The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

The Proeme or Introduction.

FAlsely man∣kinde com∣plaines of his nature, that being feeble, and of short continuance, it is ruled more by for∣tune then vertue. For by a contrary estimation, you can find nothing more great nor excellent; and rather to nature, humane industry is wanting, then time or abilitie. But the guide and ruler of mans life is the minde: which when it pursues glory by the way of ver∣tue, it becommes abun∣dantly able, powerfull

and illustrious. Neither stāds it in need of fortune: for because honesty, in∣dustry, and other good Arts, she can neither giue nor take from any man. But if seduced with euill desires, it inclines lewdly to slouth, and bodily pleasures, vsing perni∣cious lust for a season; when through idlenesse, strong the time and wit are decayed, in vaine is na∣tures infirmity accused. All Authours impute their faults to the occasions.

But if men had as much regard of goodnesse, as with earnestnesse they pursue things impertinent, profitlesse, yea exceeding dangerous, neither should

they be more gouerned, then gouerne chaunces: and should proceed to that pitch of greatnesse, whereas for mortals they should be eternized with glory.

For as mankind is com∣posed of body and soule, so all our actions and in∣deauours follow some the disposition of the body, some of the soule. There∣fore a faire face, great ri∣ches, corporall strength, and all other things of this kind, fade away in a short time, but the glorious monuments of wit, like as the soule, are immortall: Finally, for the indow∣ments of the body, and fortune, as there is a be∣ginning,

so there is an end: and all of them being borne, dye, and increased, waxe old. The mind is vn∣corrupted, eternall, the gouernour of mankind, it doeth and possesseth all things, neither is it selfe possessed.

By how much the more their wickednesse is to be wondred at, who being addicted to carnall de∣lights, waste their time in slouth and riot; but the wit, then which there is nothing better, nor grea∣ter in humane nature, they suffer to rust, through idlenesse and want of ma∣nuring; when especially there are so many and so different Arts of the

minde, by which the chiefest renowne is pro∣cured.

But amongst these, Ma∣gistracies, commands, and all care of publicke im∣ployments seeme not fit to be desired of me at this present: for that neither honour is giuen to vertue, nor they, who by falshood haue got any power, were thereby the more secured or honested: For by vio∣lence to rule your Countrie, and parents, although you can, and may reforme abuses; yet is it vnseasonable: when espe∣cially all alterations doe for∣boade murder, flight, and o∣ther hostilities. But to la∣bour in vaine, and to pur∣chase nothing else but ha∣tred

for our paines, is a part of extreme follie; vnlesse perchance in such a man, whom a dishonest and hurtfull desire doth inforce to prostitute his honour and freedome vn∣to the power of some few.

Now, amongst other imployments exercised by the wit, the memory of things done, serues for most speciall vse; of whose worth, because many men haue treated, I resolue to passe it ouer; withall, lest any man might thinke me to commend my owne study. And I doe beleeue there will be some, who, for that I haue decreed, to spend my remaining

yeeres far from the Com∣mon-wealth, will impose the name of idlenesse on this my so great and pro∣fitable worke: such verily, to whom it seemes a chiefe point of industry to salute the common peo∣ple, and by feasting to procure fauour: who if they did but throughly consider, in what times I obtained the Magistracy, and what men could not attaine it then: and after, what persons came to be Senators; truely they would coniecture, that ra∣ther deseruedly then out of slouth, I had altred my determination: and that more profit would re∣dound to the Common-wealth

wealth out of my retire∣ments, then other mens imployments.

For I haue often heard Qu. Maximus, P. Scipio, with many other famous men of this Citty, vsually say, when they beheld the statues of their Ance∣stours, that their minds were most vehemently in∣flamed to vertue. Certain∣ly, not that waxe nor fi∣gure had such efficacy in it: but through the me∣mory of things former∣ly done, this flame was kindled in these braue mens brests, neither could it be first allayed be∣fore their owne worthi∣nesse had equallized the others renowne & glory.

But contrariwise who amongst you all is of this condition, but would ra∣ther contend with his An∣cestours in wealth and ex∣pence, then in goodnesse, or industry? yea, vpstarts, who by vertue were wont to vsher home nobility, by stealth, nay, plaine rob∣bery rather, aduance themselues to commands and honours: as though, the Praetourship, Consul∣ship, and other like dig∣nities were in them∣selues worthy and ma∣gnificent; and were not esteemed according to their vertue which man∣nage them. But I haue ranged too freely and too farre, whilst the

manners of the Citty greeue and irke me. Now I returne to the matter in hand.