A philosophicall discourse, entituled, The anatomie of the minde. Nevvlie made and set forth by T.R.

¶Of Slothfulnesse. Chap. 17.

* 1.1SLothfulnesse according to Cicero, is a feare of labor, to ensue. And therfore y^e same Cicero wryteth, that if Demost∣henes had séene any cittizen vp before him, and at worke, it would much haue gréeued him, for he was no sluggarde, neyther did he fauor any so bent: which made him proue so rare an example of a perfecte Orator. This diligence as it helpeth and prospereth al enterprises, so contrariwise, slothfulnesse marreth eue∣rie thing. And therefore, although euery man ought for to shun the same,* 1.2 yet e∣spetially Princes. Which is the coun∣sayle

of Pallas,* 1.3 whome Homer bringeth forth, saying: It is not for a man of auc∣thoritie to sleepe a whole night. He must be watchfull.* 1.4 Demetrius King of the Macedones, was stained with the blot of slothfulnesse, for that the lamentati∣ons of his oppressed subiectes, was not estéemed of him. Espetially it appeared by the example of a poore olde woman, which being iniured by some, craued iustice at his hands. But he aunswered, that he had no tyme to aunswere, when indede he was idle, and had no busines. But she nothing abashed, sayde: Then is it not meete you should rule, if you dis∣daine to heare the complaintes of your subiectes. Which boldnesse of the wo∣man, so moued him, that afterwardes his eares were open to the complaintes of all.* 1.5 Slothfulnesse ryseth oftentimes of too much abundaunce of any thing. As for example, we see the Sabies, be∣cause they haue in great abundaunce al kinde of riches, and marchantes bring them golde and siluer for theyr wares, by which meanes they proue very rich, without all care and labour, slothfully they spende their tyme.

* 1.6But contrariwise the Nabatheis, their neighbors hauing nothing, but y^• which by their vertue & labor they attaine, are verie good husbandes, and can abide no slothfulnesse, but idlenesse they punishe greeuously, and diligence they worthe∣ly rewarde. Homer, when he woulde mocke and deride idlenesse, brings forth the Pheacons, which accoumpt the grea∣test felicitie in dooing nothing.* 1.7 And those abounde in all kinde of worldly wealth, which encreaseth without any paines taking. If any businesse they haue, they refer the same vnto women, because them selues wyll not be trou∣bled with the matter.

Herodotus maketh mention of a cer∣taine idle people,* 1.8 which he calleth Loto∣phagie. They lyue by doing nothing, and they féede them selues, and make their apparell of the barke of certaine trees, named Lotus. Of which, if any eate,* 1.9 they are so delighted therewith, that all other they doo contemne. It is reported, that as many as haue fellow∣ship with these Lotophagies, become of theyr qualities, and are carelesse in all theyr doings, as happened vnto certaine

companions of Vlysses, so Homer sayth.* 1.10 Which is faigned of the Poets, to no o∣ther purpose, but to signifie that idlenes makes of men, women: of women, beastes: of beasts, monsters. Where∣fore it ought to be detested, because it is an enemie to vertue, and makes vs fearefull in doing any thing, be it of ne∣uer so light importaunce. Contra∣rie to this, is diligence, and industrie, by which that Demosthenes (of whome e∣uen nowe in this Chapter I made men∣tion) being of nature very dull and bloc∣kishe,* 1.11 passed all those which of na∣ture, were of sharpe and rype capa∣citie. For it commeth to passe, and that oftentymes, that industrious, and di∣ligent men, by their paines excell euen those to whome nature hath bene most beneficiall.

And certaine it is, that most com∣monly where abundaunce is, there is most negligence: and where nature hath bene friendely, there is a cer∣taine vaine opinion, which causeth sloth∣fulnesse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••lothfulnes vvhat. Demosthe∣nes.
• * 1.2

  Slothful∣nesse vnsit∣ting for a Prince.
• * 1.3

  Pallas.
• * 1.4

  Demetrius.
• * 1.5

  The caus•• of slothful∣nesse, pro∣speritie. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  Nabatheis.
• * 1.7

  Pheacons.
• * 1.8

  Lotophagie
• * 1.9

  Lotus.
• * 1.10

  Effectes of idlenesse.
• * 1.11

  The dili∣gence of Demosthe∣nes.