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

¶Of Conturbation. Chap. 22.

COnturbation is defined of Cicero to be a feare much troubling vs,* 1.1 for it makes our cogitations, we being in a great perplexitie, doubtfull, and drawes the minde into diuers cogitations. The Stoikes say that Conturbation is a feare making the minde effeminate, and cau∣sing all our actions to be done with great difficulty and hardnesse. All wise men espetially, should be frée from this Con∣turbation. For it is an affection, con∣trary vnto Fortitude, without which nothing can be accomplished worthely, and with commendation.

I wyll bring forth the example of one, by whiche all other, whiche haue any

charge, and are in aucthoritie, may iudge what inconueniences doo happen, by ha∣uing troubled mindes. It is thought that the whole glorie of a battayle con∣sisteth in the pollicie of a captaine. For if true it be which Ephicrates wryt, An armie is as it were a lyuing creature,* 1.2 whose head is the captaine, whose breast are the well placed souldiors, his hands are footemen, and his legges horsemen, then must it needes followe, that as in a bodie, the head being troubled, the mem∣bers can not fulfyll their duties: so a captaine being in mind troubled, it must needes followe, that the whole armie be in great daunger.* 1.3 Therefore it is most necessarie that a captaine be voyde of a troubled minde, neither must he omit any thing which belongeth vnto his of∣fice, as to comfort the fearefull, to chee∣rishe the faithfull, to talke familiarly with his inferiours, to his foes to seeme terrible, but amiable to his friendes, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conuenticles, and to doo all thinges openly without suspition of double dea∣ling, to giue attention vnto messengers, & to entertaine ambassadors curteously, be their newes neuer so vnpleasaunt.

Tygranes,* 1.4 though ambitiously he would be called king of kinges, yet was he of so troubled a minde, as any strange newes would straight coole his hautynesse. ••s it appeared. For on a tyme when as the Romanes by ambassadors, had sent him theyr mindes plainly, it so troubled him that he coulde not abyde the sight of the messengers, but caused them against all ryght, and lawe of armes, cruelly to be put to death: which made him not onely to be more assaulted of his enemies, but also to be dispised of his owne subiects, and caused him to come into seruitude and subiection. As Tygranes for his vn∣quietnesse and cruelty, is brought for an example to be shunned: so Darius con∣stancie, is worthy to be followed.* 1.5 It is reported of him, that whatsoeuer happe∣ned, he tooke it quietly, and was neuer in minde troubled for the same. And in deede it is no small consolation to a man when any euyl is comming quickly, and with speede to haue intelligence there∣of, espetially to a wyse man, which can with a patient minde, beare all mysfor∣tunes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Conturba∣tion vvhat▪
• * 1.2

  Ephicrates. A•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lyke a ly∣uing bodie.
• * 1.3

  The office of a Cap∣••••••ne.
• * 1.4

  Rex 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tygranes.
• * 1.5

  Dari••••