diff --git a/data/tlg0007/tlg118/tlg0007.tlg118.perseus-eng4.xml b/data/tlg0007/tlg118/tlg0007.tlg118.perseus-eng4.xml new file mode 100755 index 000000000..80127f40a --- /dev/null +++ b/data/tlg0007/tlg118/tlg0007.tlg118.perseus-eng4.xml @@ -0,0 +1,1927 @@ + + + + + + + Political Precepts + Plutarch + William W. Goodwin + Samuel White + Perseus Project, Tufts University + Gregory Crane + + Prepared under the supervision of + Lisa Cerrato + Rashmi Singhal + Bridget Almas + + The National Endowment for the Humanities + + + Trustees of Tufts University + Medford, MA + Perseus Project + 2010-12-13 + + + + + Plutarch + Plutarch's Morals. + + Translated from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised + by + William W. Goodwin, PH. D. + + + Boston + Little, Brown, and Company + Cambridge + Press Of John Wilson and son + 1874 + + 5 + + The Internet Archive + + + + + + +

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+ Political precepts. + +
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If ever, O Menemachus, that saying of Nestor's in Homer, + + There is no Greek can contradict or mend + What you have said, yet to no perfect end + Is your speech brought, + Il. IX. 55. + + +

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might pertinently be made use of and applied, it is against those exhorting, but + nothing teaching nor any way instructing, philosophers. For they do (in this + respect) resemble those who are indeed careful in snuffing the lamps, but + negligent in supplying them with oIl. Seeing therefore that you, being by reason + moved to engage yourself in the affairs of the state, desire, as becomes the + nobility of your family, + + Both to speak and act heroicly + Il. IX. 443. + + +

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in the service of your country, and that, not having attained to such maturity of + age as to have observed the life of a wise and philosophical man openly spent in + the transactions of the state and public debates, and to have been a spectator + of worthy examples represented not in word but in deed, you request me to lay + you down some political precepts and instructions; I think it no ways becoming + me to give you a denial, but heartily wish that the work may be worthy both of + your zeal and my forwardness. Now I have, according to your request, made use in + this my discourse of sundry and various examples.

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First then for the administration of state affairs, let there be laid, as a firm + and solid foundation, an intention and purpose, having for its principles + judgment and reason, and not any impulse from vain-glory, emulation, or want of + other employment. For as those who have nothing grateful to them at home + frequently spend their time in the forum, though they have no occasion that + requires it; so some men, because they have no business of their own worth + employing themselves in, thrust themselves into public affairs, using policy as + a divertisement. Many also, having been by chance engaged in the negotiations of + the commonweal, and being cloyed with them cannot yet easily quit them; in which + they suffer the same with those who, going on board a ship that they may be + there a little tossed, and being after carried away into the deep, send forth + many a long look towards the shore, being sea-sick and giddy-headed, and yet + necessitated to stay and accommodate themselves to their present fortune. + + Past is the lovely pleasure + They took, when th' sea was calm and weather bright, + In walking at their leisure + On the ship's deck, + Whilst her sharp beak + With merry gale, + And full blown sail, + Did through the surging billows cut its course aright. + + +

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And these do most of all discredit the matter by their repenting and being + discontented, when either hoping for glory they fall into disgrace, or expecting + to become formidable to others by their power they are engaged in affairs full + of dangers and troubles. But he who on a well grounded principle of reason + undertakes to act in the public, as an employ very honorable and most beseeming + him, is dismayed by none of these things; nor does he therefore change his + opinion. For we must not come to the management of the commonweal on a design of + gaining and growing rich by it, as Stratocles and Dromo + slides exhorted one another to the golden harvest,—so in mirth terming the + tribunal, or place of making harangues to the people,—nor yet as seized + with some sudden fit of passion, as did heretofore Caius Gracchus, who having, + whilst his brothers' misfortunes were hot, withdrawn himself to a retired life + most remote from public affairs, did afterwards, inflamed by indignation at the + injuries and affronts put on him by some persons, thrust himself into the state, + where being soon filled with affairs and glory, when he sought to desist and + desired change and repose, he could not (so great was it grown) find how to lay + down his authority, but perished with it. And as for those who through emulation + frame themselves for the public as actors for the stage, they must needs repent + of their design, finding themselves under a necessity of either serving those + whom they think themselves worthy to govern, or disobliging those whom they + desire to please. Now I am of opinion, that those who by chance and without + foresight stumble upon policy, falling as it were into a pit, connot but be + troubled and repent; whereas they that go leisurely into it, with preparation + and a good resolution, comfort themselves moderately in all occurrences, as + having no other end of their actions but the discharging of their duty with + honor.

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Now they that have thus grounded their choice within themselves, and rendered it + immovable and difficult to be changed, must set themselves to contemplate that + disposition of the citizens which, being compounded (as it were) of all their + natures, appears most prevalent among them. For the endeavoring presently to + form the manners and change the nature of a people is neither easy nor safe, but + a work requiring much time and great authority. But as wine in the beginning is + overcome by the nature of the drinker, but afterwards, gently warming him and + mixing itself in his veins, assimilates and changes him who drinks it into its own likeness, so must a statesman, till he has + by his reputation and credit obtained a leading power amongst the people, + accommodate himself to the dispositions of the subjects, knowing how to consider + and conjecture those things with which the people are naturally delighted and by + which they are usually drawn. The Athenians, to wit, are easily moved to anger, + and not difficultly changed to mercy, more willing to suspect quickly than to be + informed by leisure; and as they are readier to help mean and inconsiderable + persons, so do they embrace and esteem facetious and merry speeches; they are + exceedingly delighted with those that praise them, and very little offended with + such as jeer them; they are terrible even to their governors, and yet courteous + to their very enemies. Far other is the disposition of the Carthaginians, + severe, rigid, obsequious to their rulers, harsh to their subjects, most abject + in their fear, most cruel in their anger, firm in their resolutions, + untractable, and hard to be moved by sportive and pleasant discourse. Should + Cleon have requested them to defer their assembly, because he had sacrificed to + the Gods and was to feast certain strangers, they would not have risen up, + laughing and clapping their hands for joy; nor, if Alcibiades, as he was making + an harangue to them, had let slip a quail from under his cloak, would they have + striven who should catch her and restore her to him again, but would rather have + killed them both on the place, as contemning and deriding them; since they + banished Hanno for making use of a lion to carry his baggage to the army, + accusing him of affecting tyranny. Neither do I think, that the Thebans, if they + had been made masters of their enemies' letters, would have foreborne looking + into them, as did the Athenians, when, having taken the messengers of Philip who + were carrying a letter superscribed to Olympias, they would not so much as open + it, or discover the conjugal secrets of an absent husband, written to his wife. + Nor yet do I believe that the Athenians on the other + side would have patiently suffered the haughtiness and disdain of Epaminondas, + when, refusing to answer an accusation brought against him, he rose up from the + theatre, and went away through the midst of the assembly to the place of public + exercises. And much less am I of opinion that the Spartans would have endured + the contumely and scurrility of Stratocles, who persuaded the people to offer + sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Gods, as having obtained the victory, and + afterwards, when, being truly informed of the loss they had received, they were + angry with him, asked them what injury they had sustained in having through his + means spent three days merrily.

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Courtly flatterers indeed, like to quail-catchers, by imitating the voices and + assimilating themselves to the manners of kings, chiefly insinuate into their + favors and entrap them by deceit; but it is not convenient for a statesman to + imitate the people's manners, but to know them, and make use of those things + toward every person by which he is most likely to be taken. For the ignorance of + men's humors brings no less disorders and obstacles in commonweals than in the + friendships of kings.

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When therefore you shall have already gotten power and authority amongst the + people, then must you endeavor to reform their disposition, treating them + gently, and by little and little drawing them to what is better. For the + changing of a multitude is a difficult and laborious work. But as for your own + manners and behavior, so compose and adorn them, as knowing that you are + henceforth to lead your life on an open stage; and if it is no easy task for you + wholly to extirpate vice out of your soul, at least take away and retrench those + offences which are most notorious and apparent. For you cannot but have heard + how Themistocles, when he designed to enter upon the management of public + affairs, withdrew himself from drinking and revelling, and + fell to watching, fasting, and studying, saying to his intimate friends, that + Miltiades's trophy suffered him not to sleep. And Pericles also so changed + himself, both as to the comportment of his body and his manner of living, that + he walked gravely, discoursed affably, always showed a staid and settled + countenance, continually kept his hand under his robe, and went only that way + which led to the assembly and the senate. For a multitude is not so tractable as + that it should be easy for every one to take it with safety, but it is a service + much to be valued, if, being like a suspicious and skittish beast, it can be so + managed that, without being frighted either by sight or voice, it will submit to + receive instruction.

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These things therefore are not slightly to be observed; nor are we to neglect + taking such care of our own life and manners that they may be clear from all + stain and reprehension. For statesmen are not only liable to give an account of + what they say or do in public; but there is a busy enquiry made into their very + meals, beds, marriages, and every either sportive or serious action. For what + need we speak of Alcibiades, who, being of all men the most active in public + affairs, and withal an invincible commander, perished by his irregularity in + living and his audaciousness, and who by his luxury and prodigality rendered the + state unbenefited by all his other good qualities? —since the Athenians + blamed Cimon's wine; the Romans, having nothing else to cavil at, found fault + with Scipio's sleeping; and the enemies of Pompey the Great, having observed + that he scratched his head with one finger, upbraided him with it. For as a + freckle or wart in the face is more prejudicial than stains, maims, and scars in + the rest of the body; so little faults, discerned in the lives of princes and + statesmen, appear great, through an opinion most men have conceived of + government and policy, which they look on as a great and excellent thing, and + such as ought to be pure from all absurdity and + imperfection. Therefore not unjustly is Livius Drusus commended, who, when + several parts of his house lay open to the view of his neighbors, being told by + a certain workman that he would for the expense only of five talents alter and + remedy that fault, said: I will give thee indeed ten, to make my whole house so + transparent that all the city may see how I live. For he was a temperate and + modest man. And yet perhaps he had no need of this perspicuity; for many persons + pry into those manners, counsels, actions, and lives of statesmen which seem to + be most deeply concealed, no less loving and admiring one, and hating and + despising another, for their private than for their public transactions. What + then! perhaps you may say: Do not cities make use also of such men as live + dissolutely and effeminately? True; for as women with child frequently long for + stones and chalk, as those that are stomach-sick do for salt-fish and such other + meats, which a little after they spit out again and reject; so also the people + sometime through wantonness and petulancy, and sometimes for want of better + guides, make use of those that come first to hand, though at the same time + detesting and contemning them, and after rejoice at such things spoken against + them as the comedian Plato makes the people themselves to say: + + Quick, take me by the hand, and hold me fast, + Or I'll Agyrrius captain choose in haste. + + +

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And again he brings them in, calling for a basin and feather that they may vomit, + and saying, + + A chamber-pot by my tribunal stands. + + +

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And a little after, + + It feeds a stinking pest, foul Cephalus. + + +

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And the Roman people, when Carbo promised them something, and (to confirm it) + added an oath and execration, unanimously swore on the + contrary that they would not believe him. And in Lacedaemon, when a certain + dissolute man named Demosthenes had delivered a very convenient opinion, the + people rejected it; but the Ephori, who approved of his advice, having chosen by + lot one of the ancient senators, commanded him to repeat the same discourse, + pouring it (as it were) out of a filthy vessel into a clean one, that it might + be acceptable to the multitude. Of so great moment either way in political + affairs is the belief conceived of a person's disposition and manners.

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Yet are we not therefore so to lay the whole stress on virtue, as utterly to + neglect all gracefulness and efficacy of speech; but esteeming rhetoric, though + not the worker, yet a coadjutor and forwarder of persuasion, we should correct + that saying of Menander, + + The speaker's manners, not his speech, persuade. + + +

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For both manners and language ought to concur, unless any one forsooth shall say + that—as it is the pilot who steers the ship, and not the rudder, and the + rider that turns the horse, and not the bridle—so political virtue, using + not eloquence but manners as an helm and bridle, persuades and guides a city, + which is (to speak with Plato) an animal most easy to be turned, managing and + directing it (as it were) from the poop. For since those great and (as Homer + calls them) Jove-begotten kings, setting themselves out with their purple, + sceptres, guards, and the very oracles of the Gods, and subjecting to them by + their majesty the multitude, as if they were of a better nature and more + excellent mould than other men, desired also to be eloquent orators, and + neglected neither the gracefulness of speech, + + Nor public meeting, that more perfect they + Might be for feats of war, + Il. IX. 441. + + +

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not only venerating Jupiter the counsellor, Mars the slaughterer, and Pallas the + warrior, but invocating also Calliope, + + Who still attends on regal Majesty, + See Od. VII. 165. + + +

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by her persuasive oratory appeasing and moderating the fierceness and violence of + the people; how is it possible that a private man in a plebeian garb and with a + vulgar mien, undertaking to conduct a city, should ever be able to prevail over + and govern the multitude, if he is not endowed with alluring and all-persuading + eloquence? The captains indeed and pilots of ships make use of others to deliver + their commands; but a statesman ought to have in himself not only a spirit of + government, but also a commanding faculty of speech, that he may not stand in + need of another's voice, nor be constrained to say, as did Iphicrates when he + was run down by the eloquence of Aristophon, My + adversaries have the better actors, but mine is the more excellent play, + nor yet be often obliged to make use of these words of Euripides, + + O that the race of miserable men + Were speechless! + + +

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and again, + + Alas! Why have not men's affairs a tongue, + That those fine pleaders who of right make wrong + Might be no longer in request? + Eurip. Frag. 977 and + 442. + + +

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For to these evasions perhaps might an Alcamenes, a Nesiotes, an Ictinus, and any + such mechanical persons as get their bread by their hands, be permitted on their + oath to have recourse. As it sometime happened in Athens, where, when two + architects were examined about the erecting a certain public work, one of them, + who was of a free and voluble speech and had his tongue (as we say) well hung, + making a long and premeditated harangue concerning the method and order of + raising such a fabric, greatly moved the people; but the + other, who was indeed the better workman though the worse speaker, coming forth + into the midst, only said, Ye men of Athens, what this + man has spoken, I will do. For those men venerate only Minerva surnamed + Ergane (or the Artisan), who, as Sophocles says of them, + + Do on the massy anvil lay + A lifeless iron bar, where they + With blows of heavy hammer make + It pliant to the work they undertake. + + +

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But the prophet or minister of Minerva Polias (that is, the protectress of + cities) and of Themis (or Justice) the counsellor, + + Who both convenes assemblies, and again + Dissolves them, + Od. II. 69. + + +

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making use of no other instrument but speech, does, by forming and fashioning + some things and smoothing and polishing others that, like certain knots in + timber or flaws in iron, are averse to his work, embellish and adorn a city. By + this means the government of Pericles was in name (as ThucydidesThuc. II. 65. says) a democracy, + but in effect the rule of one principal man through the power of his eloquence. + For there were living at the same time Cimon, and also Ephialtes and + Thucydides,The son of Melesias, not + the historian. (G.) all good men; now Thucydides, being asked by + Archidamus, king of the Spartans, whether himself or Pericles were the better + wrestler, thus answered: That is not easily known; for + when I in wrestling overthrow him, he, by his words persuading the + spectators that he did not fall, gains the victory. And this did not + only bring glory to himself, but safety also to the city; for being persuaded by + him, it preserved the happiness it had gotten, and abstained from intermeddling + with foreign affairs. But Nicias, though having the same design, yet falling + short in the art of persuasion, when he endeavored by his + speech, as by a gentle curb, to restrain and turn the people, could not compass + it or prevail with them, but was fain to depart, being violently hurried and + dragged (as it were) by the neck and shoulders into Sicily. They say, that a + wolf is not to be held by the ears; but a people and city are chiefly to be + drawn by the ears, and not as some do who, being unpractised in eloquence, seek + other absurd and unartificial ways of taking them, and either draw them by the + belly, making them feasts and banquets, or by the purse, bestowing on them gifts + and largesses, or by the eye, exhibiting to them masks and prizes or public + shows of dancers and fencers,—by which they do not so much lead as + cunningly catch the people. For to lead a people is to persuade them by reason + and eloquence; but such allurements of the multitude nothing differ from the + baits laid for the taking of irrational animals.

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Let not yet the speech of a statesman be youthful and theatrical, as if he were + making an harangue composed, like a garland, of curious and florid words; nor + again —as Pytheas said of an oration made by Demosthenes, that it smelt of + the lamp and sophistical curiosity—let it consist of over-subtle arguments + and periods, exactly framed by rule and compass. But as musicians require that + the strings of their instruments should be sweetly and gently touched, and not + rudely thrummed or beaten; so in the speech of a statesman, both when he + counsels and when he commands, there should not appear either violence or + cunning, nor should he think himself worthy of commendation for having spoken + formally, artificially, and with an exact observation of punctualities; but his + whole discourse ought to be full of ingenuous simplicity, true magnanimity, + fatherly freedom, and careful providence and understanding, joined with goodness + and honesty, gracefulness and attraction, proceeding from grave expressions and proper and persuasive sentences. Now a political + oration does much more properly than a juridical one admit of sententious + speeches, histories, fables, and metaphors, by which those who moderately and + seasonably use them exceedingly move their hearers; as he did who said, Make not + Greece one-eyed; and Demades, when he affirmed of himself, that he was to manage + the wreck of the state; and Archilochus, when he said + + Nor let the stone of Tantalus + Over this isle hang always thus; + + +

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and Pericles, when he commanded the eyesoreSo he called the little island Aegina. of the Piraeus + to be taken away; and Phocion, when he pronounced of Leosthenes's victory, that + the beginning or the short course of the war was good, but that he feared the + long race that was to follow. But in general, majesty and greatness more benefit + a political discourse, a pattern of which may be the Philippics, and (amongst + the orations set down by Thucydides) that of Sthenelaidas the Ephor, that of + Archidamus at Plataea, and that of Pericles after the plague. But as for those + rhetorical flourishes and harangues of Ephorus, Theopompus, and Anaximenes, + which they made after they had armed and set in order the battalions, it may be + said of them, + + None talks thus foolishly so near the sword. + Eurip. Autolycus, Frag. 284, + vs. 22. + + +

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Nevertheless, both taunts and raillery may sometimes be part of political + discourse, so they proceed not to injury or scurrility, but are usefully spoken + by him who either reprehends or scoffs. But these things seem most to be allowed + in answers and replies. For in that manner to begin a discourse as if one had + purposely prepared himself for it, is the part of a common jester, and carries + with it an opinion of maliciousness; as was incident to the biting jests of + Cicero, Cato the Elder, and Euxitheus, an intimate + acquaintance of Aristotle,—all of whom frequently began first to jeer; but + in him, who does it only in revenge, the seasonableness of it renders it not + only pardonable but also graceful. Such was the answer of Demosthenes, when one + that was suspected of thievery derided him for writing by night: I know that the + keeping my candle burning all night is offensive to you. So when Demades bawled + out, Demosthenes forsooth would correct me: thus would the sow (as the proverb + has it) teach Minerva;—That Minerva, replied Demosthenes, was not long + since taken in adultery. Not ungraceful also was that of Xenaenetus to those + citizens who upbraided him with flying when he was general, 'Twas with you, my + dear hearts. But in raillery great care is to be taken for the avoiding of + excess, and of any thing that may either by its unseasonableness offend the + hearers or show the speaker to be of an ungenerous and sordid + disposition;—such as were the sayings of Democrates. For he, going up into + the assembly, said that, like the city, he had little force but much wind; and + after the overthrow at Chaeronea, going forth to the people, he said: I would + not have had the state to be in so ill a condition that you should be contented + to hear me also giving you counsel. For this showed a mean-spirited person, as + the other did a madman; but neither of them was becoming a statesman. Now the + succinctness of Phocion's speech was admired; whence Polyeuctus affirmed, that + Demosthenes was the greatest orator, but that Phocion spake most forcibly, for + that his discourse did in very few words contain abundance of matter. And + Demosthenes, who contemned others, was wont, when Phocion stood up, to say, The + hatchet (or pruning-knife) of my orations arises.

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Let your chief endeavor therefore be, to use to the multitude a premeditated and + not empty speech, and that with safety, knowing that Pericles himself, before he + made any discourse to the people, was wont to pray that + there might not a word pass from him foreign to the business he was to treat of. + It is requisite also, that you have a voluble tongue, and be exercised in + speaking on all occurrences; for occasions are quick, and bring many sudden + things in political affairs. Wherefore also Demosthenes was, as they say, + inferior to many, withdrawing and absconding himself when sudden occasion + offered. And Theophrastus relates that Alcibiades, desirous to speak not only + what he ought but as he ought, often hesitated and stood still in the midst of + his speech, seeking and composing expressions fit for his purpose. But he who, + as matters and occasions present themselves, rises up to speak, most of all + moves, leads, and disposes of the multitude. Thus Leo Byzantius came to make an + harangue to the Athenians, being then at dissension amongst themselves; by whom + when he perceived himself to be laughed at for the littleness of his stature, + What would you do, said he, if you saw my wife, who scarce reaches up to my + knees? And the laughter thereupon increasing, Yet, went he on, as little as we + are, when we fall out with one another, the city of Byzantium is not big enough + to hold us. So Pytheas the orator, who declaimed against the honors decreed to + Alexander, when one said to him, Dare you, being so young, discourse of so great + matters? made this answer, And yet Alexander, whom you decree to be a God, is + younger than I am.

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It is requisite also for the champion of the commonweal to bring to this not + slight but all-concerning contest a firm and solid speech, attended with a + strong habit of voice and a long lasting breath, lest, being tired and spent + with speaking, he chance to be overcome by + + Some ravening crier, with a roaring voice, + Loud as Cycloborus. + A brook near Athens, the waters + of which fell with an extraordinary noise. Aristoph. Eq. 137. + + +

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Cato, when he had no hopes of persuading the people or senate, whom he found + prepossessed by the courtships and endeavors of the contrary party, was wont to + rise up and hold them a whole day with an oration, by that means depriving his + adversaries of their opportunity. And thus much concerning the preparation and + use of speech may be sufficient for him who can of himself find out and add What + necessarily follows from it.

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There are, moreover, two avenues or ways of entering into the government of the + state; the one short and expeditious to the lustre of glory, but not without + danger; the other more obscure and slow, but having also greater security. For + some there are who, beginning with some great and illustrious action which + requires a courageous boldness, do, like to those that from a far extended + promontory launch forth into the deep, steer directly into the very midst of + public affairs, thinking Pindar to have been in the right when he said, + + If you a stately fabric do design, + Be sure that your work's front with lustre shine. + Pind. Olymp. VI. 4. + + +

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For the multitude do, through a certain satiety and loathing of those to whom + they have been accustomed, more readily receive a beginner; as the beholders do + a fresh combatant, and as those dignities and authorities which have a splendid + and speedy increase dazzle and astonish envy. For neither does that fire, as + Ariston says, make a smoke, nor that glory breed envy, which suddenly and + quickly shines forth; but of those who grow up slowly and by degrees, some are + attacked on this side, others on that; whence many have withered away about the + tribunal, before ever they came to flourish. But when, as they say of Ladas, + + + The sound o' th' rope yet rattled in his ear, + + the sound of the rope: from whence they + set forth to run. + When Ladas having finished his career + Was crowned, + + +

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any one suddenly and gloriously performs an embassy, triumphs, or leads forth an + army, neither the envious nor the disdainful have like power over him as over + others. Thus did Aratus ascend to glory, making the overthrow of the tyrant + Nicocles his first step to the management of the commonweal. Thus did + Alcibiades, settling the alliance with the Mantineans against the + Lacedaemonians. Pompey also required a triumph, being not yet admitted into the + senate; and when Sylla opposed it, he said to him, More adore the rising than + the setting sun; which when Sylla heard, he yielded to him. And the people of + Rome on a sudden, contrary to the ordinary course of the law, declared Cornelius + Scipio consul, when he stood candidate for the aedileship, not from any vulgar + reason, but admiring the victory he had got, whilst he was but a youth, in a + single combat fought in Spain, and his conquests a little after, performed at + Carthage, when he was a tribune of foot: in respect of which Cato the Elder + cried out with a loud voice, + + He only's wise, the rest like shadows fly. + See Odyss. X. 495. + + +

+

Now then, since the affairs of the cities have neither wars to be managed, + tyrannies to be overthrown, nor leagues and alliances to be treated, what can + any one undertake for the beginning of an illustrious and splendid government? + There are yet left public causes and embassies to the emperor, which require the + courage and prudence of an acute and cautious person. There are also in the + cities many good and laudable usages neglected, which may be restored, and many + ill practices brought in by custom, to the disgrace or damage of the city, which + may be redressed, to gain him the esteem of the people. Moreover, a great suit + rightly determined, fidelity in defending a poor man's cause against a powerful + adversary, and freedom of speech in behalf of justice to some unjust nobleman, + have afforded some a glorious entrance into the + administration of the state. Not a few also have been advanced by enmity and + quarrels, having set themselves to attack such men whose dignity was either + envied or terrible. For the power of him that is overthrown does with greater + glory accrue to his overthrower. Indeed, through envy to contend against a good + man, and one that has by virtue been advanced to the chiefest honor,—as + Simmias did against Pericles, Alcmaeon against Themistocles, Clodius against + Pompey, and Meneclides the orator against Epaminondas,—is neither good for + one's reputation nor otherwise advantageous. For when the multitude, having + outraged some good man, soon after (as it frequently happens) repent of their + indignation, they think that way of excusing this offence the easiest which is + indeed the justest, to wit, the destroying of him who was the persuader and + author of it. But the rising up to humble and pull down a wicked person, who has + by his audaciousness and cunning subjected the city to himself (such as + heretofore Cleon and Clitophon were in Athens), makes a glorious entrance to the + management of public affairs, as it were to a play. I am not ignorant also that + some, by opposing—as Ephialtes did at Athens, and Phormio amongst the + Eleans—an imperious and oligarchical senate, have at the same time + obtained both authority and honor; but in this there is great danger to him who + is but entering upon the administration of state. Wherefore Solon took a better + beginning; for the city of Athens being divided into three parts, the Diacrians + (or inhabitants of the hill), the Pedieans (or dwellers on the plain), and the + Paralians (or those whose abode was by the water side), he, joining himself with + none of them, but acting for the common good of them all, and saying and doing + all things for to bring them to concord, was chosen the lawgiver to take away + their differences, and by that means settled the state.

+ +

Such then and so many beginnings has the more splendid way of entering upon state + affairs.

+
+
+

But many gallant men have chosen the safe and slow method, as Aristides. Phocion, + Pammenes the Theban, Lucullus in Rome, Cato, and Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian. + For as ivy, twining about the strongest trees, rises up together with them; so + every one of these, applying himself, whilst he was yet young and inglorious, to + some elder and illustrious personage, and growing up and increasing by little + and little under his authority, grounded and rooted himself in the commonweal. + For Clisthenes advanced Aristides, Chabrias preferred Phocion, Sylla promoted + Lucullus, Maximus raised Cato, Pammenes forwarded Epaminondas, and Lysander + assisted Agesilaus. But this last, injuring his own reputation through an + unseasonable ambition and jealousy, soon threw off the director of his actions; + but the rest honestly, politically, and to the end, venerated and magnified the + authors of their advancement,—like bodies which are opposed to the + sun,—by reflecting back the light that shone upon them, augmented and + rendered more illustrious. Certainly those who looked asquint upon Scipio called + him the player, and his companion Laelius the poet or author of his actions; yet + was not Laelius puffed up by any of these things, but continued to promote the + virtue and glory of Scipio. And Afranius, the friend of Pompey, though he was + very meanly descended, yet being at the very point to be chosen consul, when he + understood that Pompey favored others, gave over his suit, saying that his + obtaining the consulship would not be so honorable as grievous and troublesome + to him, if it were against the good-will and without the assistance of Pompey. + Having therefore delayed but one year, he enjoyed the dignity and preserved his + friendship. Now those who are thus by others led, as it were, by the hand to + glory do, in gratifying one, at the same time also gratify + the multitude, and incur less odium, if any inconvenience befalls them. + Wherefore also Philip (king of Macedon) exhorted his son Alexander, whilst he + had leisure during the reign of another, to get himself friends, winning their + love by kind and affable behavior.

+
+
+

Now he that begins to enter upon the administration of state affairs should + choose himself a guide, who is not only a man of credit and authority but is + also such for his virtue. For as it is not every tree that will admit and bear + the twining of a vine, there being some which utterly choke and spoil its + growth; so in states, those who are no lovers of virtue and goodness, but only + of honor and sovereignty, afford not young beginners any opportunities of + performing worthy actions, but do through envy keep them down and let them + languish whom they regard as depriving them of their glory, which is (as it + were) their food. Thus Marius, having first in Afric and afterwards in Galatia + done many gallant exploits by the assistance of Sylla, forbare any farther to + employ him, and utterly cast him off, being really vexed at his growing into + repute, but making his pretence the device engraven on his seal. For Sylla, + being paymaster under Marius when he was general in Afric, and sent by him to + Bocchus, brought with him Jugurtha prisoner; but as he was an ambitious young + man, who had but just tasted the sweetness of glory, he received not his good + fortune with moderation; but having caused the representation of the action to + be engraven on his seal, wore about him Jugurtha delivered into his hands; and + this did Marius lay to his charge, when he turned him off. But Sylla, passing + over to Catulus and Metellus, who were good men and at difference with Marius, + soon after in a civil war drove away and ruined Marius, who wanted but little of + overthrowing Rome. Sylla indeed, on the contrary, advanced Pompey from a very + youth, rising up to him and uncovering his head as he passed by, and not only giving other young men occasions of doing captain-like + actions, but even instigating some that were backward and unwilling. He filled + the armies with emulation and desire of honor; and thus he had the superiority + over them all, desiring not to be alone, but the first and greatest amongst many + great ones. These therefore are the men to whom young statesmen ought to adhere, + and with these they should be (as it were) incorporated, not stealing from them + their glory,—like Aesop's wren, which, being carried up on the eagle's + wings, suddenly flew away and got before her,—but receiving it of them + with friendship and good-will since they can never, as Plato says, be able to + govern aright, if they have not been first well practised in obedience.

+
+
+

After this follows the judgment that is to be had in the choice of friends, in + which neither the opinion of Themistocles nor that of Cleon is to be approved. + For Cleon, when he first knew that he was to take on him the government, + assembling his friends together, brake off friendship with them, as that which + often disables the mind, and withdraws it from its just and upright intention in + managing the affairs of the state. But he would have done better, if he had cast + out of his soul avarice and contention, and cleansed himself from envy and + malice. For cities want not men that are friendless and unaccompanied, but such + as are good and temperate. Now he indeed drove away his friends; but a hundred + heads of fawning flatterers were, as the comedian speaks, licking about + him;Aristoph. Pac. 756 and + being harsh and severe to those that were civil, he again debased himself to + court the favor of the multitude, doing all things to humor them in their + dotage, and taking rewards at every man's hand,See Aristoph. Eq. 1099. and joining himself with the + worst and most distempered of the people against the best. But Themistocles, on + the contrary, said to one who told him that he would govern + well if he exhibited himself alike to all: May I never sit on that throne on + which my friends shall not have more power with me than those who are not my + friends. Neither did he well in pinning the state to his friendship, and + submitting the common and public affairs to his private favors and affections. + And farther, he said to Simonides, when he requested somewhat that was not just: + Neither is he a good poet or musician, who sings against measure; nor he an + upright magistrate, who gratifies any one against the laws. And it would really + be a shameful and miserable thing, that the pilot should choose his mariners, + and the master of a ship the pilot, + + Who well can rule the helm, and in good guise + Hoist up the sails, when winds begin to rise, + + +

+

and that an architect should make choice of such servants and workmen as will not + prejudice his work, but take pains in the best manner to forward it; but that a + statesman—who, as Pindar has it, + + The best of artists and chief workman is + Of equity and justice— + + +

+

should not presently choose himself like-affected friends and ministers, and such + as might co-inspire into him a love of honesty; but that one or other should be + always unjustly and violently bending him to other uses. For then he would seem + to differ in nothing from a carpenter or mason who, through ignorance or want of + experience, uses such squares, rules, and levels as will certainly make his work + to be awry. Since friends are the living and intelligent instruments of + statesmen, who ought to be so far from bearing them company in their slips and + transgressions, that they must be careful they do not, even unknown to them, + commit a fault.

+

And this it was, that disgraced Solon and brought him into disrepute amongst his + citizens; for he, having an intention to ease men's debts + and to bring in that which was called at Athens the Seisachtheia (for that was + the name given by way of extenuation to the cancelling of debts), communicated + this design to some of his friends, who thereupon did a most unjust act; for + having got this inkling, they borrowed abundance of money, and the law being a + little after brought to light, they appeared to have purchased stately houses, + and great store of land with the wealth they had borrowed; and Solon, who was + himself injured, was accused to have been a partaker of their injustice. + Agesilaus also was most feeble and mean-spirited in what concerned the suits of + his friends, being like the horse Pegasus in Euripides, + + Who, frighted, bowed his back, more than his rider would, + Eurip. Bellerophon, Frag. + 311. + + +

+

so that, being more ready to help them in their misfortunes than was requisite, + he seemed to be privy to their injustices. For he saved Phoebidas, who was + accused for having without commission surprised the castle of Thebes, called + Cadmea, saying that such enterprises were to be attempted without expecting any + orders. And when Sphodrias was brought to trial for an unlawful and heinous act, + having made an incursion into Attica at such time as the Athenians were allies + and confederates of the Spartans, he procured him to be acquitted, being + softened by the amorous entreaties of his son. There is also recorded a short + epistle of his to a certain prince, written in these words: If Nicias is + innocent, discharge him; if he is guilty, discharge him for my sake; but however + it is, discharge him. But Phocion (on the contrary) would not so much as appear + in behalf of his son-in-law Charicles, when he was accused for having taken + money of Harpalus; but having said, Only for acts of justice have I made you my + son-in-law,— went his way. And Timoleon the Corinthian, when he could not by admonitions or requests dissuade his brother + from being a tyrant, confederated with his destroyers. For a magistrate ought + not to be a friend even to the altar (or till he comes to the point of being + forsworn), as Pericles sometime said, but no farther than is agreeable to all + law, justice, and the utility of the state; any of which being neglected brings + a great and public damage, as did the not executing of justice on Sphodrias and + Phoebidas, who did not a little contribute to the engaging of Sparta in the + Leuctrian war.

+

Otherwise, reason of state is so far from necessitating one to show himself + severe on every peccadillo of his friends, that it even permits him, when he has + secured the principal affairs of the public, to assist them, stand by them, and + labor for them. There are, moreover, certain favors that may be done without + envy, as is the helping a friend to obtain an office, or rather the putting into + his hands some honorable commission or some laudable embassy, such as for the + congratulating or honoring some prince or the making a league of amity and + alliance with some state. But if there be some difficult but withal illustrious + and great action to be performed, having first taken it upon himself, he may + afterwards assume a friend to his assistance, as did Diomedes, whom Homer makes + to speak in this manner: + + Since a companion you will have me take, + How can I think a better choice to make, + Than the divine Ulysses? + Il. X. 242. + + +

+

And Ulysses again as kindly attributes to him the praise of the achievement, + saying: + + These stately steeds, whose country you demand, + Nestor, were hither brought from Thracian land, + Whose king, with twelve of his best friends, lies dead, + All slain by th' hand of warlike Diomed. + Il. X. 558. + + +

+ +

For this sort of concession no less adorns the praiser than the praised; but + self-conceitedness, as Plato says, dwells with solitude. He ought moreover to + associate his friends in those good and kind offices which are done by him, + bidding those whom he has benefited to love them and give them thanks, as having + been the procurers and counsellors of his favors to them. But he must reject the + dishonest and unreasonable request of his friends, yet not churlishly but + mildly, teaching and showing them that they are not beseeming their virtue and + honor. Never was any man better at this than Epaminondas, who, having denied to + deliver out of prison a certain victualler, when requested by Pelopidas, and yet + a little after dismissing him at the desire of his miss, said to his friend, + These, O Pelopidas, are favors fit for wenches to receive, and not for generals. + Cato on the other side acted morosely and insolently, when Catulus the censor, + his most intimate and familiar friend, interceded with him for one of those + against whom he, being quaestor, had entered process, saying: It would be a + shame if you, who ought to reform young men for us, should be thrust out by our + servants. For he might, though in effect refusing the requested favor, have yet + forborne that severity and bitterness of speech; so that his doing what was + displeasing to his friend might have seemed not to have proceeded from his own + inclination, but to have been a necessity imposed upon him by law and justice. + There are also in the administration of the state methods, not dishonorable, of + assisting our poorer friends in the making of their fortune. Thus did + Themistocles, who, seeing after a battle one of those which lay dead in the + field adorned with chains of gold and jewels, did himself pass by him; but + turning back to a friend of his, said, Do you take these spoils, for you are not + yet come to be Themistocles. For even the affairs themselves do frequently + afford a statesman such opportunities of benefiting his + friends; for every man is not a Menemachus. To one therefore give the patronage + of a cause, both just and beneficial; to another recommend some rich man, who + stands in need of management and protection; and help a third to be employed in + some public work, or to some gainful and profitable farm. Epaminondas bade a + friend of his go to a certain rich man, and ask him for a talent by the command + of Epaminondas, and when he to whom the message was sent came to enquire the + reason of it; Because, said Epaminondas, he is a very honest man and poor; but + you, by converting much of the city's wealth to your own use, are become rich. + And Xenophon reports, that Agesilaus delighted in enriching his friends, himself + making no account of money.

+
+
+

Now since, as Simonides says, all larks must have a crest, and every eminent + office in a commonweal brings enmities and dissensions, it is not a little + convenient for a statesman to be forewarned also of his comportment in these + rencounters. Many therefore commend Themistocles and Aristides, who, when they + were to go forth on an embassy or to command together the army, laid down their + enmity at the confines of the city, taking it up again after their return. Some + again are highly pleased with the action of Cretinas the Magnesian. He, having + for his rival in the government one Hermias, a man not powerful and rich, but + ambitious and high-spirited, when the Mithridatic war came on, seeing the city + in danger, desired Hermias either to take the government upon himself and manage + the affairs whilst he retired, or, if he would have him take the command of the + army, to depart himself immediately, lest they should through their ambitious + contention destroy the city. The proposal pleased Hermias, who, saying that + Cretinas was a better soldier than himself, did with his wife and children quit + the city. Cretinas then escorted him as he went forth, furnishing him out of his + own estate with all such things as are more useful to + those that fly from home than to those that are besieged; and excellently + defending the city, unexpectedly preserved it, being at the point to be + destroyed. For if it is generous and proceeding from a magnanimous spirit to cry + out, + + I love my children, but my country more, + + +

+

why should it not be readier for every one of them to say, I hate this man, and + desire to do him a diskindness, but the love of my country has greater power + over me? For not to condescend to be reconciled to an enemy for those very + causes for which we ought to abandon even a friend, is even to extremity savage + and brutish. But far better did Phocion and Cato, who grounded not any enmity at + all on their political differences, but being fierce and obstinate only in their + public contests not to recede from any thing they judged convenient for the + state, did in their private affairs use those very persons friendly and + courteously from whom they differed in the other. For one ought not to esteem + any citizen an enemy, unless it be one like Aristion, Nabis, or Catiline, the + disease and plague of the city: but as for those that are otherwise at discord, + a good magistrate should, like a skilful musician, by gently setting them up or + letting them down, bring them to concord; not falling angrily and reproachfully + upon those that err, but mildly reprehending them in such like terms as these of + Homer's, + + Good friend, I thought you wiser than the rest; + Il. XVII. 171 + + +

+

and again, + + You could have told a better tale than this; + Il. VII. 358. + + +

+

nor yet repining at their honors, or sparing to speak freely in commendation of + their good actions, if they say or do any thing advantageous to the public. For + thus will our reprehension, when it is requisite, be credited, and we shall + render them averse to vice, increasing their virtue, and + showing, by comparing them, how much the one is more worthy and beseeming them + than the other.

+

But I indeed am also of opinion, that a statesman should in just causes give + testimony to his enemies, stand by them when they are accused by sycophants, and + discredit imputations brought against them if they are repugnant to their + characters; as Nero himself, a little before he put to death Thraseas, whom of + all men he both most hated and feared, when one accused him for giving a wrong + and unjust sentence, said: I wish Thraseas was but as great a lover of me, as he + is a most upright judge. Neither is it amiss for the daunting of others who are + by Nature more inclined to vice, when they offend, to make mention of some enemy + of theirs who is better behaved, and say, Such a one would not have spoken or + acted thus. And some again, when they transgress, are to be put in mind of their + virtuous progenitors. Thus Homer says, + + Tydeus has left a son unlike himself. + Il. V. 800. + + +

+

And Appius, contending in the Comitia with Scipio Africanus, said, How deeply, O + Paulus, wouldst thou sigh amongst the infernal shades, wert thou but sensible + that Philonicus the publican guards thy son, who is going to stand for the + office of censor. For such manner of speeches do both admonish the offender, and + become their admonishers. Nestor also in Sophocles, being reproached by Ajax, + thus politicly answers him: + + I blame you not, for you act well, although + You speak but ill. + + +

+

And Cato, who had opposed Pompey in his joining with Caesar to force the city; + when they fell to open wars, gave his opinion that the conduct of the state + should be committed to Pompey, saying, that those who are capable to do the + greatest mischiefs are fittest to put a stop to them. For + reprehension mixed with praise, and accompanied not with opprobriousness but + liberty of speech, working not animosity but remorse and repentance, appears + both kind and salutary; but railing expressions do not at all beseem statesmen. + Do but look into the speeches of Demosthenes against Aeschines, and of Aeschines + against him; and again into what Hyperides has written against Demades, and + consider whether Solon, Pericles, Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian, or Pittacus the + Lesbian would have spoken in that manner. And yet Demosthenes used this + reproachful manner of speaking only in his juridical orations or pleadings; for + his Philippics are clean and free from all scoffing and scurrility. For such + discourses do not only more disgrace the speakers than the hearers, but do + moreover breed confusion in affairs, and disturb counsels and assemblies. + Wherefore Phocion did excellently well, who, having broken off his speech to + give way to one that railed against him, when the other with much ado held his + peace, going on again where he had left off, said: You have already heard what + has been spoken of horsemen and heavy armed foot; I am now to treat of such as + are light armed and targeteers.

+

But since many persons can hardly contain themselves on such occasions, and since + railers have often their mouths not impertinently stopped by replies; let the + answer be short and pithy, not showing any indignation or bitterness of anger, + but mildness joined with raillery and gracefulness, yet somewhat tart and + biting. Now such especially are the retortings of what has been spoken before. + For as darts returning against their caster seem to have been repulsed and + beaten back by a certain strength and solidity in that against which they were + thrown; so what was spoken seems by the strength and understanding of the + reproached to have been turned back upon the reproacher. Such was that reply of + Epaminondas to Callistratus, who upbraided the Thebans with + Oedipus, and the Argives with Orestes,—one of which had killed his father + and the other his mother, -Yet they who did these things, being rejected by us, + were received by you. Such also was the repartee of Antalcidas the Spartan to an + Athenian, who said to him, We have often driven you back and pursued you from + the Cephissus; But we (replied Antalcidas) never yet pursued you from the + Eurotas. Phocion also, when Demades cried out, The Athenians if they grow mad, + will kill thee; elegantly replied, And thee, if they come again to their wits. + So, when Domitius said to Crassus the orator, Did not you weep for the death of + the lamprey you kept in your fishpond?—Did not you, said Crassus to him + again, bury three wives without ever shedding a tear? These things therefore + have indeed their use also in other parts of a man's life.

+
+
+

Moreover, some, like Cato, thrust themselves into every part of polity, thinking + a good citizen should not omit any care or industry for the obtaining authority. + And these men greatly commend Epaminondas; for that being by the Thebans through + envy and in contempt appointed telearch, he did not reject it, but said, that + the office does not show the man, but the man also the office. He brought the + telearchate into great and venerable repute, which was before nothing but a + certain charge of the carrying the dung out of the narrow streets and lanes of + the city, and turning of watercourses. Nor do I doubt but that I myself afford + matter of laughter to many who come into this our city, being frequently seen in + public employed about such matters. But that comes into my assistance which is + related of Antisthenes; for, when one wondered to see him carry a piece of + stock-fish through the market, 'Tis for myself, said he. But I, on the contrary, + say to those who upbraid me for being present at and overseeing the measuring of + tiles, or the bringing in and unloading of clay and + stones.: It is not for myself, but for my country, that I perform this service. + For though he who in his own person manages and does many such things for + himself may be judged mean-spirited and mechanical, yet if he does them for the + public and for his country, he is not to be deemed sordid; but on the contrary, + his diligence and readiness, extending even to these small matters, is to be + esteemed greater and more highly to be valued. But others there are, that hold + Pericles's manner of acting to have been more magnanimous and august; amongst + which Critolaus the Peripatetic, who is of opinion that, as at Athens the + Salaminian ship and the Paralus were not launched forth for every service, but + only on necessary and great occasions, so a statesman ought to employ himself in + the chiefest and greatest affairs, like the King of the universe, who, as + Euripides says, + + Reserves great things for his own government, + But small things leaves to Fortune's management. + + +

+

For neither do we approve the excessively ambitious and contentious spirit of + Theagenes, who, having obtained the victory not only through the whole course of + public games, but also in many other contests, and not only in wrestling but in + buffeting and running of long races, at last, being at the anniversary festival + supper of a certain hero, after every one was served, according to the custom, + he started up, and fell to wrestling, as if it were necessary that no other + should conquer when he was present; whence he got together twelve hundred + coronets, most of which one would have taken for rubbish.

+

Now nothing do they differ from him, who strip themselves for every public + affair, and render themselves reprehensible by many, becoming troublesome, and + being, when they do well, the subject of envy, and when they do ill, of + rejoicing. And that industry which was at the beginning admired turns afterwards + to contempt and laughter. In this manner it was said; + Metiochus leads forth the army, Metiochus oversees the highways, Metiochus bakes + the bread, Metiochus bolts the meal, Metiochus does all things, Metiochus shall + suffer for it at last. This Metiochus was a follower of Pericles, and made use, + it seems, of the power he had with him invidiously and disdainfully. For a + statesman ought to find the people when he comes to them (as they say) in love + with him, and leave in them a longing after him when he is absent; which course + Scipio Africanus also took, dwelling a long time in the country, at the same + time both removing from himself the burthen of envy, and giving those leisure to + breathe, who seemed to be oppressed by his glory. But Timesias the Clazomenian, + who was otherwise a good commonwealths-man, was ignorant of his being envied and + hated for doing all things by himself, till the following accident befell him. + It happened that, as he passed by where certain boys were striking a cockal-bone + out of an hole, some of them said, that the bone was still left within; but he + who had stricken it cried out, I wish I had as certainly beaten out Timesias's + brains, as this bone is out of the hole. Timesias, hearing this, and thereby + understanding the envy and spite borne him by every one, returned home, where he + imparted the matter to his wife, and having commanded her to pack up, all and + follow him, immediately left both his house and the city. And Themistocles seems + to have been in some such condition amongst the Athenians, when he said: How is + it, O ye blessed ones, that you are tired with the frequent receiving of + benefits?

+

Now some of those things have indeed been rightly spoken, others not so well. For + a statesman ought not to withdraw his affection and providential care from any + public affair whatever, nor reserve himself sacred, like the anchor in a ship, + for the last necessities and hazards of the state. But as the masters of ships + do some things with their own hands, and perform others, + sitting afar off, by other instruments, turning and winding them by the hands of + others, and making use of mariners, boatswains, and mates, some of which they + often call to the stern, putting the helm into their hands; so it is convenient + for a statesman sometimes to yield the command to his companions, and to invite + them kindly and civilly to the tribunal, not managing all the affairs of the + commonweal by his own speeches, decrees, and actions, but having good and + faithful men, to employ every one of them in that proper and peculiar station + which he finds to be most suitable for him. Thus Pericles used Menippus for the + conduct of the armies, by Ephialtes he humbled the council of the Areopagus, by + Charinus he passed the law against the Megarians, and sent Lampon to people the + city of Thurii. For not only is the greatness of authority less liable to be + envied by the people, when it seems to be divided amongst many; but the business + also is more exactly done. For as the division of the hand into fingers has not + weakened it, but rendered it more commodious and instrumental for the uses to + which it serves; so he who in the administration of a state gives part of the + affairs to others renders the action more efficacious by communicating it. But + he who, through an unsatiable desire of glory or power, lays the whole burthen + of the state upon his own shoulders, and applies himself to that for which he is + neither fitted by nature nor exercise,—as Cleon did to the leading forth + of armies, Philopoemen to the commanding of navies, and Hannibal to haranguing + the people,—has no excuse for his errors; but hears that of Euripides + objected against him, + + Thou, but a carpenter, concernd'st thyself + With works not wrought in wood;— + + +

+

being no good orator, you went on an embassage; being of a lazy temper, you + thrust yourself into the stewardship; being ignorant in keeping accounts, you + would be treasurer; or, being old and infirm, you took on + you the command of the army. But Pericles divided his authority with Cimon, + reserving to himself the governing within the city, and committing to him the + manning of the navy and making war upon the barbarians; for the other was + naturally fitted for war, and himself for civil affairs. Eubulus also the + Anaphlystian is much commended, that, having credit and authority in matters of + the greatest importance, he managed none of the Grecian affairs, nor betook + himself to the conducting of the army; but employing himself about the treasure, + he augmented the public revenues, and greatly benefited the city by them. But + Iphicrates, practising to make declamations at his own house in the presence of + many, rendered himself ridiculous; for though he had been no bad orator but an + excellently good one, yet ought he to have contented himself with the glory got + by arms, and abstaining from the school, to have left it to the sophisters.

+
+
+

But since it is incident to every populacy to be malicious and desirous to find + fault with their governors, and since they are apt to suspect that many, even + useful things, if they pass without being opposed or contradicted, are done by + conspiracy, and since this principally brings societies and friendships into + obloquy; they must not indeed leave any real enmity or dissension against + themselves, as did Onomademus, a demagogue of the Chians, who, having mastered a + sedition, suffered not all his adversaries to be expelled the city; lest, said + he, we should begin to differ with our friends, when we are wholly freed from + our enemies; for this would be indeed a folly. But when the multitude shall have + conceived a suspicion against any important beneficial project, they must not, + as if it were by confederacy, all deliver the same opinion; but two or three of + them must dissent, and mildly oppose their friend, and afterwards, as if they + were convinced by reason, change their sentiments; for by + this means they draw along with them the people, who think them moved by the + beneficialness of the thing. But in small matters, and such as are of no great + consequence, it is not amiss to suffer his friends really to differ, every one + following his own private reason; that so in the principal and greatest + concerns, they may not seem to act upon design, when they shall unanimously + agree to what is best.

+
+
+

The politician therefore is by nature always the prince of the city, as the king + among the bees; and in consideration of this, he ought always to have the helm + of public affairs in his hand. But as for those dignities and offices to which + persons are nominated and chosen by the suffrages of the people, he should + neither too eagerly nor too often pursue them,—the seeking after offices + being neither venerable nor popular,—nor yet should he reject them, when + the people legally confer them on him and invite him to them, but even though + they are below his reputation, he should accept them and willingly employ + himself in them; for it is but just that they who have been honored by offices + of greater dignity should in return grace those of inferior rank. And in those + more weighty and superior employs, such as are the commanding of the armies in + Athens, the Prytania in Rhodes, and the Boeotarchy amongst us, he should carry + himself with such moderation as to remit and abate something of their grandeur, + adding somewhat of dignity and venerableness to those that are meaner and less + esteemed, that he may be neither despised for these nor envied for those.

+

Now it behooves him that enters upon any office, not only to have at hand those + arguments of which Pericles put himself in mind when he first received the robe + of state: Bethink thyself, Pericles, thou govern'st freemen, thou govern'st + Grecians, yea, citizens of Athens; but farther also, he ought to say thus with + himself: Thou, being a subject, govern'st a city which is + under the obedience of Caesar's proconsul or lieutenant. Here is no fight in a + fair field, this is not the ancient Sardis, nor is this the puissance of the + Lydians. Thou must make thy robe scantier, look from the pavilion to the + tribunal, and not place too great confidence in thy crown, since thou see'st the + Roman's shoes over thy head. But in this the stage-players are to be imitated, + who add indeed to the play their own passionate transports, behavior, and + countenance, suitable to the person they represent, but yet give ear to the + prompter, and transgress not the rhyme and measures of the faculty granted them + by their masters. For an error in government brings not, as in the acting of a + tragedy, only hissing and derision; but many have by this means subjected + themselves to that + + Severe chastiser, the neck-cutting axe. + + +

+

As it befell your countryman Pardalas, when he forgot the limits of his power. + Another, being banished from home and confined to a little island, as Solon has + it, + + Became at last from an Athenian + A Pholegandrian or Sicinitan. + + +

+

For we laugh indeed, when we see little children endeavoring to fasten their + father's shoes on their own feet, or setting their crowns on their own heads in + sport. But the governors of cities, foolishly exhorting the people to imitate + those works, achievements, and actions of their ancestors which are not suitable + to the present times and affairs, elevate the multitude, and although they do + things that are ridiculous, they yet meet with a fate which is not fit to be + laughed at, unless they are men altogether despised. For there are many other + facts of the ancient Greeks, the recital of which to those who are now living + may serve to form and moderate their manners; as would be the relating at + Athens, not the warlike exploits of their progenitors, but + (for example) the decree of amnesty after the expulsion of the Thirty Tyrants; + the fining of Phrynicus, who represented in a tragedy the taking of Miletus; how + they wore garlands on their heads when Cassander rebuilt Thebes; how, having + intelligence of the Scytalism (or slaughter) at Argos in which the Argives put + to death fifteen hundred of their own citizens, they commanded a lustration (or + expiatory sacrifice) to be carried about in a full assembly; and how, when they + were searching of houses for those that were confederated with Harpalus, they + passed by only one, which was inhabited by a man newly married. For by the + imitating of such things as these, they may even now resemble their ancestors; + but the fights at Marathon, Eurymedon, and Plataea, and whatever examples vainly + puff up and heighten the multitude, should be left to the schools of the + sophisters.

+
+
+

Now a statesman ought not only to exhibit himself and his country blameless to + the prince, but also to have always for his friend some one of those that are + most powerful above, as a firm support of polity; for the Romans are of such a + disposition, that they are most ready to assist their friends in their political + endeavors. It is good also, when we have received benefit from friendship with + princes, to apply it to the advancement of our country; as did Polybius and + Panaetius, who through the favor of Scipio to them greatly advantaged their + countries for the obtaining felicity. So Caesar Augustus, when he had taken + Alexandria, made his entry into it, holding Arius by the hand, and discoursing + with him alone of all his familiars; after which he said to the Alexandrians, + who expecting the utmost severity supplicated his favor, that he pardoned them + first for the greatness of their city, secondly for its builder, Alexander, and + thirdly, added he, to gratify this my friend. Is it then fit to compare to this + benefit those exceeding gainful commissions and administrations of provinces, in the pursuit of which many even grow old at + other men's doors, leaving their own domestic affairs in the mean time + unregarded? Or should we rather correct Euripides, singing and saying that, if + one must watch and sue at another's court and subject one's self to some great + man's familiarity, it is most commendable so to do for the sake of one's + country; but otherwise, we should embrace and pursue friendships on equal and + just conditions.

+
+
+

Yet ought not he who renders and exhibits his country obsequious to potent + princes to contribute to the oppressing of it, nor having tied its legs to + subject also its neck, as some do who, referring all things both great and + little to these potentates, upbraid it with servitude, or rather wholly take + away the commonwealth, rendering it astonished, timorous, and without command of + any thing. For as those who are accustomed neither to sup nor bathe without the + physician do not make so much use of their health as Nature affords them; so + they who introduce the prince's judgment into every decree, council, favor, and + administration, necessitate the princes to be more masters of them than they + desire. Now the cause of this is principally the avarice and ambition of the + chief citizens. For either, by injuring their inferiors, they compel them to fly + out of the city; or in such things wherein they differ from one another, + disdaining to be worsted by their fellow-citizens, they bring in such as are + more powerful, whence both the council, people, courts of judicature, and whole + magistracy lose their authority. But he ought to appease private citizens by + equality, and mightier men by mutual submissions, so as to keep peace within the + commonweal, and coolly to determine their affairs; making for these things, as + it were for secret diseases, a certain political medicine, both being himself + rather willing to be vanquished amongst his fellow-citizens, than to get the + better by the injury and dissolution of his country's + rights, and requesting the same of every one else, and teaching them how great a + mischief this obstinacy in contending is. But now, rather than they will with + honor and benignity mutually yield to their fellow-citizens, kinsmen, neighbors, + and colleagues in office, they do, with no less prejudice than shame, carry + forth their dissensions to the doors of the pleaders, and put them into the + hands of pragmatical lawyers.

+

Physicians indeed turn and drive forth into the superficies of the body such + diseases as they are not able utterly to extirpate; but a statesman, though he + cannot keep a city altogether free from internal troubles, yet should, by + concealing its disturbance and sedition, endeavor to cure and compose it, so + that it may least stand in need of physicians and medicines from abroad. For the + intention of a statesman should be fixed upon the public safety, and should + shun, as has been said, the tumultuous and furious motion of vain-glory; and yet + in his disposition there should be magnanimity, + + And undaunted courage,—as becomes + The men, who are for their dear country's right + Prepared till death 'gainst stoutest foes to fight, + See Il. XVII. 156. + + +

+

and who are bravely resolved, not only to hazard their lives against the assaults + of invading enemies, but also to struggle with the most difficult affairs, and + stem the torrent of the most dangerous and impetuous times. For as he must not + himself be a creator of storms and tempests, so neither must he abandon the ship + of the state when they come upon it; and as he ought not to raise commotions and + drive it into danger, so is he obliged, when it is tossed and is in peril, to + give it his utmost assistance, putting forth all his boldness of speech, as he + would throw out a sacred anchor when affairs are at the greatest extremity. Such were the difficulties that befell the Pergamenians + under Nero, and the Rhodians lately under Domitian, and the Thessalians + heretofore in the time of Augustus, when they burned Petraeus alive. + + You shall not in this case demurring see, + See Il. IV. 223 + + +

+

or starting back for fear, any one who is truly a statesman; neither shall you + find him accusing others and withdrawing himself out of harm's way; but you + shall have him rather going on embassies, sailing to foreign parts, and not only + saying first, + + We're here, Apollo, who the murther wrought, + No longer plague our country for our fault, + + +

+

but also ready to undergo perils and dangers for the multitude, even though he + has not been at all partaker of their crime. For this indeed is a gallant + action; and besides its honesty, one only man's virtue and magnanimity has often + wonderfully mitigated the anger conceived against a whole multitude, and + dissipated the terror and bitterness with which- they were threatened. Such an + influence with a king of Persia had the deportment of Sperchis and Bulis, two + noble Spartans; and equally prevalent was the speech of Stheno with Pompey, + when, being about to punish the Mamertines for their defection, he was told by + Stheno, that he would not act justly if he should for one guilty person destroy + abundance of innocents; for that he himself had caused the revolt of the city, + by persuading his friends and forcing his enemies to that attempt. This speech + did so dispose Pompey, that he both pardoned the city and courteously treated + Stheno. But Sylla's host, having used the like virtue towards an unlike person, + generously ended his days. For when Sylla, having taken the city of Praeneste, + determined to put all the rest of the inhabitants to the sword, and to spare + only him for the hospitality that had been between them, + he, saying that he would not be indebted for his preservation to the destroyer + of his country, thrust himself in amongst his fellow-citizens, and was massacred + with them. We ought therefore indeed to deprecate such times as these, and hope + for better things.

+
+
+

Moreover, we should honor, as a great and sacred thing, every magistracy and + magistrate. Now the mutual concord and friendship of magistrates with one + another is a far greater honor of magistracy than their diadems and + purple-garded robes. Now those who lay for a foundation of friendship their + having been fellow-soldiers or having spent their youth together, and take their + being joint commanders or co-magistrates for a cause of enmity, cannot avoid + being guilty of one of these three evils. For either, regarding their colleagues + in government as their equals, they brangle with them; or looking on them as + their superiors, they envy them; or esteeming them their inferiors, they despise + them; whereas, indeed, one ought to court his superior, advance his inferior, + honor his equal, and love and embrace all, as having been made friends, not by + eating at the same table, drinking in the same cup, or meeting at the same + solemn feast, but by a common and public bond, and having in some sort an + hereditary benevolence derived from their country. Scipio therefore was ill + spoken of in Rome, for that, making a feast for his friends at the dedication of + a temple to Hercules, he invited not to it his colleague Mummius; for, though in + other things they took not one another for friends, yet in such occurrences as + these they should have mutually honored and caressed each other, for the sake of + their common magistracy. If then the omission of so small a civility brought + Scipio, who was otherwise an admirable man, under a suspicion of arrogancy; how + can he who seeks to impair the dignity of his colleague, or to obfuscate the + lustre of his actions, or through insolency to draw and attribute all things to + himself, taking them wholly from his companion, be + esteemed reasonable and moderate? I remember that, when I was yet but a young + man, being jointly with another sent on an embassy to the proconsul, and my + companion—I know not on what occasion—stopping by the way, I went on + alone and performed the affair. Now when at my return I was to render an account + of my charge, my father, taking me aside, admonished me not to say I went but We went, not I spoke but We spoke, and so + through all the rest to make my report by associating my companion, and + rendering him a sharer in my actions. For this is not only decent and courteous, + but also takes from glory what is offensive, that is, envy. Whence it is that + great men generally co-ascribe their most glorious actions to their Daemon or + Fortune; as did Timoleon, who having destroyed the tyrannies in Sicily, + consecrated a temple to Chance; and Python, when, being admired and honored by + the Athenians for having slain Cotys, he said, God did this, making use of my + hand. But Theopompus, king of the Lacedaemonians, when one said that Sparta was + preserved because its kings were well skilled in governing, replied: 'Tis rather + because the people are well versed in obeying.

+
+
+

These two things then are affected by each other; yet most men both say and think + that the business of political instruction is to render the people pliable to be + governed. For there are in every city more governed than governors, and every + one who lives in a democracy rules only a short time, but is subject all his + life, so that it is the most excellent and useful lesson we can learn, to obey + those who are set over us, though they are less furnished with authority and + reputation.

+

For it is absurd that a Theodorus or a Polus, the principal actor in a tragedy, + should often obey a hireling who plays the third part, and speak humbly to him + because he wears a diadem and a sceptre; and that in real actions and in the government of the state, a rich and mighty man should + undervalue and contemn a magistrate because he is simple and poor, thus injuring + and degrading the dignity of the commonweal by his own; whereas he should rather + by his own reputation and authority have increased and advanced that of the + magistrate. As in Sparta the kings rose up out of their thrones to the ephors, + and whoever else was sent for by them did not slowly obey, but running hastily + and with speed through the forum, gave a pattern of obedience to his + fellow-citizens, whilst he gloried in honoring the magistrates; not like to some + ill-bred and barbarous persons, who, priding themselves in the abundance of + their power, affront the judges of the public combats, revile the directors of + the dances in the Bacchanals, and deride military commanders and those that + preside over the exercises of youth, neither knowing nor understanding that to + honor is sometimes more glorious than to be honored. For to a man of great + authority in a city, his accompanying and attending on the magistrate is a + greater grace than if he were himself accompanied and attended on by him; or + rather this indeed would bring trouble and envy, but that brings real glory, and + such as proceeds from kindness and good-will. And such a man, being seen + sometimes at the magistrate's door, and saluting him first, and giving him the + middle place in walking, does, without taking any thing from himself, add + ornament to the city.

+
+
+

It is also a popular thing and wins greatly on the multitude, to bear patiently + the reproaches and indignation of a magistrate, saying either with Diomedes, + + + Great glory soon will follow this, + Il. IV. 415. + + +

+

or this, which was sometime said by Demosthenes,—that he is not now + Demosthenes only, but a magistrate, or a director of public dances, or a wearer + of a diadem. Let us therefore lay aside our revenge for a time; for either we shall come upon him when he is dismissed from his + office, or shall by delaying gain a cessation of anger.

+
+
+

Indeed one should in diligence, providence, and care for the public always strive + with every magistrate, advising them,—if they are gracious and well + behaved,—of such things as are requisite, warning them, and giving them + opportunities to make use of such things as have been rightly counselled, and + helping them to advance the common good; but if there is in them any sloth, + delay, or ill-disposedness to action, then ought one to go himself and speak to + the people, and not to neglect or omit the public on pretence that it becomes + not one magistrate to be curious and play the busybody in another's province. + For the law always gives the first rank in government to him who does what is + just and knows what is convenient. There was, says + Xenophon,Xen. Anab. III. 1, + 4. + one in the army named Xenophon, who was neither general + nor inferior commander; but yet this man, by his skill in what was fit + and boldness in attempting, raising himself to command, preserved the Grecians. + Now of all Philopoemen's deeds this is the most illustrious, that AgisProbably a mistake for Nabis. See Plutarch's Life of Philopoemen, § 12. (G.) + having surprised Messene, and the general of the Achaeans being unwilling and + fearful to go and rescue it, he with some of the forwardest spirits did without + a commission make an assault and recover it. Yet are we not to attempt + innovations on every light or trivial occasion; but only in cases of necessity, + as did Philopoemen, or for the performance of some honorable actions, as did + Epaminondas when he continued in the Boeotarchy four months longer than was + allowed by the law, during which he brake into Laconia and re-edified Messene. + Whence, if any complaint or accusation shall on this occasion happen, we may in + our defence against such accusation plead necessity, or + have the greatness and gallantry of the action as a comfort for the danger.

+
+
+

There is recorded a saying of Jason, monarch of the Thessalians, which he always + had in his mouth when he outraged or molested any, that there is a necessity for + those to be unjust in small matters who will act justly in great ones. Now that + speech one may presently discern to have been made by a despot. But more + political is this precept, to gratify the populacy with the passing over small + things, that we may oppose and hinder them when they are like to offend in + greater. For he that will be exact and earnest in all things, never yielding or + conniving, but always severe and inexorable, accustoms the people to strive + obstinately, and behave themselves perversely towards him. + + But when the waves beat high, the sheet should be + A little slackened,— + + +

+

sometimes by unbending himself and sporting graciously with them, as in the + celebrating of festival sacrifices, assisting at public games, and being a + spectator at the theatres, and sometimes by seeming neither to see nor hear, as + we pass by the faults of such children in our houses; that the faculty of freely + chastising and reprehending, being—like a medicine—not antiquated or + debilitated by use, but having its full vigor and authority, may more forcibly + move and operate on the multitude in matters of greater importance.

+

Alexander, being informed that his sister was too familiarly acquainted with a + certain handsome young man, was not displeased at it, but said, that she also + must be permitted to have some enjoyment of the royalty; acting in this + concession neither rightly nor as beseemed himself; for the dissolution and + dishonoring of the state ought not to be esteemed an enjoyment. But a statesman + will not to his power permit the people to injure any private citizens, to confiscate other men's estates, or to share the public + stock amongst them; but will by persuading, instructing, and threatening oppugn + such irregular desires, by the feeding and increasing of which Cleon caused many + a stinging drone, as Plato says, to breed in the city. But if the multitude, + taking occasion from some solemn feast of the country or the veneration of some + God, shall be inclined either to exhibit some show, to make some small + distribution, to bestow some courteous gratification, or to perform some other + magnificence, let them in such matters have an enjoyment both of their + liberality and abundance. For there are many examples of such things in the + governments of Pericles and Demetrius; and Cimon adorned the market-place by + planting rows of plane-trees and making of walks. Cato also, seeing the populacy + in the time of Catiline's conspiracy put in a commotion by Caesar, and + dangerously inclined to make a change in the government, persuaded the senate to + decree some distributions of money amongst the poor, and this being done + appeased the tumult and quieted the sedition. For, as a physician, having taken + from his patient great store of corrupt blood, gives him a little innocent + nourishment; so a statesman, having taken from the people some great thing which + was either inglorious or prejudicial, does again by some small and courteous + gratuity still their morose and complaining humor.

+
+
+

It is not amiss also dexterously to turn aside the eager desires of the people to + other useful things, as Demades did when he had the revenues of the city under + his management. For they being bent to send galleys to the assistance of those + who were in rebellion against Alexander, and commanding him to furnish out money + for that purpose, he said to them: You have money ready, for I have made + provision against the Bacchanals, that every one of you may receive half a mina; + but if you had rather have it employed this way, make use + as you please of your own. And by this means taking them off from sending the + fleet, lest they should be deprived of the dividend, he kept the people from + offending Alexander. For there are many prejudicial things to which we cannot + directly put a stop, but we must for that end make use of turning and winding; + as did Phocion, when he was required at an unseasonable time to make an + incursion into Boeotia. For he immediately caused proclamation to be made, that + all from sixteen years of age to sixty should prepare to follow him; and when + there arose upon it a mutiny amongst the old men, he said: There is no hardship + put upon you, for I, who am above fourscore years old, shall be your general. In + this manner also is the sending of embassies to be put off, by joining in the + commission such as are unprepared; and the raising of unprofitable buildings, by + bidding them contribute to it; and the following of indecent suits, by ordering + the prosecutors to appear together and go together from the court. Now the + proposers and inciters of the people to such things are first to be drawn and + associated for the doing them; for so they will either by their shifting it off + seem to break the matter, or by their accepting of it have their share in the + trouble.

+
+
+

But when some great and useful matter, yet such as requires much struggling and + industry, is to be taken in hand, endeavor to choose the most powerful of your + friends, or rather the mildest of the most powerful; for they will least thwart + you and most co-operate with you, having wisdom without a contentious humor. + Nevertheless, thoroughly understanding your own nature, you ought, in that for + which you are naturally less fit, rather to make choice of such as are of + suitable abilities, than of such as are like yourself; as Diomedes, when he went + forth to spy, passing by the valiant, took for his companion one that was + prudent and cautious. For thus are actions better counterpoised, and there is no contention bred betwixt them, when they + desire honor from different virtues and qualities. If therefore you are yourself + no good speaker, choose for your assistant in a suit or your companion in an + embassy an eloquent man, as Pelopidas did Epaminondas; if you are unfit to + persuade and converse with the multitude, being too high-minded for it, as was + Callicratidas, take one that is gracious and courtly; if you are infirm of body + and unable to undergo fatigues, make choice of one who is robust and a lover of + labor, as Nicias did of Lamachus. For thus Geryon would have become admirable, + having many legs, hands, and eyes, if only they had been all governed by one + soul. But it is in the power of statesmen—by conferring together, if they + are unanimous, not only their bodies and wealth, but also their fortunes, + authorities, and virtues, to one common use—to perform the same action + with greater glory than any one person; not as did the Argonauts, who, having + left Hercules, were necessitated to have recourse to female subtleties and be + subject to enchantments and sorceries, that they might save themselves and steal + away the fleece.

+

Men indeed entering into some temples leave their gold without; but iron, that I + may speak my mind in a word, they never carry into any. Since then the tribunal + is a temple common to Jupiter the counsellor and protector of cities, to Themis, + and to Justice, from the very beginning, before thou enterest into it, stripping + thy soul of avarice and the love of wealth, cast them into the shops of bankers + and usurers, + + And from them turn thyself, + Odyss. V. 350. + + +

+

esteeming him who heaps up treasures by the management of public affairs to rob + the temples, plunder graves, and steal from his friends, and enriching himself + by treachery and bearing of false witness, to be an unfaithful counsellor, a perjured judge, a bribe-taking magistrate, and in brief, + free from no injustice. Whence it is not necessary to say much concerning this + matter.

+
+
+

Now ambition, though it is more specious than covetousness, brings yet no less + plagues into a state. For it is usually more accompanied with boldness, as being + bred, not in slothful and abject spirits, but chiefly in such as are vigorous + and active; and the vogue of the people, frequently extolling it and driving it + by their praises, renders it thereby headstrong and hard to be managed. As + therefore Plato advised, that we should even from our infancy inculcate into + young people, that it is not fit for them to wear gold about them abroad nor yet + to be possessors of it, as having a peculiar treasure of their own, immixed with + their souls,—enigmatically, as I conceive, insinuating the virtue + propagated in their natures from the race or stock of which they are + descended,—so let us also moderate our ambition by saying, that we have in + ourselves uncorrupted gold, that is, honor unmixed, and free from envy and + reprehension, which is still augmented by the consideration and contemplation of + our acts and jests in the service of the commonweal. Wherefore we stand not in + need of honors painted, cast, or engraven in brass, in which what is most + admired frequently belongs to another. For the statue of a trumpeter or + halberdier is not commended or esteemed for the sake of the person whom it is + made to represent, but for that of the workman by whom it is made. And Cato, + when Rome was in a manner filled with statues, would not suffer his to be + erected, saying, I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than + why it is. For such things are subject to envy, and the people think themselves + obliged to those who have not received them; whereas those who have received + them are esteemed burthensome, as seeking public employs for a reward. For as he + does no great or glorious act who, having without danger + sailed along the Syrtis, is afterwards cast away in the harbor; so he who, + having kept himself safe in passing through the treasury and the management of + the public revenues, is caught with a presidency or a place in the Prytaneum, + not only dashes against an high promontory, but is likewise drowned.

+

He then is best, who desires none of these things, but shuns and refuses them + all. But if perhaps it is not easy wholly to decline a favor or testimonial of + the people's amity, when they are fully bent to bestow it, yet for those who + have in the service of the state contended not for silver or presents, but have + fought a fight truly sacred and deserving a crown, let an inscription, a tablet, + a decree, or a branch of laurel or olive suffice, such as Epimenides received + out of the castle of Athens for having purified the city. So Anaxagoras, putting + back the other honors that were given him, desired that on the day of his death + the children might have leave to play and intermit their studies. And to the + seven Persians who killed the Magi it was granted that they and their posterity + should wear their turban on the fore part of the head; for this, it seems, they + had made the signal, when they went about that attempt. The honor also which + Pittacus received had something political; for being bid to take what portion he + would of the land he had gotten for his citizens, he accepted as much as he + could reach with the cast of his dart. So Codes the Roman took as much as he + himself, being lame, could plough in a day. For the honor should not be a + recompense of the action, but an acknowledgment of gratitude, that it may + continue also long, as those did which we have mentioned. But of the three + hundred statues erected to Demetrius Phalereus, not one was eaten into by rust + or covered with filth, they being all pulled down whilst himself was yet alive; + and those of Demades were melted into chamber-pots. Many other honors also have + undergone the like fate, being regarded with an ill eye, + not only for the wickedness of the receiver, but also for the greatness of the + gift. A moderation in the expense is therefore the best and surest preservative + of honors; for such as are great, immense, and ponderous are like to + unproportioned statues, soon overthrown.

+
+
+

Now I here call those honors which the people, + + Whose right it is, so name; with them I speak: + + +

+

as Empedocles has it; since a wise statesman will not despise true honor and + favor, consisting in the good-will and friendly disposition of those who + gratefully remember his services; nor will he contemn glory by shunning to + please his neighbors, as Democritus would have him. For neither the fawning of + dogs nor the affection of horses is to be rejected by huntsmen and jockeys; nay, + it is both profitable and pleasant to breed in those animals which are brought + up in our houses and live with us, such a disposition towards one's self as + Lysimachus's dog showed to his master, and as the poet relates Achilles's horses + to have had towards Patroclus.See Il. + XIX. 404. And I am of opinion that bees would fare better if they + would make much of those who breed them and look after them, and would admit + them to come near them, than they do by stinging them and driving them away; for + now their keepers punish them by smothering them with smoke; so they tame unruly + horses with short bits; and dogs that are apt to run away, by collaring them and + fastening them to clogs. But there is nothing which renders one man so + obsequious and submissive to another, as the confidence of his good-will, and + the opinion of his integrity and justice. Wherefore Demosthenes rightly + affirmed, that the greatest preservative of states against tyrants is distrust. + For the part of the soul by which we believe is most apt to be caught. As + therefore Cassandra's gift of prophecy was of no advantage + to the citizens of Troy, who would not believe her: + + The God (says she) would have me to foretell + Things unbelieved; for when the people well + Have smarted, groaning under pressures sad, + They style me wise, till then they think me mad; + + +

+

so the confidence the citizens had in Archytas, and their good-will towards + Battus, were highly advantageous to those who would make use of them through the + good opinion they had of them.

+

Now the first greatest benefit which is in the reputation of statesmen is the + confidence that is had in them, giving them an entrance into affairs; and the + second is, that the good-will of the multitude is an armor to the good against + those that are envious and wicked; for, + + As when the careful mother drives the flies + From her dear babe, which sweetly sleeping lies, + Il. IV. 130. + + +

+

it chases away envy, and renders the plebeian equal in authority to the nobleman, + the poor man to the rich, and the private man to the magistrates; and in a word, + when truth and virtue are joined with it, it is a strange and favorable wind, + directly carrying men into government. And on the other side behold and learn by + examples the mischievous effects of the contrary disposition. For those of Italy + slew the wife and children of Dionysius, having first violated and polluted them + with their lusts; and afterwards burning their bodies, scattered the ashes out + of the ship into the sea. But when one Menander, who had reigned graciously over + the Bactrians, died afterwards in the camp, the cities indeed by common consent + celebrated his funeral; but coming to a contest about his relics, they were + difficultly at last brought to this agreement, that his ashes being distributed, + every one of them should carry away an equal share, and they should all erect + monuments to him. Again, the Agrigentines, being got rid of + Phalaris, made a decree, that none should wear a blue garment; for the tyrant's + attendants had blue liveries. But the Persians, because Cyrus was hawk-nosed, do + to this day love such men and esteem them handsomest.

+
+
+

That is of all loves the strongest and divinest, which is by cities and states + borne to any man for his virtue. But those false-named honors and false + testimonials of amity, which have their rise from stage-plays, largesses, and + fencings, are not unlike the flatteries of whores; the people always with smiles + bestowing an unconstant and short-lived glory on him that presents them and + gratifies them.

+

He therefore who said, the people were first overthrown by him which first + bestowed largesses on them, very well understood that the multitude lose their + strength, being rendered weaker by receiving. But these bestowers must also know + that they destroy themselves, when, purchasing glory at great expenses, they + make the multitude haughty and arrogant, as having it in their power to give and + take away some very great matter.

+
+
+

Yet are we not therefore to act sordidly in the distribution of honorary + presents, when there is plenty enough. For the people more hate a rich man who + gives nothing of his own, than they do a poor man that robs the public treasury; + attributing the former to pride and a contempt of them, but the latter to + necessity. First, therefore, let these largesses be made gratis, for so they + more oblige the receivers, and strike them with admiration; then, on some + occasion that has a handsome and laudable pretence, with the honor of some God + wholly drawing the people to devotion; for so there is at the same time bred in + them a strong apprehension and opinion that the Deity is great and venerable, + when they see those whom they honor and highly esteem so bountifully and readily + expending their wealth upon his honor. As therefore Plato forbade young men who were to be liberally educated to learn the + Lydian and Phrygian harmony,—one of which excites the mournful and + melancholy part of our soul, whilst the other increases its inclination to + pleasure and sensual delight,— so do you, as much as possibly you can, + drive out of the city all such largesses as either foster and cherish brutality + and savageness, or scurrility and lasciviousness; and if that cannot be, at + least shun them, and oppose the many when they desire such spectacles; always + making the subjects of our expenses useful and modest, having for their end what + is good and necessary, or at least what is pleasant and acceptable, without any + prejudice or injury.

+
+
+

But if your estate be but indifferent, and by its centre and circumference + confined to your necessary use, it is neither ungenerous nor base to confess + your poverty and give place to such as are provided for those honorary expenses, + and not, by taking up money on usury, to render yourself at the same time both + miserable and ridiculous by such services. For they whose abilities fall short + cannot well conceal themselves, being compelled either to be troublesome to + their friends, or to court and flatter usurers, so that they get not any honor + or power, but rather shame and contempt by such expenses. It is therefore always + useful on such occasions to call to mind Lamachus and Phocion. For Phocion, when + the Athenians at a solemn sacrifice called upon him, and often importuned him to + give them something, said to them, I should be ashamed to give to you, and not + pay this Callicles,—pointing to an usurer who was standing by. And as for + Lamachus, he always put down in his bill of charges, when he was general, the + money laid out for his shoes and coat. And to Hermon, when he refused the + undertaking of an office because of his poverty, the Thessalians ordained a + puncheon of wine a month, and a bushel and a half of meal every four days. It is + therefore no shame to confess one's poverty; nor are the + poor in cities of less authority than those who feast and exhibit public shows, + if they have but gotten freedom of speech and reputation by their virtue.

+

A statesman ought therefore chiefly to moderate himself on such occasions, and + neither, being himself on foot, go into the field against well-mounted + cavaliers, nor, being himself poor, vie with those that are rich about race + matches, theatrical pomps, and magnificent tables and banquets; but he should + rather strive to be like those who endeavor to manage the city by virtue and + prudence, always joined with eloquence; in which there is not only honesty and + venerableness, but also a gracefulness and attractiveness, + + Far more to be desired than Croesus' wealth. + + +

+

For a good man is neither insolent nor odious; nor is a discreet person + self-conceited, + + Nor with a look severe walks he amongst + His fellow-citizens; + + +

+

but he is, on the contrary, courteous, affable, and of easy access to all, having + his house always open, as a port of refuge to those that will make use of him, + and showing his care and kindness, not only by being assistant in the + necessities and affairs of those that have recourse to him, but also by + condoling with those that are in adversity, and congratulating and rejoicing + with such as have been successful; neither is he troublesome or offensive by the + multitude and train of domestics attending him at bath, or by taking up of + places in the theatres, nor remarkable by things invidious for luxury and + sumptuousness; but he is equal and like to others in his clothes, diet, + education of his children, and the garb and attendance of his wife, as desiring + in his comportment and manner of living to be like the rest of the people. Then + he exhibits himself an intelligent counsellor, an unfeed + advocate and courteous arbitrator between men and their wives, and friends at + variance amongst themselves; not spending a small part of the day for the + service of the commonweal at the tribunal or in the hall of audience, and + employing all the lest, and the whole remainder of his life, in drawing to + himself every sort of negotiations and affairs, as the northeast wind does the + clouds; but always employing his cares on the public, and reputing polity (or + the administration of the state) as a busy and active life, and not, as it is + commonly thought, an easy and idle service; he does by all these and such like + things turn and draw the many, who see that all the flatteries and enticements + of others are but spurious and deceitful baits, when compared to his care and + providence. The flatterers indeed of Demetrius vouchsafed not to give the other + potentates of his time, amongst whom Alexander's empire was divided, the title + of kings, but styled Seleucus master of the elephants, Lysimachus treasurer, + Ptolemaeus admiral, and Agathocles governor of the isles. But the multitude, + though they may at the beginning reject a good and prudent man, yet coning + afterwards to understand his veracity and the sincerity of his disposition, + esteem him a public-spirited person and a magistrate; and of the others, they + think and call one a maintainer of choruses, a second a feaster, and a third a + master of the exercises. Moreover, as at the banquets made by Callias or + Alcibiades, Socrates only is heard, and to Socrates all men's eyes are directed; + so in sound and healthy states Ismenias bestows largesses, Lichas makes suppers, + and Niceratus provides choruses; but it is Epaminondas, Aristides, and Lysander + that govern, manage the state, and lead forth the armies. Which if any one + considers, he ought not to be dejected or amazed at the glory gotten amongst the + people from theatres, banqueting-halls, and public buildings; since it lasts but + a short time, being at an end as soon as the prizes and + plays are over, and having in them nothing honorable or worthy of esteem.

+
+
+

Those that are versed in the keeping and breeding of bees look on that hive to be + healthiest and in best condition, where there is most humming, and which is + fullest of bustle and noise; but he to whom God has committed the care of the + rational and political hive, reputing the felicity of the people to consist + chiefly in quietness and tranquillity, will receive and to his power imitate the + rest of Solon's ordinances, but will doubt and wonder what it was that induced + him to decree, that he who, when there arises a sedition in the city, adheres to + neither party should be reputed infamous. For in the body, the beginning of its + change from sickness to health is not wrought by the parts that are infected + with the disease, but when the temperature of such parts as are sound, growing + powerful, drives away what is contrary to nature; and in a state, where the + people are disturbed by a sedition not dangerous and mortal, but which will + after a while be composed and allayed, it is of necessity that there be a + mixture of much that is uninfected and sound, and that it continue and cohabit + in it. For thither flows from the wise what is fit and natural, and passes into + the part that is diseased. But when cities are in an universal commotion, they + are in danger of being utterly destroyed, unless, being constrained by some + necessity and chastisement from abroad, they are by the force of their miseries + reduced to wisdom. Yet does it not become you in the time of a sedition to sit + as if you were neither sensible nor sorry, praising your own unconcernedness as + a quiet and happy life, and taking delight in the error of others. But on such + occasions chiefly should you put on the buskin of Theramenes, and conferring + with both parties, join yourself to neither. For you will not seem a stranger by + not being a partaker in injustice, but a common friend to + them all by your assistance; nor will you be envied for your not sharing in the + calamity, when you appear equally to condole with every one of them. But the + best is, by your providential care to prevent the raising of any sedition; and + in this consists the greatest and most excellent point, as it were, of the + political art. For you are to consider that, the greatest benefits a city can + enjoy being peace, liberty, plenty, abundance of men, and concord, the people + have at this time no need of statesmen for the procuring of peace; since all + war, whether with Greeks or barbarians, is wholly taken away and banished from + us. As for liberty, the people have as much as the emperors think fit to grant + them, and more perhaps would not be expedient. The prudent man therefore will + beg the Gods to grant to his fellow-citizens the unenvied plenty of the earth, + and the kind temper of the seasons, and that wives may bear children like to their parents, + Hesiod, Works and Days, 235. and + also safety for all that is born and produced.

+

There remains therefore to a statesman, of all those things that are subject to + his charge, this alone, which is inferior to none of the other benefits, the + keeping of those who are co-inhabitants of the same city in perpetual concord + and friendship, and the taking away of all contentions, animosities, and + heart-burnings. In which he shall, as in the differences between friends, so + converse with the party appearing to be most injured, as if he himself seemed + also a sharer in the injury and equally offended at it, endeavoring afterwards + so to appease him, by showing him how much those who pass by injuries excel such + as strive to contend and conquer, not only in good-nature and sweetness of + disposition, but also in prudence and magnanimity; and how, by remitting a + little of their right in small matters, they get the better in the greatest and + most important. He shall afterwards admonish them both in general and apart, instructing them in the weakness of the Grecian + affairs, which it is better for intelligent men to make the best of, and to live + in peace and concord, than to engage in a contest for which fortune has left no + reward. For what authority, what glory is there remaining for the conquerors? + What power is there, which the least decree of a proconsul cannot abolish or + transfer elsewhere, and which, though it should continue, would yet have any + thing worth our pains? But since, as a conflagration in a town does not + frequently begin in sacred and public places, but a lamp negligently left in a + house, or the burning of a little trash or rubbish, raises a great fire and + works a common mischief; so sedition in a state is not always kindled by + contentions about public affairs, but oftentimes the differences arising from + private concerns and jangles, being propagated into the public, have disturbed a + whole city. It is no less becoming a statesman to remedy and prevent all these, + so that some of them may never have any being, others may quickly be + extinguished, and others hindered from increasing or taking hold of the public, + and confined amongst the adversaries themselves. And as himself ought to take + care for this, so should he advertise others, that private disturbances are the + occasion of public ones, and little of great ones, if they are neglected and + suffered to proceed without taking care to apply fit remedies to them in the + beginning.

+

In this manner is the greatest and most dangerous disturbance that ever happened + in Delphi said to have been occasioned by Crates, whose daughter Orgilaus, the + son of Phalis, being about to marry, it happened that the cup they were using in + the espousals brake asunder of itself; which he taking for an ill omen, left his + bride, and went away with his father. Crates a little after, charging them with + taking away a certain golden vessel, used in the sacrifices, caused Orgilaus and + his brother, unheard, to be precipitated from the top of a + rock to the bottom, and afterwards slew several of their most intimate friends, + as they were at their devotions in the temple of Providence. After many such + things were perpetrated, the Delphians, putting to death Crates and his + companions in the sedition, out of their estates which they called + excommunicated, built the temples in the lower part of the town. In Syracuse + also there were two young men, betwixt whom there was an extraordinary intimacy, + one of which, having taken into his custody his friend's catamite, vitiated him + in his absence. The other at his return, by way of retaliation, debauched his + companion's wife. Then one of the ancient senators, coming into the council, + proposed the banishing of them both before the city was ruined by their filling + it with enmity. Yet did not he prevail; but a sedition arising on this occasion + by very great calamities overturned a most excellently constituted commonweal. + You have also a domestical example in the enmity between Pardalus and Tyrrhenus, + which wanted little of destroying Sardis by embroiling it in revolt and war on + little and private differences. A statesman therefore is not to slight the + little offences and heart-burnings which, as diseases in a body, pass speedily + from one to another, but to take them in hand, suppress, and cure them. For, as + Cato says, by attention and carefulness great matters are made little, and + little ones reduced to nothing. Now there is no better artifice of inuring men + to this, than the showing one's self easily pacified in his own private + differences, persisting without rancor in matters of the first importance, and + managing none with obstinacy, contending wrath, or any other passion, which may + work sharpness or bitterness in necessary disputes. For as they bind certain + round muffles about the hands of those who combat at buffets, that in their + contests there may not arrive any fatal accident, the blows being soft and such + as can do no great harm; so in such suits and processes + with one's fellow-citizens, it is best to manage the dispute by making use of + pure and simple pretences, and not by sharpening and empoisoning matters, as if + they were weapons, with calumnies, malice, and threats, to render them + pernicious, great, and public. For he who in this manner carries himself with + those with whom he has affairs will have others also subject to him. But + contentions about public matters, where private grudges are taken away, are soon + appeased, and bring no difficult or fatal mischiefs.

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+ + +