diff --git a/data/tlg0007/tlg106/tlg0007.tlg106.perseus-eng2.xml b/data/tlg0007/tlg106/tlg0007.tlg106.perseus-eng2.xml new file mode 100755 index 000000000..381f7c7c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/tlg0007/tlg106/tlg0007.tlg106.perseus-eng2.xml @@ -0,0 +1,947 @@ + + + + + + + How a Man May Inoffensively Praise Himself Without Being Liable to Envy + Plutarch + William W.Goodwin + P. Lancaster + 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 + + 2 + + The Internet Archive + + + + +

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+ + + + + + + English + Greek + Latin + + + + tagging + EpiDoc and CTS Conversion + + + + +
+ How a man may inoffensively praise himself without being liable to envy. + +
+

HE that talks big and arrogantly of himself, Herculanus, is universally condemned as a troublesome and ill-bred companion. But the most, even of those who in + words mightily declaim against him, seem to applaud him + in their actions. Euripides could say, + + + + If speech grew scarce, and at great rates were sold, + + Commend himself what lavish fellow would? + + But since the infinite treasure of the air + + Praise gratis yields, none truth or falsehood spare; + + Suffering no damage, though they give their ware. + + +

+

Yet he often brings in his heroes intolerably boasting, and + stuffs their most tragical adventures and passions with improper discourses of themselves. So Pindar declares, + + + + Unseasonably to glory + + Makes harmony with fury; + Pindar, Olymp. IX. 58. + + +

+

but he forbears not to extol his own raptures, which indeed, + by the confession of all men, are worthy of the noblest + praise.

+

But those who are crowned for mastery in the games or + in the learned combats have others to celebrate their victories, that the people's ears be not grated with the harsh + noises of self-applause. And Timotheus is justly censured + as unskilfully and irregularly setting forth his conquest of + + + + Phrynis, when he thus proudly boasted it in writing: Happy man wast thou, Timotheus, when the crier proclaimed, + 'The Milesian Timotheus hath vanquished the son of Carbo, + the soft Ionian poet.'

+

It is true then, as Xenophon says, The most pleasant + sound that a man can hear is his own praise in another's + mouth; but the most odious thing unto others is a man + commending himself. For we brand them as impudent + who commend themselves, it becoming them to be modest + though they were praised by others; and we account them + unjust in arrogating that to themselves which another has + the sole propriety of bestowing on them. Besides, if we + then are silent, we seem either angry or envious; but if + we second their discourse, we are presently entangled and + forced to contribute more than we intended, speaking to + men's faces what sounds well only behind their backs; + and so we undertake rather the base work of drudging + flattery than any real offices of true honor.

+
+
+

Yet, however, there is a time when a statesman may + be the subject of his own discourse, and give a free relation of things he has worthily done or said, as well as + other truths; taking care that it be not merely for favor + or reputation, but upon some emergent occasion, and especially, when the deeds achieved by him or the parts that be + in him be good and honest, then he is not to forbear and + say merely that he hath done so or else much like. There + is indeed a praise of this kind which bears very excellent and + lovely fruit, from whose seeds arise many of the same + species very much meliorated and improved. And therefore it is that the wise statesman seeks glory not as the + reward or solace of his virtue, nor embraces it merely as + the companion of his achievements, but because the being + accounted an honorable person and gallant man affords a + thousand opportunities of compassing many and more desirable things. For it is easy and delightful to be of use + + + + to those who are apt to believe and love us; whereas, if a + man lie under calumnies and suspicions, he cannot exert + his virtue to the benefit of others without committing a kind + of violence upon them.

+

There may also be more reasons than these, which we + must enquire into, that, while we endeavor to avert a frivolous and nauseous applauding of ourselves, we chance not + to omit that sort which may be truly useful.

+
+
+

The praise therefore is vain which a man heaps on + himself to provoke others also to praise him, and is chiefly + contemptible, as proceeding from an importunate and unseasonable affectation of esteem.

+

For as they who are ready to die for food are compelled + against nature to gnaw off their own flesh, and thus put a + miserable end to their famine; so they who mortally hunger after praise, unless some one afford them a little scantling alms of commendation, do violate the laws of decency, + shamelessly endeavoring to supply those wants by an unnatural extolling of themselves.

+

But when they do not on the bare consideration of themselves hunt applause, but strive to obscure the worth of + others, by fighting against their praises and opposing their + own works and practices to theirs, they add to their vanity + an envious and abhorred baseness. He who thrusts his + foot into another's dance is stigmatized with a proverb as a + ridiculous and pragmatical clown; but upon envy and jealousy to thrust ourselves between the praises of others, or + to interrupt the same with our own self praise, is a thing + that we ought equally to beware of. Neither should we + allow others to praise us at such a time, but frankly yield + the honor to those who are then celebrated, if their merit + be real; and though the persons be vicious or unworthy, + yet must we not take from them by setting up ourselves; + but rather on the other hand we must reprove the unskilful applauders, and demonstrate their encomiums to be + + + + improperly and dangerously conferred. It is plain that + these errors must be avoided.

+
+
+

But self-praise is not liable to disgrace or blame when + it is delicately handled by way of apology to remove a calumny or accusation. Thus Pericles: But ye are angry at + me, a man inferior to none, whether it be in the understanding or interpreting of necessary things; a man who am a + lover of my country, and above the meannesses of bribes. + For, in speaking with this gallantry of himself, he was not + only free from arrogance, vanity, and ambition, but he + demonstrated the greatness and spirit of that virtue which + could not be dejected itself, and even humbled and tamed + the haughtiness of envy. Such men as these will hardly + be condemned; but those who would vote against them + are won over to their cause, do receive infinite satisfaction, + and are agreeably inspirited with this noble boasting, especially if that bravery be steady, and the ground firm on + which it stands. This history does frequently discover. + For, when the Theban generals accused Pelopidas and + Epaminondas that, the time for their office as Boeotarchs + being expired, they did not forthwith give up their power, + but made an incursion into Laconia and repaired and repeopled Messene, Pelopidas, submitting himself and making + many lowly entreaties, very hardly obtained his absolution; + but Epaminondas loftily glorying in those actions, and at + last declaring he would willingly be put to death so that + they would set up his accusation, Epaminondas hath wasted + Laconia, hath settled Messene, and happily united Arcadia + into one state, against our will, they admired him, and + the citizens, wondering at the cheerful greatness of his + courage, dismissed him with unspeakable pleasantness and + satisfaction.

+

Therefore, when Agamemnon thus reproached Diomedes, + + + + O son of Tydeus!—he whose strength could tame + + The bounding steeds, in arms a mighty name,— + + +

+ +

+ + + Canst thou remote the mingling hosts descry, + + With hands inactive and a careless eye? + + +

+

Sthenelus is not to be much condemned for saying, + + + + Ourselves much greater than our ancestors + + We boast; + II. IV. 370 and 405. + + +

+

for Sthenelus had not been calumniated himself, but he + only patronized his abused friend; and so the cause excused that freedom of speech, which seemed otherwise to + have something of the glorioso.

+

But Cicero's magnifying his diligence and prudence in + Catiline's trial was not very pleasing to the Romans; yet + when Scipio said, they ought not to judge Scipio, who had + enstated them in the power of judging all men, they ascended crowned to the Capitol, and sacrificed with him. + For Cicero was not necessitated to this, but merely spurred + by the desire of glory; while the danger wherein Scipio + stood delivered him from envy.

+
+
+

Now talking after an high and glorious manner proves + advantageous, not only to persons in danger of the law or + such like eminent distress, but to those also who are clouded + in a dull series of misfortunes; and that more properly + than when they appear splendid in the world. For what + addition can words make to those who already seem possessed of real glory, and do lie indulging and basking in + her beams? But those who at present are incapable of + ambition, if they express themselves loftily, seem only to + bear up against the storms of Fortune, to undergird the + greatness of their souls, and to shun that pity and commiseration which supposes a shipwrecked and forlorn condition. + As therefore those who in walking affect a stiffness of body + and a stretched-out neck are accounted effeminate and foppish, but are commended if in fencing and fighting they + keep themselves erect and steady; so the man grappling + with ill fortune, if he raise himself to resist her, + + + + Like some stout boxer, ready with his blow,Soph. Trachin. 442. + +

+

and by a bravery of speech transform himself from abject + and miserable to bold and noble, is not to be censured as + obstinate and audacious, but honored as invincible and great. + So, although Homer described Patroclus in the happinesses + of his life as smooth and without envy, yet in death he + makes him have something of the bravo, and a soldier's + gallant roughness: + + + + Had twenty mortals, each thy match in might, + + Opposed me fairly, they had sunk in fight. + II. XVI. 847. + + +

+

So Phocion, though otherwise very mild, after the sentence passed on him, showed the greatness of his mind in + many respects; particularly to one of his fellow-sufferers, + who miserably cried out and bewailed his misfortune, What, + says he, is it not a pleasure to thee to die with Phocion?

+
+
+

Further, a man of state has not less but greater liberty to speak any thing of himself when his merits are + rewarded with injurious and unkind returns. Achilles + usually gave the Gods their glory, and spoke modestly in + this manner: + + + + Whene'er, by Jove's decree, our conquering powers + + Shall humble to the dust Troy's lofty towers. + + +

+

But when he was unhandsomely reproached and aspersed + with contumelies, he added swelling words to his anger, + and these in his own applause: + + I sacked twelve ample cities on the main; +

+

and also these: + + + + It was not thus, when, at my sight amazed, + + Troy saw and trembled, as this helmet blazed. + II. I. 128; IX. 328; XVI. 70. + + +

+

For apologies claim a great liberty of speech and boasting, + as considerable parts of their defence.

+

Themistocles also, having been guilty of nothing distasteful + + + + either in his words or actions, yet perceiving the + Athenians glutted with him and beginning to neglect him, + forbore not to say: Why, O ye happy people, do ye weary + out yourselves by still receiving benefits from the same + hands? Upon every storm you fly to the same tree for + shelter; yet, when it is fair again, you despoil it of its leaves + as you go away.

+
+
+

They therefore who are injured usually recount their + good actions to the ingrate. And, if they also praise those + excellences which others are pleased to condemn, they are + not only pardonable but altogether without blame. For it + is evident they do not reproach others, but apologize for + themselves.

+

This gave Demosthenes a glorious freedom, yet allayed + the offensive brightness of his own praises, which almost + everywhere shine through his whole Oration on the Crown, + in which he extols those embassies and decrees which were + so much objected against him.

+
+
+

Not much unlike this is the insinuating delicacy of an + antithesis, when a person, being accused for any thing as + a crime, demonstrates its opposite to be base and vicious. + So Lycurgus, being upbraided by the Athenians for stopping a sycophant's mouth with money, said: And what kind + of citizen do you then take me to be, who, having so long + managed the affairs of the republic amongst you, am at last + found rather to have given than to have received money + unjustly? And Cicero, Metellus objecting he had cast + more by his evidence against them than ever he had acquitted by his pleading for them, replies: Who therefore + will not freely declare that Cicero has more honesty and + faith than eloquence? Many expressions of this nature + are in Demosthenes; particularly, But who might not justly + have slain me, if I had endeavored in word only to sully + the honors and glorious titles which the city hath? Or, + What, think you, would those vile fellows have said, if, + + + + whilst I had been curiously poring on other things, the + cities had rejected our alliance?Demosthenes on the Crown, p. 260, 1; p. 307, 9. And all his forementioned oration ingeniously dresses these antitheses and solutions of cases with the subtle ornaments of his own praise.

+
+
+

But this may very profitably be learned therein, that, + delicately tempering the encomiums of his auditors with + the things relating to himself, he secures himself from + being liable to envy, nor becomes suspected of self-love. + There he relates in what manner the Athenians behaved + themselves to the Euboeans, in what manner to the Thebans, and what benefits they conferred upon those of + Byzantium and Chersonesus; in all which he confesses his + part was only that of their minister or steward. Thus by + a rhetorical deceit, he finely and insensibly instils his own + praises into his hearers, who pleasingly hang upon his + words, and rejoice at the commemoration of those worthy + deeds. Now this joy is immediately seconded by admiration, and admiration is succeeded by a liking and love of + that person who so wisely administered the affairs. This + Epaminondas seems to have considered, when reviled by + Meneclidas, as though he had an higher opinion of himself than ever Agamemnon had. If it be so, says he, + Thebans, 'tis you have puffed me up; you, by whose help + alone I overthrew the Lacedaemonian empire in one day.

+
+
+

But since for the most part men are exceedingly + displeased with those who are the trumpeters of their own + fame, but if they sound forth another's, are delighted and + give them cheerful acclamations; it is hence grown a frequent custom amongst orators, by a seasonable extolling + those who have like purposes, actions, and manner of + life with theirs, to assure and wheedle over the auditory + to themselves. For the hearers know that, though the + panegyrist solemnizes another's worth, he has yet the same + endowments of virtue, so that his encomiums will redound + + + + to himself. For as he who reproaches any man for + faults of which he himself is guilty cannot but perceive + he principally upbraids himself, so the virtuous, by giving + applauses to the virtuous, offer their own praises to the + apprehensive, who will presently cry out, And are not you + one of these? Therefore Alexander honoring Hercules, + and Androcottus again honoring Alexander, in effect proposed themselves to be in like manner honored by + others. So Dionysius scoffing Gelon, and calling him the + Gelos (or laughing-stock) of Sicily, was not aware that + through envy he had happened to infringe the greatness + of his own authority and power.

+
+
+

These things the man of state must know and observe. Now those who are forced upon their own praises + are the more excusable, if they arrogate not the causes + wholly to themselves, but ascribe them in part to Fortune + and in part to God. Achilles therefore said: + + + + Since now at length the powerful will of heaven + + The dire destroyer to our arm has given. + II. XXII. 379. + + +

+

And Timoleon did well, who erected a fane to Fortune, + and dedicated his house to the Good Genius, to whom he + referred the felicity of his attempts. But best of all, Python of Aenos, after he had slain Cotys, coming to Athens + and perceiving the orators very busy in applauding him to + the people, which displeased many and stirred them up + to envy, thus speaks: These things, ye Athenians, some of + the Gods have done; our hands were only the instruments + of their work. Sylla also prevented envy by perpetually + praising Fortune, not his own prowess; and at last surnamed himself Epaphroditus, in acknowledgment that his + success proceeded from the care of Venus. For men will + more readily impute a defeat to chance or the pleasure of + some God than to the virtue of the conqueror; for the one + they think to be a good not pertinent to the conqueror, but + + + + the other to be a proper defect of their own, which proceedeth from themselves. The laws therefore of Zaleucus + were received by the Locrians with the more willingness + and delight, because he had told them Minerva constantly + appeared to him and dictated and instructed him in those + laws, and that they were none of them his own inventions.

+
+
+

This kind of excuses may be framed as convenient + remedies or preventions when we have to do with persons + of a difficult or envious humor. But it is not amiss to use + some little revocations or corrections of what may seem + spoken to our praise, before those who are of a sedate and + composed temper. If any commend us as those who have + learning, riches, or authority, we should hinder them from + choosing such topics, and rather desire of them, if they + can, to take notice of us as innocent, good, and useful. + Thus we do not so much confer as transfer praises, and + seem not to be puffed up with our applauders, but rather + to be offended that they have not praised conveniently and + for truly meritorious things. We hide also inferior with + better qualifications; yet not as desiring to be commended, + but as teaching to commend aright. Such forms as these + may be referred hither: It is true, I have not walled the + city with stones or brick; but if you will view my fortifications, you shall find armor, and horses, and confederates.Demosthenes on the Crown, p. 325, 22. + But more apt is that of Pericles. When his friends bewailed him in the extremities of death, they put him in + mind of his authority and the great offices he had discharged, as also what victories, trophies, and cities he had + left the Athenians; but he, raising himself a little, reproved + them as fixing only upon common encomiums, and enlarging rather on those of fortune than on those of virtue, + whereas they neglected the greatest matter, which was + more peculiar to himself,—that he had never been the + occasion of any Athenian's wearing black. And hence + + + + the orator may learn, if he be a good man, to transfer the + eulogiums of his eloquence to his virtuous life and manners; and the commander who is admired and applauded + for his conduct and happy fortune in the wars may freely + propose his clemency or justice as more worthy to be + praised. Nay, further, it becomes even an emperor, upon + a profusion of such glutting praises as flatterers are commonly guilty of, to say something of this nature: + + + + No God am I. Why do ye equal me + + Thus to th' immortal powers. + Odyss. XVI. 187. + + +

+

If you know me well, let my justice or temperance, my + equanimity or humanity, be rather spoken of. For even + envy herself can easily concede the lesser honors to him + who refuses the greater; nor will it rob any of true encomiums, not to expect false and vain ones. Therefore + several princes, who permitted not themselves to be called + Gods or the offspring of the Gods, have yet assumed the + titles Philadelphus, Philometor, Evergetes, or Theophilus; + and were never offended when they were honored with + those glorious yet human appellations.

+

Again, they who in their writings and sayings are absolute votaries to wisdom by no means will be called σοφοί (or + wise men), but can presently swallow the epithet of philosophers (or lovers of wisdom), or that of proficients, or any + other easy name which sounds not big nor exposes them to + envy; and so they beget and preserve a good esteem. But + your rhetorical sophisters, whilst in their orations they + gape for the extraordinary acclamations of divine, angelical, wonderful, lose even those common ones of manly or + pretty well.

+
+
+

Now as skilful painters, that they may not offend + those that have weak eyes, allay their over-bright and + gaudy colors by tempering them with darker; so there are + some who will not represent their own praises altogether + + + + glaring and immoderately splendid, but cast in some defects, some scapes or slight faults, to take away the danger + of displeasure or envy. Epeus intolerably brags of his + skill in boxing, + + I'll crush my adversary's body, break his bones; +

+

yet he would seem to qualify all with this, + + Is't not enough that I'm in fight unskilled?II. XXIII. 673 and 670. + +

+

But, to say truth, to excuse his arrogance with so base a + confession is ridiculous. He then who would be an exact + man corrects himself for his forgetfulness, ignorance, ambition, or eagerness for certain knowledge and discourses. + So does Ulysses when he says of the Sirens, + + + + Thus the sweet charmers warbled o'er the main, + + My soul takes wing to meet the heavenly strain; + + I give the sign, and struggle to be free; + + +

+

and again, when he sang of his visit to the Cyclops, + + + + Their wholesome counsel rashly I declined, + + Curious to view the man of monstrous kind, + + And try what social rites a savage lends. + Odyss. XII. 192; IX. 228. + + +

+

And for the most part it is a good antidote against envy, + to mix amongst our praises those faults that are not altogether ungenerous and base. Therefore many temper + them not only with confessions of poverty or unskilfulness, + but even of vile descent. So Agathocles, carousing amongst + the Sicilian youth in golden bowls very curiously wrought, + commanded earthen pots to be brought in. See (says he) + what diligence, laboriousness, and fortitude can do! Once + we made muggen jugs, but now vessels of gold. For his + original was so mean and contemptible, that it was thought + he had served in a potter's shop who at last governed + almost all Sicily.

+
+
+

These are the outward preventions or remedies + against diseases that may arise from the speaking of one's + + + + self. There are some others inward, which Cato has recourse to when he tells us he was envied for neglecting + his domestic affairs and being vigilant whole nights in those + of his country. So with this: + + + + How shall I boast, who grew so easily, + + Though mustered 'mongst the common soldiery; + + Great in my fortune as the bravest be? + + +

+

And this: + + + + But I am loath to lose past labor's gains; + + Nor will retreat from a fresh troop of pains. + From the Philoctetes of Euripides, Frag. 785 and 787. + + +

+

For as they who obtain great possessions of houses or + lands gratis and with little difficulty are under the eye of + envy, but not if their purchases were troublesome and dear, + so it is with them who arrive at honor and applause.

+
+
+

Well then, since it is evident we may praise ourselves not only inoffensively and without being liable to + envy, but with great advantage too; that we may seem not + to do this for itself, but for a further and better end, first + consider whether it may prove for the instruction of the + company, by exciting them to a virtuous emulation. For + so Nestor's relation of his own achievements inflamed + Patroclus and nine others with a vehement desire of single + combat; and we know the counsel that brings persuasive + deeds as well as words, a lively exemplar, and an immediate familiar incentive, insouls a man with courage, + moves, yea, vehemently spurs him up to such a resolution + of mind as cannot doubt the possibility and success of + the attempt. This was the reason of that chorus in Lacedaemon consisting of boys, young men, and old men, which + thus sang in parts:— + + + + OLD MEN. Once we were young, and bold and strong. + + Boys. And we shall be no less ere long. + + YOUNG MEN. We now are such; behold us, if you will. + See Vol. 1. p. 91. + + +

+

Well and politicly in this public entertainment did the + legislator propose to the youth obvious and domestic ex + + + + amples of such as had already performed the things he + exhorted them to.

+
+
+

Moreover, it is not only available for the exciting of + a generous emulation, but sometimes requisite for the + silencing and taming an insolent and audacious man, to + talk a little gloriously of one's self. As Nestor in this: + + + + I have conversed with men more gallant far + + Than you; much your superiors they in all things were, + + Nor did they ever to contemn me dare. + II. I. 260. + + +

+

And Aristotle writes to Alexander, that not only those + who have mighty empires may think highly of themselves, + but they also who have worthy thoughts and notions of the + Gods. Such a remark as this is also profitable against + enemies, and recalls the spirits: + + Weak sons of misery our strength oppose.II. VI. 127. + +

+

And such a reflection as that of Agesilaus, who said + concerning the king of Persia, when he heard him called + the Great: And who is greater than I, unless he be more + just? So Epaminondas answered the Lacedaemonians, + when they had spun out a long accusation against the + Thebans: I see then we have forced you out of your wonted + humor of short speech.

+

The like to these are proper against adversaries; but + amongst our friends and fellow-citizens a seasonable glorying is good not only to humble and throw down their + haughtiness, but if they be fearful or astonished, to fetch + back their courage and teach them to rally up themselves + again. Therefore Cyrus in perils and battles talked at a + thundering rate, but otherwise was mild and gentle in discourse. And Antigonus the Second generally was modest + and free from blustering; but at the sea-fight at Cos,— + one of his friends saying, See you not how much greater + the number of the enemy's ships is than ours?—he answers, + And for how many ships dost thou reckon me?

+ +

This Homer seems to have considered, who makes + Ulysses, when his friends were dismayed at the noise and + horrible waves of Charybdis, immind them of his former + stratagems and valor: + + + + O friends! O often tried in adverse storms! + + With ills familiar in more dreadful forms! + + Deep in the dire Cyclopean den you lay, + + Yet safe return'd,—Ulysses led the way. + Odyss. XII. 209. + + +

+

For this kind of praise is not such as the haranguers to + the people or sophistical beggars use, nor those who affect + popular humming and applause; but a necessary pledge + of that courage and conduct which must be given to + hearten up our friends. For we know that opinion and + confidence in him whom we esteem endued with the fortitude and experience of a complete captain is, in the crisis + of a battle, no small advantage to the obtaining of the + day.

+
+
+

We have before declared the opposing of himself to + the reputation and credit of another to be altogether unbefitting a worthy man; but where a vicious praise becomes + hurtful and corruptive, creating an earnestness after evil + things or an evil purpose in great matters, it is not unprofitable to refuse it; but it becomes us to direct the + minds of the company towards better sentiments of things, + showing them the difference. For certainly any one will + be pleased when he sees many voluntarily abstaining from + the vices they heard cried down and reproved; but if baseness be well accounted of, and honor be made to attend on + him who pursues pleasure or avarice, where is the nature + so happily strong that can resist, much less conquer, the + temptation? Therefore a generous and discreet person + must set himself against the praises, not of evil men, but + of evil actions; for this kind of commendation perverts + the judgments of men, and miserably leads them to imitate + + + + and emulate unworthy practices as laudable. But they + may be easily bewrayed by confronting them with opposite + truths. Theodorus the tragedian is reported to have said + to Satyrus the comedian, It is not so wonderful an art to + move the theatre's laughter as to force its tears. But if + some philosopher should have retorted, Aye; but, friend, + it is not so fit and seemly to make men weep, as to remove + and free them from their sorrows, it is likely by this odd + way of commending himself he would have delighted his + hearer, and endeavored to alter or secure his judgment. + So Zeno knew how to speak for himself, when the great + number of Theophrastus's scholars was opposed to the + fewness of his, saying, His chorus is indeed greater than + mine, but mine is sweeter. And Phocion, while Leosthenes + yet prospered, being asked by the orators what good he + had done the city, replies: Nothing but this, that in my + government of you there have been no funeral orations, + but all the deceased were buried in the sepulchres of their + ancestors. So Crates, by way of antithesis to this epitaph + of the glutton, + + + + What I have eat is mine; in words my will + + I've had, and of my lust have took my fill, + + +

+

well opposes these, + + + + What I have learnt is mine; I've had my thought, + + And me the Muses noble truths have taught. + + +

+

This kind of praise is amiable and advantageous, teaching to admire and love convenient and profitable things + instead of the superfluous and vain. Thus much for the + stating of the question, in what cases and how far self-praise may be inoffensive.

+
+
+

Now the order of the discourse requires to show + how an uncomely and unseasonable affectation of praise + may be avoided. Discourse of a man's self usually sallies + from self-love, as from its fort, and is there observed to + lay wait, even in those who are vulgarly thought free + + + + enough from ambition. Therefore, as it is one of the + rules of health to avoid dangerous and unwholesome + places, or being in them to take the greater care, so + ought there to be a like rule concerning converse and + speaking of one's self. For this kind of talk has slippery occasions, into which we unawares and indiscernible + are apt to fall.

+

For first (as is above said), ambition usually intrudes + into the praises of others with some flourishing remarks + to adorn herself. For let a person be commended by his + equal or inferior, the mind of the ambitious is tickled and + rubbed at the hearing of his praise, and immediately he + is hurried by an intemperate desire and precipitation after + the like; as the appetite of the hungry is sharpened by + seeing others eat.

+
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+

In the second place, the story of men's prosperous + actions naturally carries them into the humor of boasting; + and joy so far transports them, that they swell with their + own words when they would give you a relation of their + victories or their success in the business of the state, or + of their other publicly applauded actions or orations, and + find it difficult to contain themselves and preserve a mean. + In which kind of error it is observable that soldiers and + mariners are most entangled. Nor is it infrequent with + those who return from the government of provinces and + the management of great affairs. Such as these, when + mention is once made of illustrious and royal personages, + presently thrust in some eulogies of themselves, as proceeding from the favor and kind opinion of those princes; + and then they fancy they seem not at all to have praised + themselves, but to have given only a bare account what + great men have said honorably of them. So another sort, + little different from these, think they are not discerned + when they tell you all the familiarities of kings and emperors with them and their particular applying themselves + + + + to them in discourse, and appear to recount them, not as + thereby intending their own honor, but as bringing in considerable evidences of singular affability and humanity in + persons so exceeding great.

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We see then what reason we have to look narrowly to + ourselves, that, whilst we confer praises on others, we + give no ground for suspicion that we make them but the + vehicles of our own, and that, in pretending to celebrate + Patroclus, under his name we mean romantically ourselves.

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Further, that kind of discourse which consists in + dispraising and finding fault is dangerous, and yields opportunity to those that watch it for the magnifying their + own little worth. Of this old men are inclinable to be + guilty, when, by chastising and debasing others for their + vices, they exalt themselves as wonderfully great in the + opposite virtues. Indeed to these there must be a very + large concession, if they be reverend not only in age, but + in virtue and place; for it is not altogether an unprofitable way, since it may sometimes create an extraordinary + zeal and emulation of honor in those who are thus spurred + up. But otherwise that sort of humor is carefully to be + shunned; for reproof is often bitter, and wants a great + deal of caution to sweeten and correct it. Now this is + not done by the tempering our own praises with the reprehension of another; for he is an unworthy and odious + fellow who seeks his own credit through any man's disgrace, basely endeavoring to build a slight reputation of + his virtue upon the discovery of another's crimes.

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Lastly, as they who are naturally inclined to a dangerous sort of laughter,—which is a kind of violent passion or disease,—must preserve especially the smooth + parts of the body from tickling incentives, which cause + these parts to yield and relent, thus provoking the passion; so they whose minds are soft and propense to the + desires of reputation must carefully beware that they be + + + + not precipitated by the ticklings of another's praises into + a vaporing of themselves. They ought rather to blush, + if they hear themselves commended, and not put on a + brazen face. They ought modestly and handsomely to + reprove their applauders as having honored them too + much, and not chide them for having been too sparing in + their praise. Yet in this many offend, putting those who + speak advantageously of them in mind of more things of + the same nature; endeavoring to make a huge heap of + creditable actions, till by what they themselves add they + spoil all that their friends have conferred to the promoting their esteem.

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Some there are who flatter themselves, till they are stupidly puffed up; others allure a man to talk of himself, + and take him by casting some little gilded temptation in + his way; and another sort for a little sport will be putting + questions, as those in Menander to the silly braggadocio + soldier: + + + + How did you get this wound? + + By a furious dart. + + For heaven's sake, how? + + As from my scaling ladder + + I mounted the proud walls. See here! Behold! + + Then I proceed to show my wound + + With earnest look; but they spoiled all with laughter. + + +

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We must be watchful in all these cases, that we + neither of ourselves drop into our own inconvenient + praises, nor be hooked into them by others. Now the + best and most certain way of security is to look back + upon such as we can remember guilty of this fault, and + to consider how absurd and ugly it is accounted by all + men, and that hardly any thing is in converse a greater + disturbance than this.

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Hence it is that, though there be no other quality in + such persons unpleasing, yet, as if Nature had taught us + to abhor and fly it, we hasten out to get a little fresh air; + + + + and even the very parasite and indigent flatterers are uneasy, when the wealthy and great men by whose scraps + they live begin to admire and extol themselves; nay, + they give out that they pay the greatest portion of the + shot, when they must give ear to such vanities. Therefore he in Menander cries out, + + + + They kill me—I am a macerated guest— + + With their wise sayings and their soldier's brags; + + How base these gloriosos are! + + +

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But these faults are not only to be objected against + common soldiers and upstarts who detain others with + gaudy and proud relations of their own actions, but also + against sophists, philosophers, and commanders who grow + full of themselves and talk at a fastuous rate. Therefore + it is fit we still remember that another's dispraise always + accompanies the indiscreet praises of ourselves; that the + end of vain-glory is disgrace; and that, as Demosthenes + tells us, the company will both be offended and judge + otherwise of us than we would have them.See Demosthenes on the Crown, p. 270, 3. Let us then + forbear to talk of ourselves, unless the profit that we or + our hearers may thence probably reap be considerably + great.

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