Essays vvritten in French by Michael Lord of Montaigne, Knight of the Order of S. Michael, gentleman of the French Kings chamber: done into English, according to the last French edition, by Iohn Florio reader of the Italian tongue vnto the Soueraigne Maiestie of Anna, Queene of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c. And one of the gentlemen of hir royall priuie chamber

The two and fortieth Chapter.

Of the inequalitie that is betweene vs.

PLutarke saith in some place, That he findes no such great difference betweene beast and beast, as he findeth diversitie betweene man and man. He speaketh of the sufficiencie of the minde, and of internall qualities. Verily I finde Epaminondas so farre (taking him as I suppose him) from some that I know (I meane capable of common sense) as I could finde in my heart to endeare vpon Plutarke; and say there is more difference betweene such and such a man, than there is diversitie betweene such a man, and such a beast.

Hem vir viro quid praestat!

O Sir, how much hath one, An other man out-gone?

And that there be so many degrees of spirits, as there are steps betweene heaven and earth, and as innumerable. But concerning the estimation of men, it is marvell, that except our selves, no one thing is esteemed but for i'ts proper qualities. We commend a horse, because he is strong and nimble,

—volucrem Sic laudamus equum, facili cui plurima palma Fervet, & exultat rauco victoria circo.

We praise the horse, that beares most belles with flying, And triumphs most in races, hoarce with crying,

and not for his furniture: a graie-hound for his swiftnesse, not for his choller: a hawke for hir wing, not for hir cranes or belles. Why doe we not likewise esteeme a man for that which is his owne? He hath a goodly traine of men following him, a stately pallace to dwell in, so great credit amongst men; and so much rent comming in: Alas, all that is about him, and not in him. No man will buy a pig in a poke. If you cheapen a horse, you wil take his saddle and clothes from him, you will see him bare and abroade: or if he be covered as in old times they wont to present them vnto Princes to be sold, it is onely his least necessary parts, lest you should ammuse your selfe to consider his colour, or breadth of his crupper; but chiefly to view his legges, his head, his eyes, and his foote, which are the most remarkable parts, and above all to be considered and required in him,

Regibus hic mos est, vbi equos mercantur, apertos Inspiciunt, ne si facies, vt saepe, decora Molli ful••a pede est, emptorem inducat hiantem, Quòd pulchrae clunes, breve quòd caput, ardua cervix.

This is Kings maner, when they horses buy, They see them bare, lest if, as oft we try, Faire face have soft hoofes, gull'd the buyer be, They buttockes round, short head, high crest may see.

When you will esteeme a man, why should you survey him all wrapt, and envellopped? He then but sheweth vs those parts, which are no whit his owne: and hideth those from vs, by which alone his woorth is to be judged. It is the goodnesse of the sworde you seeke after, and not the worth of the scabbard; for which peradventure you would not give a farthing,

if it want his lyning. A man should be iudged by himselfe, and not by his complements. And as an ancient saith very pleasantly: Doe you know wherefore you esteeme him tall. You account the height of his pattens: The Base is no part of his stature: Measure him without his stiltes. Let him lay aside his riches and externall honors, and shew himselfe in his shirt. Hath he a body proper to his functions, sound and cheerefull? What minde hath he? Is it faire, capable and vnpolluted, and happily provided with all hir necessarie parts? Is shee rich of hir owne, or of others goods? Hath fortune nothing of hirs to survay therein? If broade-waking she will looke vpon a naked sword: If shee care not which way hir life goeth from hir, whether by the mouth or by the throte; whether it be setled, equable, and conten∣ted: It is that a man must see and consider, and thereby judge the extreame differences that are betweene vs: Is he

—sapiens, sibique imperiosus, Quem neque pauperies, neque mors, neque vin••ula terrent, Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores Fortis, & in s••ipso totus teres atque rotundus, Externi ne quid valeat per l••ue morari, In quem manca ruit semper fortuna?—

A wise man, of himselfe commander high, Whom want, nor death, nor bands can terrifie, Resol••d t'affront desires, honors to skorne, All in himselfe, close, round and neately-borne, As nothing outward on his smooth can stay, Gainst whom still fortune makes a lame assay.

Such a man is five hundred degrees beyond kingdomes and principalities: Himselfe is a kingdome vnto himselfe.

Sapiens polipse singit fortunam sibi.

Trust me, who beares a wise mans name, His fortune to himselfe may frame.

What is there else for him to wish for?

—nónne videmus Nil aliud sibi naturam latrare, nisi vt quoi Corpore seiunctus dolor absit, mente fruatur, Iucundo sensu cura se••otus metúque?

See we not nature nothing else doth barke Vnto hir-selfe, but he, whose bodies barke Is free from paines-touch, should his minde enjoy, Remo'd from care and feare, with sense of joy?

Compare the vulgar troupes of our men vnto him, stupide, base, servile, wavering, and con∣tinually floting on the tempestuous Ocean of divers passions, which tosse and retosse the same, wholy depending of others: There is more difference, then is betweene heaven and earth, and yet such is the blindnesse of our custome, that we make little or no account of it. Whereas, if we consider a Cottager & a King, a noble and a handy-crafts man, a magistrate and a private man, a rich man and a poore; an extreame disparitie doth immediatly present it self vnto our eies, which, as a man may say, differ in nothing, but in their clothes. In Thrace. the King was after a pleasant maner distinguished from his people, and which was much endeared: He had a religion apart: a God severall vnto himselfe, whom his subjects might no waies adore: It was Mercurie: And he disdained their gods, which were Mars, Bacchus, and Diana; yet are they but pictures, which make no essential dissemblance. For, as enterlude∣plaiers, you shall now see them on the stage, play a King, an Emperor, or a Duke, but they are no soner off the stage, but they are base rascals, vagabond abjects, and porterly hirelings, which is their naturall and originall condition: Even so the Emperor, whose glorious pomp doth so dazle you in publike:

Scilicet & grandes viridi cum luc•• s••••aragdi Auro includuntur, teritúrque Thalassina vestis Assidué, & Ʋeneris sudorem exercita potat.

Great emerald's with their grasse-greene-light in gold

Are clos'd, nor long can marriage linnen holde, But worne with vse and heate of Venerie drink's the sweate.

View him behinde the curtaine, and you see but an ordinarie man, and peradventure more vile, and more seely, then the least of his subiects. Ille beatus introrsum est; istius bracteata f••∣licit as est. One is inwardly happy: an others f••licitie is plated and guilt-over. Cowardise, irresoluti∣on, ambition, spight, anger, and envie, moove and worke in him as in another:

Non enim gazae, neque consularis Summou••t lictor, miseros tumltus Mentis & curas laqueata circum —Tecta voluntas:

Nor treasures, nor Maires officers remoove The miserable tumults of the minde, Or cares that lie about, or flie above Their high-roof't houses with huge beames combinde.

And feare, and care, and suspect, haunt and follow him, even in the middest of his armed troupes.

Reveráque met us hominum, curae{que} sequaces, Nec metuunt sonitus armorum, nec fera tela, Audactérque inter reges, rerúmque potentes Versantur, neque fulgorem reverentur ab aur••.

Indeed mens still-attending cares and feare, Nor armor's clashing, nor fierce weapons feare, With Kings converse they boldly, and kings peeres, Fearing no lightning that from golde appeeres.

Doth the ague, the megrim, or the gout spare him more then vs? When age shall once seize on his shoulders, can then the tall yeomen of his guarde discharge him of it? When the terror of ruthles-balefull death shall assaile him, can he be comforted by the assistance of the gentlemen of his chamber? If he chance to be jealous or capricious, will our lowting∣curtzies, or putting off of hattes, bring him in tune againe? His bedstead enchased all with gold and pearles hath no vertue to allay the pinching pangues of the cholike.

Nec calidae citius decedunt corpore febres, Tex••ilibus si in picturis ostróque rubenti Iacteris, quàm si plebeia in veste cubandum est.

Feavers no sooner from thy bodie flie If thou on arras or red scarlet lie Tossing, then if thou rest On coverlets home-drest.

The flatterers of Alexander the great, made him beleeve, that he was the sonne of Iupiter; but being one day sore-hurt, and seeing the blood gush out of his wounds: And what thinke you of this? (Said he vnto them) Is not this blood of a lively red hew, and meerely humane? Me thinkes, it is not of that temper, which Homer faineth to trill from the gods wounds. Her∣modorus the Poet made certaine verses in honour of Antigonus, in which he called him the sonne of Phoebus; to whom he replied; My friend, He that emptieth my close-stoole knoweth well, there is no such matter. He is but a man at all assaies: And if of himselfe he be a man ill borne, the Empire of the whole world cannot restore him.

—puella Hunc rapiant, quicquid calcaverit, hic rosa fiat.

Wenches must ravish him, what ever he Shall treade vpon, eftsoones a rose must be.

What of that? If he be of a grose, stupide, and senseles minde: voluptuousnesse and good fortune it selfe, are not perceived without vigor, wit, and livelinesse.

Haec peri••de sunt, vt illius animus qui ea possidet, Qui vti scit, ei bona, illi qui non vtitur rectè, mala.

These things are such, as the possessors minde, Good, if well vs'd; if ill, them ill we finde.

Whatsoever the goods of fortune are, a man must have a proper sense to favour them: It is the enioying, and not the possessing of them, that makes vs happy.

Non domus & fundus, non aeris aceruus & a••ri, Aegroto domini deduxit corpore febres, Non animo curas, valeat possessor oportet, Qui comportatis rebus benè cogitat vti. Qui cupit, aut metuit, invat illum sic domus aut res, Vt lippum pictae tabulae, fomenta podagram.

Not house and land, and heapes of coine and gold Rid agues, which their sicke Lords body hold, Or cares from minde: th'owner must be in health, That well doth thinke to vse his hoarded wealth. Him that desires or feares, house, goods, delight, As foments doe the gout, pictures sore-sight.

He is a foole, his taste is wallowish and distracted, he enjoyeth it more, then one that hath a great colde, doth the sweetenesse of Greeke wine, or a horse the riches of a costly∣faire furniture, wherewith he is trapped. Even as Plato saith, That health, beautie, strength, riches, and all things else he calleth good, are equally as ill to the vniust, as good to the iust; and the euill contrariwise. And then▪ where the body and the soule are in ill plight, what neede these externall commodities? Seeing the least pricke of a needle, and passion of the mind is able to deprive vs of the pleasure of the worlds Monarchie. The first fit of an ague, or the first gu••rd that the gout gives him, what availes his goodly titles of Majestie?

Totus & argento conflatus, totus & auro.

All made of silver fine, All gold pure from the mine.

doth he not foorthwith loose the remembrance of his pallaces and states? If he be angrie or vexed, can his principalitie keepe him from blushing, from growing pale, from gnas••ing his teeth like a Bedlam? Now if it be a man of woorth, and well borne, his royaltie, and his glorious titles will adde but little vnto his good fortune.

Si ventri bene, si lateri est pedibúsque tuis, nil Diviti•• poterunt regales addere ma••us.

If it be well with belly, feete, and sides, A Kings estate no greater good provides.

He seeth they are but illusions, and vaine deceit••. He may happily be of King Seleucus his advise: That he who fore-knew the weight of a scepter, should he finde-it lying on the ground, he would not daine to take-it vp. This he said, by reason of the w••••ghtie, irksome and paine∣full charges, that are incident vnto a good King. Truely, it is no small matter to governe others, since so many cross••s and difficulties offer themselves, if we will governe our selves well. Touching commanding of others, which in shew seemeth to be so sweete, conside∣ring the imbecilitie of mans iudgement, and the difficultie of choice in new and doubtfull things. I am confidently of this opinion, that it is much more easie and plausible to follow, then to guide: and that it is a great setling of the minde, to be tied but to one beaten▪path, and to answer but for himselfe.

Ʋt satiùs multo iam sit, parere quietum, Quàm regere imperio resv••lle.—

Much better t'is, in quiet to obey, Then to desire with Kings▪power all to sway.

Seeing Ciru•• saide, That it belongs not to a man to command, that is not of more woorth, then those whom he commandeth. But King Hieron in Xenophon addeth moreover, That in truely∣enioying of carnall sensualities, they are of much woorse condition, then private men; forasmuch as ease and facilitie, depriveth them of that sowre-swee••e tickling, which w•• finde in them.

Pingu••s amor nimiúmque potens, in toedia nobis Vertitur, & stomacho dulcis vt esca noc••t.

Fat over-powerfull love doth loathsome grow, As fulsome sweete-meates stomackes overthrow.

Thinke wee, that high-minded men take great pleasure in musicke? The satietie thereof makes it rather tedious vnto them. Feasts, banquets, revels, dancings, masks and turneys, re∣joyce them that but seldome see them, and that have much desired to see them: the taste of which-becommeth cloysome and vnpleasing to those that daily see, and ordinarily have them: Nor doe Ladies tickle those, that at pleasure and without suspect may be glutted with them. He that cannot stay till he be thirstie, can take no pleasure in drinking. Enter∣ludes and commedies rejoyce and make vs merry, but to players they are tedious and taste∣lesse. Which to proove, we see, it is a delight for Princes, and a recreation for them, some∣times to disguise themselves, and to take vpon them a base and popular kinde of life.

Plerumque gratae principibus vices, Mundaeque parvo sub lare pauperum Coe••ae sine aulaeis & ostro, Solicitam explicuere front ••m.

Princes doe commonly like enterchange, And cleanely meales where poore-men poorely house, Without all tapistry or carpets strange, Vnwrinkled have their care-knit, thought-bent browes.

Nothing doth sooner breed a distaste or satietie, then plentie. What long-ing lust would not beealaide, to see three hundred women at his dispose and pleasure, as hath the Grand Turke in his Seraille? And what a desire and shew of hawking had he reserved to himselfe from his ancestors, that never went abroad without seuen thousand falkners at least? Be∣sides which, I thinke, the luster of greatnesse, brings no small incommodities to the enjoy∣ing of sweeter pleasures: they lie too open, and are too much in sight. And I wo•• not why a man should longer desire them to conceale or hide their fault: For, what in vs is indis••re∣tion, the people judgeth to be tyrannie, contempt, and disdaine of the lawes in them: And besides the ready inclination vnto vice, it seemeth they also adde vnto it the pleasure of gour∣mandizing, and to prostrate publike observances vnder their feete. Verily Plato in his Gor∣gias, defineth him to be a tyrant, that in a Citie hath leave and power to doe what ever he list. And therefore often, the shew and publication of their vice hurteth more then the sinne in selfe. Everie man feareth to be spied and controlled; which they are even in their counte∣nances and thoughts: All the people esteeming to have right and interest to judge of them. And we see that blemishes grow either lesser or bigger, according to the eminence, and light of the place, where they are set, and that a mole or a wart in ones forehead is more appa∣rently perceived, then a scarre in another place. And that is the reason why Poets faine Iu∣piters loves to have beene effected vnder other countenances, than his owne; And of so many amorous-shifts, and love practises, they impute to him, there is but one (as farre as▪ I remember) where he is to be seene in his greatnesse and majestie. But returne we to Hieron••▪ he also relateth, how many incommodities he findeth in his royaltie, being so barred, that he cannot at his libertie travell to goe whether he pleaseth, being as it were a prisoner with∣in the limits of his country; and that in all his actions he is encircled and hemd-in with an importunate and tedious mult••tude. Truely, to see our Princes all alone, sitting at their meate, beleagred-round with so many talkers, whisperers, and gazing beholders, vnknowne what they are or whence they come, I have often rather pittied then envied them. King Alphonsus was wont to say, that burthen-bearing asses were in that; in farre better condition than Kings; for, their masters suffer them to feede at their ease, whereas Kings cannot obtaine that priviledge of their servants. And it could never fall into my minde, that it might be any spe∣ciall commoditie to the life of a man of vnderstanding, to have a score of find-faults, picke∣thanks, and controlers about his close-stoole, nor that the service of a man, that hath a thousand pound rent a yeere, or that hath taken Casal, or defended Sienna, is more com∣modious or acceptable to him, then that of a sufficient, and well-experienced groome▪ Princelike advantages, are in a maner but imaginarie preheminences. Every degree of fortune, hath some image of Principalitie. Caesar termeth all the Lords, which in his time had justice in France, to be Kinglets, or petie Kings. And truely, except the name of Sire, we goe very farre with our Kings. Looke but in the Provinces remote and farre from the

court: As for example, in Britanie, the attending traine, the flocking subjects, the number of officers, the many affaires, the diligent service, the obsequious ceremonies of a Lord, that liveth retired, and in his owne house, brought vp amongst his owne servants, tenants, and followers: And note also the high pitch of his imaginations, and humours, there is no grea∣ter royaltie can be seene: He heareth no more talke of his master, then of the Persian king, and happily but once a yeare: And knowes but some farre-fetcht, and old kindred or pedi∣gree, which his Secretarie findes or keepes vpon some ancient record or evidence. Veri∣ly our lawes are very free, and the burthen of soveraigntie, doth scarsly concerne a gentle∣man of France twice in his whole life. Essentiall and effectuall subjection amongst vs doth not respect any, but such as allure themselves vnto it, and that affect to honour, and love to enrich themselues by such service: For he that can shrowd and retire himselfe in his owne home, and can manage and direct his house without sutes in law, or quarrell with his neigh∣bours, or domesticall encombrances, is as free as the Duke of Venice. Paucos servitus, plures servitutem tenent. Service holds few, but many hold service. But above all things Hieron see∣meth to complaine, that he perceiveth himselfe deprived of all mutuall friendship, recipro∣call societie, and familiar conversation, wherein consisteth the most perfect and sweetest fruite of humane life. For, what vndoubted testimonie of affection and good will, can I expect or exact from him, that will-he, or nill he, oweth me all he hath, all he can? Can I make account of his humble speech, of his low-lowting curtzie, or of his curteous offers, since it lieth not in his power to refuse them me? The honour we receive of those which feare and stand in awe of vs, is no true honour. Such respects are rather due to royaltie, to majestie, then to me.

—maximum hoc regni bonum est, Quòd facta domini cogitur populus sui Quâm ferre, tam laudare.

This is chiefe good of Princes dominations, Subjects are forc't their sov'raignes actes and fashions To beare with patience, passe with commendations.

Doe I not see, that both the badde and the good King are served alike? That hee who is hated, and he that is beloved are both courted alike? And the one as much fawned vpon as the other? My predecessor was served with the same apparances, and waited vpon with the like ceremonies, and so shall my successor be. If my subjects offend me not, it is no testi∣mony of any good affection. Wherefore shall I take it in that sense, sithence they cannot, if they would? No man followeth me for any friendship that is between him and me: inasmuch as no firme friendship can be contracted, where is so small relation, so slender corresponden∣cie, & such disparity. My high degree hath excluded me from the commerce of men. There is too great an inequalitie, and distant disproportion. They follow for countenance, and of custome, or rather my fortune then my selfe: hoping therby to encrease theirs. Whatsoever they say, all they doe vnto me, is but a glosse, and but dissimulation, their liberty being every where brideled, and checked by the great power I have over them. I see nothing about me, but inscrutable hearts, hollow mindes, fained lookes, dissembled speeches, and counterfet actions. His Courtiers one day commended Iulian the Emperour for ministring of right, and doing of justice; I should easily grow proud (said he) for these praises▪ if they came from such as durst either accuse or discommend my contrary actions, should I commit any. All the true commo∣dities that Princes have, are common vnto them with men of meane fortune. It is for Gods to mount winged horses, and to feed on Ambrosia. They have no other sleepe, nor no other appetite then ours. Their steele is of no better temper, then that wherewith we arme our selves. Their crowne, their diademe can neither hide them from the Sun, or shelter them from the raine. Dioclesian that wore one so much reverenced, and so fortunate, did volunta∣rily resigne the same, to withdraw himselfe vnto the pleasure of a private life; but a while af∣ter, the vrgent necessitie of publike affaires requiring his presence, and that he should return to re-assume his charge againe, he answered those that solicited him vnto it; you would never vndertake to perswade me to that, had you but seene the goodly rankes of trees, which my∣selfe have planted in mine Orchard, or the faire muske-melo••s, I have set in my garden. According to Anacharsis his opinion, The happiest estate of a well-ordered common wealth should be, where all other things being equally common, precedencie should be measured, and preferments

suted according to vertue and desert, and the contrarie according to vice. At what time King Pir∣rhus vndertooke to passe into Italy, Cyneas his wise and trustie counsellor, going about to make him perceive the vanitie of his ambition, one day bespake him thus. My good sir, (said he) To what end do you prepare for so great an enterprise? He answered sodainly, To make my selfe lord of Italic. That done, what will you doe then? (replied Cyneas) I will then passe (said Pirrhus) into Gaule, and then into Spayne: And what afterwards? I will then invade Affrike, and subdue the same, and at last, when I shall have brought all the world vnder my subiection, I will then take my rest, and live contented at mine ease. Now, for Gods sake Sir, (replied Cynoas) Tell me, what hinders you, that you be not now, if so you please, in that estate? Wherefore doe you not now place your selfe, where you meane to aspire, and save so much danger, so many hazards, and so great troubles as you enterpose betweene both?

Nimirum quia non bene norat quae esset habendi Finis, & omnino quoad crescat vera voluptas

The cause forsooth, he knew not what should be the end Of having, nor how far true pleasure should extend.

I will conclude and shut vp this treatise with an ancient verse, which I singularly applaud, and deeme fit to this purpose.

Mores cuique sui fingunt fortunam.

Ev'ry mans maners and his mind, His fortune to him frame and find.

Notes

• T••r. Ph••r. act. 5. sc. 3.
• I••••en. sat. 8. 57
• Ho l. 1. sat ••. 86
• Li. 2. sat. 7. 83.
• Plan. Tr••n. act. 2. scen. 2.
• Lu••r. li. 2. 15.
• Luer. li▪ 4. 117.
• S••••. ••pi••••. 115.
• H••. l. 2. ••••. 16. 9
• Lu••••. l. 2. 46.
• Id. ib. 34.
• Pers. sat. 2. 37.
• Ter. Heaut. act. 1. sc••n. 2. 21.
• Ho••. 1. ••p. 2. 47
• Tibul. 1. El. 7. 71.
• Hor. l. 1. ••p. 12. 5
• ••••••. li. 5. 11 37.
• Orid. am. li. 2. el. 19▪ 25.
• Hor. li. 3. ••d 29. 13.
• Senec. epist. 2 2.
• S••n Thyest. act. 2. scen. 1.
• Lucr. lib. 5. 14. 43.
• Cic. Parad. 5. cor. Nep.