Tully's three books of offices, in English with notes explaining the method and meaning of the author.

CHAP. XXIII.

The Body ought to be so far taken Care of, as that it may be able to bear Fatigues. But 'tis the Mind that truly makes Great Men. War should be under∣taken only for the sake of Peace. The Difference be∣tween a Great Soul and a Great Understanding; and the Duties of each. Fighting one of the least parts of Courage.

NOw 'tis certain that Virtue, which consists in Greatness and Elevation of Soul, and makes up the Subject of our present Enquiry, is obtain'd by the Strength of the Mind, not the Body. How∣ever the Body ought not to be neglected; but by Exercise brought to such a Frame and Condition, as that it may obey the Prescriptions of the Mind, in performing that Business and bearing those Fa∣tigues, which are requir'd of it. But still the Na∣ture of the Virtue we are seeking for, consists in due care and application of Mind; in which particular, the Publick receives as much Benefit from Gowns∣men, who manage and take care of its Civil Con∣cerns; as it doth from Soldiers, who are Generals of its Armies. For they by their Prudence have often either hindred the breaking out of Wars, or else have occasion'd their speedy Conclusion; and sometimes too have been the cause of their being Undertaken: as the third with Carthage was entred into upon the

Advice of a 1.1 Cato, whose Credit and Authority pre∣vail'd in that Case, even after he was dead. Wis∣dom therefore, and Skill in determining Civil Af∣fairs, is more to be desir'd than Courage in Fight∣ing: But then we must always be careful in this Case, that our Design be not the avoiding of War, but the being more useful and serviceable to the Publick. b 1.2 And as for War, it should never be undertaken with any other Aim, but only that of obtaining an honourable Peace. 'Tis the part of a brave and unshaken Spirit, not to be disturb'd un∣der any Misfortune, or suffer it self in disorder and tumult to be thrown off the Saddle (as we usually speak;) but always to keep such a Presence of Mind, as to be able to consult upon every Occasion, and be hurry'd on to nothing, but what is agreeable to Reason and Discretion. And as this is the part of an exalted Spirit, so is what follows of an elevated Understanding; to discover Effects even while they are yet in the Wombs of their Causes, and con∣sider before-hand whatever may happen on either side, and accordingly what's to be done when it does happen; that so he may never be taken una∣wares, and brought to that lamentable shift of cry∣ing out, I never once thought of it. These are the Duties, as of a truly Courageous and Lofty, so of a Wise and Judicious Mind; but rashly to run and lay about one in Battel, and come to Wounds and

down-right Blows with an Enemy, is but a savage and brutish kind of Business: However, Necessity so requiring, a Man should Fight, and choose ra∣ther to part with his Life than his Liberty, or be guilty of any base or dishonourable Action.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The Elder Cato, who was Sirnam'd Censorius, from his Severity when Censor. He was always persuading the Ro∣mans to Destroy Carthage, which they did under the Con∣duct of the Younger Scipio; but not till two or three Years after his Death.
• b 1.2

  Having determin'd the Question, Whether Civil or Mi∣litary Conduct be better; he now proceeds to give some Di∣rections about the latter; That we should never undertake War but for the sake of Peace: Not be cast down at Misfor∣tunes, &c. to the end of the next Chapter.