The first book of Tullies Offices translated grammatically, and also according to the propriety of our English tongue; for the more speedy and certain attaining of the singular learning contained in the same, to further to a pure Latin stile, and to expresse the mind more easily, both in English & Latine. Done chiefly for the good of schools; to be vsed according to the directions in the admonition to the reader, and more fully in Ludus lit. or Grammar-schoole

Chap. 25.

True q 1.1 valour of mind doth consist in two things chiefly: in contemning both q 1.2 prosperitie and ad∣uersitie, and in q 1.3 at∣chiuing hard enter∣prizes.

A Valorous and great minde is q 1.4 alwaies discer∣ned in two things especially: where∣of the one consi∣steth

in the q 1.5 de∣spising of outward things: when q 1.6 one is perswaded▪ q 1.7 that a man ought not either to admire, or to wish, or ear∣nestly to desire a∣ny thinge, but what is honest and comely; q 1.8 neither to yeelde to q 1.9 any either man, or q 1.10 per∣turbation of mind, nor to fortune.

The other thing is, that when you are so q 1.11 disposed in minde, as I said before, you q 1.12 vn∣dertake great q 1.13 en∣terprizes, and those indeed most pro∣fitable, but q 1.14 very hard, and full of trauell and danger both of life, and

also of many things which * 1.15 ap∣pertaine vnto life. All the q 1.16 glory and q 1.17 honour of these two things, I adde q 1.18 moreouer, the profit * 1.19 is in the later; but the cause and meanes ma∣king worthie men, is in the former. For q 1.20 therin is that which maketh ex∣cellent courages, q 1.21 and such as de∣spise all humane things. And this q 1.22 same q 1.23 appeareth in two things; if you both iudge that thing onely to be good which is honest, and also be free from all q 1.24 disquietnesse. For it is to bee accoun∣ted

the part of a valiant and worthy mind, both to q 1.25 set light by those things, which seem to most men q 1.26 sin∣gular and q 1.27 excel∣lent; and also to contemne the same with a * 1.28 stable and q 1.29 grounded iudge∣ment. And like∣wise this is [a tokē] of a valiant cou∣rage and of great constancie, so to beare those things which seeme bit∣ter, q 1.30 wherof there are many and di∣uerse in the life & and q 1.31 state of man, q 1.32 as that you no∣thing swerue from the q 1.33 order of na∣ture, q 1.34 nor from the dignitie of a

wise man. More∣ouer, it is not q 1.35 su∣table q 1.36 that hee should be subdued with q 1.37 inordinate desire, who cannot be q 1.38 subdued by feare. Nor q 1.39 that he should be con∣quered by pleasure, who hath shewed himselfe q 1.40 vncon∣querable q 1.41 by [any] trauell. Wherefore both these [vices] are to be q 1.42 auoided, also couetousnesse of money is to be q 1.43 eschewed. q 1.44 For there is no such a signe of a base and ignoble minde, as to loue riches: q 1.45 nor any thing more q 1.46 honest and q 1.47 noble, then to q 1.48 despise money, if

you haue it not; [and] if you haue it to q 1.49 bestow it in bountie and libe∣ralitie. The desire likewise of glorie is to be taken heed of, as I said before. For it plucketh a∣way q 1.50 freedome of minde, for the which all conten∣tion ought to be q 1.51 amongst men of worthie spirits.

q 1.52 And indeed we ought nor to seeke for rule; but ra∣ther, sometimes ei∣ther not to receiue it, or otherwhile to giue it ouer. We must also bee free from all * 1.53 pertur∣bation of minde, both from desire, and feare, and also

from q 1.54 griefe, and q 1.55 voluptuousnesse, and angrinesse; q 1.56 that we may in∣ioy tranquillitie & securitie, which may bring both q 1.57 constancy, and also worthie esti∣mation.

But many there are and haue been, who earnestly de∣siring that same q 1.58 tranquillity of minde, which I speake of, haue q 1.59 withdrawen thē∣selues from q pub∣licke* 1.60 businesses, & haue q 1.61 betaken thēselues vnto q 1.62 a quiet life.

q 1.63 Amongst these, both the noblest Philosophers, q 1.64 & euen the very chief

[of them] q 1.65 and indeed both seuere and graue men, could neither q 1.66 en∣dure the manners of the people, nor of the q 1.67 rulers; & q 1.68 many of them haue liued in q 1.69 man∣nour places, de∣lighted [onely] with q 1.70 their home matters. q 1.71 These aymed at the same end, which kings doe; that they might neede no∣thing, q 1.72 obey no man, vse their own libertie: whose property it is, to liue q 1.73 as they list. Wherefore, •…•…ith this is common q 1.74 both to them who are desirous * 1.75 of power, q 1.76 and

those seeking a qui∣et life, whome I spake of; the one sorte thinke q 1.77 that they can attaine it, if they haue great wealth; the other, if they be content q 1.78 with their owne q 1.79 and a little.

q 1.80 Wherein verely the opinion of nei∣ther [of them] q 1.81 is vtterly to be despi∣sed. q 1.82 For the life of q 1.83 those who haue betaken them selues to liue quiet∣ly, is both more easie & more safe, and lesse grieuous or troublesome to others: but [the life] of them who haue q 1.84 applied thē∣selues for the good of the Common∣weale,

and to q 1.85 at∣chiue great mat∣ters, is more q 1.86 pro∣fitable for man∣kinde, and q 1.87 fitter for fame and q 1.88 ho∣nour. Wherefore q 1.89 it may bee that both they are to bee borne withall, who doe not q 1.90 vn∣dertake the affaires of the Common∣wealth, who being of an excellent wit, haue * 1.91 giuen them∣selues wholly to quietnesse and to learning: & q 1.92 also they who beeing hindred by q 1.93 sick∣nesse, or some o∣ther more weighty cause, haue q 1.94 retired themselues from businesses of the Common—vveale,

when as they q 1.95 yeel∣ded vnto others both the * 1.96 power and * 1.97 praise of ma∣naging of the same.

But to vvhome there is no such q 1.98 occasion, if they say, q 1.99 that they con temne those things which most men q 1.100 haue in admi∣ration, [as] rule & q 1.101 magistracy; q 1.102 to those I thinke it worthie to be ac∣counted not onely no cōmendation, but also a fault.

q 1.103 Whose iudgemēt it is verie hard to disallowe, in that they despise glory, and esteeme it as nothing. But they seeme to q 1.104 fear the q 1.105 troubles & griefs

both of q 1.106 giuing offence, and also of * 1.107 repulses, as a cer∣taine reproach and infamie. For there be [some] who q 1.108 doe not agree with themselues in contrarie matters; who doe most se∣uerely contemne pleasures, are more tender in grief•…•…s, regarde not glory, [and] bee q 1.109 ouer∣comne with infa∣mie. And these things indeed [they doe] q 1.110 very vncon∣stantly. But q 1.111 of∣fices are to bee q 1.112 gotten, and the Common—vvealth is to be q 1.113 serued of them, who haue q 1.114 by nature helps of dispatch of bu∣sinesse,

all lingring q 1.115 set aside. For o∣therwise neither can q 1.116 the State be gouerned or the greatnesse of cou∣rage be declared.

Moreouer, both a q 1.117 maiestie and q 1.118 despising of vvorldly things (which q 1.119 I oft re∣peat) also q 1.120 tran∣quillity of minde and q 1.121 security is to bee q 1.122 vsed of them, who take vp∣them [any] go∣uernment in the Common-weal, no∣thing lesse then of Philosophers, I q 1.123 knowe not whe∣ther [not] q 1.124 more also; if so be that they will not bee q 1.125 ouermuch op∣pressed

with cares, q 1.126 but will q 1.127 liue with grauity and constancy. Which things be so much more easie to Phi∣losophers, q 1.128 the fewer things they haue in their life, which fortune may strike; q 1.129 and for that they doe not stand in neede of many things, and also because they cannot fall so grie∣uously, if any ad∣uersity q 1.130 betide.

Wherefore, not without cause, grea∣ter motions of [their] mindes are stirred vp, & grea∣ter* 1.131 q maters are q 1.132 to bee done by q 1.133 the gouernours of the Common-vveale,

then by them who liue quietly. And* 1.134 therefore q 1.135 the more greatnesse of courage and free∣dome from vexa∣tions is to be vsed of them. Moreo∣uer, whosoeuer commeth q 1.136 to at∣chieue any great matter, let him take heed, 1 That hee do not only q 1.137 con∣sider, how honest the matter is, but also, q 1.138 how it may bee discharged.

2 In which q 1.139 thing q 1.140 a man must con∣sider, that hee nei∣ther q 1.141 despaire tho∣row q 1.142 cowardli∣nesse, q 1.143 nor bee o∣uer confident tho∣row a greedy de∣sire. 3 Also a dili∣gent

preparation is to be q 1.144 vsed in all businesses, before you q 1.145 goe about them.

Notes

• q 1.1

  magnanimity.
• q 1.2

  prosperous and aduerse things.
• q 1.3

  performing hard matters.
• q 1.4

  altogether.
• q 1.5

  contempt.
• q 1.6

  it is perswaded to a man.
• q 1.7

  a man to owe to admire, wish or to desire earnestly no∣thing but that, &c.
• q 1.8

  and to yeeld to none, neither man.
• q 1.9

  no.
• q 1.10

  passion or affec∣tion.
• q 1.11

  affected▪
• q 1.12

  doe.
• q 1.13

  matters.
• q 1.14

  vehemently.
• * 1.15

  to life do belong.
• q 1.16

  splendour or shining brightness.
• q 1.17

  dignitie.
• q 1.18

  also.
• * 1.19

  stands▪
• q 1.20

  that is [or con∣sists] therein.
• q 1.21

  and despising worldly vanities.
• q 1.22

  same thing.
• q 1.23

  is seene.
• q 1.24

  perturbation or vexation of minde.
• q 1.25

  account small, or make small recko∣ning of.
• q 1.26

  picked out, or most notable or choise.
• q 1.27

  very famous.
• * 1.28

  steadfast.
• q 1.29

  firme reason.
• q 1.30

  which being ma∣ny and diuers are conuersant [or fall out.]
• q 1.31

  fortune [or con∣dition] of men.
• q 1.32

  that you depart nothing.
• q 1.33

  state.
• q 1.34

  nothing from.
• q 1.35

  agreeable or like∣ly.
• q 1.36

  him to be broken
• q 1.37

  couetous desire.
• q 1.38

  broken.
• q 1.39

  him to be ouer∣comn of pleasure.
• q 1.40

  i•…•…uincible.
• q 1.41

  by labour.
• q 1.42

  shunned.
• q 1.43

  fled.
• q 1.44

  for nothing is of •…•…o strict and little a courage.
• q 1.45

  nothing honest
• q 1.46

  commendable.
• q 1.47

  magnificent.
• q 1.48

  contemne.
• q 1.49

  imploy it vnto.
• q 1.50

  libertie.
• q 1.51

  to couragious men.
• q 1.52

  Neither verely [are] empires to be earnestly desired, & rather not to be re∣ceiued sometimes, or now and then to be layed downe.
• * 1.53

  passion or disqui∣etnesse of minde.
• q 1.54

  sicknesse of mind.
• q 1.55

  pleasure of mind.
• q 1.56

  that quietnesse of minde may be pre∣serued and voidness of care.
• q 1.57

  stedfastnesse and also dignitie.
• q 1.58

  quietnesse.
• q 1.59

  remooued.
• * 1.60

  * common affaires
• q 1.61

  fled or got them∣selues away.
• q 1.62

  idlenesse, quiet∣nesse or ease.
• q 1.63

  In these.
• q 1.64

  and far the prin∣ces or chiefe.
• q 1.65

  others also con∣stant or vpright.
• q 1.66

  beare.
• q 1.67

  princes.
• q 1.68

  some of them.
• q 1.69

  fields or desert places, or the fiel∣den countrie.
• q 1.70

  matter belonging to their family or priuate businesse.
• q 1.71

  The same thing hath bin propoun∣ded to these which also [hath bin] to kings.
• q 1.72

  that they might not obey any man, that they might vse liberty.
• q 1.73

  so as you will.
• q 1.74

  of them who are couetous.
• * 1.75

  of ruling or to be great.
• q 1.76

  with those (whom I spake) leading the quiet life [or idle.]
• q 1.77

  themselues to bee able to obtaine it.
• q 1.78

  both.
• q 1.79

  and with a little.
• q 1.80

  In which indeed.
• q 1.81

  is to be contem∣ned altogether.
• q 1.82

  But.
• q 1.83

  the idle or free from great business
• q 1.84

  fitted themselues to the common∣weale.
• q 1.85

  doe worthily or goe through with
• q 1.86

  fruitfull or bene∣ficiall to the kinde of men.
• q 1.87

  more apt.
• q 1.88

  greatnesse.
• q 1.89

  peraduenture it may be yeelded to those not going to take, &c.
• q 1.90

  taken in hand or meddled with the commonweale, viz. to deale in such matters.
• * 1.91

  applied.
• q 1.92

  and also to those.
• q 1.93

  imbecillity of their health.
• q 1.94

  gone backe [or departed] from the common weale.
• q 1.95

  graunted.
• * 1.96

  authority or li∣bertie.
• * 1.97

  commendation.
• q 1.98

  cause.
• q 1.99

  themselues to de∣spise.
• q 1.100

  admire
• q 1.101

  bearing office.
• q 1.102

  I thinke it to be giuen to those not only not for praise, but also for a fault.
• q 1.103

  The iudgement of whom, in that they con∣temne glory and coūt it for nothing, is a thing difficult to be done not to allowe or approue.
• q 1.104

  thinke.
• q 1.105

  trauels and.
• q 1.106

  offences.
• * 1.107

  hauing repulses.
• q 1.108

  are little constant to themselues.
• q 1.109

  broken.
• q 1.110

  not constantly enough.
• q 1.111

  magistracies or gouernments.
• q 1.112

  obtained.
• q 1.113

  gouerned by them.
• q 1.114

  helps of dispatch of businesse by nature.
• q 1.115

  cast away.
• q 1.116

  a citie.
• q 1.117

  magnificence.
• q 1.118

  contempt.
• q 1.119

  I speake of oft.
• q 1.120

  quietnesse.
• q 1.121

  voidnesse of care.
• q 1.122

  added or practised to them going to take the common wealth.
• q 1.123

  wot not.
• q 1.124

  yea much more I suppose.
• q 1.125

  carefull.
• q 1.126

  and.
• q 1.127

  leade their life.
• q 1.128

  by how much not so many things in their life lie open, which fortune may strike.
• q 1.129

  and by how much they lesse need ma∣ny things.
• q 1.130

  shall fall out.
• * 1.131

  * enterprises
• q 1.132

  meet to be com∣passed.
• q 1.133

  them who ma∣nage the common-weale.
• * 1.134

  q the quiet or pri∣uate.
• q 1.135

  by how much both greatnesse of courage & freedom from griefs is more to be added to these
• q 1.136

  to performe a businesse.
• q 1.137

  consider that thing.
• q 1.138

  how it may haue a faculty or abilitie to be effected.
• q 1.139

  same thing.
• q 1.140

  it is to bee consi∣dered.
• q 1.141

  be out of hope.
• q 1.142

  sluggishnesse, or lacke of courage.
• q 1.143

  or trust ouermuch
• q 1.144

  added.
• q 1.145

  goe into them or goe in hand with them or vndertake them.