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

CHAP. XI.

Justice, and a Contempt of Riches, are especially Cau∣ses of Mens Admiration. Justice alone procures all the three things, which make up Glory; and how. 'Tis a necessary Virtue for all sorts of People. Even Robbers and Pyrates can't subsist without it. Some Examples to this Purpose.

SUch a Constitution of Soul therefore, as can make a Man despise all a 1.1 these Goods or Evils, begets him a mighty Esteem and Admiration: But especially Justice (which single Virtue serves to give Men the Name and Denomination of Good) seems much the most admirable to the generality of People. And not without Reason; it being b 1.2 im∣possible

for any one to be Just, who is afraid at the approaches of Death, of Pain, of Banishment or Poverty; or prefers c 1.3 those things, which are contrary to these, before the great Duties of Ju∣stice and Honesty. And more particularly yet, Men admire those, whom they find unconcern'd as to the matter of Money; and count them try'd, as it were like Gold in the Fire, who have been able to withstand the Temptations of it. Justice there∣fore of it self is sufficient to procure those three things that are requisite to Glory: In the first place, The Love and Good-will of the People; because of the d 1.4 Kindnesses it shews to very many. Second∣ly, Their Confidence. And Thirdly, Their Admi∣ration, both for the same Reason, viz. Because it neglects and despises those things, which the rest of Men pursue with such Eagerness and Passion. e 1.5 Now, in my Opinion, not only the being in a publick Station, but every Method of Living what∣ever, requires the Helps and Assistances of Men; as for other Designs, so particularly for this, that we may have some familiar Friends to converse with; which 'tis no easie matter for a Man to ob∣tain, without at least the Shew and Reputation of Honesty. From hence it follows, That 'tis necessa∣ry even for those Men themselves, who have with∣drawn

from the World, and chosen the Quiet and Retirements of the Country, to be reputed at least Men of Honesty and Integrity: and that so much the more, because otherwise they'll certainly be counted Dishonest; and then, having nothing of Guard or Defence, they must needs be expos'd to perpetual Injuries. The same Justice also is neces∣sary for those (if ever they hope to succeed in their Business) who Buy, Sell, Lett, Hire, and are con∣cern'd in the Commerce and Affairs of the World: Nay 'tis a thing of such powerful Moment and u∣niversal Influence, as that those who live only up∣on Villanies and Wickedness, can never subsist with∣out something of Justice: For should any Thief steal from another that belong'd to the same Confedera∣cy, he'd immediately be expell'd, as unfit to be a Member even of a Society of Robbers; and should the Leader himself not distribute their Booty, ac∣cording to the Measures of Justice and Honesty, he'd either be murther'd or deserted by his Com∣pany: Nay 'tis said that your Robbers have some certain Statutes, which they are all of 'em bound to observe amongst themselves. f 1.6 Theopompus tells us of a certain Rogue, one g 1.7 Bardylis and Illyrian, that got a great Power by the fame of his Justice in divi∣ding the Prey: and h 1.8 Viriatus the Lusitanian, got a much greater, to whom even some of our Armies

and i 1.9 Generals were forc'd to yield; till at last he was conquer'd by that k 1.10 Caius Laelius, who was sir∣nam'd the Wise, in the time of his Praetorship; who brought down his Courage and Fierceness so low, as to render the War easie for those that came after him. If Justice then be of so great Efficacy, as that it can raise and support even Pirates; of what mighty Force must we suppose it to be, in the midst of Laws, and in a well-constituted Republick?

Notes

• a 1.1

  Those mention'd in the last Chapter, Pleasure and Pain, Riches and Poverty, &c.
• b 1.2

  For 'tis but clapping a Pistol, or the like to such a Man's Breast, and he'll betray his Friend or Country, break his Word, or any thing in the World, rather than loose his be∣lov'd Life; and consequently can't be resolutely Just.
• c 1.3

  Viz. Life, Pleasure, Riches, &c.
• d 1.4

  He takes Justice in the larger Sence here, so as to com∣prehend Bounty and Liberality. See Note ^a on chap. 7. Book 1.
• e 1.5

  Having shewn how necessary Justice is, for those who live in the Eye of the World, and endeavour to get true and perfect Glory; he's now going to shew, That 'tis necessary also for all sorts of Men, viz. Those of Privacy and Retire∣ment; those of Trade and Commerce in the World; nay for even Thieves and Pirates.
• f 1.6

  A famous Greek Historian, born in the Isle Chios, and Schollar of Isocrates, who us'd to say, That he was forc'd to use a Spurr to Ephorus, and a Bridle to Theopompus. He is highly commended by several of the Ancients. Corn. Nepos accuses him of Ill-nature in his Characters of Men. He left several Works, which are lost.
• g 1.7

  He was afterwards conquer'd by Phillip, Son of Amyn∣tas, King of Macedonia. Pyrrhus the famous King of Epi∣rus Married his Daughter.
• h 1.8

  A Man of very great Cunning and Valour; he was first a Huntsman, afterwards a General of a formidable Army. See Florus, Paterc. &c.
• i 1.9

  C. Plautius and M. Vitellius, or (as others say) Claudius Unimanus, the Praetors. At last Servilius Caepio got him treacherously murther'd.
• k 1.10

  The same, whom he brings in speaking in his Book De Amicitia.