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. XXVII.

* 1.1WHich so much the rather ought to be enioyned you, that as often as any thing is vttered by that Oracle, with an intent and hum∣ble voice, you may heare the same. When some Apostatate Priest maketh a man belieue, that the sister of Apollo hath sounded, when any one wel lerned to carue the flesh frō his muskles, woun∣deth himselfe both in armes and shoulders with a sparing hand, when some wo∣man creeping vpon her knees along the wayes howleth, and an old man appar∣relled in linnen, carrying in his hands a lanterne and a candle at midday, crieth out that some one of the Gods are displeased; you flocke about him, and listen, and entertaining one anothers mutuall amase; you affirme, that he is some Pro∣phet. Behold Socrates crieth out from that prison, into which when he entred it, be clensed it, and made it more honest then any Court of plea. What mad∣nesse is this? What nature is this so opposite against Gods and men? to defame vertues, and to violate holy things with malignant speeches? If you can, praise good men, if not passe by them. But if you take pleasure to exercise this vnbri∣dled liberty, assaile one another: for when you are mad against heauen (I say not that you commit sacriledge) but you loose your labours. Sometimes I ministred matter to Aristophanes to breake his iests vpon me, and all that band of comicke Poets powred out their enuenomed scoffes against me: my vertue grew more famous by these very meanes, whereby they assayled her; for it be∣houeth

her to be produced and attempted; neither doe any men more vnder∣stand what she is, then they, who by prouoking her, haue tired her forces. The hardnesse of the flint stone is knowne to no men more then to those who strike vpon it: I present my selfe vnto you in such sort, as a rocke in midst of a tem∣pestuous sea, the which is on euery side, & incessantly beaten with the waues and yet notwithstanding continues in his place, and neyther by length of time, nor by the assaults of the same, is any wayes consumed. Enforce your selues against me, and leaue me at your pleasure, I will ouercome you with pa∣tience, whatsoeuer he be that attempteth those things that are firme and im∣pregnable, imployeth his forces to the ruine of himselfe. And therefore seeke out some more soft and yeelding matter, wherein you may fixe your weapons. But haue you so much leasure as to examine other mens faults, and to giue your censures of any man: Why this Philosopher hath so faire a house? why the other suppeth more daintily? you obserue pustules and little spots in other men, being your selues besieged with vlcers. It is as much as if you should carpe at some mens freckles and warts which should appeare in their fairest bo∣dies, and you your selues were ouergrowne with a loathsome scab. Obiect a∣gainst Plato, that he desired money; against Aristotle, that he receiued the same; against Democritus, that he neglected it; against the Epicure, that he spent it; ob∣iect against me Alcibiades and Phaedrus. O how happy should you be, when you could but counterfeit our vices? but why rather examine you not your owne vices which wound you on euery side; the one assayling you outward∣ly, the other burning in your bowels. The affaires of the world are not brought to that passe, although you are wholly ignorant of your estates, that you may haue so much leasure as to employ the rest of your time, and your tongues in detraction of good men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  By reason of si∣lence whereof he entreateth, hee sheweth by an ••xpr••sse c••mpa∣rison, that th••re are not any peo∣ple in t••e world more carefully to be listned vn∣to then wisem••n, and t••ey that are v••••tuous, & thereu••on hee in••roduceth So∣crates as the most exc••ll••nt who magni∣••ieth vertue, and sheweth that happy life consi∣s••eth in the same.