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

CHAP. XXXII.

Duties arising from Men's several Stations, and Pro∣fessions in the World. They whose Fathers have been Famous, imitate their Virtues, or add to 'em. The Choice of a Profession very difficult. Prodicus's Story of Hercules. What usually determines Men in their Choice of a Way of Life.

BUt beside those two Parts, which I have alrea∣dy mention'd, a 1.1 there are still two others re∣maining behind: The one is allotted us by Time and Chance: The other we our selves choose vo∣luntarily to our selves. To the first appertain one's being a King, a General, or a Magistrate; coming of a great Family; having Riches and Power, to∣gether with the Contraries of all these: which are all of 'em things that depend upon Fortune, and alter according to the difference of Times. As for the second, 'tis altogether left to our own Choice, what sort of Calling we have a Mind to be of: ac∣cordingly some chuse to study Philosophy, others the Civil Law, and a third sort Eloquence: and of the Virtues themselves, some are desirous of being Eminent in one kind, and some in another.

b 1.2 Now those Men, whose Fathers or Ancestors have been eminent in any one kind, for the most part en∣deavour to excel in the same: as c 1.3 Quintus the Son of Publius Mucius did in the Civil Law; d 1.4 Africanus the Son of Paullus in Martial Atchievements. And some, not content with the Glory of their Ancest∣ors, have added something else of their own to it: as that Africanus, whom I just now mention'd; who beside his great Fame for Military Exploits, made himself noted for his Learning and Elo∣quence. The same did e 1.5 Timotheus the Son of Co∣non, who was equal to his Father in the Glory of War, and obtain'd that of Learning and Ingenui∣ty besides. But it happens sometimes, that, omit∣ting to tread in the Steps of their Fathers, some take new Methods and Designs of their own; which, generally speaking, is the case with those, who are born of mean Parents, and propose to Rise, and make their Fortunes in the World. Each of these things should be thro'ly consider'd and revolv'd in our Minds, when e'er we deliberate about what will become us. The first thing then to be deter∣min'd is, what sort of Men we design to be, and what course of Living to take to in the World;

which is a case of all others the most hazardous and difficult. For when People are young, and conse∣quently most foolish, they generally pitch upon that way of Life, which then best pleases their unexpe∣rienc'd Fancies; so that they are fix'd and engag'd in a certain Course, before they have the Judgment to discern what is best. f 1.6 Prodicus indeed (as I find it in Xenophon) tells us this Story concerning Hercules;

That when he was a Youth, (which is the proper Season allotted by Nature for chu∣sing a Way of Life) he withdrew himself into a solitary Place, and there having found out a cou∣ple of Ways, the one of Pleasure, and the other of Virtue, he sat musing and consider'd a while with himself, which of these two he had best to follow:

Such a thing as this might happen to Hercules, a Son of Jupiter; but 'tis not for us to ex∣pect the same, who each of us take whom we please for our Patterns, and suffer ourselves to be drawn any whither, according as they lead us. We have most of us Principles instill'd by our Parents, and follow their Customs and Manners of Living: o∣thers are guided by popular Opinion, and like that best, which takes with the most. However there are some, whether it be out of mere good Fortune, or an happy Temper and Disposition of Soul; or lastly, by the Care and Instuctions of their Parents, that pursue right Methods and Ways of Living.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Having done with that Decorum, which consists in act∣ing according to Universal Nature, or Reason; and the se∣cond, according to our own particular one: He comes now to a third, which arises from Acting agreeably to our Place, or Station in the World. Now this Station we may have two ways, either from Fortune, or our own Choice. To be a Prince, for instance, a General, or the like, are things of Fortune: but to be a Lawyer, a Philosopher, or Tradesman, of Choice. It always becomes us, whatever Character we bear in the World, whether of Prince or Peasant, Soldier or Gownsman, to do those things which are suitable to such a Character.
• b 1.2

  The Decorum he's going to speak of consisting in doing that which is agreeable to one's Station and Way of Life in the World; this brings him to discourse of the Methods Peo∣ple take in chusing their Ways of Life; as some endeavour to follow their Fathers, &c.
• c 1.3

  Q. Mutius Scaevola, who was Augur, and Son-in-law to the Wise Laelius, whom he mentions at the beginning of his Book de Amicitia, to whom his Father recommended him for the Study of the Civil Law: He was Cos. with L. Metel∣lus, An. U. C. 636. There was another of this Name at the same time, who was Pontifex maximus.
• d 1.4

  Scipio Africanus Minor, who was Son of Paullus Aemili∣us, but adopted by P. Scipio, the Son of Africanus Major.
• e 1.5

  Two famous Athenian Generals. See the Lives of 'em both in Corn. Nep.
• f 1.6

  Prodicus was a Sophist in the Island of Cos, one of Euri∣pides's Masters; who in a Book of his concerning Hercules, brings in this Story, as Socrates tells it in Xenophon's Memo∣rab. Book 2. ch. 1. therefore he calls him here Herculem Pro∣dicium.