
thathefeltworsebecausetheroseleavesuponwhichhehadlainwerecrumpled!When
pleasureshavecorruptedbothmindandbody,nothingseemstobetolerable,not
becausethesufferingishard,butbecausethesuffererissoft.Forwhyisitthatweare
thrownintoaragebysomebody'scoughorsneeze,bynegligenceinchasingaflyaway,
byadog'shangingaround,orbythedroppingofakeythathasslippedfromthehandsof
acarelessservant?Thepoorwretchwhoseearsarehurtbythegratingofabench
draggedacrossthefloorwillhebeabletobearwithequanimitythestrifeofpubliclifeand
theabuseraineddownuponhimintheassemblyorinthesenatehouse?Willhebeable
toendurethehungerandthethirstofasummercampaignwhogetsangryathisslavefor
beingcarelessinmixing
<Ess1219>
ONANGER,II.xxv.4xxvi.5
thesnow/a?Nothing,therefore,ismoreconducivetoangerthantheintemperanceand
intolerancethatcomesfromsoftlivingthemindoughttobeschooledbyhardshiptofeel
nonebutacrushingblow.
Ourangerisstirredeitherbythosefromwhomwecouldnothavereceivedany
injuryatall,orbythosefromwhomwemighthavereceivedone.Totheformerclass
belongcertaininanimatethings,suchasthemanuscriptwhichweoftenhurlfromus
becauseitiswrittenintoosmallascriptortearupbecauseitisfullofmistakes,orthe
articlesofclothingwhichwepulltopiecesbecausewedonotlikethem,Buthowfoolishit
istogetangryatthesethingswhichneitherdeserveourwrathnorfeelit!"Butofcourse,"
yousay,"itisthosewhomadethemwhohavegivenustheaffront."But,inthefirstplace,
weoftengetangrybeforewemakethisdistinctioncleartoourmindsinthesecond
place,perhapsalsothemakersthemselveswillhavereasonableexcusestooffer:this
onecouldnotdobetterworkthanhedid,anditwasnotoutofdisrespectforyouthathe
waspoorathistradeanotherdidnotaimtoaffrontyoubywhathedid.Intheendwhat
canbemadderthantoaccumulatespleenagainstmenandthenventituponthings?But
asitistheactofamadmantobecomeangryatthingswithoutlife,itisnotlessmadtobe
angryatdumbanimals,whichdousnoinjurybecausetheycannotwilltodosoforthere
canbenoinjuryunlessitarisesfromdesign.Thereforetheycanbarmusjustasthe
swordorastonemaydo,buttheycannotinjureus.Butsomepeoplethinkthatamanis
insultedwhenthesamehorseswhicharesubmissivetooneriderarerebellioustoward
another,justasifitwereduetotheanimal's
<Ess1221>
ONANGER,II.xxvi.6xxvii.4
choiceandnotrathertotherider'spractisedskillinmanagementthatcertainanimals
provemoretractabletocertainmen.Butitisasfoolishtobeangrywiththeseasitistobe
angrywithchildrenandallwhoarenotmuchdifferentfromchildreninpointofwisdomfor
intheeyesofajustjudgeallsuchmistakescanpleadignoranceastheequivalentof
innocence.
Buttherearecertainagentsthatareunabletoharmusandhavenopowerthatis
notbeneficentandsalutary,as,forexample,theimmortalgods,whoneitherwishnorare
abletohurtfortheyarebynaturemildandgentle,asincapableofinjuringothersasof
injuringthemselves.{Jesus+}Those,therefore,aremadandignorantoftruthwholayto
thegods'chargethecrueltyofthesea,excessiverains,andthestubbornnessofwinter,
whereasallthewhilenoneofthephenomenawhichharmorhelpusareplanned
personallyforus.{what_is_is_right+}Foritisnotbecauseofusthattheuniversebrings
backwinterandsummerthesehavetheirownlaws,bywhichthedivineplanoperates.
Wehavetoohigharegardforourselvesifwedeemourselvesworthytobethecauseof
suchmightymovements.Thereforenoneofthesephenomenatakesplaceforthe
purposeofinjuringus,nay,onthecontrary,theyalltendtowardourbenefit.Ihavesaid
thattherearecertainagentsthatcannot,certainonesthatwouldnot,harmus.
Tothelatterclasswillbelonggoodmagistratesandparents,teachersandjudges,andwe
oughttosubmittothechasteningtheygiveinthesamespiritinwhichwesubmittothe
surgeon'sknife,aregimenofdiet,andotherthingswhichcausesufferingthattheymay
bringprofit.Wehavebeenvisitedwith
<Ess1223>
ONANGER,II.xxvii.4xxviii.4
punishmentthenletitbringupthethought,notsomuchofwhatwesuffer,asofwhatwe
havedoneletussummonourselvestogiveaverdictuponourpastlifeifonlyweare
willingtobefrankwithourselves,weshallassessourfinesatastillhigherfigure.
Ifwearewillinginallmatterstoplaythejustjudge,letusconvinceourselvesfirst
ofthisthatnooneofusisfreefromfault.Formostofourindignationarisesfromour
saying,"Iamnottoblame,""Ihavedonenothingwrong."Say,rather,youadmitnothing
wrong.Wechafeagainstthecensureofsomereprimandorchastisementalthoughatthe
verytimeweareatfaultbecauseweareaddingtowrongdoingarroganceandobstinacy.
Whatmanistherewhocanclaimthatintheeyesofeverylawheisinnocent?But
assumingthatthismaybe,howlimitedistheinnocencewhosestandardofvirtueisthe
law!Howmuchmorecomprehensiveistheprincipleofdutythanthatoflaw!Howmany
arethedemandslaiduponusbythesenseofduty,humanity,generosity,justice,integrity
allofwhichlieoutsidethestatutebooks!Butevenunderthatotherexceedinglynarrow
definitionofinnocencewecannotvouchforourclaim.Somesinswehavecommitted,
somewehavecontemplated,{sinful_nature_of_man+}somewehavedesired,somewe
haveencouragedinthecaseofsomeweareinnocentonlybecausewedidnotsucceed.
Bearingthisinmind,letusbemorejusttotransgressors,moreheedfultothosewho
rebukeusespeciallyletusnotbeangrywiththegood(forwhowillescapeifwearetobe
angryevenwiththegood?),andleastofallwiththegods,foritisnotbytheirpower,
<Ess1225>
ONANGER,II.xxviii.47
butbythetermsofourmortality,thatweareforcedtosufferwhateverillbefalls."But,"
yousay,"sicknessandpainassailus."atanyratetheremustbeanendingsometime,
seeingthatwehavebeengivenacrumblingtenement!{Thou_owest_God_a_death+}
Itwillbesaidthatsomeonespokeillofyouconsiderwhetheryouspokeillofhim
first,considerhowmanythereareofwhomyouspeakill.Letusconsider,Isay,that
somearenotdoingusaninjurybutrepayingone,thatothersareactingforourgood,that
someareactingundercompulsion,othersinignorance,thateventhosewhoareacting
intentionallyandwittinglydonot,whileinjuringus,aimonlyattheinjuryoneslippedintoit
alluredbyhiswit,anotherdidsomething,nottoobstructus,butbecausehecouldnot
reachhisowngoalwithoutpushingusbackoftenadulation,whileitflatters,offends.If
anyonewillrecallhowoftenhehimselfhasfallenunderundeservedsuspicion,howmany
ofhisgoodserviceschancehasclothedwiththeappearanceofinjury,howmany
personswhomoncebehatedhelearnedtolove,hewillbeabletoavoidallhastyanger,
particularlyifaseachoffenceoccurshewillfirstsaytohimselfinsilence:"Imyselfhave
alsobeenguiltyofthis."Butwherewillyoufindajudgesojust?Themanwhocovets
everybody'swifeandconsidersthemerefactthatshebelongstoanotheranampleand
justexcuseforlovingherthissamemanwillnothavehisownwifelookedatthestrictest
enforcerofloyaltyisthetraitor,thepunisheroffalsehoodishimselfaperjurer,andthe
tricksterlawyerdeeplyresentsanindictmentbeingbroughtagainsthimselfthemanwho
hasnoregardforhisownchastitywillpermitnotamperingwith
<Ess1227>
ONANGER,II.xxviii.8xxix.3
thatofhisslaves.Thevicesofotherswekeepbeforeoureyes,ourownbehindour
back/ahenceithappensthatafatherwhoisevenworsethanhissonrebukeshisson's
untimelyrevels,thatamandoesnotpardonanother'sexcesseswhosetsnoboundtohis
own,thatthemurdererstirsatyrant'swrath,andthetemplerobberpunishestheft.Itis
notwiththesinsbutwiththesinnersthatmostmenareangry.Weshallbecomemore
tolerantfromselfinspectionifwecauseourselvestoconsider"Haveweourselvesnever
beenguiltyofsuchanact?Havewenevermadethesamemistake?Isitexpedientforus
tocondemnsuchconduct?"
Thebestcorrectiveofangerliesindelay.Begthisconcessionfromangeratthe
first,notinorderthatitmaypardon,butinorderthatitmayjudge.Itsfirstassaultsare
heavyitwillleaveoffifitwaits.Anddonottrytodestroyitallatonceattackedpiecemeal,
itwillbecompletelyconquered.Ofthethingswhichoffendussomearereportedtous,
othersweourselveshearorsee.Astowhatistoldus,weshouldnotbequicktobelieve
manyfalsifyinorderthattheymaydeceivemanyothers,becausetheythemselvesare
deceived.Onecourtsourfavourbymakinganaccusationandinventsaninjuryinorderto
showthatheregretstheoccurrencethenthereisthemanwhoisspitefulandwishesto
breakupbindingfriendships,andtheonewhoissharptonguedand,eagertoseethe
sport,watchesfromasafedistancethefriendswhomhehasbroughttoblows.Ifthe
questionofevenasmallpaymentshouldcomebeforeyoutobejudged,youwould
requireawitnesstoprovetheclaim,thewitnesswouldhavenoweightexceptonoath,
you
<Ess1229>
ONANGER,II.xxi.3xxx.1
wouldgranttobothpartiestherightofprocess,youwouldallowthemtime,youwould
givemorethanonehearingfortheofteneryoucometoclosequarterswithtruth,the
moreitbecomesmanifest.Doyoucondemnafriendonthespot?Willyoubeangrywith
himbeforeyouhearhisside,beforeyouquestionhim,beforehehasachancetoknow
eitherhisaccuserorthecharge?What,haveyoualreadyheardwhatistobesaidonboth
sides?Themanwhogaveyoutheinformationwillofhisownaccordstoptalkingifheis
forcedtoprovewhathesays."Noneedtodragmeforward,"hesays"ifIambrought
forwardIshallmakedenialotherwiseIshallnevertellyouanything."Atoneandthesame
timehebothgoadsyouonandwithdrawshimselffromthestrifeandthebattle.Theman
whoisunwillingtotellyouanythingexceptinsecrethas,wemayalmostsay,nothingto
tell.Whatismoreunfairthantogivecredencesecretlybuttobeangryopenly?
Tosomeoffenceswecanbearwitnessourselvesinsuchcasesweshallsearch
intothecharacterandthepurposeoftheoffender.Doesachildoffend?Excuseshouldbe
madeforhisagehedoesnotknowwhatiswrong.Afather?Eitherhehasbeensogood
tousthathehastherighteventoinjureus,ormayhaptheveryactwhichoffendsusis
reallyaservice.Awoman?Itwasablunder.Someoneunderorders?Whatfairminded
personchafesagainsttheinevitable?Someonewhohasbeenwronged?Thereisno
injusticeinyourhavingtosubmittothatwhichyouwerethefirsttoinflict.Isitajudge?
Youshouldtrusthisopinionmorethanyourown.Isitaking?Ifhepunishesyou
<Ess1231>
ONANGER,II.xxx.2xxxi.4
whenyouareguilty,submittojustice,ifwhenyouareinnocent,submittofortune.Adumb
animalperhaps,orsomethingjustasdumb?Youbecomelikeitifyougetangry.Isita
sicknessoramisfortune?Itwillpassbymorelightlyifyoubearupunderit.IsitGod?You
wasteyourpainswhenyoubecomeangrywithhimasmuchaswhenyouprayhimtobe
angrywithanother.Isitagoodmanwhohasdoneyouinjury?Donotbelieveit.Abad
man?Donotbesurprisedhewillsufferfromanotherthepunishmentwhichisduefrom
you,andhewhohassinnedhasalreadypunishedhimself.
Thereare,asIhavesaid,twoconditionsunderwhichangerisaroused:first,ifwe
thinkthatwehavereceivedaninjuryaboutthisenoughhasbeensaidsecond,ifwe
thinkthatwehavereceiveditunjustlyaboutthissomethingmustnowbesaid.Menjudge
somehappeningstobeunjustbecausetheydidnotdeservethem,somemerelybecause
theydidnotexpectthem.Whatisunexpectedwecountundeserved.Andsoweare
mightilystirredbyallthathappenscontrarytohopeandexpectation,andthisistheonly
reasonwhyindomesticaffairswearevexedbytrifles,whyinthecaseoffriendswecall
neglectawrong."Why,then,"youquery,"dothewrongsdonebyourenemiesstirus?"
Becausewedidnotexpectthem,oratanyratenotwrongssoserious.This,inturn,is
duetoexcessiveselflove.Wedecidethatweoughtnottobeharmedevenbyour
enemieseachoneinhishearthastheking'spointofview,andiswillingtouselicense,
butunwillingtosufferfromit.Andsoitiseitherarroganceorignorancethatmakesus
pronetoangerforwhatistheresurprisinginwickedmen's
<Ess1233>
ONANGER,II.xxxi.47
practisingwickeddeeds?Whyisitstrangeifanenemyinjuresus,afriendoffendsus,a
sonerrs,oraservantblunders?Fabiususedtosaythattheexcuse,"Ididnotthink,"was
theonemostshamefulforacommanderIthinkitmostshamefulforanyman.Thinkof
everything,expecteverythingeveningoodcharacterssomeunevennesswillappear.
Humannaturebegetsheartsthataredeceitful,thatareungrateful,thatarecovetous,that
areundutiful.Whenyouareabouttopassjudgementononesingleman,scharacter,
reflectuponthegeneralmass.
Whenyouareabouttorejoicemost,youwillhavemosttofear.Wheneverything
seemstoyoutobepeaceful,theforcesthatwillharmarenotnonexistent,butinactive.
Alwaysbelievethattherewillcomesomeblowtostrikeyou.Noskipperiseverso
recklessastounfurlallhiscanvaswithouthavinghistackleinorderforquicklyshortening
sail.Aboveall,bearthisinmind,thatthepowerofinjuryisvileanddetestableandmost
unnaturalforman,bywhosekindnessevenfiercebeastsaretamed.Lookhow
elephants/asubmittheirneckstotheyoke,howboysandwomenalikeleapuponbulls/b
andtreadtheirbacksunhurt,howserpentscrawlinharmlesscourseamongourcups
andoverourlaps,howgentlearethefacesofbearsandlionswhentheirtrainersare
insidetheircages,andhowwildbeastsfawnupontheirkeeperweshallblushtohave
exchangedcharacterswiththebeasts!/cToinjureone'scountryisacrimeconsequently,
also,toinjureafellowcitizenforheisapartofthecountry,andifwereverencethe
whole,thepartsaresacredconsequentlytoinjureanymanisacrime,forheisyour
fellowcitizeninthegreatercommonwealth.What
<Ess1235>
ONANGER,II.xxxi.7xxxii.2
ifthehandsshoulddesiretoharmthefeet,ortheeyesthehands?Asallthemembersof
thebodyareinharmonyonewithanotherbecauseitistotheadvantageofthewholethat
theindividualmembersbeunharmed,somankindshouldsparetheindividualman,
becauseallarebornforalifeoffellowship,andsocietycanbekeptunharmedonlybythe
mutualprotectionandloveofitsparts.{Macro_Micro+}Wewouldnotcrushevenaviper
orawatersnakeoranyothercreaturethatharmsbybiteorstingifwecouldmakethem
kindlyinfuture,orkeepthemfrombeingasourceofdangertoourselvesandothers.
Neither,therefore,shallweinjureamanbecausehehasdonewrong,butinordertokeep
himfromdoingwrong,andhispunishmentshallneverlooktothepast,butalwaystothe
futureforthatcourseisnotanger,butprecaution.Forifeveryonewhosenatureisevil
anddepravedmustbepunished,punishmentwillexemptnoone.
"Butofcoursethereissomepleasureinanger,"yousay,"anditissweettoreturn
asmart."Notatallforitisnothonourable,asinactsofkindnesstorequitebenefitswith
benefits,sotorequiteinjurieswithinjuries.Intheonecaseitisshamefultobeoutdone,in
theothernottobeoutdone."Revenge"isaninhumanwordandyetoneaccepted
aslegitimate,and"retaliation"isnotmuchdifferentexceptinrankthemanwhoreturnsa
smartcommitsmerelythemorepardonablesin./aOncewhenMarcusCatowasinthe
publicbath,acertainman,notknowinghim,struckhimunwittinglyforwhowould
knowinglyhavedoneinjurytothatgreatman?Later,whenthemanwasmakingapology,
Catosaid,IdonotrecallthatIreceived
<Ess1237>
ONANGER,II.xxxii.2xxxiii.3
ablow."Itwasbettor,hethought,toignoretheincidentthantoresentit."Thenthefellow,"
youask,"gotnopunishmentforsuchanactofrudeness?"No,butmuchgoodhebegan
toknowCato.Onlyagreatsoulcanbesuperiortoinjurythemosthumiliatingkindof
revengeistohaveitappearthatthemanwasnotworthtakingrevengeupon.Manyhave
takenslightinjuriestoodeeplytoheartintheactofrevengingthem.Heisagreatand
noblemanwhoactsasdoesthelordlywildbeastthatlistensunconcernedlytothebaying
oftinydogs."Ifweavengeaninjury,"yousay,"weshallbelesssubjecttocontempt."Ifwe
mustmustresorttoaremedyletusdosowithoutangernotwiththepleathatrevengeis
sweet,butthatitisexpedientitisoften,however,bettertofeignignoranceofanactthan
totakevengeanceforit.Injuriesfromthemorepowerfulmustbeborne,notmerelywith
submission,butevenwithacheerfulcountenancetheywillrepeattheoffenceiftheyare
convincedthattheyhavesucceededonce.Menwhosespirithasgrownarrogantfromthe
greatfavouroffortunehavethismostseriousfaultthosewhomtheyhaveinjuredthey
alsohate.Thewordsofthemanwhohadgrownoldindoinghomagetokingsarefamiliar
toall.Whensomeoneaskedhimhowhehadattainedwhatwassorarelyachievedat
court,namelyoldage,hereplied,"Byacceptinginjuriesandreturningthanksforthem."
Sofarfromitsbeingexpedienttoavengeinjuries,itisofteninexpedientevento
acknowledgethem.GaiusCaesar,offendedwiththesonofPastor,adistinguished,
Romanknight,becauseofhisfoppishnessandhistooelaboratelydressedhair,senthim
to
<Ess1239>
ONANGER,II.xxxiii.36
prisonwhenthefatherbeggedthathisson'slifemightbespared,Caesar,justasifhe
hadbeenremindedtopunishhim,orderedhimtobeexecutedforthwithyetinordernotto
bewhollybrutaltothefather,heinvitedhimtodinewithhimthatday.Pastoractually
cameandshowednoreproachinhiscountenance.Caesar,takingacup,proposedhis
healthandsetsomeonetowatchhimthepoorwretchwenttbroughwithit,althoughhe
seemedtobedrinkingthebloodofhisSon.Caesarthensenthimperfumeandgarlands
offlowersandgaveorderstowatchwhetherheusedthem:heusedthem.Onthevery
dayonwhichhehadburiedno,beforehehadyetburiedhisson,hetookhisplace
amongahundreddinnerguests,and,oldandgoutyashewas,drainedadraughtofwine
thatwouldscarcehavebeenaseemlypotionevenonthebirthdayofoneofhischildren,
allthewhilesheddingnotasingletearnorbyanysignsufferinghisgrieftoberevealedat
thedinnerheactedasifhehadobtainedthepardonhehadsoughtforhisson.Doyou
askwhy?Hehadasccondson.AndwhatdidgreatPriamdo?Didhenotdisguisehis
angerandembracethekneesoftheking?Didhenotcarrytohislipsthemurderoushand
allstainedwiththebloodofhisson?/aDidhenotdine?True,buttherewasnoperfume
forhim,nogarlands,andhisbloodthirstyenemywithmanysoftwordspressedhimto
takefood,anddidnotforcehimtodrainhugebeakerswhilesomeonestoodoverhimto
watch.TheRomanfatheryouwouldhavedespisedifhisfearshadbeenforhimselfasit
was,affectioncurbedhisanger.Hedeservedtobepermittedtoleavethebanquetinorder
thathemightgatherupthebonesofhisson,butthat
<Ess1241>
ONANGER,II.xxxiii.6xxxiv.4
striplngprince,allthewhilesokindlyandpolite,didnotpermiteventhispledgingtheold
man'shealthagainandagain,hetorturedhimbyurginghimtolightenhissorrow,whileon
theotherhandthefathermadeashowofbeinghappyandobliviousofallthathadbeen
donethatday.Theothersonwasdoomed,hadtheguestdispleasedtheexecutioner.
Wemust,therefore,refrainfromanger,whetherhebeanequalorasuperiororan
inferiorwhoprovokesitspower.Acontestwithone'sequalishazardous,withasuperior
mad,withaninferiordegrading.Itisapettyandsorrypersonwhowillbitebackwhenheis
bitten.Miceandants,ifyoubringyourheadnearthem,doturnatyoufeeblecreatures
thinktheyarehurtiftheyareonlytouched.Itwillmakeusmorekindlyifwerememberthe
benefitweoncereceivedfromhimwhonowprovokesouranger,andlethiskindnesses
atoneforhisoffence.Letusalsobearinmindhowmuchapprovalweshallgainfroma
reputationforforbearance,howmanyhavebeenmadeusefulfriendsthroughforgiveness.
FromtheexamplesofSulla'scrueltycomes.thelessonthatweshouldfeelnoanger
towardthechildrenofpersonalandpoliticalenemies,sinceheremovedfromthestate
eventhechildrenoftheproscribed.Thereisnogreaterinjusticethantomakeamanthe
inheritorofhatredbornetowardhisfather.Wheneverwearelothtopardon,letus
considerwhetherweourselvesshouldbenefitifallmenwereinexorable.Howoftenhas
hewhorefusedforgivenesssoughtit!Howoftenhashegrovelledatthefeetoftheman
whomhehadrepulsedfromhisown!Whatismoresplendidthantoexchange
<Ess1243>
ONANGER,II.xxxiv.4xxxv.3
angerforfriendship?WhatmorefaithfulalliesdoestheRomanpeoplepossessthan
thosewhowereonceitsmoststubbornfoes?Wherewouldtheempirebetodayhadnot
asoundforesightunitedthevictorsandthevanquishedintoone?Doesamangetangry?
Doyouonthecontrarychallengehimwithkindness.Animosity,ifabandonedbyoneside,
forthwithdiesittakestwotomakeafight.Butifangershallberifeonbothsides,ifthe
conflictcomes,heisthebettermanwhofirstwithdrawsthevanquishedistheonewho
wins.Ifsomeonestrikesyou,stepbackforbystrikingbackyouwillgivehimboththe
opportunityandtheexcusetorepeathisblowwhenyoulaterwishtoextricateyourself,it
willbeimpossible.{other_cheek+}
Wouldanyonewanttostabanenemywithsuchforceastoleavehisownhandin
thewoundandbeunabletorecoverhimselffromtheblow?Butsuchaweaponisanger
itishardtodrawback.Wetakecaretohavelightarms,ahandyandnimbleswordshall
wenotavoidthosementaloutburststhatareclumsy,unwieldy,andbeyondcontrol?The
onlydesirablespeedisthatwhichwillcheckitspacewhenordered,whichwillnotrush
pasttheappointedgoal,andcanbealteredandreducedfromrunningtoawalkwhenour
musclestwitchagainstourwill,weknowthattheyarediseasedhewhorunswhenhe
triestowalkiseitheroldorbrokeninbody.Intheoperationsofthemindweshoulddeem
thosetobethesanestandthesoundestwhichwillstartatourpleasure,notrushonat
theirown.
Nothing,however,willproveasprofitableastoconsiderfirstthehideousnessof
thething,andthenitsdanger.Nootheremotionhasanoutwardaspect
<Ess1245>
ONANGER,II.xxxv.35
sodisordered:itmakesuglythemostbeautifulfacesthroughitthemostpeaceful
countenancebecomestransformedandfiercefromtheangryallgracedepartsifthey
werewellkemptandmodishintheirdress,theywilllettheirclothingtrailandcastoffall
regardfortheirpersoniftheirhairwasdisposedbynatureorbyartinsmoothand
becomingstyle,itbristlesupinsympathywiththeirstateofmindtheveinsswell,the
breastwillberackedbyincessantpanting,theneckwillbedistendedbythefrantic
outrushofthevoicethenthelimbstremble,thehandsarerestless,thewholebodyis
agitated.Whatstateofmind,thinkyou,lieswithinwhenitsoutwardmanifestationisso
horrible?Withintheman'sbreasthowmuchmoreterriblemustbetheexpression,how
muchfiercerthebreathing,howmuchmoreviolentthestrainofhisfury,thatwoulditself
burstunlessitfoundanoutburst!Asistheaspectofanenemyorwildbeastswetwiththe
bloodofslaughterorbentuponslaughterasarethehellishmonstersofthepoet'sbrain,
allgirtaboutwithsnakesandbreathingfireasarethosemosthideousshapesthatissue
forthfromhelltostirupwarsandscatterdiscordamongthepeoplesandtearpeaceallto
shredsassuchletuspictureangeritseyesaflamewithfire,blusteringwithhissand
roarandmoanandshriekandeveryothernoisemorehatefulstillifsuchtherebe,
brandishingweaponsinbothhands(foritcaresnaughtforselfprotection!),fierceand
bloody,scarred,andblackandbluefromitsownblows,wildingait,envelopedindeep
darkness,madlycharging,ravagingandrouting,intravailwithhatredofallmen,especially
ofitself,andreadytooverturnearthandseaandsky
<Ess1247>

ONANGER,II.xxxv.6xxxvi.4
ifitcanfindnoetherwaytoharm,equallyhatingandhated.Or,ifyouwill,letustakethe
picturefromourpoets:

FlauntingherbloodyscourgetheWardamestrides,
OrDiscordgloryinginhertatteredrobe./a
Ormakeyouanyotherpictureofthisdreadpassionthatcanbedevisedstillmoredread.
AsSextiusremarks,ithasbeengoodforsomepeopletoseethemselvesina
mirrorwhiletheyareangrythegreatchangeinthemselvesalarmedthembrought,asit
were,facetofacewiththerealitytheydidnotrecognizethemselves.Andhowlittleofthe
realuglinessdidthatimagereflectedinthemirrordisclose!Ifthesoulcouldbeshown,ifit
wereinsomesubstancethroughwhichitmightshine,itsblackandmottled,inflamed,
distortedandswollenappearancewouldconfoundusaswegazeduponit.Evenasitis,
thoughitcanonlycometothesurfacethroughflesh,bones,andsomanyobstacles,its
hideousnessisthusgreatwhatifitcouldbeshownstarknaked?Youmayperhapsthink
thatnoonehasreallybeenfrightenedoutofangerbyamirror.Well,whatthen?Theman
whohadgonetothemirrorinordertoeffectachangeinhimselfwasalreadyachanged
manwhilemenremainangrynoimageismorebeautifulthanonewhichisfierceand
savage,andsuchastheyaretheywishalsotoappear.
This,rather,iswhatweoughttorealizehowmanymenangerinandofitselfhas
injured.Somethroughtoomuchpassionhavebursttheirveins,ashoutthatstrainsour
strengthhascarriedwithitblood,andtoopowerfularushoftearstotheeyes
<Ess1249>
ONANGER,II.xxvi.46
hasblurredthesharpnessoftheirvision,andsicklypeoplehavefallenbackintoillnesses.
Thereisnoquickerroadtomadness.Many,therefore,havecontinuedinthefrenzyof
anger,andhaveneverrecoveredthereasonthathadbeenunseated.{anger_madness}It
wasfrenzythatdroveAjaxtohisdeathandangerdrovehimintofrenzy.Theseallcall
downdeathupontheirchildren,povertyuponthemselves,destructionupontheirhouse,
andtheydenythattheyareangryjustasthefrenzieddenythattheyaremad.They
becomeenemiestotheirclosestfriendsandhavetobeshunnedbythosemostdear
regardlessofalllawexceptasameanstoinjure,swayedbytrifles,difficulttoapproachby
eitherwordorkindlyact,theyconductthemselvesalwayswithviolenceandareready
eithertofightwiththeswordortofalluponit./a{Ajax}Forthefactisthatthegreatestofall
evils,thevicethatsurpassesallothers,haslaidbolduponthem.Otherillscome
gradually,butthepowerofthisissuddenandcomplete.Inshort,itbringsintosubjection
allotherpassions.{ruling_passion}{Othello}Itconquersthemostardentlove,andsoin
angermenhavestabbedthebodiesthattheylovedandhavelaininthearmsofthose
whomtheyhadslainavarice,themoststubbornandunbendingevil,hasbeentrodden
underfootbyangerafterbeingforcedtoscatterherwealthandtosetfiretoherhomeand
allhercollectedtreasure.Tellme,hasnotalsotheambitiousmantornoffthehighly
prizedinsigniaofhisofficeandrejectedthehonourthathadbeenconferred?Thereisno
passionofanykindoverwhichangerdoesnotholdmastery.
<Ess1251>
BOOKVTONOVATUS
ONANGER
BOOKIII
WEshallnow,Novatus,attempttodowhatyouhaveespeciallydesiredweshalltryto
banishangerfromthemind,oratleasttobridleandrestrainitsfury.Thismustbedone
sometimesplainlyandopenly,wheneveraslighterattackofthemaladymakesthis
possible,sometimessecretly,whenitsflameburnshotandeveryobstaclebutintensifies
andincreasesitspoweritdependsuponhowmuchstrengthandvigourithaswhether
weoughttobeatbackitsattackandforcearetreat,orshouldyieldbeforeituntilthefirst
stormofitsfuryhaspassed,inordertokeepitfromsweepingalongwithitthevery
meansofrelief.
Eachman'scharacterwillhavetodeterminehisplanofaction:somemenyieldto
entreatysometrampleandstampuponthosewhogiveway,andweshallquiettheseby
makingthemfearsomeareturnedfromtheircoursebyreproof,othersbyaconfession
ofguilt,othersbyshame,othersbyprocrastinationaslowremedy,thislast,foraswift
disorder,tobeusedonlyasalastresort.Forwhiletheotherpassionsadmitof
postponementandmay
<Ess1253>
ONANGER,III.i.3ii.1
becuredmoreleisurely,thisoneinhurriedandselfdrivenviolencedoesnotadvanceby
slowdegrees,butbecomesfullgrownthemomentitbeginsand,unliketheothervices,it
doesnotseducebutabductsthemind,anditgoadsonthosethat,lackingallselfcontrol,
desire,ifneedbe,thedestructionofall,anditsfuryfallsnotmerelyupontheobjectsat
whichitaims,butuponallthatmeetitbytheway.Theothervicesincitethemind,anger
overthrowsit.Evenifamanmaynotresisthispassions,yetatleastthepassions
themselvesmayhaltangerintensifiesitsvehemencemoreandmore,likethelightning's
stroke,thehurricane,{Lear}andtheotherthingsthatareincapableofcontrolforthe
reasonthattheynotmerelymove,butfall.Othervicesarearevoltagainstintelligence,
thisagainstsanitytheothersapproachgentlyandgrowupunnoticed,butthemind
plungesheadlongintoanger.Thereforenomorefrenziedstatebesetsthemind,none
morereliantuponitsownpower,nonemorearrogantifitissuccessful,nonemoreinsane
ifitisbaffledsinceitisnotreducedtowearinessevenbydefeat,ifchanceremovesits
foeitturnsitsteethuponitself.Andthesourcefromwhichitspringsneednotbegreatfor
risingfrommosttrivialthingsitmountstomonstroussize.
Itpassesbynotimeoflife,makesexceptionofnoclassofmen.Someracesby
theblessingofpovertyknownothingofluxurysomebecausetheyarerestlessand
wanderinghaveescapedsloththeuncivilizedstateofsomeandtheirrusticmodeoflife
keepthemstrangerstotrickeryanddeceptionandalltheevilthattheforumbreeds.
{Swift}Buttherelivesnoracethatdoesnotfeelthegoadofanger,
<Ess1255>
ONANGER,III.ii.15
whichmastersalikebothGreeksandbarbarians,andisnolessruinoustothosewho
respectthelawthantothosewhomakemighttheonlymeasureoftheirright.Lastly,
thoughtheotherviceslayholdofindividualmen,thisistheonlypassionthatcanattimes
possessawholestate.Noentirepeoplehaseverburnedwithloveforawoman,nowhole
statehassetitshopeuponmoneyorgainambitionispersonalandseizesuponthe
individualonlyfuryisanafflictionofawholepeople.Ofteninasinglemasstheyrushinto
angermenandwomen,oldmenandboys,thegentryandtherabble,areallinfull
accord,andtheunitedbody,inflamedbyaveryfewincendiarywords,outdoesthe
incendiaryhimselftheyflyforthwithtofireandsword,andproclaimwaragainsttheir
neighboursorwageitagainsttheircountrymenwholehousesareconsumed,rootand
branch,andthemanwhobutlatelywasheldinhighesteemandapplaudedforhis
eloquencereceivesnowtheangerofhisfollowinglegionshurltheirjavelinsupontheir
owncommandersallthecommonersareatdiscordwiththenoblesthesenate,thehigh
councilofthestate,withoutwaitingtolevytroops,withoutappointingacommander,
choosesimpromptuagentsofitswrath,andhuntingdownitshighbornvictims
throughoutthehousesofthecity,takespunishmentinitsownhandembassiesare
outraged,thelawofnationsisbroken,andunheardofmadnesssweepsthestate,andno
timeisgivenforthepublicfermenttosubside,butfleetsarelaunche
dforthwithandloadedwithhastilygatheredtroopswithouttraining,withoutauspices,
undertheleadershipofitsownanger,thepopulacegoesforth,snatchingupforarms
whateverchancehasoffered,andthenatones
<Ess1257>
ONANGER,III.ii.5iii.4
fortherashdaringofitsangerbyagreatdisaster.Suchistheoutcome,whenbarbarians
rushhaphazardintowarthemomenttheirexcitablemindsarerousedbythesemblance
ofinjury,theyareforthwithinaction,andwheretheirresentmentdrawsthem,likean
avalanchetheyfalluponourlegionsallunorganized,unfearful,andunguarded,seeking
theirowndestructionwithjoytheyarestruckdown,orpressforwarduponthesword,or
thrusttheirbodiesuponthespear,orperishfromaselfmadewound.
"Therecanbenodoubt,"yousay,"thatsuchaforceispowerfulandpernicious
show,therefore,howitistobecured."
Andyet,asIsaidinmyearlierbooks,/aAristotlestandsforthasthedefenderofanger,
andforbidsustocutitoutitis,heclaims,aspurtovirtue,andifthemindisrobbedofit,it
becomesdefencelessandgrowssluggishandindifferenttohighendeavour.Therefore
ourfirstnecessityistoproveitsfoulnessandfierceness,andtosetbeforetheeyeswhat
anuttermonsteramaniswhenheisenragedagainstafellowman,withwhatfuryhe
rushesonworkingdestructiondestructiveofhimselfaswellandwreckingwhatcannotbe
sunkunlesshesinkswithit.
Tellme,then,willanyonecallthemansanewho,justasifseizedbyahurricane,does
notwalkbutisdrivenalong,andisatthemercyofaragingdemon,whoentrustsnothis
revengetoanother,buthimselfexactsit,andthus,bloodthirstyalikeinpurposeandin
deed,becomesthemurdererofthosepersonswhoaredearestandthedestroyerof
thosethingsforwhich,whenlost,heisdestinederelongtoweep?Cananyoneassign
thispassiontovirtueasitssupporterandconsort
<Ess1259>
ONANGER,III.iii.4iv.i
whenitconfoundstheresolveswithoutwhichvirtueaccomplishesnothing?Transientand
baneful,andpotentonlyforitsownharm,isthestrengthwhichasickmanacquiresfrom
therisingofhisfever.ThereforewhenIdecryangerontheassumptionthatmenarenot
agreedaintheirestimateofit,youarenottothinkthatIamwastingtimeonasuperfluous
matterforthereisone,andhe,too,adistinguishedphilosopher,whoascribestoita
function,andonthegroundthatitisusefulandconducivetoenergywouldevokeitforthe
needsofbattle,forthebusinessofstateforanyundertaking,infact,thatrequiressome
fervourforitsaccomplishment.Totheendthatnoonemaybedeceivedintosupposing
thatatanytime,inanyplace,itwillbeprofitable,theunbridledandfrenziedmadnessof
angermustbeexposed,andtheremustberestoredtoitthetrappingsthatareitsvery
ownthetorturehorse,thecord,thejail,thecross,andfiresencirclinglivingbodies
implantedintheground,thedraghookthatseizesevencorpses,andallthedifferent
kindsofchainsandthedifferentkindsofpunishment,therendingoflimbs,thebrandingof
foreheads,thedensoffrightfulbeastsinthemidstoftheseherimplementsletangerbe
placed,whileshehissesforthherdreadandhideoussounds,acreaturemoreloathsome
eventhanalltheinstrumentsthroughwhichsheventsherrage.
Whateverdoubttheremaybeconcerningangerinotherrespects,thereissurely
nootherpassionwhosecountenanceisworsethatcountenancewhichwehave
picturedintheearlierbooks/bnowharshandfierce,nowpaleb.
ONANGER,III.iv.15
andseeminglysteepedinbloodwhenalltheheatandfireofthebodyhasbeenturned
towardtheface,withswollenveins,witheyesnowrestlessanddarting,nowfastenedand
motionlessinonefixedgazemark,too,thesoundofclashingteeth,asiftheirowners
werebentondevouringsomebody,likethenoisethewildboarmakeswhenhesharpens
histusksbyrubbingmarkthecrunchingofthejointsasthehandsareviolentlycrushed
together,theconstantbeatingofthebreast,thequickbreathinganddeepdrawnsighs,
theunsteadybody,thebrokenspeechandsuddenoutcries,thelipsnowtrembling,now
tightandhissingoutacurse.Wildbeasts,Iswear,whethertormentedbyhungerorbythe
steelthathaspiercedtheirvitalsevenwhen,halfdead,theyrushupontheirhunterfor
onelastbitearelesshideousinappearancethanamaninflamedbyanger.Ifyouare
freetolistentohiscriesandthreats,hearwhatlanguageissuesfromhistorturedsoul!
{Lear+}Willnoteveryonebegladtocheckanyimpulsetoangerwhenherealizesthatit
beginsbyworkingharm,firstofall,tohimself?Iftherearethosewhograntfullswayto
angeranddeemitaproofofpower,whocounttheopportunityofrevengeamongthe
greatblessingsofgreatestate,wouldyounot,then,havemeremindthemthataman
cannotbecalledpowerfulno,notevenfreeifheisthecaptiveofhisanger?Totheend
thateachonemaybemorecarefulandmaysetaguarduponhimself,wouldyounot
havemeremindhimthatwhileotherbasepassionsaffectonlytheworsttypeofmen,
wrathstealsuponthosealsowhoareenlightenedandotherwisesane?Sotrueisthis,
thattherearesomewhocallwrathasignofin
<Ess1263>
ONANGER,III.iv.5v.5
genuousness,/aandthatitiscommonlybelievedthatthebestnaturedpeoplearemost
liabletoit!
"What,"yousay,"isthepurposeofthis?"Thatnomanmayconsiderhimselfsafe
fromanger,sinceitsummonseventhosewhoarenaturallykindandgentleintoactsof
crueltyandviolence.Assoundnessofbodyandacarefulregardforhealthavailnothing
againsttheplagueforitattacksindiscriminatelytheweakandthestrongsocalmand
languidnaturesareinnolessdangerfromangerthanthemoreexcitablesort,andthe
greaterthechangeitworksinthese,thegreateristheirdisgraceanddanger.Butsince
thefirstrequirementisnottobecomeangry,thesecond,toceasefromanger,thethird,to
curealsotheangerofothers,Ishallspeakfirstofhowwemayavoidfallingintoanger,
nextofhowwemayfreeourselvesfromit,andlastlyofhowwemaycurbanangryman
howwemaycalmhimandrestorehimtosanity.
Weshallforestallthepossibilityofangerifwerepeatedlysetbeforeourselvesits
manyfaultsandshallrightlyappraiseit.Beforeourownheartswemustarraignitand
convictitwemustsearchoutitsevilsanddragthemintotheopeninorderthatitmaybe
shownasitreallyis,itshouldbecomparedwithallthatisworst.Man'savarice
assemblesandgatherswealthforsomeonewhoisbettertousebutangerisaspender
fewindulgeinitwithoutcost.Howmanyslavesamaster'sangerhasdriventoflight,how
manytodeath!Howmuchmoreseriouswashislossfromindulginginangerthanwas
theincidentwhichcausedit!Angerbringstoafathergrief,toahusbanddivorce,toa
magistratehatred,toacandidatedefeat.Itisworse
<Ess1265>
ONANGER,III.v.58
thanwantonness,sincethatfindssatisfactioninitsownenjoyment,thisinanother'spain.
Itexceedsspiteandenvyfortheydesireamantobeunhappy,whileangertriestomake
himsotheydelightintheillsthatchancemaybring,whileitcannotwaitforchanceto
themanithatesitnotmerelywishesharmtocome,butbringsit.Thereisnothingmore
balefulthanenmity,yetitisangerthatbreedsitnothingismoredeadlythanwar,yetin
thattheangerofthepowerfulfindsitsventnonethelessangerinthecommonfolkor
privatepersonsisalsowarwarwithoutarmsandwithoutresources.Moreover,leaving
outofaccounttheimmediateconsequencesthatwillcomefromanger,suchaslossesof
money,plots,andtheneverendinganxietyofmutualstrife,angerpaysforthepenaltyit
exactsitrenounceshumannature,whichincitestolove,whereasitincitestohate
whichbidsushelp,whereasitbidsusinjure.Andbesides,thoughitschafingoriginatesin
anexcessofselfesteemandseemstobeashowofspirit,itispettyandnarrow
mindedfornomancanfailtobeinferiortotheonebywhomheregardshimself
despised.Butthereallygreatmind,themindthathastakenthetruemeasureofitself,
failstorevengeinjuryonlybecauseitfailstoperceiveit.Asmissilesreboundfromahard
surface,andthemanwhostrikessolidobjectsishurtbytheimpact,sonoinjurywhatever
cancauseatrulygreatmindtobeawareofit,sincetheinjuryismorefragilethanthatat
whichitisaimed.Howmuchmoregloriousitisforthemind,impervious,asitwere,to
anymissile,torepelallinsultsandinjuries!Revenge+istheconfessionofahurtnomind
istrulygreatthat
<Ess1267>
ONANGER,III.v.8vi.4bendsbeforeinjury.Themanwhohasoffendedyouiseither
strongerorweakerthanyou:ifheisweaker,sparehimifheisstronger,spareyourself.
Thereisnosurerproofofgreatnessthantobeinastatewherenothingcanpossibly
happentodisturbyou.Thehigherregionoftheuniverse,beingbetterorderedandnearto
thestars,iscondensedintonocloud,islashedintonotempest,ischurnedintono
whirlwinditisfreefromallturmoilitisinthelowerregionsthatthelightningsflash.Inthe
samewaytheloftymindisalwayscalm,atrestinaquiethaven/a{nil_admirari+}
crushingdownallthatengendersanger,itisrestrained,commandsrespect,andis
properlyordered.Inanangrymanyouwillfindnoneofthesethings.Forwhothat
surrenderstoangerandragedoesnotstraightwaycastbehindhimallsenseofshame?
Whothatstormsinwildfuryandassailsanotherdoesnotcastasidewhateverhehadin
himthatcommandsrespect?Whothatisenragedmaintainsthefullnumberortheorder
ofhisduties?Whorestrainshistongue?Whocontrolsanypartofhisbody?Whoisable
toruletheselfthathehassetloose?Weshalldowelltoheedthatsounddoctrineof
Democritus/binwhichheshowsthattranquillityispossibleonlyifweavoidmostofthe
activitiesofbothprivateandpubliclife,oratleastthosethataretoogreatforourstrength.
Themanwhoengagesin,manyaffairsisneversofortunateastopassadaythatdoes
notbegetfromsomepersonorsomecircumstanceavexationthatfitsthemindforanger.
Justasamanhurryingthroughthecrowdedsectionsofthecitycannothelpcollidingwith
manypeople,andinoneplaceissuretoslip,inanothertobeheldback,
<Ess1269>
ONANGER,III.vi.4vii.2
inanothertobesplashed,sointhisdiverseandrestlessactivityoflifemanyhindrances
befallusandmanyoccasionsforcomplaint.Ourhopesonemandeceives,another
defers,anotherdestroysourprojectsdonotproceedastheywereplanned.Tonomanis
Fortunesowhollysubmissivethatshewillalwaysrespondifoftentried.Theresultis,
consequently,thatwhenamanfindsthatsomeofhisplanshaveturnedoutcontraryto
hisexpectations,hebecomesimpatientwithmenandthings,andontheslightest
provocationbecomesangrynowwithaperson,nowwithhiscalling,nowwithhisplaceof
abode,nowwithhisluck,nowwithhimself.Inorder,therefore,thatthemindmayhave
peace,itmustnotbetossedabout,itmustnot,asIhavesaid,beweariedbyactivityin
manyorgreataffairs,orbyattemptingsuchasarebeyonditspowers.Itiseasytofitthe
shoulderstolightburdens,andtoshifttheloadfromthissidetothatwithoutslippingbutit
ishardtosupportwhatothers'handshavelaiduponus,andexhaustedwecasttheload
uponaneighbour.Evenwhilewestandbeneaththeburden,westaggerifwearetoo
weaktobearitsweight.Inpublicandinprivateaffairs,besure,thesameconditionholds.
Lightandeasytasksacceptthecontrolofthedoerthosethatareheavyandbeyondthe
capacityoftheperformerarenoteasilymasteredandiftheyareundertaken,they
outweighhiseffortsandrunawaywithhim,andjustwhenhethinkshehastheminhis
grasp,downtheycrashandbringhimdownwiththem.Soithappensthatthemanwhois
unwillingtoapproacheasytasks,yetwishestofindeasythetasksheapproaches,is
oftendisappointedinhisdesire.Wheneveryouwould
<Ess1271>
ONANGER,III.vii.2viii.3attemptanything,measureyourselfandatthesametimethe
undertakingboththethingyouintendandthethingforwhichyouareintendedforthe
regretthatspringsfromanunaccomplishedtaskwillmakeyoubitter.Itmakessome
differencewhetheramanisofafieryorofacoldandsubmissivenaturethemanofspirit
willbedrivenbydefeattoanger,adullandsluggishnaturetosorrow.Letouractivities,
consequently,beneitherpetty,noryetboldandpresumptuousletusrestricttherangeof
hopeletusattemptnothingwhichlater,evenafterwehaveachievedit,willmakeus
surprisedthatwehavesucceeded.
Sincewedonotknowhowtobearinjury,letusendeavournottoreceiveone.We
shouldlivewithaverycalmandgoodnaturedpersononethatisneverworriedor
captiousweadoptourhabitsfromthosewithwhomweassociate,andascertain
diseasesofthebodyspreadtoothersfromcontact,sothemindtransmitsitsfaultsto
thosenearby.Thedrunkardlureshisbooncompanionsintoloveofwineshameless
companycorruptseventhestrongmanand,perchance,theheroavaricetransfersits
poisontoitsneighbours.Thesameprincipleholdsgoodofthevirtues,butwiththe
oppositeresultthattheyamelioratewhatevercomesincontactwiththemaninvalid
doesnotbenefitsomuchfromasuitablelocationoramorehealthfulclimateasdoesthe
mindwhichlacksstrengthfromassociationwithabettercompany.Youwillunderstand
whatapowerfulfactorthisisifyouobservethatevenwildanimalsgrowtamefrom
intercoursewithus,andthatallbeasts,nomatterhowsavage,afterenduringlong
companionshipwithmanceasetobeviolentall
<Ess1273>
ONANGER,III.viii.36
theirfiercenessisbluntedandgraduallyamidpeacefulconditionsisforgotten.Moreover,
themanwholiveswithtranquilpeoplenotonlybecomesbetterfromtheirexample,but
findingnooccasionsforangerhedoesnotindulgeinhisweakness.Itwill,therefore,bea
man'sdutytoavoidallthosewhoheknowswillprovokehisanger."Justwhomdoyou
mean?"youask.Therearemanywhofromvariouscauseswillproducethesameresult.
Theproudmanwilloffendyoubyhisscorn,thecausticmanbyaninsult,theforwardman
byanaffront,thespitefulmanbyhismalice,thecontentiousbyhiswrangling,thewindy
liarbyhishollownessyouwillnotenduretobefearedbyasuspiciousman,tobeoutdone
byastubbornone,ortobedespisedbyacoxcomb.Choosefrank,goodnatured,
temperatepeople,whowillnotcallforthyourangerandyetwillbearwithit.Stillmore
helpfulwillbethosewhoareyieldingandkindlyandsuavenot,however,tothepointof
fawning,fortoomuchcringingincenseshottemperedpeople.I,atanyrate,hadafriend,
agoodman,buttoopronetoanger,whomitwasnotlessdangeroustowheedlethanto
curse.ItiswellknownthatCaelius,theorator,wasveryhottempered.Aclientofrare
forbearancewas,asthestorygoes,oncediningwithCaeliusinhischamber,butitwas
difficultforhim,havinggotintosuchclosequarters,toavoidaquarrelwiththecompanion
athissidesohedecidedthatitwasbesttoagreewithwhateverCaeliussaidandtoplay
uptohim.Caelius,however,couldnotendurehiscompliantattitude,andcriedout,
"Contradictme,thattheremaybetwoofus!"Butevenhe,angrybecausehewasnot
angered,quicklysubsidedwhen
<Ess1275>
ONANGER,III.viii.7ix.3
hehadnoantagonist.Consequently,ifweareconsciousofbeinghottempered,letus
ratherpickoutthosewhowillbeguidedbyourlooksandbyourwords.Suchmen,itis
true,willpamperusandleadusintotheharmfulhabitofhearingnothingthatwedonot
like,buttherewillbetheadvantageofgivingourweaknessaperiodofrespite.Eventhose
whoarechurlishandintractablebynaturewillendurecaressingnocreatureissavage
andfrightenedifyoustrokeit.Wheneveradiscussiontendstobetoolongortoo
quarrelsome,letuscheckitatthestartbeforeitgainsstrength.Controversygrowsof
itselfandholdsfastthosethathaveplungedintoodeeply.Itiseasiertorefrainthanto
retreatfromastruggle.
Hottemperedpeopleshouldalsoabstainfromthemoreburdensomepursuits,or
atleastshouldnotplythesetothepointofexhaustion,andthemindshouldnotbe
engagedbytoomanyinterests,butshouldsurrenderitselftosuchartsasare
pleasurable.Letitbesoothedbythereadingofpoetryandgrippedbythetalesofhistoryit
shouldbemuchcoddledandpampered.Pythagorasusedtocalmhistroubledspiritwith
thelyreandwhodoesnotknnowthattheclarionandthetrumpetactasincitementsto
themind,andthat,similarly,certainsongsareasoothingbalmthatbringsitrelaxation?
Greenthingsaregoodfordisorderedeyes,andcertaincoloursarerestfultoweakvision,
whilebythebrightnessofothersitisblinded,Sopleasantpursuitssoothethetroubled
mind.Weshouldshunthecourts,courtappearances,andtrials,andeverythingthat
aggravatesourweakness,andweshouldequallyguardagainstphysicalexhaustionfor
thisdestroy'swhat
<Ess1277>
ONANGER,III.ix.3x.3
evergentlenessandmildnesswehaveandengenderssharpness.Those,therefore,who
distrusttheirdigestion,beforetheyproceedtotheperformanceoftasksofunusual
difficulty,allaytheirbilewithfoodforfatigueespeciallyarousesthebile,possiblybecause
itdrivesthebody'sheattowardthecentre,vitiatestheblood,andstopsitscirculationby
cloggingtheveins,orbecausethebodywhenitiswornandfeebleweighsdownthemind.
Forthesamereason,undoubtedly,thosewhoarebrokenbyillhealthandagearemore
irasciblethanothers.Hungerandthirstalso,forthesamereasons,mustbeavoidedthey
exasperateandirritatethemind.Thereisanoldproverbthat"thetiredmanseeksa
quarrel,"butitappliesjustaswelltothehungryandthirstyman,andtoanymanwho
chafesundersomething.Forjustasabodilysorehurtsundertheslightesttouch,
afterwardsevenatthesuggestionofatouch,sothedisorderedmindtakesoffenceatthe
meresttrifles,sothateven,inthecaseofsomepeople,agreeting,aletter,aspeech,ora
questionprovokesadispute.Therewillalwaysbeaprotestifyoutouchasorespot.Itis
best,therefore,totreatthemaladyassoonasitisdiscoveredthen,too,toallowoneself
theleastpossiblelibertyofspeech,andtocheckimpulsiveness.Itiseasy,moreover,to
detectone'spassionassoonasitisbornsicknessisprecededbysymptoms.Justas
thesignsofstormandrainappearbeforethestormsthemselves,sotherearecertain
forerunnersofanger,oflove,andofallthosetempeststhatshakethesoul.Thosewho
aresubjecttofitsofepilepsy+knowthattheattackiscomingonifheatleavestheir
extremities,iftheirsightwavers,
<Ess1279>
ONANGER,III.x.3xi.1
ifthereisatwitchingofthemuscles,orifmemoryforsakesthemandtheheadswims
thereforebycustomaryremediestheytrytoforestallthediseaseinitsincipiency,andthey
wardoffwhateveritisthatcausesunconsciousnessbysmellingortastingsomething,or
theybattleagainstcoldandstiffnesswithhotapplicationsoriftheremedyisofnoavail,
theyescapefromthecrowdandfallwherenoonemaysee.Itiswelltounderstandone's
maladyandtobreakitspowerbeforeitspreads.
Letusdiscernwhatitisthatespeciallyirritatesus.Onemanisstirredbyinsultingwords,
anotherbyinsultingactionsthismancravesrespectforhisrank,thisoneforhisperson
thisonewishestobeconsideredafinegentleman,thatoneafinescholarthisone
cannotbrookarrogance,thisoneobstinacythatonedoesnotthinkhisslavesworthyof
hiswrath,thisoneisviolentinsidehishouseandmildoutsidethatmanconsidersita
disgracetobeputupforoffice,thisoneaninsultnottobeputup.Wearenotallwounded
atthesamespotthereforeyououghttoknowwhatyourweakspotisinorderthatyou
mayespeciallyprotectit.Itiswellnottoseeeverything,nottoheareverything.Many
affrontsmaypassbyusinmostcasesthemanwhoisunconsciousofthemescapes
them.Wouldyouavoidbeingprovoked?Thendonotbeinquisitive,Hewhotriesto
discoverwhathasbeensaidagainsthim,whounearthsmaliciousgossipevenifitwas
privatelyindulgedin,isresponsibleforhisowndisquietude.Therearewordswhichthe
constructionputuponthemcanmakeappearaninsultsome,therefore,oughttobeput
aside,othersderided,otherscondoned.Invarious
<Ess1281>
ONANGER,III.xi.2xii.2
waysangermustbecircumventedmostoffencesmaybeturnedintofarceandjest.
Socrates,itissaid,whenoncehereceivedaboxontheear,merelydeclaredthatitwas
toobadthatamancouldnottellwhenheoughttowearahelmetwhiletakingawalk.Not
howanaffrontisoffered,buthowitisborneisourconcernandIdonotseewhyitis
difficulttopractiserestraint,sinceIknowthatevendespots,thoughtheirheartswere
puffedupwithsuccessandprivilege,haveneverthelessrepressedthecrueltythatwas
habitualtothem.Atanyrate,thereisthestoryhandeddownaboutPisistratus,the
Atheniandespotthatoncewhenatipsytableguesthaddeclaimedatlengthabouthis
cruelty,andtherewasnolackofthosewhowouldgladlyplacetheirswordsattheservice
oftheirmaster,andonefromthissideandanotherfromthatsuppliedfueltotheflame,
thetyrant,nonetheless,boretheincidentcalmly,andrepliedtothosewhoweregoading
himonthathewasnomoreangryatthemanthanhewouldbeifsomeoneranagainst
himblindfold.Agreatmanymanufacturegrievanceseitherbysuspectingtheuntrueorby
exaggeratingthetrivial.Angeroftencomestous,butmoreoftenwegotoit.Itshould
neverbeinvitedevenwhenitfallsuponus,itshouldberepulsed.Nomaneversaysto
himself,"Imyselfhavedone,oratleastmighthavedone,thisverythingthatnowmakes
meangry"nooneconsiderstheintentionofthedoer,butmerelythedeed.Yetitistothe
doerthatweshouldgivethoughtwhetherhediditintentionallyorbyaccident,whether
undercompulsionorbymistake,whetherhewasledonbyhatredorbythe
<Ess1283>
ONANGER,III.xii.26
hopeofreward,whetherhewaspleasinghimselforlendingaidtoanother.Theageofthe
offendercountsforsomething,hisstationforsomething,sothattotolerateortosubmit
becomesmerelyindulgenceordeference.Letusputourselvesintheplaceoftheman
withwhomweareangryasitis,anunwarrantedopinionofselfmakesuspronetoanger,
andweareunwillingtobearwhatweourselveswouldhavebeenwillingtoinflict.Noone
makeshimselfwaityetthebestcureforangeriswaiting,toallowthefirstardourtoabate
andtoletthedarknessthatcloudsthereasoneithersubsideorbelessdense.Ofthe
offenceswhichweredrivingyouheadlong,someanhourwillabate,tosaynothingofa
day,somewillvanishaltogetherthoughthepostponementsoughtshallaccomplish
nothingelse,yetitwillbeevidentthatjudgementnowrulesinsteadofanger.Ifeveryou
wanttofindoutwhatathingreallyis,entrustittotimeyoucanseenothingclearlyinthe
midstofthebillows.Platoonce,whenhewasangrywithhisslave,wasunabletoimpose
delayuponhimself,and,bentuponflogginghimwithhisownhand,orderedhimforthwith
totakeoffhisshirtandbarehisshouldersfortheblowsbutafterwardsrealizingthathe
wasangryhestayedhisupliftedhand,andjustashewasstoodwithhisbandintheair
likeoneintheactofstriking.Later,whenafriendwhohappenedtocomeinaskedhim
whathewasdoing,hesaid,"Iamexactingpunishmentfromanangryman."Asifstunned
hemaintainedthatattitude,unbecomingtoaphilosopher,ofamanintheactofventing
hispassion,forgetfulnowoftheslavesincehehadfoundanotherwhomhewasmore
anxioustopunish.Hethereforedenied
<Ess1285>
ONANGER,III.xii.6xiii.3
himselfallpoweroverhisownhousehold,andonce,whenhewasdeeplyprovokedat
somefault,hesaid,"Doyou,Speusippus,punishthisdogofaslavewithawhip,forIam
angry."Hisreasonfornotstrikingwastheveryreasonthatwouldhavecausedanotherto
strike."Iamangry,"saidhe"IshoulddomorethanIought,andwithtoomuch
satisfactionthisslaveshouldnotbeinthepowerofamasterwhoisnotmasterof
himself."{king_over_himself+}Cananyonewishtoentrustpunishmenttoanangryman
whenevenPlatodeniedhimselfthisauthority?Letnothingbelawfultoyouwhileyouare
angry.Doyouaskwhy?Becausethenyouwisheverythingtobelawful.
Fightagainstyourself!Ifyouwilltoconqueranger,itcannotconqueryou.Ifitis
keptoutofsight,ifitisgivennooutlet,youbegintoconquer.Letusconcealthesigns,and
sofarasitispossibleletuskeepithiddenandsecret.Weshallhavegreattroublein
doingthis,foritiseagertoleapforthandfiretheeyesandtransformthecountenancebut
ifweallowittoshowitselfoutsideofus,atonceitisontopofus.Itshouldbekepthidden
inthedeepestdepthsoftheheartanditshouldnotdrive,butbedrivenandmore,all
symptomsofitletuschangeintojusttheopposite.Letthecountenancebeunruffled,let
thevoicebeverygentle,thestepveryslowgraduallytheinnermanconformsitselftothe
outer.InthecaseofSocrates,itwasasignofangerifheloweredhisvoiceandbecame
sparingofspeech.Itwasevidentthenthathewasstrugglingagainsthimself.Andsohis
intimatefriendswouldfindhimoutandaccusehim,yethewasnotdispleasedbythe
chargeofconcealinghisanger.Why
<Ess1287>
ONANGER,III.xiii.3xiv.1
shouldhenothavebeenhappythatmanyperceivedhisanger,yetnomanfeltit?Butthey
wouldhavefeltit,hadhisfriendsnotbeengrantedthesamerighttocriticizehimwhichhe
himselfclaimedoverthem.Howmuchmoreoughtwetodothis!Letusbegallourbest
friendstousetotheutmostsuchlibertytowardus,especiallywhenweareleastableto
bearit,andlettherebenoapprovalofouranger.Whilewearesane,whileweare
ourselves,letusaskhelpagainstanevilthatispowerfulandoftindulgedbyus.Those
whocannotcarrytheirwinediscreetlyandfearthattheywillberashandinsolentintheir
cups,instructtheirfriendstoremovethemfromthefeastthosewhohavelearnedthat
theyareunreasonablewhentheyaresick,giveordersthatintimesofillnesstheyarenot
tobeobeyed.Itisbesttoprovideobstaclesforrecognizedweaknesses,andaboveallso
toorderthemindthatevenwhenshakenbymostseriousandsuddenhappeningsiteither
shallnotfeelanger,orshallburydeepanyangerthatmayarisefromthemagnitudeofthe
unexpectedaffrontandshallnotacknowledgeitshurt.Thatthiscanbedonewillbecome
cleariffromagreatarrayofinstancesIshallciteafewexamplesfromtheseyoumay
learntwothingshowgreatevilthereisinangerwhenitwieldsthecompletepowerof
supremelypowerfulmen,andhowgreatcontrolitcanimposeuponitselfwhenrestrained
bythestrongerinfluenceoffear.
SinceCambyseswastoomuchaddictedtowine,Praexaspes,oneofhisdearest
friends,urgedhimtodrinkmoresparingly,declaringthatdrunkennessisdisgracefulfora
king,towardswhomalleyesandearsareturned.TothisCambysesreplied"To
<Ess1189>
ONANGER,III.xiv.14
convinceyouthatIneverlosecommandofmyself,Ishallproceedtoprovetoyouthatmy
eyesandmyhandsperformtheirdutyinspiteofwine."Thereupontakinglargercupshe
drankmorerecklesslythanever,andwhenatlengthhewasheavyandbesottedwith
wine,heorderedthesonofbiscritictoproceedbeyondthethresholdandstandtherewith
hislefthandliftedabovehishead.Thenhedrewhisbowandshottheyouththroughthe
veryhearthehadmentionedthisashismarkandcuttingopenthebreastofthevictim
heshowedthearrowheadstickingintheheartitself,andthenturningtowardthefatherhe
inquiredwhetherhehadasufficientlysteadyhand.ButherepliedthatApollohimselfcould
nothavemadeamoreunerringshot.Heavencursesuchaman,abondslaveinspirit
evenmorethaninstation!Hepraisedadeed,whichitweretoomucheventohave
witnessed.Thebreastofhissonthathadbeentornasunder,hisheartquiveringfromits
wound,hecountedafittingpretextforflattery.Heoughttohaveprovokedadisputewith
himabouthisboastandcalledforanothershot,thatthekingmighthavethepleasureof
displayinguponthepersonofthefatherhimselfanevensteadierhand!Whata
bloodthirstyking!Whataworthymarkforthebowsofallhisfollowers!Thoughwemay
execratehimforterminatingabanquetwithpunishmentanddeath,yetitwasmore
accursedtopraisethatshotthantomakeit.Weshallseelaterhowthefathershould
havebornehimselfashestoodoverthecorpseofhisson,viewingthatmurderofwhich
hewasboththewitnessandthecause.Thepointnowunderdiscussionisclear,namely,
thatitispossibletosuppressanger.He
<Ess1291>
ONANGER,III.xiv.5xv.3
didnotcursetheking,heletslipnowordevenofanguish,thoughhesawhisownheart
piercedaswellashisson's.Itmaybesaidthathewasrighttochokebackwordsfor
evenifhehadspokenasanangryman,hecouldhaveaccomplishednothingasafather.
Hemay,Isay,bethoughttohaveactedmorewiselyinthatmisfortunethanhehaddone
inrecommendingmoderationindrinkingtoamanwhowouldhavemuchbetterdrunk
winethanblood,withwhompeacemeantthathishandswerebusywiththewinecup.He,
therefore,addedonemoretothenumberofthosewhohaveshownbybittermisfortune
thepriceaking'sfriendspayforgivinggoodadvice.{Cordelia+}
IdoubtnotthatHarpagusalsogavesomesuchadvicetohisking,thekingofthe
Persians,who,takingoffencethereat,causedthefleshofHarpagus'sownchildrentobe
setbeforehimasacourseinthebanquet,andkeptinquiringwhetherhelikedthecooking
thenwhenhesawhimsatedwithhisownills,heorderedtheheadsofthechildrentobe
broughtin,andinquiredwhathethoughtofhisentertainment.Thepoorwretchdidnotlack
words,hislipswerenotsealed."Attheking'sboard,"hesaid,"anykindoffoodis
delightful."Andwhatdidhegainbythisflattery?Heescapedaninvitationtoeatwhatwas
left.Idonotsaythatafathermustnotcondemnanactofhisking,Idonotsaythathe
shouldnotseektogivesoatrociousamonsterthepunishmenthedeserves,butforthe
momentIamdrawingthisconclusionthatitispossibleforamantoconcealtheanger
thatarisesevenfromamonstrousoutrageandtoforcehimselftowordsthatbelieit.
Suchrestraintofdistressisnecessary,particularlyfor
<Ess1293>
ONANGER,III.xv.3xvi.1
thosewhoselotiscastinthissortoflifeandwhoareinvitedtotheboardofkings.So
musttheyeatinthatcompany,somusttheydrink,somusttheyanswer,somustthey
mockatthedeathoftheirdearones.Whetherthelifeisworththepriceweshallseethat
isanotherquestion.Weshallnotcondolewithsuchachaingangofprisonersso
wretched,weshallnoturgethemtosubmittothecommandsoftheirbutchersweshall
showthatinanykindofservitudethewayliesopentoliberty.{suicide+}Ifthesoulissick
andbecauseofitsownimperfectionunhappy,amanmayenditssorrowsandatthe
sametimehimself.Tohimtowhomchancehasgivenakingthataimshisshaftsatthe
breastsofhisfriends,tohimwhohasamasterthatgorgesfatherswiththefleshoftheir
children,Iwouldsay:"Madman,whydoyoumoan?WhydoyouWaitforsomeenemyto
avengeyoubythedestructionofyournation,orforamightykingfromafartoflytoyour
rescue?Inwhateverdirectionvoumayturnyoureyes,thereliesthemeanstoendour
woes.Seeyouthatprecipice?Downthatisthewaytoliberty.Seeyouthatsea,thatriver,
thatwell?Theresitslibertyatthebottom.Seeyouthattree,stunted,blighted,and
barren?Yetfromitsbrancheshangsliberty.Seeyouthatthroatofyours,yourgullet,your
heart?Theyarewaysofescapefromservitude.ArethewaysofegressIshowyoutoo
toilsome,dotheyrequiretoomuchcourageandstrength?Doyouaskwhatisthe
highwaytoliberty?Anyveininyourbody!"Solongindeedasthereshallbenohardshipso
intolerableinouropinionastoforceustoabandonlife,letus,nomatterwhatourstation
inlifemay
<Ess1295>
ONANGER,III.xvi.14
be,keepourselvesfromanger.Itisharmfulforallwhoserve.Foranysortofchafing
growstoselftorture,andthemorerebelliousweareunderauthority,themoreoppressive
wefeelittobe.Soawildbeastbystrugglingbuttightensitsnoosesobirdsbytryingin
theiralarmtogetfreefrombirdlime,smearalltheirplumagewithit.Noyokeissotightbut
thatithurtslesstocarryitthantostruggleagainstit.Theonlyreliefforgreatmisfortunes
istobearthemandsubmittotheircoercion.Butthoughitisexpedientforsubjectsto
controltheirpassions,especiallythismadandunbridledone,itisevenmoreexpedientfor
kings.Whenhispositionpermitsamantodoallthatangerprompts,generaldestruction
isletloose,norcananypowerlongendurewhichiswieldedfortheinjuryofmanyforit
becomesimperilledwhenthosewhoseparatelymoaninanguishareunitedbyacommon
fear.Consequently,manykingshavebeenthevictimsnowofindividual,nowof
concerted,violence,attimeswhenageneralanimosityhadforeedmentogathertogether
theirseparateangersintoone.Yetmanykindshaveemployedangerasifitwerethe
badgeofrealpowerforexampleDarius,whoafterthedethronementoftheMagian/a
becamethefirstrulerofthePersiansandofagreatpartoftheEast./bForafterhehad
declaredwarontheScythianswhowereonhiseasternborder,Oeobazus,anaged
noble,besoughthimtousetheservicesoftwoofhissons,buttoleaveoneoutofthe
threeasacomforttohisfather.Promisingmorethanwasasked,andsayingthathe
wouldexemptallthree,Dariusflungtheirdeadbodiesbeforetheirfather'seyesforit
wouldhavebeencrueltyifhehadtakenthemallwithhim!
<Ess1297>
ONANGER,III.xvi.4xvii.4
ButhowmuchkinderwasXerxes!Forhe,whenPythius,thefatheroffivesons,begged
fortheexemptionofone,permittedhimtochoosetheonehewishedthenhetoreinto
halvesthesonwhohadbeenchosen,andplacingahalfoneachsideoftheroadoffered
thebodyasanexpiatorysacrificeforthesuccessofthearmy.Andsothearmymetthe
fateitdeserved.Defeated,routedfarandwide,andseeingitsowndestructionspreadon
everyside,betweentwolinesofthedeadbodiesofitscomradesittrudgedalong.
Suchwastheferocityofbarbariankingswheninangermenwhohadhadno
contactwithlearningorthecultureofletters.ButIshallnowshowyouakingfromthevery
bosomofAristotle,evenAlexander,whointhemidstofafeastwithhisownhandstabbed
Clitus,hisdearestfriend,withwhomhehadgrownup,becausehewithheldhisflattery
andwasreluctanttotransformhimselffromaMacedonianandafreemanintoaPersian
slave.Lysimachus,likewiseafamiliarfriend,hethrewtoalion.ThoughLysimachus
escapedbysomegoodluckfromthelion'steeth,washetherefore,inviewofthis
experience,awhitmorekindwhenhehimselfbecameking?Notso,forTelesphorusthe
Rhodian,hisownfriend,hecompletelymutilated,andwhenhehadcutofhisearsand
nose,heshuthimupinacageasifheweresomestrangeandunknownanimalandfora
longtimelivedinterrorofhim,sincethehideousnessofhishackedandmutilatedface
haddestroyedeveryappearanceofahumanbeingtothiswereaddedstarvationand
squalorandthefilthofabodylefttowallowinitsowndungfurthermorehishandsand
kneesbecomingallcalloused
<Ess1299>
ONANGER,III.xvii.4xviii.3
forbythenarrownessofhisquartershewasforcedtousetheseinsteadoffeethis
sides,too,amassofsoresfromrubbing,tothosewhobeheldhimhisappearancewas
nolessdisgustingthanterrible,andhavingbeenturnedbyhepunishmentintoamonster
hehadforfeitedevenpity.Yet,whilehewhosufferedthesethingswasutterlyunlikea
humanbeing,hewhoinflictedthemwasstilllesslikeone.
Wouldtoheaventhattheexamplesofsuchcrueltyhadbeenconfinedto
foreigners,andthatalongwithothervicesfromabroadthebarbarityoftortureandsuch
ventingofangerhadnotbeenimportedintothepracticesofRomans!MarcusMarius,to
whomthepeopleerectedstatuesineverystreet,whomtheyworshippedwithofferingsof
frankincenseandwinethismanbythecommandofLuciusSullahadhisanklesbroken,
hiseyesgougedout,histongueandhishandscutoff,andlittlebylittleandlimbbylimb
Sullatorehimtopieces,justasifhecouldmakehimdieasmanytimesashecould
maimhim.Andwhowasitwhoexecutedthiscommand?WhobutCatiline,already
traininghishandstoeverysortofcrime?Hehackedhimtopiecesbeforethetombof
QuintusCatulus,doingviolencetotheashesofthatgentlestofmen,abovewhichahero
ofevilinfluence,nodoubt,yetpopularandlovednotsomuchundeservedlyastoexcess
shedhisblooddropbydrop.ItwasmeetthataMariusshouldsufferthesethings,thata
Sullashouldgivetheorders,andthataCatilineshouldexecutethem,butitwasnotmeet
thatthestateshouldreceiveinherbreasttheswordsofherenemiesandherprotectors
alike.ButwhydoIsearchoutancientcrimes?OnlyrecentlyGaiusCaesarslashedwith
thescourge
<Ess1301>
andtorturedSextusPapinius,whosefatherhadbeenconsul,andBetilienusBassus,his
ownquaestorandthesonofhisprocurator,andothers,bothRomansenatorsand
knights,allinonedayandnottoextractinformationbutforamusement.Thenso
impatientwasheofpostponinghispleasureapleasuresogreatthathiscruelty
demandeditwithoutdelaythathedecapitatedsomeofhisvictimsbylamplight,ashe
wasstrollingwithsomeladiesandsenatorsontheterraceofhismother'sgardens,which
runsbetweenthecolonnadeandthebankoftheriver.Butwhatwasthepressingneed?
Whatpublicorprivatedangerwasthreatenedbyasinglenight'sdelay?Howsmalla
matteritwouldhavebeenifhehadwaitedjusttilldawn,soasnottokillthesenatorsof
theRomanpeopleinhispumps/a!Itisrelevant,too,tonotetheinsolenceofhiscruelty,
thoughsomeonemayconsiderthatwearestrayingfromthesubjectandembarkingupon
adigressionbutsuchinsolencewillbeanelementincrueltywhenitisextravagantinits
fury.Hehadscourgedsenators,buthehimselfmadeitpossibletosay,"Anordinary
event."Hehadtorturedthembyeveryunhappydeviceinexistencebythecord,by
knottedbones,bytherack,byfire,byhisowncountenance.Butherealsowillcomethe
answer:"Agreatmatter,truly!Becausethreesenators,asifnobetterthanworthless
slaves,weremangledbywhipandflameatthebehestofamanwhocontemplated
murderingthewholesenate,amanwhousedtowishthattheRomanpeoplehadonly
oneneckinorderthathemightconcentrateintoonedayandonestrokeallhiscrimes,
nowspreadoversomanyplacesandtimes."Whatwaseversounheardofasan
<Ess1303>
ONANGER,III.xix.2xx.1
executionbynight?Thoughrobberiesaregenerallycurtainedbydarkness,themore
publicitypunishmentshave,themoretheyavailasanadmonitionandwarning.Buthere
alsoIshallheartheanswer"Thatwhichsurprisesyousomuchisthedailyhabitofthat
beastforthishelives,forthishelosessleep,forthisheburnsthemidnightoil."But
surelyyouwillfindnoothermanwhohasbiddenthatthemouthsofallthosewhowereto
beexecutedbyhisordersshouldbegaggedbyinsertingasponge,inorderthatthey
mightnotevenhavethepowertoutteracry.Whatdoomedmanwaseverbefore
deprivedofthebreathwithwhichtomoan?Caesarfearedlesttheman'slastagony
shouldgiveutterancetosomespeechtoofrank,lesthemighthearsomethingthathe
wouldrathernot.Hewaswellaware,too,thattherewerecountlesscrimes,withwhich
nonebutadyingmanwoulddarereproachhim.Ifnospongesweretobefound,he
orderedthegarmentsofthepoorwretchestobetornup,andtheirmouthstobestuffed
withthestrips.Whatsavageryisthis?Letamandrawhislastbreath,leaveapassagefor
hisdepartingsoul,letithavesomeothercourseofexitthanawound!Itwouldbetedious
toaddmorehowhesentofficerstothehomesofhisvictims,andonthatsamenight
madeawaywiththeirfatherstoothatis,outofhumanpityhefreedthefathersfromtheir
sorrow!And,indeed,mypurposeisnottopicturethecrueltyofGaius,butthecrueltyof
anger,whichnotonlyventsitsfuryonamanhereandthere,butrendsinpieceswhole
nations,whichlashescitiesandrivers/aandlifelessthingsthatareimmunetoallfeeling
ofpain.
Thus,thekingofthePersianscutoffthenosesof
<Ess1305>
ONANGER,III.xx.14
awholepopulationinSyria,whenceitgetsitsnameof"Landofthestumpnosed."Think
youhewasmercifulbecausehedidnotcutofftheirentireheads?No,hegotsome
pleasurefromanewkindofpunishment.AndtheEthiopians,whoonaccountofthe
prodigiouslylongtimetheyliveareknownasthe"Longevals,"mightalsohavesuffered
somesuchfate.ForCambysesbecameenragedagainstthembecause,insteadof
embracingservitudewithoutstretchedarms,theysentenvoysandmadereplyinthe
independentwordswhichkingscallinsultswherefore,withoutprovidingsupplies,without
investigatingtheroads,throughatracklessanddesertregionhehurriedagainstthemhis
wholehostoffightingmen.Duringthefirstday'smarchhisfoodsuppliesbegantofail,
andthecountryitself,barrenanduncultivatedanduntroddenbythefootofman,furnished
themnothing.Atfirstthetenderestpartsofleavesandshootsoftreessatisfiedtheir
hunger,thenskinssoftenedbyfireandwhatevernecessityforcedthemtouseasfood.
After,amidthedesertsands,evenrootsandherbagefailedthem,andtheyvieweda
wildernessdestitutealsoofanimallife,choosingeverytenthmanbylot,theysecuredthe
nutrimentthatwasmorecruelthanhunger.Andstillthekingwasdrivenheadlong
onwardsbyhisanger,untilhavinglostonepartofhisarmyandhavingdevouredanother
part,hebegantofearthathetoomightbesummonedtothechoicebylot.Onlythendid
hegivethesignalforretreat.
Andallthewhilefowlsofchoicebreedwerebeingkeptforhim,andcamelscarried
suppliesforhisfeasts,whilehissoldiersdrewlotstodiscoverwhoshouldmiserably
perish,whoshouldmoremiserablylive.
<Ess1307>
ONANGER,III.xxi.15
Thismanragedagainstapeopleunknownandinoffensive,yetabletofeelhis
angerCyrus,however,ragedagainstariver.Forwhen,withthepurposeoftaking
Babylon,hewashasteningtowarinwhichthefavourableopportunityisoftheutmost
importanceheattemptedtofordtheriverGyndes,theninfullflood,thoughsuchan
undertakingisscarcelysafeevenaftertheriverhasfelttheheatofsummerandis
reducedtoitssmallestvolume.There,whenoneofthewhitehorseswhichregularlydrew
theroyalchariotwassweptaway,thekingbecamemightilystirred.Andsohesworethat
hewouldreducethatriver,whichwascarryingawaytheretinueoftheking,tosuch
proportionsthatevenwomencouldcrossitandtrampleitunderfoot.Tothistask,then,
hetransferredallhispreparationsforwar,andhavinglingeredthereatlongenoughtocut
onehundredandeightyrunwaysacrossthechanneloftheriver,hedistributeditswater
intothreehundredandsixtyrunnels,whichflowingindifferentdirectionsleftthechannel
dry.Andsohesacrificedtime,aseriouslossinimportantoperations,theenthusiasmof
hissoldiers,whichwascrushedbytheuselesstoil,andtheopportunityofattackingthe
enemyunprepared,whilehewagedagainstariverthewarhehaddeclaredagainstafoe.
Suchmadnessforwhatelsecanyoucallit?hasbefallenRomansalso.ForGaius
CaesardestroyedaverybeautifulvillanearHerculaneumbecausehismotherhadonce
beenimprisonedinit,andbyhisveryactgavepublicitytohermisfortuneforwhilethe
villastood,weusedtosailbyunconcerned,butnowpeopleaskwhyitwasdestroyed.
<Ess1309>
ONANGER,III.xxii.15
Theseshouldberegardedasexamplestobeavoidedthefollowing,ontheother
hand,aretobeimitated,beinginstancesofrestrainedandgentlemen,wholackedneither
theprovocationtoangernorthepowerofrequital.Whatindeedwouldhavebeeneasier
thanforAntigonustoordertheexecutionofthetwocommonsoldiers,who,whilethey
leanedagainsttheroyaltent,expressedasmenwilldowithequallygreatdangerand
delighttheirillopinionoftheirking?Antigonusheardeverything,onlyacanvas
interveningbetweenthespeakersandthelistenerthishegentlyshookandsaid,"Movea
littlefartheroff,forthekingmighthearyou.Again,onenight,whenheoverheardsomeof
hissoldiersinvokingallkindsofcursesuponthekingforhavingledthemintosucharoad
andinextricablemud,hewentuptothosewhowerestrugglingmost,andwhenhehad
gotthemout,withoutrevealingwhotheirhelperwas,hesaid,"NowcurseAntigonus,by
whosefaultyouhavefallenuponthismishap,butblesshimwhohasledyououtofthis
swamp."Healsoboretheabuseofhisenemiesascalmlyasthatofhiscountrymen.And
so,whenhewasbesiegingsomeGreeksinasmallfort,andthey,confidentintheir
position,showedopencontemptfortheenemy,andcrackingmanyjokesuponthe
uglinessofAntigonusscoffednowathisdiminutivestature,nowathisflattenednose,he
merelysaid,"IfIhaveaSilenusinmycamp,Iamfortunateandhopeforgoodluck."When
hehadsubduedthesewagsbyhunger,hedisposedofhiscaptivesasfollows:thosewho
werefitformilitaryserviceheassignedtoregimentstherestheputupatauction,saying
thathewouldnothavedone
<Ess1311>
ONANGER,III.xxii.5xxiii.5
sohaditnotseemedgoodformenwhohadsuchaneviltonguetofindamaster.The
grandsonofthismanwasAlexander,/awhousedtohurlhisspearathisdinnerguests,
who,ofthetwofriendsmentionedabove,exposedonetothefuryofawildbeast,the
othertohisown.Ofthesetwo,however,theonewhowasthrowntoalionlived.
Alexanderdidnotgetthisweaknessfromhisgrandfather,norfromhisfathereitherforif
Philippossessedanyvirtuesatall,amongthemwastheabilitytoendureinsultsagreat
helpinthemaintenanceofathrone.Demochares,surnamedParrhesiastes"onaccount
ofhisboldandimpudenttongue,cametohimonceincompanywithotherenvoysfrom
theAthenians.Havinggrantedthedelegationafriendlyhearing,Philipsaid,"TellmewhatI
candothatwillpleasetheAthenians."Democharestookhimathiswordandreplied,
"Hangyourself."Allthebystandersflaredupinindignationatsuchbrutalwords,butPhilip
badethemkeepquietandletthatThersites/cwithdrawsafeandunharmed."Butyou,"he
said,"youotherenvoys,gotelltheAtheniansthatthosewhospeaksuchwordsshowfar
morearrogancethanthosewholistentothemwithoutretaliation."
ThedeifiedAugustusalsodidandsaidmanythingsthatarememorable,which
provethatwasnotruledbyanger.Timagenes,awriterofhistory,madesomeunfriendly
remarksabouttheemperorhimself,hiswife,andallhisfamily,andtheyhadnotbeen
lostforrecklesswitgetsbandiedaboutmorefreelyandisoneverybody'slips.Oftendid
Caesarwarnhimthathemusthaveamoreprudenttonguewhenhepersisted,he
forbade
<Ess1313>
ONANGER,III.xxiii.5xxiv.2
himthepalace.Afterthis,TimageneslivedtooldageinthehouseofAsiniusPollio,and
waslionizedbythewholecity.ThoughCaesarhadexcludedhimfromthepalace,hewas
debarredfromnootherdoor.Hegavereadingsofthehistorywhichhehadwrittenafter
theincident,andthebookswhichcontainedthedoingsofAugustusCaesarheputinthe
fireandburned.HemaintainedhostilityagainstCaesar,yetnoonefearedtobehisfriend,
nooneshrankfromhimasablastedmanthoughhefellfromsuchaheight,hefound
someonereadytotakehimtohisbosom.AsIhavesaid,Caesarboreallofthispatiently,
notevenmovedbythefactthathisrenownandhisachievementshadbeenassailedhe
madenocomplaintagainstthehostofhisenemy.ToAsiniusPolliohemerelysaid,
"You'rekeepingawildbeast."/aThen,whentheotherwastryingtooffersomeexcuse,he
stoppedhimandsaid,"enjoyyourself,mydearPollio,enjoyyourself!"andwhenPollio
declared,"Ifyoubidme,Caesar,Ishallforthwithdenyhimthehouse,"hereplied,"Doyou
thinkthatIwoulddothis,whenitwasIwhorestoredthefriendshipbetweenyou?Forthe
factis,PolliohadoncehadaquarrelwithTimagenes,andhisonlyreasonforendingit
wasthatCaesarhadnowbegunone.
Wheneveramanisprovoked,therefore,lethimsaytohimself,"AmImoremighty
thanPhilip?Yethewascursedanddidnotretaliate.HaveImoreauthorityovermyhouse
thanthedeifiedAugustushadoveralltheworld?Yethewascontentmerelytokeepaway
fromhismaligner."WhatrighthaveItomakemyslaveatonebystripesandmanaclesfor
tooloudareply,toorebelliousa
<Ess1315>
ONANGER,III.xxiv.xxxv.2
look,amutteringofsomethingthatIdonotquitehear?WhoamIthatitshouldbeacrime
tooffendmyears?ManyhavepardonedtheirenemiesshallInotpardonthelazy,the
careless,andthebabbler?Letachildbeexcusedbybisage,awomanbyhersex,a
strangerbyhisindependence,aservantbythebondofintercourse.Doessomeone
offendforthefirsttime?Letusreflecthowlonghehaspleasedus.Atothertimesand
oftenhashegivenoffence?Letusbearlongerwhatwehavelongborne.Isheafriend?
Hehasdonewhathedidnotmeantodo.Isheanenemy?Hedidwhathehadarightto
do.Onethatissensibleletusbelieve,onethatisfoolishletusforgive.Whoeveritmay
be,letussaytoourselvesonhisbehalfthateventhewisestmenhavemanyfaults,that
nomanissoguardedthathedoesnotsometimeslethisdiligencelapse,norso
seasonedthataccidentdoesnotdrivehiscomposureintosomehotheadedaction,none
sofearfulofgivingoffencethathedoesnotstumbleintoitwhileseekingtoavoidit.
Astothehumbleman,itbringscomfortintroublethatgreatmen'sfortunealso
totters,andashewhoweepsforhissoninahovelismorecontentifhehasseenthe
piteousprocessionmovefromthepalacealso,soamanismorecontenttobeinjuredby
one,tobescornedbyanother,ifhetakesthoughtthatnopowerissogreatastobe
beyondthereachofharm.Butifeventhewisestdowrong,whosesinwillnothavegood
excuse?Letuslookbackuponouryouthandrecallhowoftenweweretoocarelessabout
duty,tooindiscreetinspeech,toointemperateinwine.Ifamangetsangry,letusgivehim
enoughtimetodiscoverwhathehasdone
<Ess1317>
ONANGER,III.xxv.2xxvi.2
hewillchastisehimself.Supposeintheendhedeservespunishmentthenthereisno
reasonwhyweshouldmatchhismisdeeds.Therewillbenodoubtaboutthisthat
whoeverscornshistormentorsremoveshimselffromthecommonherdandtowers
abovethem.Themarkoftruegreatnessisnottonoticethatyouhavereceivedablow.So
doesthehugewildbeastcalmlyturnandgazeatbarkingdogs,sodoesthewavedashin
vainagainstamightycliff.Themanwhodoesnotgetangrystandsfirm,unshakenby
injuryhewhogetsangryisoverthrown.ButhewhomIhavejustsetabovethereachofall
harmholds,asitwere,inhisarmsthehighestgood,andnotonlytoaman,buttoFortune
herself,hewillsay:"Dowhatyouwill,youaretoopunytodisturbmyserenity.Reason,to
whomIhavecommittedtheguidanceofmylife,forbidsit.Myangerislikelytodome
moreharmthanyourwrong.Andwhynotmore?Thelimitoftheinjuryisfixed,buthowfar
theangerwillsweepmenomanknows.""Icannot,"yousay,"beforbearingitisdifficultto
submittoawrong."Thatisnottrueforwhothatcantolerateangerwillyetbeunableto
toleratewrong?Besides,whatyounowproposeistotoleratebothangerandwrong.Why
doyoutoleratethedeliriumofasickman,theravingsofalunatic,orthewantonblowsof
children?Because,ofcourse,theyseemnottoknowwhattheyaredoing.What
differencedoesitmakewhatweaknessitisthatmakesapersonirresponsible?Theplea
ofirresponsibilityholdsequallygoodforall."Whatthen?"yousay"shallthemango
unpunished?"Grantthatyouwishitso,neverthelessitwillnotbe
<Ess1319>
ONANGER,III.xxvi.2xxvii.1
soforthegreatestpunishmentofwrongdoingisthehavingdoneit,andnomanismore
heavilypunishedthanhewhoisconsignedtothetortureofremorse.Again,wemust
considerthelimitationsofourhumanlotifwearetobejustjudgesofallthathappenshe,
however,isunjustwhoblamestheindividualforafaultthatisuniversal.Amongsthisown
peoplethecolouroftheEthiopianisnotnotable,andamongsttheGermansredhair
gatheredintoaknotisnotunseemlyforaman.Youaretocountnothingoddor
disgracefulforanindividualwhichisageneralcharacteristicofhisnation,eventhose
examplesthatIhavecitedcanpleadindefencethepracticeofsomeonesectionand
corneroftheworld.Considernowhowmuchmorejustlyexcusemaybemadeforthose
qualitiesthatarecommontothewholehumanrace.Weareallinconsiderateand
unthinking,wearealluntrustworthy,discontented,ambitiouswhyshouldIhidethe
universalsorebysofterwords?weareallwicked.Andsoeachmanwillfindinhisown
breastthefaultwhichhecensuresinanother.WhydoyounoticethepallorofA,the
gauntnessofB?Thesequalitiesareepidemic!Andsoletusbemorekindlytowardone
anotherwebeingwickedliveamongthewicked.Onlyonethingcanbringuspeacethe
compactofmutualindulgence.Yousay,perhaps,"Thatmanhasalreadyinjuredme,butI
havenotyetinjuredhim."Butperhapsyouhavealreadyharmed,perhapsyouwillsome
dayharm,someman.Donotcountonlythishourorthisdayconsiderthewhole
characterofyourmindevenifyoubavedonenowrong,youarecapableofdoingit.How
muchbetteritistohealthantoavengean
<Ess1321>
ANGER,III.xxvii.15
injury!Vengeanceconsumesmuchtime,anditexposesthedoertomanyinjurieswhile
hesmartsfromoneourangeralayslastslongerthanthehurt.Howmuchbetteritisto
taketheoppositecourseandnottomatchfaultwithfault.Wouldanyonethinkthathe
waswellbalancedifherepaidamulewithkicksandadogwithbiting?Butyousay,
"Thosecreaturesdonotknowthattheyaredoingwrong."Inthefirstplace,howunjustis
heinwhoseeyesbeingamanisfataltoobtainingpardon!Inthesecondplace,ifother
creaturesescapeyourangerfortheveryreasonthattheyarelackinginunderstanding,
everymanwholacksunderstandingshouldholdinyoureyesalikeposition.Forwhat
differencedoesitmakethathisotherqualitiesareunlikethoseofdumbanimalsifhe'
resemblesthemintheonequalitythatexcusesdumbanimalsforeverymisdeedamind
thatisalldarkness?"Hedidwrong,"yousay.Well,wasthisthefirsttime?Willitbethe
lasttime?Youneednotbelievehimevenifheshouldsay,"Iwillneverdoitagain."Hewill
goonsinningandsomeoneelsewillsinagainsthim,andthewholeoflifewillbea
tossingaboutamiderrors.Kindnessmustbetreatedwithkindness.Thewordssooften
addressedtooneingriefwillprovemosteffectivealsoforamaninanger:"Willyouever
desistornever?"Ifever,howmuchbetteritistoforsakeangerthantowaitforangerto
forsakeyou!Orshallthisturmoilcontinueforever?Doyouseetowhatlifelongunrest
youaredoomingyourself?Forwhatwillbethelifeofonewhoisalwaysswollenwith
rage?Besides,whenyouhavesuccessfullyinflamedyourselfwithpassion,andhave
repeatedly<Ess1323>
ONANGER,III.xxvii.5xxviii.4
renewedthecausesthatspuryouon,yourangerwillleaveyouofitsownaccord,and
lapseoftimewillreduceitspower.Howmuchbetteritisthatitshouldbevanquishedby
youthanbyitself!
Youwillbeangryfirstwiththisman,thenwiththatonefirstwithslaves,thenwith
freedmenfirstwithparents,thenwithchildrenfirstwithacquaintances,thenwith
strangersfortherearecausesenougheverywhereunlessthemindenterstointercede.
Ragewillsweepyouhitherandyon,thiswayandthat,andyourmadnesswillbe
prolongedbynewprovocationsthatconstantlyarise.Tellme,unhappyman,willyouever
findtimetolove?Whatprecioustimeyouarewastinguponanevilthing!Howmuch
betterwoulditbeatthispresentmomenttobegainingfriends,reconcilingenemies,
servingthestate,devotingefforttoprivateaffairs,thantobecastingabouttoseewhatevil
youcandotosomeman,whatwoundyoumaydealtohisposition,hisestate,orhis
person,althoughyoucannotattainthiswithoutstruggleanddangerevenifyouradversary
beaninferior!Youmaytakehiminchainsandatyourpleasureexposehimtoeverytest
ofendurancebuttoogreatviolenceinthestrikerhasoftendislocatedajoint,orlefta
sinewfastenedintheveryteethithadbroken.Angerhasleftmanyamancrippled,many
disabled,evenwhenithasfounditsvictimsubmissive.Besides,therelivesnocreature
soweakthatitwilldiewithouttryingtoharmitsdestroyersometimespain,sometimesa
mishap,makestheweakamatchforthestrongest.Andisitnottruethatmostofthe
thingsthatmakeusangryoffendusmorethantheyharmus?Butitmakesagreat
differencewhetheraman
<Ess1325>
ONANGER,III.xxviii.4xxix.2
thwartsmywishorfailstofurtherit,whetherherobsmeormerelyfailstogive.Andyet
weattachthesamevaluetobothwhetheramandeprivesusofsomethingormerely
withholdsit,whetherbeshattersourhopeordefersit,whetherheactsagainstusorinhis
owninterest,whetherfromloveofanotherorfromhatredofus.Somemen,indeed,have
notonlyjust,butevenhonourablereasonsforopposingus.Oneisprotectinghisfather,
anotherhisbrother,anotherhiscountry,anotherhisfriend.Nevertheless,wedonot
excusethesefordoingtheverythingwhichweshouldblamethemfornotdoingnay,
more,thoughitisquiteunbelievable,weoftenthinkwellofanact,butillofitsdoer.But,in
verytruth,agreatandjustmanhonoursthoseofhisfoeswhoarebravestandaremost
stubborninthedefenceofthelibertyandthesafetyoftheircountry,andpraysthatfortune
maygranthimsuchmenasfellowcitizens,suchasfellowsoldiers.
Itisbasetohateamanwhocommandsyourpraise,buthowmuchbasertohate
anyonefortheveryreasonthathedeservesyourpity.Ifacaptive,suddenlyreducedto
servitude,stillretainssometracesofhisfreedomanddoesnotrunnimblytomeanand
toilsometasks,ifsluggishfrominactionhedoesnotkeeppacewiththespeedofhis
master'shorseandcarriage,ifwornoutbyhisdailyvigilsheyieldstosleep,ifwhen
transferredtohardlabourfromserviceinthecitywithitsmanyholidaysheeitherrefuses
thetollofthefarmordoesnotenterintoitwithenergyinsuchcasesletusdiscriminate,
askingwhetherhecannotorwillnotserve.Weshallacquitmanyifwebeginwith
discernmentinsteadofwithanger.Butasitis,weobeyourfirstimpulsethen,
<Ess1327>
ONANGER,III.xxix.2xxx.4
althoughwehavebeenarousedbymeretrifles,wecontinuetobeangryforfearthatwe
mayseemtohavehadnoreasontobesofromthefirst,andwhatismostunjustthe
veryinjusticeofourangermakesusthemoreobstinate.Forweholdontoitandnurseit,
asiftheviolenceofourangerwereproofofitsjustice.
Howmuchbetteritistoperceiveitsfirstbeginningshowslight,howharmless
theyare!Youwillfindthatthesamethinghappenswithamanwhichyouobserveindumb
animalsweareruffledbysillyandpettythings.Thebullisarousedbyaredcolour,the
aspstrikesatashadow,bearsandlionsareirritatedbyahandkerchiefallcreaturesby
naturewildandsavagearealarmedbytrifles.Thesameistrueofmen,whethertheyare
bynaturerestlessorinert.Theyaresmittenwithsuspicions,sopowerfully,even,thatthey
sometimescallmoderatebenefitsinjuriesthesearethemostcommon,certainlythe
mostbitter,sourceofanger.Forwebecomeangryatourdearestfriendsbecausethey
havebestowedlessthanweanticipated,andlessthantheyconferreduponanotherand
yetforbothtroublesthereisareadyremedy.Morefavourhasbeenshownanotherthen
letuswithoutmakingcomparisonbepleasedwithwhatwehave.Thatmanwillneverbe
happywhomthesightofahappiermantortures.ImayhavelessthanIhopedforbut
perhapsIhopedformorethanIought.Itisfromthisdirectionthatwehavemosttofear
fromthisspringstheangerthatismostdestructive,thatwillassailallthatismostholy.
AmongthosewhodispatchedthedivineJuliusthereweremorefriendsthanenemies
friendswhoseinsatiatehopeshehadfailedtosatisfy,Hewished
<Ess1329>
ONANGER,III.xxx.4xxxi.3
indeedtodosofornomanevermadeamoregeneroususeofvictory,fromwhichhe
claimednothingforhimselfexcepttherighttogiveawaybuthowcouldhegratifysuch
unconscionabledesires,sinceeveryoneofthemcovetedasmuchasanyonecould
possiblycovet?Andsohesawhisfellowsoldiersaroundhischairwiththeirswords
drawnTilliusCimber,alittlewhilebeforetheboldestdefenderofhiscause,andothers
who,afterPompeywasnomore,hadatlengthbecomePompeians./aItisthisthatturns
againstkingstheirownweapons,anddrivestheirmosttrustedfollowerstothepointof
planningforthedeathofthoseforwhomandbeforewhomtheyhadvowedtodie.Noman
whenheviewsthelotofothersiscontentwithhisown.Thisiswhywegrowangryeven
atthegods,becausesomepersonisaheadofus,forgettinghowmanymenthereare
behindus,andhowhugeamassofenvyfollowsatthebackofhimwhoenviesbutafew.
Neverthelesssuchisthepresumptuousnessofmenthat,althoughtheymayhave
receivedmuch,theycountitaninjurythattheymighthavereceivedmore."Hegaveme
thepraetorship,butIhadhopedfortheconsulshiphegavemethetwelvefasces,buthe
didnotmakemearegularconsulhewaswillingthatmynameshouldbeattachedtothe
year,/bbuthedisappointedmewithrespecttothepriesthoodIwaselectedamemberof
thecollege,butwhyofoneonly?hecrownedmewithpublichonour,butheaddednothing
tomypatrimonywhathegavemehehadtogivetosomebodyhetooknothingoutofhis
ownpocket."Expressthanksratherforwhatyouhavereceivedwaitfortherest,andbe
gladthatyouarenotyetsurfeited.Thereisa
<Ess1331>
ONANGER,III.xxxi.3xxxiii.1
pleasureinhavingsomethinglefttohopefor.Haveyououtstrippedallothers?Rejoicethat
youarefirstintheregardofyourfriend.Aretheremanywhooutstripyou?Considerhow
manymoreyouareaheadofthanbehind,Doyouaskmewhatisyourgreatestfault?
Yourbookkeepingiswrongwhatyouhavepaidoutyoutakehighwhatyouhave
received,low.Differentconsiderationsshouldindifferentcasesrestrainus.Fromsome
letfearstayouranger,fromothersrespect,fromotherspride.Afinethingweshallhave
done,nodoubt,ifwesendawretchedslavetoprison!Whyareweinsuchahurrytoflog
himatonce,tobreakhislegsforthwith?Suchpower,thoughdeferred,willnotperish.Wait
forthetimewhentheorderwillbeourownatthemomentweshallspeakunderthe
dictationofangerwhenthathaspassed,thenweshallbeabletoseeatwhatvaluewe
shouldappraisethedamage.Foritisinthisthatwearemostliabletobewrong.We
resorttotheswordandtocapitalpunishment,andanactthatdeservesthecensureofa
verylightfloggingwepunishbychains,theprison,andstarvation."Inwhatway,"youask,
"doyoubidusdiscoverhowpaltry,howpitiful,howchildishareallthosethingsbywhich
wethinkweareinjured?"I,assuredly,couldsuggestnothingbetterthanthatyouacquirea
trulygreatspirit,andthatyourealizehowsordidandworthlessareallthesethingsforthe
sakeofwhichwewrangle,rushtoandfro,andpantthesedonotdeserveathoughtfrom
themanwhohasanyhighandnoblepurpose.
Mostoftheoutcryisaboutmoney.Itisthiswhichweariesthecourts,pitsfather
againstson,brewspoisons,andgivesswordsaliketothelegionsandto
<Ess1333>
ONANGER,III.xxxiii.1xxxlv.1
cutthroatsitisdaubedwithourbloodbecauseofithusbandsandwivesmakenight
hideouswiththeirquarrels,crowdsswarmtothetribunalsofthemagistrates,kingsrage
andplunderandoverthrowstatesthathavebeenbuiltbythelonglabourofcenturies,in
orderthattheymaysearchforgoldandsilverintheveryashesofcities.Itisapleasure,
yousay,toseemoneybagslyinginthecorner.Butthesearewhatmenshoutforuntil
theireyeballsstartforthesakeofthesethelawcourtsresoundwiththedinoftrials,and
jurorssummonedfromdistantpartssitinjudgementtodecidewhichman'sgreedhasthe
justerclaim.Butwhatifitisnotevenabagofmoney,butonlyahandfulofcopperora
silverpiece,reckonedbyaslave,whichcausesanheirlessoldmanonthevergeofthe
gravetosplitwithrage?Andwhatifitisonlyapaltryonepercentofinterest/athatcauses
themoneylender,sickthoughhebe,withcrippledfeetandwithgnarledhandsthatno
longerserveforcountingmoney,toshoutaloud,andintheverythroesofhismaladyto
requiresecuritiesforhispennies?Ifyouweretooffermeallthemoneyfromallthemines,
whichwearenowsobusyindigging,ifyouweretocastbeforemyevesallthemoney
thatburiedtreasuresholdforgreedrestorestoearthwhatitonceinwickednessdrew
forthIshouldnotcountthatwholeassembledhoardworthevenagoodman'sfrown.
Withwhatlaughtershouldweattendthethingsthatnowdrawtearsfromoureyes!
Come,now,runthroughtheothercausesofangerfoods,drinks,andthe
refinementsinregardtothemdevisedtogratifypride,insultingwords,disrespectful
gestures,stubbornbeastsofburdenandlazyslaves,
<Ess1335>
ONANGER,III.xxxiv.1xxxv.2
suspicionandthemaliciousmisconstructionofanother'swords,theresultofwhichisthat
theverygiftofhumanspeechiscountedamongtheinjusticesofnature.Believeme,
thesethingswhichincenseusnotalittlearelittlethings,likcthetriflesthatdrivechildren
toquarrelsandblows.Notoneofthem,thoughwetakethemsotragically,isaserious
matter,notoneisimportant.Fromthis,Isay,fromthefactthatyouattachgreatvalueto
pettythings,comeyourangerandyourmadness.Thismanwantedtorobmeofmy
inheritancethisoneslanderedmetopeoplewhomIhadlongcourtedintheexpectation
ofalegacythisonecovetedmymistress.Thedesireforthesamething,whichoughtto
havebeenabondoflove,/abecomesthesourceofdiscordandofhatred.Anarrowpath
drivespassersbytoblowsonawideandopenroadevenamultitudewillnotjostle.
Becausethethingsyoustriveforaretrifles,andyetcannotbegiventoonewithout
robbinganother,theyprovokethosedesiringthesamethingstostruggleandstrife.
Youareindignantbecauseyourslave,yourfreedman,yourwife,oryourclient
answeredyoubackandthenyoucomplainthatthestatehasbeendeprivedofthatliberty
ofwhichyouhavedeprivedyourownhousehold.Again,youcallitobstinacyifaman
keepssilentwhenheisquestioned.Butlethimspeakandlethimkeepsilentandlethim
laugh!"Inthepresenceofhismaster?"youask.Yes,eveninthepresenceoftheheadof
thefamily.Whydoyoushout?Whydoyourant?Whydoyoucallforthewhipinthemidst
ofdinner,allbecausetheslavesaretalking,becausethereisnotthesilenceofthedesert
inaroomthatholdsacrowdbigasa
<Ess1337>
ONANGER,III.xxxv.3xxxvi.1
massmeeting?Youdonothaveearsonlyforthepurposeoflisteningtomelodious
sounds,softandsweetlydrawnandallinharmonyyoushouldalsolendeartolaughter
andweeping,tosoftwordsandbitter,tohappinessandsorrow,tothevoicesofmenand
theroarsandbarkingofanimals.Poorfellow!whydoyoushudderattheshoutingofa
slave,attherattlingofbronze,orthebangingofadoor?Althoughyouaresosensitive,
youhavetolistentothunder.AndallthiswhichIhavesaidabouttheearsyoumayapply
aswelltotheeyes,whichiftheyarenotwellschooledsuffernotlessfrom
squeamishness.Theyareoffendedbyaspot,bydirt,bytarnishedsilver,andbyapool
thatisonottransparenttothebottom.Thesesameeyes,forsooth,thatcannottolerate
marbleunlessitismottledandpolishedwithrecentrubbing,thatcannottolerateatable
unlessitismarkedbymanyavein,thatathomewouldseeunderfootonlypavements
morecostlythangoldtheseeyeswhenoutsidewillbehold,allunmoved,roughand
muddypathsanddirtypeople,asaremostofthosetheymeet,andtenementwalls
crumbledandcrackedandoutofline.Whyisit,then,thatwearenotoffendedonthe
street,yetareannoyedathome,exceptthatintheonecaseweareinanunruffledand
tolerantstateofmind,andintheotherarepeevishandfaultfinding?Alloursensesought
tobetrainedtoendurance.Theyarenaturallylongsufffering,ifonlytheminddesistsfrom
weakeningthem.Thisshouldbesummonedtogiveanaccountofitselfeveryday.Sextius
hadthishabit,andwhenthedaywasoverandhehadretiredtohisnightlyrest,hewould
put
<Ess1339>
ONANGER,III.xxxvi.1xxxvii.1
thesequestionstohissoul:"Whatbadhabithaveyoucuredtoday?Whatfaulthaveyou
resisted?Inwhatrespectareyoubetter?"Angerwillceaseandbecomemorecontrollable
ifitfindsthatitmustappearbeforeajudgeeveryday.Cananythingbemoreexcellent
thanthispracticeofthoroughlysiftingthewholeday?Andhowdelightfulthesleepthat
followsthisselfexaminationhowtranquilitis,howdeepanduntroubled,whenthesoul
haseitherpraisedoradmonisheditself,andwhenthissecretexaminerandcriticofself
hasgivenreportofitsowncharacter!Iavailmyselfofthisprivilege,andeverydayIplead
mycausebeforethebarofself.Whenthelighthasbeenremovedfromsight,andmy
wife,longawareofmyhabit,hasbecomesilent,Iscanthewholeofmydayandretrace
allmydeedsandwords.Iconcealnothingfrommyself,Iomitnothing.ForwhyshouldI
shrinkfromanyofmymistakes,whenImaycommunethuswithmyself?
"SeethatyouneverdothatagainIwillpardonyouthistime.Inthatdispute,you
spoketoooffensivelyafterthisdon'thaveencounterswithignorantpeoplethosewho
haveneverlearneddonotwanttolearn.Youreprovedthatmanmorefranklythanyou
ought,andconsequentlyyouhave,notsomuchmendedhimasoffendedhim.Inthe
future,considernotonlythetruthofwhatyousay,butalsowhetherthemantowhomyou
arespeakingcanendurethetruth.Agoodmanacceptsreproofgladlytheworseaman
isthemorebitterlyheresentsit."Atabanquetthewitofcertainpeopleandsomewords
aimedtostingyoureachedtheirmark.Butremembertoavoidtheentertainmentsofthe
vulgar
<Ess1341>
ONANGER,III.xxxvii.15
afterdrinkingtheirlicencebecomestoolax,becausetheywantanysenseofpropriety
evenwhentheyaresober.Yousawoneofyourfriendsinaragebecausetheporterhad
thrusthimoutwhenhewastryingtoenterthehouseofsomepettifoggerorrichman,and
youyourselfonyourfriend'saccountbecameangrywiththatlowestkindofaslave.Will
youthenbecomeangrywithachainedwatchdog?He,too,afterallhisbarking,will
becomegentleifyoutosshimfood.Retirealittlewayandlaugh!Asitis,thefellowthinks
himselfasomebodybecauseheguardsathresholdbesetbyathroneoflitigantsasitis,
thegentlemanwhoreclineswithinisblissfulandblestandconsidersitthemarkofa
successfulandpowerfulmantomakeitdifficulttodarkenhisdoor.Heforgetsthatthe
hardestdoorofalltoopenistheprison's.Makeupyourmindthattherearemanythings
whichyoumustbear.Isanyonesurprisedthatheiscoldinwinter?Thatheissickat
sea?Thatheisjoltedaboutonthehighroad?Themindwillmeetbravelyeverythingfor
whichithasbeenprepared.Becauseyouweregivenalesshonourableplaceatthetable,
youbegantogetangryatyourhost,atthewriteroftheinvitation,atthemanhimselfwho
waspreferredaboveyou.Madman!whatdifferencedoesitmakeonwhatpartofthe
couchyourecline?Canacushionaddtoeitheryourhonouroryourdisgrace?Youdidnot
lookwithfaireyesuponacertainmanbecausehespokeillofyourtalent.Doyouaccept
thisasaprinciple?ThenEnnius,whosepoetryyoudonotlike,wouldhateyou,and
Hortensius,ifyoudisapprovedofhisspeeches,wouldproclaimanimositytoyou,and
Cicero,ifyoumadefunofhispoetry,wouldbeyour
<Ess1343>
ANGER,III.xxxvii.5xxxtx.3
enemy.Butwhenyouareacandidate,youarewillingtoputupcalmlywiththevotes!
Someone,perhaps,hasofferedyouaninsultwasitanygreaterthantheoneDiogenes,
theStoicphilosopher,suffered,whoattheverytimehewasdiscoursinguponangerwas
spatuponbyashamelessyouth.Yetheborethiscalmlyandwisely.Really,Iamnot
angry,"hesaid,"butneverthelessamnotsurebutthatIoughttobeangry."Yethowmuch
betterthecourseofourownCato!Forwhenhewaspleadingacase,Lentulus,that
factiousandunrulymanwholingersinthememoryofourfathers,gatheringasmuch
thicksalivaashecould,spatitfulluponthemiddleofCato'sforehead.Buthewipeditoff
hisfaceandsaid,"Toallwhoaffirmthatyouhavenocheek,/aLentulus,I'llswearthatthey
aremistaken."Wehavenowsucceeded,Novatus,inbringingcomposuretothemindit
eitherdoesnotfeelanger,orissuperiortoit.Letusnowseehowwemayallaytheanger
ofothers.Forwewishnotmerelytobehealedourselves,butalsotoheal.Weshallnot
venturetosoothethefirstburstofangerwithwords.Itisbothdeafandmadwemustgive
itroom.Remediesareeffectivewhenthemaladysubsides.Wedonottamperwiththe
eyeswhentheyareswollenforintheirstiffconditionwearelikelytoirritatethemby
movingthemnorwithotheraffectedpartswhiletheyareinflamed.Restisthecureinthe
firststagesofillness."Howlittle,"yousay,"isyourremedyworth,ifitquietsangerwhenit
issubsidingofitsownaccord!"Inthefirstplace,itmakesitsubsideallthemorequickly
inthesecond,itpreventsitsrecurrence
<Ess1345>
ONANGER,III.xxix.3xl.2
itwillbaffle,also,eventhefirstoutburstwhichitmakesnoefforttosoothe,foritwill
removealltheweaponsofrevengeitwillfeignangerinorderthat,posingthusasahelper
andcomradeofourresentment,itmayhavemoreinfluenceincounselitwillcontrive
delays,andwillpostponeimmediatepunishmentbylookingaboutforaheavierone.Itwill
employeveryartificetogiverespitetothemadness.Ifthevictimgrowsviolent,itwill
enforceonhimasenseofshameorfearthathecannotresistifcalmer,itwillintroduce
conversationthatiseitherinterestingornovel,andwilldiverthimbystirringhisdesirefor
knowledge.Thereisastorythatonceaphysicianhadtocurethedaughterofaking,and
yetcouldnotwithoutusingtheknife.Andso,whilehewasgentlydressingherswollen
breast,beinsertedalanceconcealedinasponge.Thegirlwouldhavefoughtagainstthe
remedyopenlyapplied,butbecausesbedidnotexpectit,sheenduredthepain.Some
mattersarecuredonlybydeception.Toonemanyouwillsay,"Seetoitthatyoudonotby
yourangergivepleasuretoyourfoes"toanother,"Seetoitthatyoudonotloseyour
greatnessofmindandthereputationyouhaveintheeyesofmanyforstrength.By
heavens,ImyselfamindignantandIangrybeyondmeasure,butwemustawaitourtime.
Heshallpaythepenaltykeepthatwellinmind.Whenyoucan,youwillmakehimpayfor
thedelayaswell."Toreproveamanwhenheisangryandinturntobecomeangryathim
serveonlytoincreasehisanger.Youwillapproachhimwithvariousappealsand
persuasively,unlessyouhappentobeanimportantenoughpersontobeabletoquellhis
angerbythesametacticsthe
<Ess1347>
ONANGER,III.xi.2xli.2
deifiedAugustususedwhenhewasdiningwithVediusPollio./aWhenoneofhisslaves
hadbrokenacrystalcup,Vediusorderedhimtobeseizedanddoomedhimtodie,butin
anextraordinarywayheorderedhimtobethrowntothehugelampreys,whichhekeptin
afishpond.Whowouldnotsupposethathedidthismerelyfordisplay?Itwasreallyoutof
cruelty.TheladslippedfromhiscaptorsandfledtoCaesar'sfeet,beggingonlythathe
mightdiesomeotherwayanythingbutbeingeaten.Caesar,shockedbysuchan
innovationincruelty,orderedthattheboybepardoned,and,besides,thatallthecrystal
cupsbebrokenbeforehiseyesandthatthefishpondbefilledup.Itwassothatitbefitted
Caesartorebukeafriendheemployedhispowerrightly:"Doyouordermentobehurried
fromabanquettodeath,andtobetorntopiecesbytorturesofanunheardofkind?Ifyour
cupwasbroken,isamantohavehisbowelstornasunder?Willyouvauntyourselfso
muchastoorderamantobeledtodeathintheverypresenceofCaesar?"Thusifany
man'spowerissogreatthathecanassailangerfromaneminentposition,lethimdeal
withitharshly,butonlysuchangerasthatIhaveillustratedfierce,inhuman,and
bloodthirsty,andnowquiteincurableunlessitismadetofearsomethingmorepowerful.
Letusgivetothesoulthatpeacewbichisaffordedbyconstantmeditationonwholesome
instruction,bynobledeeds,andamindintentuponthedesireforonlywhatishonourable.
Letussatisfyourconscienceforreputationletusstrivenotatall.Letevenabadname
attendus,providedthatwearereallywelldeserving."Butthepopulace,"you
<Ess1349>
ONANGER,III.xli.2xlii.3
say,admiresspiritedaction,andtheboldareheldinhonourwhilequietpeopleare
consideredineffective."Perhapsso,atfirstsight.Butwhenthesehaveprovedbythe
eventenoroftheirlivesthattheyseek,notinaction,butpeaceofmind,thatsamepublic
willreverenceandrespectthem.Consequentlythishideousandruinouspassionserves
notasingleusefulend,but,onthecontrary,evilofeverysort,thesword,andflame.
Tramplingunderfooteveryscruple,itstainsthehandswithmurder,itscattersabroadthe
limbsofchildren,itsuffersnoplacetobefreefromcrime,withnothoughtofglory,withno
fearofdisgrace,itisincurablewhenonce,fromanger,ithashardenedintohate.Letus
befreedfromthisevil,letusclearitfromourmindsandtearitupbytheroots,forifthere
shouldlingerthesmallesttraces,itwillgrowagainandletusnottrytoregulateouranger,
butberidofitaltogetherforwhatregulationcantherebeofanyevilthing?Moreover,we
candoit,ifonlyweshallmaketheeffort.Andnothingwillhelpussomuchaspondering
ourmortality.Leteachmansaytohimselfandtohisfellowmortal:"Whydowe,asifborn
toliveforever,takedelightinproclaimingourwrathandinwastingthelittlespanoflife?
Whydowedelighttoemployforsomebody'sdistressandtorturethedaysthatwemight
devotetovirtuouspleasure?Yourfortunesadmitnosquanderingandyouhavenospare
timetowaste.Whydowerushintothefray?Whydoweinvitetroubleforourselves?Why
dowe,forgettingourweakness,takeupthehugeburdenofhate,and,easilybrokenas
weare,riseuptobreak?Soonafeverorsomeotherbodilyillwillstaythatwarofhatred,
which
<Ess1351>
ONANGER,III.xlii.3xliii.3
wenowwagewithsuchunrelentingpurpose.Soondeath{Prospero+}willstepinandpart
thefiercestpairoffighters.Whydowerunriotandperturblifewithouruproar?Fate
loomsaboveourheads,andscoresuptoouraccountthedaysastheygoby,anddraws
evernearerandnearer.Thathourwhichyouappointforthedeathofanotherisperchance
nearyourown."
Whydoyounotrathergatherupyourbrieflifeandrenderitapeacefulonetoyourselfand
allothers?Whydoyounotrathermakeyourselfbelovedbyallwhileyoulive,and
regrettedbyallwhenyoudie?Whydovoulongtodragdownthemanwhodealswithyou
fromtooloftyaheight?Whydoyoutrywithallyourmighttocrushthemanwhorails
againstyou,alowandcontemptiblefellow,butsharptonguedandtroublesometohis
betters?Whyareyouangrywithyourslave,youwithyourmaster,youwithyour
patron,youwithyourclient?Waitalittle.Behold,deathcomes,whowillmakeyouequals.
Atthemorningperformancesinthearenaweoftenseeabattlebetweenabullandabear
tiedtogether,andwhentheyhaveharriedeachother,anappointedslayerawaitsthem.
Theirfateisoursweharasssomeoneboundcloselytous,andyettheend,alltoosoon,
threatensthevictorandthevanquished.Ratherletusspendthelittletimethatisleftin
reposeandpeace!Letnomanloatheuswhenwelieacorpse!Acryoffireinthe
neighbourhoodoftenendsafight,andthearrivalofawildbeastrescuesatravellerfrom
thebrigand.Wehavenotimetostrugglewithlesserillswhenamorethreateningfear
appears.Whydoweconcernourselveswithcombatandwithsnares?Canyouwishfor
thevictimofyourwrathagreaterillthandeath?Even
<Ess1353>
ONANGER,III.xliii.35
thoughyoudonotmoveafinger,hewilldie.Youwasteyourpainsifyouwishtodowhat
needsmustbe."Idonotwish,"yousay,"tokillhimatall,buttopunishhimwithexile,with
publicdisgrace,withmaterialloss."ButIammoreindulgenttothemanwhowouldgive
hisenemyawoundthantotheonewhowouldgivehimablisterforthelatterhasnotonly
anevilmind,butapettymindaswell.Whetheryourthoughtsrunontorturessevereor
slight,howshortisthetimeinwhicheitheryourvictimcanwritheunderyourtorments,or
youderiveawickedjoyfromanother'spain!Soonshallwespewforththisfrailspirit.
Meanwhile,solongaswedrawbreath,solongasweliveamongmen,letuscherish
humanity.Letusnotcausefeartoanyman,nordangerletusscornlosses,wrongs,
abuse,andtaunts,andletusendurewithheroicmindourshortlivedills.Whileweare
lookingback,astheysay,andturningaround,straightwaydeathwillbeuponus.
<Ess1355>

TOTHEEMPERORNERO
ONMERCY+{DECLEMENTIA}
BOOKI
IHAVEundertaken,NeroCaesar,towriteonthesubjectofmercy,inordertoserveina
waythepurposeofamirror,andthusrevealyoutoyourselfasonedestinedtoattainto
thegreatestofallpleasures.For,thoughthetrueprofitofvirtuousdeedsliesinthedoing,
andthereisnofittingrewardforthevirtuesapartfromthevirtuesthemselves,stillitisa
pleasuretosubjectagoodconsciencetoaroundofinspection,thentocastone'seyes
uponthisvastthrongdiscordant,factious,andunruly,readytorunriotalikeforthe
destructionofitselfandothersifitshouldbreakitsyokeandfinallytocommunewith
oneselfthus."HaveIofallmortalsfoundfavourwithHeavenandbeenchosentoserveon
earthasvicarofthegods?Iamthearbiteroflifeanddeathforthenationsitrestsinmy
powerwhateachman'slotandstateshallbebymylipsFortuneproclaimswhatgiftshe
wouldbestowoneachhumanbeingfrommyutterancepeoplesandcitiesgather
reasonsforrejoicingwithoutmyfavourandgracenopartofthewideworldcanprosper
allthosemanythousandsofswords
<Ess1357>
ONMERCY,I.i.25
whichmypeacerestrainswillbedrawnatmynodwhatnationsshallbeutterly
destroyed,whichbanished,whichshallreceivethegiftofliberty,whichhaveittakenfrom
them,whatkingsshallbecomeslavesandwhoseheadsshallbecrownedwithroyal
honour,whatcitiesshallfallandwhichshallrisethisitisminetodecree.Withallthings
thusatmydisposal,Ihavebeenmovedneitherbyangernoryouthfulimpulsetounjust
punishment,norbythefoolhardinessandobstinacyofmenwhichhaveoftenwrung
patiencefromeventheserenestsouls,noryetbythatvainglorywhichemploysterrorfor
thedisplayofmightadreadbutalltoocommonuseofgreatandlordlypower.Withme
theswordishidden,nay,issheathedIamsparingtotheutmostofeventhemeanest
bloodnomanfailstofindfavouratmyhandsthoughbelackallelsebutthenameof
man.SternnessIkeephidden,butmercyeverreadyathand.Isoholdguardovermyself
asthoughIwereabouttorenderanaccounttothoselawswhichIhavesummonedfrom
decayanddarknessintothelightofday.Ihavebeenmovedtopitybythefreshyouthof
one,bytheextremeoldageofanotheroneIhavepardonedforhishighposition,another
forhishumblestatewheneverIfoundnoexcuseforpity,formyownsakeIhave
spared./aToday,iftheimmortalgodsshouldrequireareckoningfromme,Iamreadyto
givefulltaleofthehumanrace."
Thispronouncement,Caesar,youmayboldlymake,thatwhateverhaspassed
intoyourtrustandguardianshipisstillkeptsafe,thatthroughyouthestatesuffersno
loss,eitherfromviolenceorfromfraud.Itistherarestpraise,hithertodeniedtoall
<Ess1359>
ONMERCY,I.1.58
otherprinces,thatyouhavecovetedforyourselfinnocenceofwrong.Norhastheeffort
beeninvain,andthatunparalleledgoodnessofyourshasnotfoundmenungratefulor
grudgingintheirappraisement.Thanksarerenderedtoyounohumanbeinghasever
beensodeartoanotherasyouaretothepeopleofRomeitsgreatandlastingblessing.
Butitisamightyburdenthatyouhavetakenuponyourselfnoonetodaytalksofthe
deifiedAugustusortheearlyyearsofTiberiusCaesar,orseeksforanymodelhewould
haveyoucopyotherthanyourselfthestandardforyourprincipateistheforetasteyou
havegiven.Thiswouldhaveindeedbeendifficultifthatgoodnessofyourswerenotinnate
butonlyassumedforthemoment.Fornoonecanwearamasklongthefalsequickly
lapsesbackintoitsownnaturebutwhateverhastruthforitsfoundation,andwhatever
springs,sotospeak,fromoutthesolidearth,growsbythemerepassingoftimeinto
somethinglargerandbetter.GreatwasthehazardthattheRomanpeoplefacedsolong
asitwasuncertainwhatcoursethosenobletalentsofyourswouldtaketodaythe
prayersofthestateareassured,forthereisnodangerthatyouwillbeseizedbysudden
forgetfulnessofyourself.Overmuchprosperity,itistrue,makesmengreedy,anddesires
areneversowellcontrolledastoceaseatthepointofattainmenttheascentisfrom
greattogreater,andmenembracethewildesthopeswhenoncetheyhavegainedwhat
theydidnothopeforandyettodayyoursubjectsoneandallareconstrainedtoconfess
thattheyarehappy,and,too,thatnothingfurthercanbeaddedtotheirblessings,except
thatthesemaylast.Many
<Ess1361>
ONMERCY,I.i.8ii.2
factsforcethemtothisconfession,whichmorethananyotheramanisloathtomake:a
securitydeepandabounding,andjusticeenthronedaboveallinjusticebeforetheireyes
hoversthefairestvisionofastatewhichlacksnoelementofcompletelibertyexceptthe
licenseofselfdestruction.Aboveall,however,aliketothehighestandthelowest,extends
thesameadmirationforyourqualityofmercyforalthoughofotherblessingseachone
experiencesorexpectsalargerorsmallermeasureinproportiontohislot,yetfrom
mercymenallhopetohavethesamenoristhereanymansowhollysatisfiedwithhis
owninnocenceasnottorejoicethatmercystandsinsight,waitingforhumanerrors.
Iknow,however,thattherearesomewhothinkthatmercyupholdstheworst
classofmen,sinceitissuperfluousunlesstherehasbeensomecrime,andsinceit
aloneofallthevirtuesfindsnoexerciseamongtheguiltless.But,firstofall,justas
medicineisusedbythesick,yetisheldinhonourbythehealthy,sowithmercythoughit
isthosewhodeservepunishmentthatinvokeit,yeteventheguiltlesscherishit.Again,
thisvirtuehasscopeeveninthepersonoftheguiltless,becauseattimesfortunetakes
theplaceofguiltandnotonlydoesmercycometotherescueofinnocence,butoftenof
righteousnessalso,inasmuchas,fromthestateofthetimes,/atherearisecertainacts
which,whilepraised,mayyetbepunished.Then,too,thereareagreatmanypeoplewho
mightbeturnedbacktothepathofvirtueif<theyarereleasedfrompunishment>.
Nevertheless,pardoningoughtnottobetoocommonforwhenthedistinctionbetween
thebadandthegoodisremoved,theresultisconfusionandanepidemicof

aStoicismproducedmany"conscientious_objectors+"whowerehighminded,yetfutile,
opponentsofimperialrule.
<Ess1363>
ONMERCY,I.ii.2iii.3
vice.Thereforeawisemoderationshouldbeexercisedwhichwillbecapableof
distinguishingbetweencurableandhopelesscharacters.Neithershouldwehave
indiscriminateandgeneralmercy,noryetprecludeitforitisasmuchacrueltytopardon
allastopardonnone.Weshouldmaintainthemeanbutsinceaperfectbalanceis
difficult,ifanythingistodisturbtheequipoiseitshouldturnthescaletowardthekindlier
side.
Butthesematterswillbemorefitlydiscussedintheirproperplace.HereIshall
dividethissubjectasawholeintothreeparts.Thefirstwilltreatoftheremissionof
punishmentthesecondwillaimtoshowthenatureandaspectofmercyforsincethere
arecertainviceswhichcounterfeitvirtues,theycannotbeseparatedunlessyoustamp
themwithmarksbywhichtheymaybeknownapart.InthethirdplaceIshallinquirehow
themindisledtoadoptthisvirtue,andhowitestablishesitandbypracticemakesitits
own.Thatnooneofallthevirtuesismoreseemlyforaman,sincenoneismorehuman,
isanecessaryconvictionnotonlyforthoseofuswhomaintainthatmanisa
social_creature+,begottenforthecommongood,/abutalsoforthosewhogivemanover
topleasure,/bwhosewordsanddeedsalllooktotheirownadvantage.Forifamanseeks
calmandquiet,hefindsthisvirtue,whichlovespeaceandstaysthehand,forthwithsuited
tohisbent.Yetofallmennoneisbettergracedbymercythanakingoraprince.For
greatpowerconfersgraceandgloryonlywhenitispotentforbenefititissurelyabaneful
mightthatisstrongonlyforharm.Healonehasfirmandwellgroundedgreatnesswhom
<Ess1365>
ONMERCY,I.iii.35
allmenknowtobeasmuchtheirfriendasheistheirsuperiorwhoseconcerntheydaily
findtobevigilantforthesafetyofeachandalluponwhoseapproachtheydonotfleeasif
somemonsterordeadlybeasthadleapedfromhislair,butrusheagerlyforwardas
towardabrightandbeneficentstar.Inhisdefencetheyarereadyontheinstanttothrow
themselvesbeforetheswordsofassassins,andtolaytheirbodiesbeneathhisfeetifhis
pathtosafetymustbepavedwithslaughteredmenhissleeptheyguardbynightlyvigils,
hispersontheydefendwithanencirclingbarrier,againstassailingdangerstheymake
themselvesarampart.Notwithoutreasondocitiesandpeoplesshowthisaccordin
givingsuchprotectionandlovetotheirkings,andinflingingthemselvesandalltheyhave
intothebreachwheneverthesafetyoftheirrulercravesit.Norisitselfdepreciationor
madnesswhenmanythousandsmeetthesteelforthesakeofoneman,andwithmany
deathsransomthesinglelife,itmaybe,ofafeebledotard.
Thewholebodyistheservantofthemind,andthoughtheformerissomuch
largerandsomuchmoreshowy,whiletheunsubstantialsoulremainsinvisiblenot
knowingwhereitssecrethabitationlies,yetthehands,thefeet,andtheeyesareinits
employtheouterskinisitsdefenceatitsbiddingwelieidle,orrestlesslyruntoandfro
whenitcommands,ifitisagraspingtyrant,wesearchtheseaforgainifcovetousof
fame,erenowwehavethrustarighthandintotheflame,orplungedwillinglyintoa
chasm.Inthesamewaythisvastthrong,encirclingthelifeofoneman,isruledbyhis
spirit,guidedbyhis
<Ess1367>
ONMERCY,I.iii.5iv.3
reason,andwouldcrushandcrippleitselfwithitsownpowerifitwerenotupheldby
wisdom.
Itis,therefore,theirownsafetythatmenlove,whenforonemantheyleadten
legionsatatimeintobattlewhentheyrushtotheforefrontandexposetheirbreaststo
woundsthattheymaysavethestandardsoftheiremperorfromdefeat.Forheisthebond
bywhichthecommonwealthisunited,thebreathoflifewhichthesemanythousands
draw,whointheirownstrengthwouldbeonlyaburdentothemselvesandthepreyof
othersifthegreatmindoftheempireshouldbewithdrawn.
Ifsafetheirking,onemindtoall
Bereftofhim,theytrothrecall./a
SuchacalamitywouldbethedestructionoftheRomanpeace,suchacalamity
willforcethefortuneofamightypeopletoitsdownfall.Justsolongwillthispeoplebefree
fromthatdangerasitshallknowhowtosubmittothereinbutifeveritshalltearawaythe
rein,orshallnotsufferittobereplacedifshakenloosebysomemishap,thenthisunity
andthisfabricofmightiestempirewillflyintomanyparts,andtheendofthiscity'srulewill
beonewiththeendofherobedience.Thereforeitisnotstrangethatkingsandprinces
andguardiansofthepublicorder,whateverdifferentnametheybear,areheldmoredear
eventhanthoseboundtousbyprivatetiesforifmenofsenseputpublicinterests+above
private,itfollowsthathetooisdeareruponwhomthewholestatecentres.Atanearlier
day,infact,Caesarsoclothedhimselfwiththepowersofstatethatneitheronecouldbe
withdrawnwithoutthedestructionofboth.ForwhileaCaesarneedspower,thestatealso
needsahead.

aVergil,Georgics,iv.212,whereheisspeakingofbees+andtheirdevotiontotheir"king."
<Ess1369>
ONMERCY,I.v.14
Mydiscourseseemstohavewithdrawnsomewhatfarfromitspurpose,but,in
verytruth,itbearscloselyupontherealissue.Forifandthisiswhatthusfaritis
establishingyouarethesoulofthestateandthestateyourbody,yousee,Ithink,how
requisiteismercyforyouaremercifultoyourselfwhenyouareseeminglymercifulto
another.Andsoevenreprobatecitizensshouldhavemercyasbeingtheweakmembers
ofthebody,andifthereshouldeverbeneedtoletblood,thehandmustbeheldunder
controltokeepitfromcuttingdeeperthanmaybenecessary.Thequalityofmercy,then,
asIwassaying,isindeedforallmeninaccordancewithnature,butinrulersithasan
especialcomelinessinasmuchaswiththemitfindsmoretosave,andexhibitsitselfamid
ampleropportunities.Forhowsmalltheharmthecrueltyofaprivatecitizencando!But
whenprincesragethereiswar.Though,moreover,thevirtuesareatharmonywitheach
other,andnooneofthemisbetterormorenoblethananother,yettocertainpeoplea
certainvirtuewillbemoresuited.Greatnessofsoulisavirtuethatisseemlyforevery
humanbeing,evenforhimwhoisthelowliestofthelowly.
Forwhatisgreaterorbraverthantobeatdownmisfortune?Yetthlsgreatnessofsoulhas
freerplayundercircumstancesofgoodfortune,andisshowntobetteradvantageupon
thejudge'sbenchthanonthefloor.
Everyhousethatmercyentersshewillrenderpeacefulandhappy,butinthe
palacesheismorewonderful,inthatsheisrarer.Forwhatismoreremarkablethanthat
hewhoseangernothingcanwithstand,towhosesentence,tooheavythoughitbe,even
thevictimsbowthehead,whom,ifheisvery
<Ess1371>
ONMERCY,I.v.4vi.i
greatlyincensed,noonewillventuretogainsay,nay,eventoentreatthatthismanshould
layarestraininghanduponhimself,andusehispowertobetterandmorepeacefulends
whenhereflects,"Anyonecanviolatethelawtokill,nonebutI,tosave"?Aloftyspirit
befitsaloftystation,andifitdoesnotrisetothxelhevelofitsstationandevenstand
aboveit,theother,too,isdraggeddownwardtotheground.Moreover,thepeculiarmarks
ofaloftyspiritaremildnessandcomposure,andtheloftydisregardofinjusticeand
wrongs.Itisforwoman+torageinanger+,forwildbeastsdoubtlessandyetnoteven
thenoblesortofthesetobiteandworrytheirprostratevictims.Elephantsandlionspass
bywhattheyhavestrickendownitistheignoblebeastthatisrelentless.Crueland
inexorableangerisnotseemlyforaking,forthushedoesnotrisemuchabovetheother
man,towardwhoseownlevelhedescendsbybeingangryathim.Butifhegrantslife,if
hegrantspositiontothosewhohaveimperilledanddeservetolosethem,hedoeswhat
nonebutasovereignmayforonemaytakethelifeevenofasuperior,butnotgiveitever
excepttoaninferior.Tosavelifeisthepeculiarprivilegeofexaltedstation,whichnever
hasarighttogreateradmirationthanwhenithasthegoodfortunetohavethesame
powerasthegods,bywhosekindnessweall,theevilaswellasthegood,arebrought
forthintothelight.Letaprince,therefore,appropriatingtohimselfthespiritofthegods,
lookwithpleasureupononeclassofhiscitizensbecausetheyareusefulandgood
otherslethimleavetomakeupthecountlethimbegladthatsomeofthemlive,somelet
himmerelyendure.
Considerthiscity,inwhichthethrongthatstreams
<Ess1373>
ONMERCY,I.vi.1vii.1
ceaselesslythroughitswideststreetsiscrushedtopieceswheneveranythinggetsinthe
waytocheckitscourseasitstreamslikearushingtorrent,thiscityinwhichtheseating
spaceofthreetheatres/aisrequiredatonetime,inwhichisconsumedalltheproduceof
theploughfromeverylandconsiderhowgreatwouldbethelonelinessandthedesolation
ofitifnoneshouldbeleftbutthosewhomastrictjudgewouldacquit.Howfew
prosecutorstherearewhowouldescapeconvictionundertheverylawwhichtheycitefor
theprosecution{Lear+!}howfewaccusersarefreefromblame.And,Iaminclinedto
think,nooneismorereluctanttograntpardonthanhewhoagainandagainhashad
reasontoseekit.Wehaveallsinned{common+}someinserious,someintrivialthings
somefromdeliberateintentionsomebychanceimpulse,orbecausewewereledastray
bythewickednessofotherssomeofushavenotstoodstronglyenoughbygood
resolutions,andhavelostourinnocenceagainstourwillandthoughstillclingingtoitand
notonlyhavewedonewrong,butweshallgoondoingwrongtotheveryendoflife.Even
ifthereisanyonewhohassothoroughlycleansedhismindthatnothingcananymore
confoundhimandbetrayhim,yetitisbysinningthathehasreachedthesinlessstate./b
SinceIhavemadementionofthegods,Ishalldoverywelltoestablishthisasthe
standardafterwhichaprinceshouldmodelhimselfthatheshouldwishsotobetohis
subjects,ashewouldwishthegodstobetohimself.Isit,then,desirabletohavedeities
thatcannotbemovedtoshowmercytooursinsandmistakes?Isitdesirabletohave
themourenenlieseventothepointofourcompletedestruction?And

bi.e.,oftheidealwisemanoftheStoics,sorarelyproduced.Thedoctrinethatvirtueis
notmerelythegreatestbuttheonlygoodallowednogradationofgoodnessorbadness,
andfranklyrecognizedthealmostuniversaldepravity+ofmankind.Seneca,withhis
humanetendenciesgivespassionateemphasistothisbeliefmmakingitthebasisofa
pleaformercyandkindness.
<Ess1375>
ONMERCY,I.vii.1viii.1
whatkingwillescapethedangerofhavingthesoothsayersgatheruphisrivenlimbs?/a
Butifthegods,mercifulandjust,donotinstantlyavengewiththethunderboltthe
shortcomingsofthemighty,howmuchmorejustisitforaman,setovermen,toexercise
hispoweringentlespiritandtoaskhimselfwhichconditionoftheworldismorepleasing
totheeyeandmorelovelywhenthedayiscalmandclear,orwhenallnaturequakes
withcrashuponcrashofthunder,andhitherandyonderthelightningsflash?Andyetthe
aspectofaquietandwellorderedempireisnotdifferentfromthatofacalmandshining
sky.Areignthatiscruelisstormyandovercastwithgloom,and,whilementrembleand
growpaleatthesuddenuproar,evenhewhoisthecauseofalltheturmoildoesnotfailto
shudder.Oneinprivatelife,ifhestubbornlyseeksrevenge,ismoreeasilypardonedforit
ispossibleforhimtoreceiveaninjury+,andhisresentmentspringsfromasenseof
wrongbesides,heisafraidofbeingscorned,and,whenoneisinjured,thefailureto
makerequitalseemsashowofweakness,notofmercy.Butthemanforwhom
vengeanceiseasy,bydisregardingit,gainsassuredpraiseforclemency.Thoseplaced
inlowlystationaremorefreetouseforce,toquarrel,torushintoabrawl,andtoindulge
theirwrathwhentheoddsarematched,blowsfalllightbutinaking,evenloudspeech
andunbridledwordsillaccordwithhismajesty.Youthinkthatitisaseriousmatterto
deprivekingsoftherightoffreespeech,whichbelongstothehumblestman."That,"you
say,"isservitude,notsovereignty."What?areyounotawarethatthesovereigntyisours,
theservitudeyours?{HenV+}Far
<Ess1377>
ONMERCY,I.viii.15
differentisthepositionofthosewhoescapenoticeinacrowdthattheydonotovertop,
whosevirtuesmuststrugglelonginordertobeseen,whoseviceskeepunderthecover
ofobscuritybutthewordsanddeedsofsuchasyouarecaughtupbyrumour,and,
consequently,noneshouldbemoreconcernedaboutthecharacteroftheirreputation
thanthosewho,nomatterwhatreputationtheymaydeserve,aresuretohaveagreat
one.Howmanythingstherearewhichyoumaynotdo,whichwe,thankstoyou,maydo!
ItisposibleformetowalkalonewithoutfearinanypartofthecityIplease,thoughno
companionattendsme,thoughIhavenoswordatmyhouse,noneatmysideyou,amid
thepeaceyoucreate,mustlivearmed.Youcannotescapefromyourlotitbesetsyou,
and,wheneveryouleavetheheights,itpursuesyouwithitsmagnificence.Inthislies
theservitude+ofsupremegreatnessthatitcannotbecomelessgreatbutyoushare
withthegodsthatinevitablecondition.Foreventheyareheldinbondagebyheaven,andit
isnomorelawfulforthemtoleavetheheightsthanitissafeforyouyouarenailedtoyour
pinnacle.Ourmovementsarenoticedbyfewwemaycomeforthandretireandchange
ourdresswithouttheworldbeingawareyoucannomorehideyourselfthanthesun.A
floodoflightsurroundsyoutowardsiteveryoneturnshiseyes.Thinkyouto"come
forth"?Nay,yourise./aYoucannotspeakbutthatallthenationsoftheearthhearyour
voiceyoucannotbeangrywithoutcausingeverythingtotremble,becauseyoucannot
strikeanyonedownwithoutshakingallthatisaroundhim.Asthelightning'sstrokeis
dangerousforthefew,thoughfearedbyall,sothepunishmentbornof
<Ess1379>
ONMERCY,I.viii.5ix.2
greatpowerIcauseswiderterrorthanharm,andnotwithoutreasonforwhenthedoeris
omnipotent,menconsidernothowmuchhehasdone,buthowmuchheislikelytodo.
Consider,too,thatwhereasprivatecitizens,byenduringthewrongsalreadyreceived,lie
moreopentoreceivingothers,yetkingsbyclemencygainasecuritymoreassured,
becauserepeatedpunishment,whileitcrushesthehatredofafew,stirsthehatredofall.
Theinclinationtoventone'srageshouldbelessstrongthantheprovocationforit
otherwise,justastreesthathavebeentrimmedthrowoutagaincountlessbranches,and
asmanykindsofplantsarecutbacktomakethemgrowthicker,sothecrueltyofaking
byremovinghisenemiesincreasestheirnumberfortheparentsandchildrenofthose
whohavebeenkilled,theirrelativestooandtheirfriends,stepintotheplaceofeachsingle
victim.
ByanexamplefromyourownfamilyIwishtoremindyouhowtruethisis.The
deifiedAugustuswasamildprinceifoneshouldundertaketojudgehimfromthetimeof
hisprincipatebutwhenhesharedthestatewithothers,/ahewieldedthesword.
Whenhewasatyourpresentage,havingjustpassedhiseighteenthyear,/bhehad
alreadyburiedhisdaggerinthebosomoffriendshehadalreadyinstealthaimedablow
atthesideoftheconsul,MarkAntonyhehadalreadybeenapartnerinproscription.But
whenhehadpassedhisfortiethyearandwasstayinginGaul,/ctheinformationwas
broughttohimthatLuciusCinna/dadullwittedman,wasconcoctingaplotagainsthim.
HewastoldwhereCorneliusCinna,soninlawofPompey,wasthefatherofthe
conspirator.
<Ess1381>
ONMERCY,I.ix.26
andwhenandhowhemeanttoattackhimoneoftheaccomplicesgavetheinformation.
Augustusresolvedtorevengehimselfuponthefellow,andorderedacouncilofhisfriends
tobecalled.Hespentarestlessnight,reflectingthatitwasayoungmanofnoblebirth,
blamelessbutforthisact,thegrandsonofGnaeusPompeius,whowastobe
condemned.Hecouldnotnowbeartokilloneman,hetowhomMarkAntonyhaddictated
theedictofproscriptionwhiletheydined.Hemoaned,andnowandthenwouldburstforth
intofitfulandinconsistentspeech:"Whatthen?shallIletmymurdererwalkaboutin
unconcernwhileIamfilledwithfear?What!Shallhenotpaythepenaltywho,soughtin
vainasmylifehasbeeninsomanycivilwars,savedunhurtinsomanybattlesoffleets
andarmies,nowthatpeaceprevailsonlandandsea,isdeterminingnottomurderbutto
immolateme?"(fortheplanwastoattackhimwhileofferingsacrifice).Again,afteran
intervalofsilence,inloudertonehewouldexpressmuchgreaterindignationathimself
thanatCinna:"Whydoyouliveonifsomanyareconcernedtohaveyoudie?Whatend
willtherebeofpunishments,andofbloodshed?Iamtheobviousvictimforwhomyoung
menofnoblebirthshouldwhettheirswords.IfsomanymustperishinorderthatImay
not,mylifeisnotworththeprice."AtlengthLivia,hiswife,brokeinandsaid:"Willyoutake
awoman'sadvice?Followthepracticeofphysicians,whowhentheusualremediesdo
notworktryjusttheopposite.Sofaryouhaveaccomplishednothingbyseverity.
Salvidienus/awasfollowedbyLepidus,LepidusbyMurena,MurenabyCaepio,Caepioby
Egnatius,/b,tosaynothingofthe
<Ess1383>
ONMERCY,I.ix.610
otherswhosemonstrousdaringmakesoneashamed.Trynowhowmercywillwork:
pardonLuciusCinna.Hehasbeenarrestednowhecannotdoyouharm,buthecanhelp
yourreputation."Happytohavefoundasupporter,hethankedhiswife,thenorderedthat
therequesttothefriendswhohadbeenaskedtotheconferencebeatonce
countermanded,andsummonedonlyCinnatohispresence.Havingsenteveryoneelse
fromtheroom,heorderedasecondchairtobeplacedforCinnaandsaid:"Myfirst
requestofyouis,thatyouwillnotinterruptmewhileIamtalking,thatyouwillnotinthe
courseofmywordsutteraprotestyouwillbegivenfreeopportunitytospeak.Cinna,
thoughIfoundyouinthecampoftheenemy,notmade,butborn,mydeadlyfoe,Isaved
you,Iallowedyoutokeepthewholeofyourfather'sestate.Todayyouaresoprosperous,
sorich,thatyourconquerorsenvyyou,theconquered.Whenyousoughtholyoffice,I
gaveittoyou,passingovermanywhosefathershadfoughtunderme.Thoughsuchis
theservicethatIhavedoneyou,youhavedeterminedtokillme."Whenatthesewords
Cinnacriedoutthathewasfarfromsuchmadness,hesaid:"Youarenotkeepingfaith,
Cinnaitwasagreedthatyouwerenottointerrupt.Youaremakingready,Isay,tokill
me."Hementioned,further,theplace,hisconfederates,theplanoftheplot,theonewho
hadbeenentrustedwiththedagger.AndwhenhesawthatCinnahaddroppedhiseyes,
silentnow,notbecauseofhiscompact,butbecauseofhisconscience,hesaid:"Whatis
yourpurposeinthis?Isitthatyouyourselfmaybecometheprince?Onmyword,the
Romanpeoplearehardputtoitifnothingstandsinthe<Ess1385>
ONMERCY,I.ix.10x.1
wayofyourrulingexceptme.Youcannotguardyourownhousejustlatelytheinfluence
ofamerefreedmandefeatedyouinaprivatesuitplainly,nothingcanbeeasierforyou
thantotakeactionagainstCaesar!Tellme,ifIaloneblockyourhopes,willPaulusand
FabiusMaximusandtheCossiandtheServiliiandthegreatlineofnobles,whoarenot
therepresentativesofemptynames,butadddistinctiontotheirpedigreewilltheseput
upwithyou?"Nottofillupagreatpartofmybookinrepeatingallhiswordsforheis
knowntohavetalkedmorethantwohours,lengtheningoutthisordealwithwhichalonehe
intendedtobecontentatlasthesaid:"Cinna,asecondtimeIgrantyouyourlifethefirst
timeyouwereanopenenemy,now,aplotterandaparricide.Fromthisdaylettherebea
beginningoffriendshipbetweenusletusputtothetestwhichoneofusactsinbetter
faithIingrantingyouyourlife,oryouinowingittome."Laterhe,unsolicited,bestowed
uponhimtheconsulship,chidinghimbecausehedidnotboldlystandfortheoffice.He
foundCinnamostfriendlyandloyal,andbecamehissoleheir.Nooneplottedagainsthim
further.
Yourgreatgreatgrandfathersparedthevanquishedforifhehadnotsparedthem,
whomwouldhehavehadtorule?SallustiusandaCocceiusandaDeilliusandthewhole
innercircleofhiscourtherecruitedfromthecampofhisopponentsandnowitwashis
ownmercifulnessthatgavehimaDomitius,aMessala,anAsinius,aCicero,andallthe
flowerofthestate.WhatalongtimewasgrantedevenLepidustodie!Formany
<Ess1387>
ONMERCY,I.x.1xi.1
yearshesufferedhimtoretaintheinsigniaofaruler,andonlyaftertheother'sdeathdid
hepermittheofficeofchiefpontifftobetransferredtohimselfforhepreferredtohaveit
calledanhonourratherthanaspoil.Thismercifulnessledhimontosafetyandsecurity,
thismadehimpopularandbeloved,althoughthenecksoftheRomanpeoplehadnotyet
beenhumbledwhenhelaidhanduponthemandtodaythispreservesforhima
reputationwhichisscareelywithinthepowerofrulersevenwhiletheylive.Agodwe
believehimtobe,butnotbecausewearebiddenthatAugustuswasagoodprince,that
hewelldeservedthenameoffather,thisweconfessfornootherreasonthanbecausehe
didnotavengewithcrueltyeventhepersonalinsultswhichusuallystingaprincemore
thanwrongs,becausewhenhewasthevictimoflampoonshesmiled,becausehe
seemedtosufferpunishmentwhenhewasexactingit,becausehewassofarfromkilling
thevariousmenwhomhehadconvictedofintriguingwithhisdaughter/athathebanished
themfortheirgreatersafety,andgavethemtheircredentials.Notmerelytogrant
deliverance,buttoguaranteeit,whenyouknowthattherewillbemanytotakeupyour
quarrelanddoyouthefavourofsheddinganenemy'sbloodthisisreallytoforgive.Such
wasAugustuswhenhewasold,orjustuponthevergeofoldage.Inyouthhewas
hotheaded,flaredupwithanger,anddidmanythingswhichhelookedbackuponwith
regret.TocomparethemildnessofthedeifiedAugustuswithyoursnoonewilldare,even
iftheyearsofyouthshallbebroughtintocompetitionwithanoldage
<Ess1389>
ONMERCY,I.xi.1xii.1
thatwasmorethanripe.Grantedthathewasrestrainedandmercifulyes,tobesure,but
itwasafterActium'swatershadbeenstainedawithRomanblood,afterhisownandan
enemy'sfleethadbeenwreckedoffSicily,/baftertheholocaustofPerusia/candthe
proscriptions.I,surely,donotcallwearinessofcrueltymerey.Truemercy,Caesar,isthis
whichyoudisplay,whicharisesfromnoregretforviolence,thatbearsnostainandnever
shedacompatriot'sblood.Inapositionofunlimitedpowerthisisinthetruestsense
selfcontrolandanallembracingloveofthehumanraceevenasofoneselfnottobe
pervertedbyanylowdesire,orbyhastinessofnature,orbytheprecedentofearlier
princesintotestingbyexperimentwhatlicenceonemayemployagainstfellowcitizens,
butrathertodulltheedgeofsupremepower.Yourgift,Caesar,isastateunstainedby
blood,andyourpridefulboastthatinthewholeworldyouhaveshednotadropofhuman
bloodisthemoresignificantandwonderfulbecausenooneeverhadtheswordputinto
hishandsatanearlierage.
Mercy,then,makesrulersnotonlymorehonoured,butsafer,andisatthesame
timethegloryofsovereignpoweranditssurestprotection.Forwhyisitthatkingshave
grownoldandhavehandedontheirthronestochildrenandgrandchildren,whiletyrants'
swayisaccursedandshort?Whatdifferenceistherebetweenatyrantandaking(for
theyarealikeinthemereoutwardshowoffortuneandextentofpower),exceptthat
tyrantsarecrueltoservetheirpleasure,kingsonlyforareasonandbynecessity?"What
then?"yousay"donotkingsalsooften<Ess1391>
ONMERCY,I.xii.14
kill?"Yes,butonlywhentheyareinducedtodosoforthegoodofthestate.Tyrantstake
delightincruelty.Butthedifferencebetweenatyrantandakingisoneofdeeds,notof
nameforwhiletheelderDionysiusamayjustlyanddeservedlybecountedbetterthan
manykings,whatkeepsLuciusSullafrombeingstyledatyrant,whosekillingwas
stoppedonlybyadearthoffoes?Thoughheabdicatedthedictatorshipandreturnedto
privatelife,yetwhattyranteverdranksogreedilyofhumanbloodashe,whoordered
seventhousandRomancitizenstobebutcheredatonetime,andwho,ashesatnearby
atthetempleofBellonaandheardthemingledcryofthemanythousandsmoaning
beneaththesword,saidtotheterrorstrickensenate,"Letusattendtobusiness,
GentlemenoftheSenateonlyafewseditiouspersonsarebeingkilledbymyorder"?This
wasnolietoSullatheyseemedafew.ButmoreaboutSullabyandby,whenweshall
takeupthequestionofthesortofangerweshouldhaveforenemies,particularlyif
fellowcountrymenhavebrokenawayfromthebodypoliticandpassedoverintothe
categoryofenemies.Meanwhile,asIwassaying,itismercythatmakesthedistinction
betweenakingandatyrantasgreatasitis,thoughbothareequallyfencedaboutwith
armsbuttheoneusesthearmswhichhehastofortifygoodwill,theothertocurbgreat
hatredbygreatfear,andyettheveryhandstowhichhehasentrustedhimselfhecannot
viewwithoutconcern.Conflictingcausesforcehimtoconflictingcoursesforsinceheis
hatedbecauseheisfeared,hewishestobefeared
<Ess1393>
ONMERCY,I.xii.4xiii.2
becauseheishated,andnotknowingwhatfrenzyisengenderedwhenhatredgrowstoo
great,hetakesasamottothataccursedversewhichhasdrivenmanytotheirfall:
Letthemhate,ifonlytheyfear./a
Nowfearinmoderationrestrainsmen'spassions,butthefearthatisconstantand
sharpandbringsdesperationarousesthesluggishtoboldness,andurgesthemtostopat
nothing.Inthesameway,astringoffeathersmaykeepwildbeastshemmedin,butleta
horsemancomeuponthemfrombehindwithjavelins,andtheywilltrytoescapethrough
theveryobjectsthathadmadethemrun,andwilltrampledowntheirfear.Nocourageis
soboldasthatforcedbyutterdesperation.Fearshouldleavesomesenseofsecurity,
andholdoutmuchmoreofhopethanofperilotherwise,ifaninoffensivemanismadeto
fearthesameperilasothers,hetakespleasureinrushingintoperilandmakinganendof
alifethatisforfeit.
Akingthatispeaceableandgentlefindshisguardstrusty,sinceheemploysthem
forthecommonsafety,andthesoldier,seeingthatheisgivinghisserviceforthesecurity
ofthestate,isproudandwillingtoundergoanyhardshipasaprotectorofthefatherofhis
countrybuthethatisharshandbloodthirstyinevitablygetstheillwillofhisown
henchmen.Itisimpossibleforanyonetoholdthegoodwillandloyaltyofservitorswhom
heuses,liketherackandtheaxe,asinstrumentsoftortureanddeath,towhomheflings
menashewouldtowildbeastsnoprisoneratthebarissotroubledandanxiousashe,
seeingthatheisinfearofmenandgods,thewitnessesandtheavengersofcrimes,yet
hasreachedapointwhere
<Ess1395>
ONMERCY,I.xiii.25
hehasnotthepowertochangehisconduct.Foraddedtoalltherest,thisisstillcruelty's
greatestcursethatonemustpersistinit,andnoreturntobetterthingsisopenforcrime
mustbesafeguardedbycrime.{Macbeth+}Butwhatcreatureismoreunhappythanthe
manwhonowcannothelpbeingwicked?Awretchtobepitied,atleastbyhimself!forthat
othersshouldpityhimwouldbeacrimeamanwhohasutilizedhispowerformurder
andpillage,whohascausedmistrustofallhisdealingswhetherathomeorabroad,who
resortstotheswordbecausehefearsthesword,whotrustsneithertheloyaltyoffriends
northeaffectionofhischildrenwho,whenhehassurveyedwhathehasdoneandwhat
heintendstodo,andhaslaidbarehisconscienceburdenedwithcrimesandtorturings,
oftenfearstodiebutmoreoftenpraysfordeath,morehatefulasheistohimselfthanto
hisservitors.Ontheotherhand,hewhosecareembracesall,who,whileguardinghere
withgreatervigilance,therewithless,yetfosterseachandeverypartofthestateasa
portionofhimselfwhoisinclinedtothemildercourseevenifitwouldprofithimtopunish,
showingthushowloathheistoturnhishandtoharshcorrectionwhosemindisfree
fromallhostility,fromallbrutalitywhosocovetstheapprobationofhiscountrymenupon
hisactsasrulerthathewieldshispowerwithmildnessandfortheirgoodwhothinks
himselfaboundinglyhappyifhecanmakethepublicsharersinhisowngoodfortunewho
isaffableinspeech,easyofapproachandaccess,lovableincountenance,whichmostof
allwinstheaffectionofthemasses,welldisposedtojustpetitionsandeventotheunjust
notharshsuchaonethewholestateloves,defends,
<Ess1397>
ONMERCY,I.xiii.5xlv.3
andreveres.Whatpeoplesayofsuchamanisthesameinsecretasinpublic.Theyare
eagertorearupsons,andthechildlessnessonceimposedbypublicillsisnowrelaxed
noonedoubtsthathischildrenwillhavecausetothankhimforpermittingthemtoseeso
happyanage.Suchaprince,protectedbyhisowngooddeeds,needsnobodyguardthe
armshewearsareforadornmentonly.What,then,ishisduty?Itisthatofthegood
parentwhoiswonttoreproveMschildrensometimesgently,sometimeswiththreats,
whoattimesadmonishesthemevenbystripes.Doesanyfatherinhissensesdisinherita
sonforhisfirstoffence?Onlywhengreatandrepeatedwrongdoinghasovercomehis
patience,onlywhenwhathefearsoutweighswhathereprimands,doesheresorttothe
decisivepenaltybutfirsthemakesmanyanefforttoreclaimacharacterthatisstill
unformed,thoughinclinednowtothemoreevilsidewhenthecaseishopeless,hetries
extrememeasures.Nooneresortstotheexactionofpunishmentuntilhehasexhausted
allthemeansofcorrection.Thisisthedutyofafather,anditisalsothedutyofaprince,
whomnotinemptyflatterywehavebeenledtocall"theFatherofhisCountry."Forother
designationshavebeengrantedmerelybywayofhonoursomewehavestyled"the
Great,""theFortunate,"and"theAugust,"andwehaveheapeduponpretentious
greatnessallpossibletitlesasatributetosuchmenbutto"theFatherofhisCountry"we
havegiventhenameinorderthathewayknowthathehasbeenentrustedwithafather's
power,whichismostforbearinginitscarefortheinterestsofhischildrenand
subordinateshisowntotheirs.Slowwouldafatherbetoseverhisownflesh
<Ess1399>
ONMERCY,I.xiv.3xv.4
andbloodaye,afterseveringhewouldyearntorestorethem,andwhileseveringhe
wouldmoanaloud,hesitatingoftenandlongforhecomesneartocondemninggladly
whocondemnsswiftly,andtopunishingunjustlywhopunishesunduly.
WithinmymemorythepeopleintheforumstabbedTricho,aRomanknight,with
theirwritingstylesbecausehehadfloggedhissontodeathAugustusCaesar'sauthority
barelyrescuedhimfromtheindignanthandsoffathersnolessthanofsons.Tarius,on
theotherhand,havingdetectedhissoninaplotagainsthislife,whenafterinvestigating
thecasehefoundhimguilty,wontheadmirationofeveryonebecause,satisfyinghimself
withexileandaluxuriousexilehedetainedtheparricideatMarseilles,/afurnishinghim
withthesameliberalallowancethathehadbeeninthehabitofgivinghimbeforehisguilt
theeffectofthisgenerositywasthat,inacommunitywhereavillainneverlacksa
defender,noonedoubtedthattheaccusedmanhadbeenjustlycondemned,sincethe
fatherwhocouldnothatehimhadfounditpossibletocondemnhim.Iwillnowusethis
verycasetoshowyouanexampleofagoodprincewithwhomyoumaycomparethe
goodfather.WhenTariuswasreadytoopentheinquiryonhisson,heinvitedAugustus
CaesartoattendthecouncilAugustuscametothehearthofaprivatecitizen,satbeside
him,andtookpartinthedeliberationofanotherhousehold.Hedidnotsay,"Rather,letthe
mancometomyhouse"for,ifhehad,theinquirywouldhavebeenconductedbyCaesar
andnotbythefather.Whenthecasehadbeenheardandalltheevidencehadbeensifted
whattheyoungfellowsaidinhisdefense,and
<Ess1401>
ONMERCY,I.xv.4xvi.1
whatwasbroughtupinaccusationagainsthimCaesarrequestedeachmantogivehis
verdictinwriting,lestallshouldvoteaccordingtohislead.Then,beforethetabletswere
opened,hesolemnlydeclaredthathewouldacceptnobequestfromTarius,whowasa
richman.Somewillsay,"Heshowedweaknessinfearingthathemightseemtobetrying
toclearthefieldforhisownprospectsbysentencingtheson."Ithinkdifferentlyanyone
ofusmightwellhavehadenoughfaithinhisowngoodconsciencetowithstandhostile
criticism,butprincesareboundtogivemuchheedeventoreport.Hesolemnlydeclared
thathewouldnotacceptabequest.Tariusdidindeedononeandthesamedaylosea
secondheir/aalso,butCaesarsavedtheintegrityofhisvoteandafterhehadprovedthat
hisseveritywasdisinterestedforaprinceshouldalwayshaveregardforthishesaid
thatthesonoughttobebanishedtowhateverplacethefathershoulddecide.His
sentencewasnotthesack,/bnorserpents,norprison,sincehisthoughtwasnotofthe
manonwhomhewaspassingsentence,butofhimforwhomhewasactingas
counsellor.Hesaidthatthemildestsortofpunishmentoughttosatisfyafatherinthe
caseofasonwhowasveryyouthfulandhadbeenmovedtocommitthiscrime,butin
committingithadshownhimselffaintheartedwhichwasnextdoortobeinginnocent
thereforethesonshouldbebanishedfromthecityandfromhisfather'ssight.Howworthy
hewasofbeingaskedbyparentstosharetheircounsels!Howworthyofbeingrecorded
acoheirwiththechildrenwhowereinnocent!Thisisthespiritofmercythatgracesthe
princewhereverhegoesheshouldmakeeverythingmorepeaceable.
<Ess1403>
ONMERCY,I.xvi.15
Intheeyesofarulerletnomancountforsolittlethathisdestructionisnotnoted
behewhathemay,heispartoftherealm.Fromtheformsoflesserpowerletusdrawa
parallelforgreatpower.Thereismorethanonekindofpower,aprincehaspowerover
hissubjects,afatheroverhischildren,ateacheroverhispupils,atribuneoracenturion
overhissoldiers.Willhenotseemtheworstsortoffatherwhocontrolshischildrenby
constantwhippingsforeventhemosttriflingoffences?Andofteachers,whichwillreflect
morecreditupontheliberalstudiestheonewhowilldrawthebloodofhispupilsiftheir
memoryisweak,oriftheeyeisnotquickandlagsinreading,ortheonewhochooses
ratherbykindadmonitionandasenseofshametocorrect,andsototeach,hispupils?
Showmeatribuneorcenturionthatisharshhewillcausedeserters,whoallthesame/a
arepardonable.Isitjust,Iask,thatmanshouldbesubjectedtosevererandharsherrule
thandumbbeasts?Andyetthehorseisnotpliedwiththelashandterrifiedbythe
horsebreakerwhoisanexpertforitwillgrowfearfulandobstinateunlessitissoothed
withcaressinghand.Thesameistrueofthehunter,whetherheisteachingyoungdogs
tofollowthetrail,ormakesuseofthosealreadytrainedforroutingoutthegameor
runningitdown:heneitheremploysconstantthreats(forthatwillbreaktheirspirit,andall
theirnativequalitieswillbegraduallylostinatimidityunworthyoftheirbreed),nordoeshe
allowthemtorangeandroamaroundwithoutrestraint.Thisappliesagaintodriversofthe
moresluggishbeastsofburden,which,thoughtheyareborntoabuseandmisery,may
bedriventorefusetheyokebytoomuchcruelty.
<Ess1405>
ONMERCY,I.xvii.
Nocreatureismoredifficultoftemper,noneneedstobehandledwithgreaterskill,
thanman,andtononeshouldmoremercybeshown.Forwhatismoresenselessthanto
subjectmantothefoulesttreatmentatthehandsofman,whileonewillblushtoventhis
angeronbeastsofburdenanddogs?Diseasesdonotmakeusangrywetrytocure
themyetheretooisadisease,butoftheminditrequiresgentletreatment,andoneto
treatitwhoisanythingbuthostiletohispatient.Itisapoorphysicianthatlacksfaithinhis
abilitytocureandhewhohasbeenentrustedwiththelifeofallthepeopleoughttoact
uponthesameprincipleindealingwiththosewhosemindisdiseasedheoughtnottobe
tooquicktogiveuphopeortopronouncethesymptomsfatalheshouldwrestlewiththeir
troublesandstaythemsomeheshouldreproachwiththeirmalady,someheshould
dupebyasugareddoseinordertomakeaquickerandabettercurebyusingdeceptive
remediestheaimoftheprinceshouldbenotmerelytorestorethehealth,butalsoto
leavenoshamefulscar.Nogloryredoundstoarulerfromcruelpunislinientforwho
doubtshisabilitytogiveit?but,ontheotherhand,thegreatestgloryishisifheholdshis
powerincheck{Prospero+},ifherescuesmanyfromthewrathofothers,ifhesacrifices
nonetohisown.
Itispraiseworthytouseauthorityoverslaveswithmoderation.Eveninthecaseof
i.humanchattelyoushouldconsidernothowmuchhecanbemadetosufferwithout
retaliating,buthowmuchyouarepermittedtoinflictbytheprinciplesofequityandright,
whichrequirethatmercyshouldbeshowneventocaptivesandpurchasedslaves.
<Ess1407>
ONMERCY,I.xviii.1xix.2
Withhowmuchmorejusticedotheyrequirethatfree,freeborn,andreputablemen
shouldnotbetreatedasmerechattels,butasthosewho,outstrippedbyyouinrank,have
beencommittedtoyourchargetobe,notyourslaves,butyourwards.Evenslaveshave
therightofrefugeatthestatueofagodandalthoughthelawallowsanythingindealing
withaslave,yetindealingwithahumanbeingthereisanextremewhichtheright
commontoalllivingcreaturesrefusestoallow.WhodidnothateVediusPollioevenmore
thanhisownslavesdid,becausehewouldfatttenhislampreysonhumanblood,and
orderthosewhohadforsomereasonincurredhisdispleasuretobethrownintohis
fishpondorwhynotsayhissnakepreserve?Themonster!Hedeservedtodiea
thousanddeaths,whetherhethrewhisslavesasfoodtolampreyshemeanttoeat,or
whetherhekeptlampreysonlytofeedthemonsuchfood!
Evenascruelmastersarepointedatwithscornthroughoutthewholecity,andare
hatedandloathed,sowithkingswhilethewrongtheydoextendsmorewidely,theinfamy
andhatredwhichtheyincurishandeddowntotheages.Buthowmuchbetternottohave
beenbornthantobecountedamongthoseborntothepublicharm!
Itwillbeimpossibleforonetoimagineanythingmoreseemlyforarulerthanthe
qualityofmercy,nomatterinwhatmannerorwithwhatjusticehehasbeensetoverother
men.Weshalladmit,ofcourse,thatthisqualityisthemorebeautifulandwonderful,the
greaterthepowerunderwhichitisdisplayedandthispowerneednotbeharmfulifitis
adjustedtoNature'slaw.ForNatureherself
<Ess1409>
ONMERCY,I.XIX.25
conceivedtheideaofking,aswemayrecognizefromthecaseofbeesandother
creaturestheking/aofthebeeshastheroomiestcell,placedinthecentralandsafest
spotbesides,hedoesnowork,butsuperintendstheworkoftheothers,andiftheylose
theirking,theyallscattertheynevertoleratemorethanoneatatime,andtheydiscover
thebestonebymeansofafight/bmoreovertheappearanceofthekingisstrikingand
differentfromthatoftheothersbothinsizeandbeauty.Hisgreatestmarkofdistinction,
however,liesinthis:beesaremosteasilyprovoked,and,forthesizeoftheirbodies,
excellentfighters,andwheretheywoundtheyleavetheirstingsbutthekinghimselfhas
nosting.Naturedidnotwishhimtobecruelortoseekarevengethatwouldbesocostly,
andsosheremovedhisweapon,andlefthisangerunarmed.
GreatkingswillfindhereinamightyprecedentforitisNature'swaytoexercise
herselfinsmallmatters,andtobestowthetiniest/cproofsofgreatprinciples.Shameful
wereitnottodrawalessonfromthewaysofthetinycreatures,since,asthemindof
manhassomuchmorepowertodoharm,itoughttoshowthegreaterselfcontrol.
Wouldatleastthatamanweresubjecttothesamelaw,andthathisangerbrokeoff
alongwithhisweapon,andthathecouldnotinjuremorethanonceorusethestrengthof
etherstowreakhishatredforhewouldsoongrowwearyofhisrageifhehadno
instrumenttosatisfyitbuthimself,andifbygivingreintohisviolenceherantheriskof
death.Butevenasitis,suchamanhasnosafecourseforhemustfearasmuchashe
wishestobefeared,mustwatchthehandsofeveryperson,andcounthimself
<Ess1411>
ONMERCY,I.xix.58
assailedevenwhennooneisforlayingholdonhim,andnotamomentmusthehavethat
isfreefromdread.Wouldanyoneenduretolivesuchalifewhen,doingnoharmtoothers
andconsequentlyfearless,hemightexercisebeneficentlyhisprivilegeofpowertothe
happinessofall?Forifanyonethinksthatakingcanabideinsafetywherenothingissafe
fromtheking,heiswrongforthepriceofsecurityisaninterchangeofsecurity.Hehas
noneedtorearonhighhistoweringcastles,ortowallaboutsteephillsagainstasceent,
ortocutawaythesidesofmountains,ortoencirclehimselfwithrowsofwallsand
turretsthroughmercyakingwillbeassuredofsafetyonanopenplain.Hisone
impregnabledefenceistheloveofhiscountrymen.Andwhatismoregloriousthantolive
alifewhichallmenhopemaylast,andforwhichallvoicetheirprayerswhenthereisnone
towatchthem?toexcitemen'sfears,nottheirhopes,ifone'shealthgiveswayalittle?to
havenooneholdanythingsopreciousthathewouldnotgladlygiveitinexchangeforhis
chieftain'ssafety?Oh,surelyamansofortunatewouldoweitalsotohimselftolive/ato
thatendhehasshownbyconstantevidencesofhisgoodness,notthatthestateishis,
butthatheisthestate's.{Prospero+}Whowoulddaretodeviseanydangerforsucha
man?Whowouldnotwishtoshieldhimifhecould,evenfromthechanceofillhim
beneathwhoseswayjustice,peace,chastity,security,andhonourflourish,underwhom
thestateaboundsinwealthandastoreofallgoodthings?Nordoesitgazeuponitsruler
withotheremotionthan,didtheyvouchsafehisthepowerofbeholdingthem,weshould
gazeupontheimmortalgodswith
<Ess1413>
ONMERCY,I.xix.8xxi.1
venerationandwithworship.Buttellme:hewhobearshimselfinagodlikemanner,who
isbeneficentandgenerousanduseshispowerforthebetterenddoeshenotholda
placesecondonlytothegods?{Prospero+}Itiswellthatthisshouldbeyouraim,this
yourideal:tobeconsideredthegreatestman,onlyifatthesametimeyouareconsidered
thebest.
Aprinceusuallyinflictspunishmentforoneoftworeasons,toavengeeither
himselforanother.Ishallfirstdiscussthesituationinwhichheispersonallyconcerned
formoderationismoredifficultwhenvengeanceservestheendofanger+ratherthanof
discipline.Atthispointitisneedlesstocautionhimtobeslowinbelieving,toferretoutthe
truth,tobefriendinnocence,andtorememberthattoprovethisisasmuchthebusiness
ofthejudgeasofthemanundertrialforallthisconcernsjustice,notmercy.WhatInow
urgeisthat,althoughhehasbeenclearlyinjured,heshouldkeephisfeelingsunder
control,and,ifhecaninsafety,shouldremitthepunishmentifnot,thatheshouldmodify
it,andbefarmorewillingtoforgivewrongsdonetohimselfthantoothers.Forjustasthe
magnanimousmanisnotbewhomakesfreewithwhatisanother's,buthewhodeprives
himselfofwhathegivestosomeoneelse,soIshallnotcallhimmercifulwhois
peaceablewhenthesmartisanother's,buthimwho,thoughthespurgallshimself,does
notbecomerestive,whounderstandsthatitismagnanimoustobrookinjuriesevenwhere
authorityissupreme,andthatthereisnothingmoregloriousthanaprincewho,though
wronged,remainsunavenged.
Vengeanceaccomplishesusuallyoneoftwopur
<Ess1415>
ONMERCY,I.xxi.13
poses:ifapersonhasbeeninjured,itgiveshimeitheracompensationorimmunityforthe
future.Butaprince'sfortuneistooexaltedforhimtofeeltheneedofcompensation,and
hispoweristooevidenttoleadhimtoseekareputationforpowerbyinjurytoanother.
That,Isay,isso,whenhehasbeenassailedandoutragedbyhisinferiorsforinthecase
offoeswhomheoncecountedhisequals,hehasvengeanceenoughifheseesthem
beneathMsheel.Aslave,asnake,oranarrowmayslayevenakingbutnoonehas
savedalifewhowasnotgreaterthantheonewhomhesaved.Consequentlyhewhohas
thepowertogiveandtotakeawaylifeoughttousethisgreatgiftofthegodsinanoble
spirit.Ifheattainsthismasteryoverthosewho,asheknows,onceoccupiedapinnacle
thatmatchedhisown,uponsuchespeciallyhehasalreadysatedhisrevengeand
accomplishedallthatgenuinepunishmentrequiredforthatmanhaslosthislifewho
owesittoanother,andwhosoever,havingbeencastdownfromhighestateathis
enemy'sfeet,hasawaitedtheverdictofanotheruponhislifeandthrone,livesontothe
gloryofhispreserver,andbybeingsavedconfersmoreupontheother'snamethanifhe
hadbeenremovedfromtheeyesofmen.Forheisalastingspectacleofanother's
prowessinatriumphhecouldhavepassedquicklyoutofsight.If,however,ithasbeen
possibleinsafetytoleavealsohisthroneinhispossession,andtorestorehimtothe
heightfromwhichhefell,thepraiseofhimwhowascontenttotakefromaconquered
kingnothinggbuthisglory{Douglas+}willriseinincreasinggreatness.Thisistotriumph
evenoverhisownvictory,andtoattestthathefoundamong
<Ess1417>
ONMERCY,I.xxi.4xxii.3
thevanquishednothingthatwasworthyofthevictor.Tohisfellowcountrymen,tothe
obscure,andtothelowlyheshouldshowthegreatermoderation,ashehasthelessto
gainbycrushingthem.Somemenweshouldbegladtospare,onsomeweshouldscorn
tobeavenged,andweshouldrecoilfromthemasfromthetinyinsectswhichdefilethe
handthatcrushesthembutinthecaseofthosewhosenameswillbeuponthelipsofthe
community,whethertheyaresparedorpunished,theopportunityforanotableclemency
shouldbemadeuseof.Letus,passnowtotheinjuriesdonetoothers,inthepunishment
ofwhichthesethreeaims,whichthelawhashadinview,shouldbekeptinviewalsoby
theprince:eithertoreformthemanthatispunished,orbypunishinghimtomaketherest
better,orbyremovingbadmentolettherestliveingreatersecurity.Youwillmoreeasily
reformtheculpritsthemselvesbythelighterformofpunishmentforhewilllivemore
guardedlywhohassomethinglefttolose.Nooneissparingofaruinedreputationit
bringsasortofexemptionfrompunishmenttohavenoroomleftforpunishment.The
moralsofthestate,moreover,arebettermendedbythesparinguseofpunitive
measuresforsinbecomesfamiliarfromthemultitudeofthosewhosin,andtheofficial
stigmaislessweightyifitsforceisweakenedbytheverynumberthatitcondemns,and
severity,whichprovidesthebestcorrective,losesitspotencybyrepeatedapplication.
Goodmoralsareestablishedinthestateandviceiswipedoutifaprinceispatientwith
vice,notasifheapprovedofit,butasifunwillinglyandwithgreatpainhehadresortto
chastisement.{Man_of_Mode+}Theverymercifulness
<Ess1419>
ONMERCY,I.xxii.3xxiv.1
oftherulermakesmenshrinkfromdoingwrongthepunishmentwhichakindlyman
decreesseemsallthemoresevere.
Youwillnotice,besides,thatthesinsrepeatedlypunishedarethesinsrepeatedly
committed.Yourfather/awithinfiveyearshadmoremensewedupinthesack/bthan,by
allaccounts,therehadbeenvictimsofthesackthroughoutalltime.Childrenventured
muchlessoftentoincurthesupremesinsolongasthecrimelayoutsidethepaleofthe
law.Forbysupremewisdomthemenofthehighestdistinctionandofthedeepestinsight
intothewaysofnaturechoserathertoignoretheoutrageasoneincredibleandpassing
theboundsofboldness,thanbypunishingittopointoutthepossibilityofitsbeingdone
andsothecrimeofparricidebeganwiththelawagainstit,andpunishmentshowed
childrenthewaytothedeedfilialpietywastrulyatitslowestebbafterthesackbecamea
morecommonsightthanthecross.Inthatstateinwhichmenarerarelypunisheda
sympathyforuprightnessisformed,andencouragementisgiventothisvirtueastoa
commongood.Letastatethinkitselfblameless,anditwillbesoitsangeragainstthose
whodepartfromthegeneralsobrietywillbegreaterifitseesthattheyarefew.Believe
me,itisdangeroustoshowastateinhowgreatamajorityevilmenare.Aproposalwas
oncemadeinthesenatetodistinguishslavesfromfreemenbytheirdressitthen
becameapparenthowgreatwouldbetheimpendingdangerifourslavesshouldbeginto
countournumber.Besurethatwehavealikedangertofearifnoman'sguiltispardoned
itwillsoonbecomeapparenthowgreatlytheworseelementofthestatepreponderates.
<Ess1421>
ONMERCY,I.xxiv.1xxv.2
Numerousexecutionsarenotlessdiscreditabletoaprincethanarenumerousfuneralsto
aphysicianthemoreindulgenttheruler,thebetterheisobeyed.Man'sspiritisbynature
refractory,itstrugglesagainstoppositionanddifficulty,andismorereadytofollowthanto
beledandaswellbredandhighspiritedhorsesarebettermanagedbyalooserein,soa
voluntaryuprightnessfollowsuponmercyunderitsownimpulse,andthestateaccounts
it/aworthytobemaintainedforthestate'sownsake.Bythiscourse,therefore,moregood
isaccomplished.
Crueltyisanevilthingbefittingleastofallaman,andisunworthyofhisspiritthat
issokindlyforonetotakedelightinbloodandwoundsand,throwingofftheman,to
changeintoacreatureofthewoods,isthemadnessofawildbeast.Forwhatdifference
doesitmake,Ibegofyou,Alexander,whetheryouthrowLysimachus/btoalion,or
yourselftearliontopieceswithyourteeth?Thatlion'smawisyours,andyoursits
savagery.Howpleasedyouwouldhavebeenhaditsclawsbeenyoursinstead,andyours
thosegapingjaws,bigenoughtoswallowmen!Wedonotrequireofyouthatthathandof
yours,thesurestdestructionoffamiliarfriends,shouldsavethelifeofanyman,thatyour
savagespirit,theinsatiatecurseofnations,shouldsateitselfwithanythingshortofblood
andslaughterwecallitnowamercyiftokillafriendthebutcherischosenamong
mankind.Thereasonwhybrutalityismostofallabhorredisthis:becauseittransgresses
firstallordinary,andthenallhuman,bounds,searchesoutnewkindsoftorture,calls
ingenuityintoplaytoinventdevicesbywhichsufferingmaybevariedandprolonged,and
takes
<Ess1423>
ONMERCY,I.xxv.2xxvi.1
delightintheafflictionsofmankindthenindeedthedreaddiseaseofthatman's/amind
hasreachedthefarthestlimitofinsanity+,whencrueltyhaschangedintopleasureandto
killahumanbeingnowbecomesajoy.Hotupontheheelsofsuchamanfollowloathing,
hatred,poison,andtheswordheisassailedbyasmanyperilsastherearemanymento
whomheishimselfaperil,andheisbesetsometimesbytheplotsofindividuals,at
times,indeed,byanuprisingofthecommunity.Forwholecitiesarenotrousedbythe
trivial,destructionofsingleindividualsbutthatwhichbeginstoragewidespreadandaims
atallbecomesthemarkofeveryweapon.Tinysnakespassunnoticedandnoorganized
huntismadeforthembutwhenoneexceedstheusualsizeandgrowsintoamonster,
whenitpoisonsspringswithitsvenom,withitsbreathscorchesanddestroys,then,
whereveritadvances,itisattackedwithenginesofwar.Pettyevilsmayeludeusand
escape,butwegooutagainstthegreatones.So,too,onesickpersoncausesno
confusioneveninhisownhouseholdbutwhenrepeateddeathsshowthataplague
prevails,thereisageneraloutcryandflightofthecommunity,andthreateninghandsare
liftedtowardthegodsthemselves.Ifafireisdiscoveredbeneathsomesingleroof,the
familyandtheneighbourspouronwaterbutawidespreadconflagrationthathasnow
consumedmanyhomesisputdownonlybythedestructionofhalfthecity.Thecruelty
evenofmeninprivatestationhasbeenavengedbythehandsofslavesdespitetheir
certainriskofcrucifixionnationsandpeopleshavesettoworktoextirpatethecrueltyof
tyrants,when
<Ess1425>
ONMERCY,I.xxvi.14
someweresufferingfromitandothersfeltitsmenace.Attimesthetyrants'ownguards
haverisenupagainstthem,andhavepractisedupontheirpersonsthetreacheryand
disloyaltyandbrutalityandallelsethattheythemselveshadtaughtthem.Forwhatcan
anyoneexpectfromhimwhomhehimselfhastaughttobebad?Wickednessisnot
obsequiouslong,norguiltyofcrimeonlytotheextentthatitisbid.Butsupposethatcruel
ruleissafe,whatsortofakingdomhasit?Nothingbutthebareoutlinesofcapturedcities
andtheterrorstrickencountenancesofwidespreadfear.Everywhereissorrow,panic,
anddisorderevenpleasuresgiverisetofearmenarenotsafewhentheygotothefestal
board,fortherethetongueevenofthedrunkardmustawarditselfwithears,nortothe
publicshowswherethematerialissoughtforaccusationandruin.Providedthoughthey
areathugeexpense,inregalopulence,andwithartistsofthechoicestreputation,yet
whomwouldgamesdelightinprison?
Yegods!whatcurseisthistokill,torage+,totakedelightintheclankofchainsandin
cuttingofftheheadsoffellowcountrymen,tospillstreamsofbloodwhereveronemaygo
andbyone'sappearancetoterrifyandrepel?Whatelsewouldlivingbeiflionsandbears
heldsway,ifserpents{Lear+}andallthecreaturesthataremostdestructiveweregiven
supremacyoverus?
These,devoidofreasonanddoomedtodeathbyusonthepleaoftheirferocity,yetspare
theirkind,andevenamongwildbeastslikenessformsasafeguardbuttyrantsdonot
withholdtheirfuryevenfromtheirkin,strangersandfriendsaretreatedjustalike,andthe
morethey
<Ess1427>
ONMERCY,I.xxvi.45
indulgetheirfury,themoreviolentitbecomes.Thenfromthemurderofoneandagain
anotheritcreepsontothewipingoutofnations,andtohurlthefirebrandontheroofsof
housesandtodrivetheploughoverancientcitiesareconsideredasignofpower,andto
orderthekillingofoneortwoisbelievedtobetoosmallashowofroyalmightunlessat
onetimeaherdofpoorwretchesstandsbeneaththeblade,rage+countsitscruelty
forcedundercontrol.
Truehappinessconsistsingivingsafetytomanyincallingbacktolifefromthe
veryvergeofdeath,andinearningtheciviccrown/abyshowingmercy.Nodecorationis
moreworthyoftheeminenceofaprinceormorebeautifulthanthatcrownbestowedfor
savingthelivesoffellowcitizensnottrophiestornfromavanquishedenemy,norchariots
stainedwithbarbarianblood,norspoilsacquiredinwar.Tosavelifebycrowdsand
universally,thisisagodlikeuseofpowerbuttokillinmultitudesandwithoutdistinctionis
thepowerofconflagrationandofruin.
<Ess1429>
TO\THEEMPERORNERO
ONMERCY
BOOKII
IHAVEbeenespeciallyinducedtowriteonmercybyasingleutteranceofyours,Nero
Caesar,whichIremember,whenitwasmade,Iheardnotwithoutadmirationand
afterwardsrepeatedtoothersanoble,highmindedutterance,showinggreat
gentleness,whichunpremeditatedandnotintendedforothers'earssuddenlyburstfrom
you,andbroughtintotheopenyourkindheartednesschafingagainstyourlot.Burrus,
yourprefect,arareman,borntoserveaprincelikeyou,wasabouttoexecutetwo
brigands,andwasbringingpressureuponyoutorecordtheirnamesandthereasonswhy
youwishedtheirexecutionthis,oftendeferred,hewasinsistingshouldatlastbedone.
Hewasreluctant,youwerereluctant,and,whenhehadproducedthepaperandwas
handingittoyou,youexclaimed,"WouldthatIhadnotlearnedtowrite."Whatan
utterance!AllnationsshouldhavehearditthosewhodwellwithintheRomanempire,
andthoseonitsborderswhoarescarcelyassuredoftheirliberty,andthosewhothrough
strengthorcourageriseupagainstit.Whatanutterance!Itshouldhavebeenspoken
<Ess1431>
ONMERCY,II,i.3ii.2
beforeagatheringofallmankind,thatuntoitprincesandkingsmightpledgeallegiance.
Whatanutterance!Worthyoftheuniversalinnocenceofmankind,infavourwhereofthat
longpastage/ashouldberenewed.Nowassuredlyitwerefittingthatmen,thrustingout
covetousnessfromwhichspringseveryeviloftheheart,shouldconspirefor
righteousnessandgoodness,thatpietyanduprightnessalongwithhonourand
temperanceshouldriseagain,andthatvice,havingmisuseditslongreign,shouldat
lengthgiveplacetoanageofhappinessandpurity.
Wearepleasedtohopeandtrust,Caesar,thatinlargemeasurethiswillhappen.
Thatkindnessofyourheartwillberecounted,willbediffusedlittlebylittlethroughoutthe
wholebodyoftheempire,andallthingswillbemouldedintoyourlikeness.Itisfromthe
headthatcomesthehealthofthebodyitisthroughitthatallthepartsarelivelyandalert
orlanguidanddroopingaccordingastheiranimatingspirithaslifeorwithers.Therewillbe
citizens,therewillbealliesworthyofthisgoodness,anduprightnesswillreturntothe
wholeworldyourhandswilleverywherebespared.Permitmetolingerlongeronthis
point,butnotmerelytopleaseyourearsforthatisnotmyway.{PlainDealer+}Iwould
ratheroffendwiththetruththanpleaseby
flattery.Whatthenismyreason?Besideswishingyoutobeasfamiliaraspossiblewith
yourowngooddeedsandwordsinorderthatwhatisnowanaturalimpulsemaybecome
aprinciple,Ireflectuponthis,thatmanystrikingbutodioussayingshavemadetheirentry
intohumanlifeandarebandiedaboutasfamousasforexample,"Letthemhateifonly
theyfear,"/bandtheGreekverse/csimilartoit,in
<Ess1433>
ONMERCY,II.ii.2iv.1
whichamanwouldhavetheearthconvulsedwithflamewhenonceheisdead,and
othersofthistype.Andsomehoworothergiftedmenwhendealingwithacrueland
hatefulthemehavemouldedviolentandpassionatethoughtsintomorefelicitousphrase
neverbeforehaveIheardfromgoodandgentlelipsanutterancethatwasfullofspirit.
Whatthenistheconclusion?Thoughitbeseldom,againstyourwill,andaftergreat
reluctance,yettherearetimeswhenyoumustwritethesortofthingthatmadeyouhate
allwriting,butyoumustdoit,asyounowdo,aftergreatreluctance,aftermuch
procrastination.Andinorderthatwemaynotperchancebedeceivedattimesbythe
plausiblenameofmercyandledintoanoppositequality,a/letusseewhatmercyis,what
isitsnature,andwhatitslimitations.
Mercymeansrestrainingthemindfromvengeancewhenithasthepowertotake
it,ortheleniencyofasuperiortowardsaninferiorinfixingpunishment.Inthefearthatone
definitionmaynotbecomprehensiveenough,and,sotospeak,thecase/bbelost,itis
safertoofferseveralandsomercymayalsobetermedtheinclinationofthemind
towardsleniencyinexactingpunishment.Thefollowingdefinitionwillencounter
objections,howevercloselyitapproachesthetruthifweshallsaythatmercyisthe
moderationwhichremitssomethingfromthepunishmentthatisdeservedanddue,itwill
beobjectedthatnovirtuegivestoanymanlessthanhisdue.Everybody,however,
understandsthatthefactofthecaseisthatmercyconsistsinstoppingshortofwhat
mighthavebeendeservedlyproposed.
Theillinformedthinkthatitsoppositeisstrict
<Ess1435>
ONMERCY,II.iv.14
nessbutnovirtueistheoppositeofavirtue.Whatthenissetoveragainstmercy?Itis
cruelty,whichisnothingelsethanharshnessofmindinexactingpunishment."But,"you
say,"therearesomewhodonotexactpunishment,andyetarecruel,suchasthosewho
killthestrangerstheymeet,notforthesakeofgain,butforthesakeofkilling,and,not
contentwithkilling,theytorture,asthenotoriousBusirisandProcrustes,andthepirates
wholashtheircaptivesandcommitthemtotheflamesalive."Thisindeediscrueltybut
becauseitdoesnotresultfromvengeancefornoinjurywassufferedandnosinstirsits
wrathfornocrimeprecededititfallsoutsideofourdefinitionforbythedefinitionthe
mentalexcesswaslimitedtotheexactionofpunishment.Thatwhichfindspleasurein
torturewemaysayisnotcruelty,butsavagerywemayevencallitmadnessforthere
arevariouskindsofmadness,andnoneismoreunmistakablethanthatwhichreaches
thepointofmurderingandmutilatingmen.Those,then,thatIshallcallcruelarethose
whohaveareasonforpunishing,butdonothavemoderationinit,likePhalaris,who,they
say,torturedmen,eventhoughtheywerenotinnocent,inamannerthatwasinhuman
andincredible.Avoidingsophistrywemaydefinecrueltytobetheinclinationofthemind
towardthesideofharshness.Thisqualitymercyrepelsandbidsitstandafarfromher
withstrictnesssheisinharmony.
Atthispointitispertinenttoaskwhatpityis.Formanycommenditasavirtue,
andcallapitifulmangood.Butthistooisamentaldefect.Weoughttoavoidboth,closely
relatedastheyaretostrictnessandtomercy.Forundertheguiseof
<Ess1437>
ONMERCY,II.iv.4v.4
strictnesswefallintocruelty,undertheguiseofmercyintopity.Inthelattercasealighter
riskisinvolved,itistrue,buttheerrorisequalinboth,sinceinbothwefallshortofwhatis
right.Consequently,justasreligiondoeshonourtothegods,whilesuperstitionwrongs
them,sogoodmenwillalldisplaymercyandgentleness,butpitytheywillavoidforitis
thefailingofaweaknaturethatsuccumbstothesightofothers'ills.Andsoitismost
oftenseeninthepooresttypesofpersonsthereareoldwomenandwretchedfemales
whoaremovedbythetearsoftheworstcriminals,who,iftheycould,wouldbreakopen
theirprison.Pityregardstheplight,notthecauseofitmercyiscombinedwithreason.
IamawarethatamongtheillinformedtheStoicschoolisunpopularontheground
thatitisexcessivelyharshandnotatalllikelytogivegoodcounseltoprincesandkings
thecriticismismadethatitdoesnotpermitawisemantobepitiful,doesnotpermithim
topardon.Suchdoctrine,ifstatedintheabstract,ishatefulfor,seemingly,nohopeisleft
tohumanerror,butallfailuresarebroughttopunishment.Andifthisisso,whatkindofa
theoryisitthatbidsusunlearnthelessonofhumanity,andclosesthesurestrefuge
againstillfortune,thehavenofmutualhelp?Butthefactis,noschoolismorekindlyand
gentle,nonemorefulloflovetomanandmoreconcernedforthecommongood,sothatit
isitsavowedobjecttobeofserviceandassistance,andtoregardnotmerelyself
interest,buttheinterestofeachandall.Pityisthesorrowofthemindbroughtaboutby
thesightofthedistressofothers,orsadnesscausedbytheillsofotherswhich
<Ess1439>
ONMERCY,II.v.4vi.3
itbelievescomeundeservedly.Butnosorrowbefallsthewisemanhismindisserene,
andnothingcanhappentobecloudit.Nothing,too,somuchbefitsamanassuperiorityof
mindbutthemindcannotatthesametimebesuperiorandsad.Sorrowbluntsits
powers,dissipatesandhampersthemthiswillnothappentoawisemaneveninthe
caseofpersonalcalamity,buthewillbeatbackalltherageoffortuneandcrushitfirsthe
willmaintainalwaysthesamecalm,unshakenappearance,andhecouldnotdothisifhe
wereaccessibletosadness.
Consider,further,thatthewisemanusesforesight,andkeepsinreadinessaplan
ofactionbutwhatcomesfromatroubledsourceisneverclearandpure.Sorrowisnot
adaptedtothediscernmentoffact,tothediscoveryofexpedients,totheavoidanceof
dangers,ortheweighingofjusticehe,consequently,willnotsufferpity,becausethere
cannotbepitywithoutmentalsuffering.AllelsewhichIwouldhavethosewhofeelpitydo,
hewilldogladlyandwithaloftyspirithewillbringrelieftoanother'stears,butwillnotadd
hisowntotheshipwreckedmanhewillgiveahand,totheexileshelter,totheneedy
almshewillnotdoasmostofthosewhowishtobethoughtpitifuldoflinginsultingly
theiralms,andscornthosewhomtheyhelpandshrinkfromcontactwiththembuthe
willgiveasamantohisfellowmanoutofthecommonstorehewillgranttoamother's
tearsthelifeofherson,thecaptive'schainshewillordertobebroken,hewillreleasethe
gladiatorfromhistraining,hewillburythecarcassevenofacriminal,buthewilldothese
thingswithunruffledmind,andacountenanceundercontrol.Thewiseman,therefore,will
notpity,butwillsuccour,
<Ess1441>
ONMERCY,II.vi.3vii.1
willbenefit,andsinceheisborntobeofhelptoallandtoservethecommon+good,he
willgivetoeachhissharethereof.Hewillextendaduemeasureofhisgoodnessevento
theunfortunateswhodeservetobecensuredanddisciplinedbutmuchmoregladlywill
hecometotherescueofthedistressedandthosestrugglingwithmishap.Wheneverhe
can,hewillparryFortune'sstrokeforinwhatwaywillhemakebetteruseofhis
resourcesorhisstrengththaninrestoringwhatchancehasoverthrown?And,too,hewill
notaverthiscountenanceorhissympathyfromanyonebecausehehasawitheredleg,
orisemaciatedandinrags,andisoldandleansuponastaffbutalltheworthyhewillaid,
andwill,likeagod,lookgraciouslyupontheunfortunate.Pityisakintowretchednessfor
itispartlycomposedofitandpartlyderivedfromit.Oneknowsthathiseyesareweakif
theytooaresuffusedatthesightofanother'sbleareyes,justasalwaystolaughwhen
otherpeoplelaughis,infaith,notmerriment,butadisease,andforonetostretchhisjaws
toowheneverybodyelseyawnsisadisease.Pityisaweaknessofthemindthatis
overmuchperturbedbysuffering,andifanyonerequiresitfromawiseman,thatisvery
muchlikerequiringhimtowailandmoanatthefuneralsofstrangers.
"But,"youask,"whywillhenotpardon?"Comethen,letusnowalsodecidewhat
pardonis,andweshallperceivethatthewisemanoughtnottograntit.Pardonisthe
remissionofadeservedpunishment.Whyawisemanoughtnottogivethisisexplained
moreatlengthbythosewhomakeapointofthedoctrineI,tospeakbrieflyasifgiving
<Ess1443>
ONMERCY,II.vii.13
another'sopinion,explainitthus:"Pardonisgiventoamanwhooughttobepunishedbut
awisemandoesnothingwhichheoughtnottodo,omitstodonothingwhichheoughtto
dothereforehedoesnotremitapunishmentwhichheoughttoexact.
Butinamorehonourablewayhewillbestowuponyouthatwhichyouwishtoobtainby
pardonforthewisemanwillshowmercy,beconsiderate,andrectifyhewilldothesame
thathewoulddoifhepardoned,andyethewillnotpardon,sincehewhopardonsadmits
thathehasomittedtodosomethingwhichheoughttohavedone.Toonemanhewillgive
merelyareproofinwords,andhewillnotinflictpunishmentifheseesthattheother'sage
willpermitreformationanotherwhoisclearlysufferingfromtheodiumofcrimehewill
ordertogofree,becausehewasmisled,becausewinemadehimfallhewilllethis
enemiesgounharmed,sometimesevenwithpraiseiftheywerestirredtofightby
honourablemotivestomaintaintheirloyalty,atreaty,ortheirliberty.Theseareallthe
operationsofmercy,notofforgiveness.Mercyhasfreedomindecisionitsentencesnot
bytheletterofthelaw,butinaccordancewithwhatisfairandgooditmayacquitandit
mayassessthedamagesatanyvalueitpleases.Itdoesnoneofthesethingsasifitwere
doinglessthanisjust,butasifthejustestthingwerethatwhichithasresolvedupon.But
topardonistofailtopunishonewhomyoujudgeworthyofpunishmentpardonisthe
remissionofpunishmentthatisdue.Mercyissuperiorprimarilyinthis,thatitdeclares
thatthosewhoareletoffdidnotdeserveanydifferenttreatmentitismorecompletethan
pardon,morecreditable.Inmyopinionthedispute
<Ess1445>
ONMERCY,II.vii.45
isaboutwords,butconcerningthefactthereisagreement.Thewisemanwillremitmany
punishments,hewillsavemanywhosecharacterthoughunsoundcanyetbefreedfrom
unsoundness.Hewillbelikethegoodhusbandmanwhotends,notmerelythetreesthat
arestraightandtall,butalsoappliespropstothosethatforsomereasonhavegrown
crookedinorderthattheymaybestraightenedothershewilltrim,inorderthattheir
branchingmaynothampertheirheightsomethatareweakbecausesetinpoorsoilhe
willfertilizetosomesufferingfromtheshadeoftheothershewillopenupthesky.Sothe
wisemanwillseewhatmethodoftreatmentagivencharactershouldhave,howthe
crookedmaybemadestraight......
<Ess1447>