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CHAP. II.
His morall sentence, precepts, and verses.
HIs Apothegmes are thus delivered by Laertius and o∣thers. He is unfortunate, who cannot bear misfortune. It is a disease of the mind to desire such things as cannot be obtained, and to be unmindfull of the miseries of others. To one that asked what is hard, he answered, to bear couragiously a change to the worse. Being at sea in com∣pany with wicked, who, a storm arising, called upon the Gods; hold your peace, saith he, lest they know you are here. To a wicked man enquiring what was piety, he was silent, the other asking the reason of his silence: I answer not, saith he, because you enquire after that which nothing con∣cernes you. Being demanded what is sweet to mankind, he answered, Hope. It is better to decide a difference betwixt our enemies then friends, for one of the friends will certainly become an enemie, one of the enemies, a friend. Being asked what a man did with delight, he answered, gain by labour. We should so live, as though our life would be both long and short: So love, as if hereafter we might hate, conversing in friendship with cau∣tion, remembring that it may possibly convert to enmity.
* 1.1 To one demanding whether he should take a wife; she must be (saith he) either fair or foul; if fair, she will be common, if foule, a pennance.
* 1.2 That Tyrant shall gain most glory, who first himselfe obeyes the lawes of his country: That common-wealth is best ordered, wherein every man fears the Law more then a Tyrant. That family is best ordered, where the Master behaves himselfe voluntarily within dores, as he doth without by constraint of the Law.
* 1.3 Those who busie themselves in vain knowledge, resemble an Owle, which seeth only in the night, but is blind in the light; so is their mind sharp-sighted in vanity, dark at the approach of true light.
Ausonius hath these under his name. What is our chiefest good? a conscience free, Our greatest ill? mans, mans worst enemie. Poor? th'avaricious. Rich? who nought desires. A wifes best dower? the fame chast life acquires. Chast? she of whom report dare speak no ill. Wise? who hath power to hurt, but wants the will. A fool? who wants the power, and yet would kill.
His morall precepts, according to* 1.4 Demetrius Phalereus these.
Most men are evill,. (* 1.5 His particular sentence) Before you do any thing, behold your face in a glasse; if it seem handsome, do handsome things; if deformed, suply the defects of nature.