The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XXXIX.

WHy then (saith he) did your Zeno, when he had promised a certain man to lend him fiue hundred pence, and had found him to bee insufficient, and not able to repay him, contrary to the aduice of his friends, who coūselled him not to do it, perseuered in trusting him, because he had promised him? First there is one condition in a debt, another in a benefit. If I haue lent my money to an euill debter, yet haue I meanes to recouer it againe: I may call any debter into iustice, when the terme of payment is come, and if he break or play the banquerupt, I shal haue a portion of my debt, but the benefit is wholly lost instātly. Moreouer, this is the act of an euil man, that of a bad husband. Again, neither would Zeno haue perse∣uered to credit him, if the summe had bin greater, it was but fiue hūdred pence; put case (as it is commonly said) that he had spent it in a sicknes, was it so much worth not to reuoke his promise. I will come to supper (although it bee cold) because I haue promised, but if it snowed or were bad weather, I would not step out of my doores. I will arise out of my bed to accompany a Bridall, because I haue promised (although I haue not sufficiently slept or disgested my meat) but not at all, if a fauor surprise me. I will come and giue my word for thee, because I haue promised, but not if thou wouldest make me stand bound for an vncertain thing, or if thou wilt bind me to the Exchequer. I tell thee there is alwayes a secret condition implied; so I be able•• so it bee lawfull. If thou wilt haue mee keepe my promise, set the matter in the same state, that it was in when thou de∣mandedst, that it was in when I promised. It can be no point of lightnesse to dis∣appoint one,* 1.1 if there happen any alteration by the way: why wonderest thou if I change my counsell, when the conditions of my promise are changed? I am readie at this time to be the same I was then, if thou shew me all things in that estate I left them: wee promise to make appearance for my friend, yet is it not performed. For if there be any one that is hindered by force, or by a lawfull cause he is excused by essoyne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The condition of the Prince may alter the Counsell.