which unites us with the commonwealth. Our parents, children, relations, and neighbours are dear, but our fatherland embraces the whole round of these endearments; in defence of which, who would not dare to die if only he could assist it? POPULARITY. Facillime autem ad res injustas impellitur, ut quisque est altissimo animo, et gloriæ cupiditate. Qui locus est sane lubricus, quod vix invenitur, qui, laboribus susceptis, periculisque aditis, non quasi mercedem rerum gestarum desiderat gloriam. The man, who is of the highest spirit and most influenced by the desire of glory, is most easily excited to the commission of injustice. Such a position is indeed of a slippery character, for there is scarcely to be found a man who, when he has undertaken labours and undergone dangers, does not look to glory as his reward. RETIREMENT. Multi autem et sunt, et fuerunt, qui eam, quam dico, tranquillitatem expetentes, a negotiis publicis se removerint, ad otiumque perfugerint. His idem propositum fuit, quod regibus, ut ne quâ re egerent, ne cui parerent, libertate uterentur: cujus proprium est, sic vivere, ut velis. Quare, cum hoc commune sit potentiæ cupidorum cum iis, quos dixi, otiosis: alteri se adipisci id posse arbitrantur, si opes magnas habeant; alteri, si contenti sint et suo, et, parvo. In quo neutrorum omnino contemnenda est sententia: sed et facilior, et tutior, et minus aliis gravis, aut molesta vita est otiosorum: fructuosior autem hominum generi, et ad claritatem, amplitudinemque aptior eorum, qui se ad rempublicam et ad res magnas gerendas accommodaverunt. There are and have been many men who, desiring that life of tranquillity which I have been describing, have retired from public affairs, and devoted themselves to the pleasures of private life. These have had the same object in view as men in high rank—namely, that they should stand in need of nothing, be the slave of no one, enjoy perfect liberty; the peculiar characteristic of which kind of life is, that a man lives according to his own will and pleasure. Wherefore, since those desirous of power have this in common with those lovers of retirement whom I have described, the one think they are able to obtain it by the possession of great wealth, the other by being content with their own small competency. The idea of neither of these is to be altogether disregarded, but a retired life is easier, safer, less burdensome and annoying to others, whereas those, who devote themselves to public life and the management of great affairs, are more advantageous to mankind, and rise to greater glory and honour. WISE ADMINISTRATION. Parvi enim sunt foris arma, nisi est consilium domi. An army abroad is of little use unless there is prudent conduct in affairs at home. WAR ONLY TO BE MADE TO SECURE PEACE. Offic. i. 23. Bellum autem ita suscipiatur, ut nihil aliud, nisi pax, quæsita videatur. Let war be so undertaken that no other objects may seem to be in view except the acquisition of peace. FORESIGHT. Quamquam hoc animi, illud etiam ingenii magni est, præcipere cogitatione futura, et aliquanto ante constituere, quid accidere possit in utramque partem: et, quid agendum sit, cum quid evenerit; nec committere, ut aliquando dicendum sit, Non putâram. Hæc sunt opera magni animi, et excelsi, et prudentiâ, consilioque fidentis. Though the one is the proof of a high spirit, the other is that of a lofty intellect to foresee the future, and to determine beforehand what may happen in either direction, and what ought to be done in that event, and not to be obliged sometimes to say, "I had never thought it." These are the acts of a powerful and sagacious mind, one who trusts in his own prudence and forethought. DEATH TO BE PREFERRED TO SLAVERY. Cum tempus, necessitasque postulat, decertandum manu est, et mors servituti, turpitudinique anteponenda. When time and necessity require it, we should resist with all our might, and prefer death to slavery and disgrace. THE NOBLE. Offic. i. 24. Est viri magni, rebus agitatis, punire sontes: multitudinem conservare: in omni fortunâ, recta, atque honesta retinere. It is the act of a great man, after mature deliberation, to punish the guilty, to be kind to the lower orders, and in all states of fortune to do what is straightforward and honourable. MODERATION WORTHY OF A GREAT AND GOOD MAN. Offic. i. 25. Nihil enim laudabilius, nihil magno et præclaro viro dignius placabilitate atque clementiâ. Nothing is more praiseworthy, nothing more suited to a great and illustrious man, than placability and willingness to forgive. PUNISHMENT TO BE PROPORTIONED TO THE OFFENCE. Offic. i. 25. Cavendum est etiam ne major pœna quam culpa sit, et ne iisdem de causis alii plectantur, alii ne appellentur quidem. We must take care that crimes be not more severely punished than they deserve, and that one should be punished for the same fault, respecting which another is not even called in question. EQUANIMITY IN ALL THINGS. Offic. i. 26. Ut adversas res, secundas immoderate ferre, levitatis est. It is the characteristic of a weak mind not to bear adversity and prosperity with equal moderation. AFFABILITY IN HIGH FORTUNE. Recte præcipere videntur, qui monent, ut quanto superiores sumus, tanto nos geramus summissius. Rightly do those teach who admonish us that we should be the more humble in our conduct in proportion to our high rank. THE OPINION OF THE WORLD. Offic. i. 28. Negligere quid de se quisque sentiat, non solum arrogantis est, sed etiam omnino dissoluti. It is the characteristic not only of an arrogant but of a shameless man to treat with contempt what the world thinks of him. THE APPETITES MUST OBEY REASON. Offic. i. 29. Efficiendum est ut appetitus rationi obediant eamque neque præcurrant nec propter pigritiam aut ignaviam deserant, sintque tranquilli atque omni perturbatione animi careant. We must take care that our appetites be obedient to reason, neither outrunning it nor lagging behind from sluggishness or cowardice, and that our minds be in a state of tranquillity, and free of all excitement. JOKES. Facilis igitur est distinctio ingenui et illiberalis joci, alter est, si tempore fit, ac remisso animo, homine dignus: alter ne libero quidem, si rerum turpitudini adhibetur verborum obscœnitas. The distinction between a delicate and a low, rude joke is very perceptible; the former may be indulged in, if it be seasonable, and in hours of relaxation; the latter, if immorality of thought and obscenity of language be used, disgraces a gentleman. THE MIND. Hominis mens discendo alitur et cogitando semper aliquid aut anquirit aut agit, videndique et audiendi delectatione ducitur. The mind of man is improved by learning and reflecting; it is always searching into or doing something, and is led on by the pleasure of seeing and hearing. THE UNWILLING MINERVA. Ex quo magis emergit, quale sit decorum illud, ideo, quia nihil decet invitâ (ut ajunt) Minervâ, id est adversante, et repugnante naturâ. Hence it is evident what the graceful is, on this account, because there is nothing becoming which goes against the grain (as is the proverb)-that is to say, when nature resists and opposes. A MAN'S OWN MANNERS. Id enim maxime quemque decet, quod est cujusque suum maxime. A man's own manner and character is what best becomes him. A PROFESSION. In primis constituendum est, quos nos et quales esse velimus, et in quo genere vitæ: quæ deliberatio est omnium difficillima. Ineunte autem adolescentiâ, cum est maxima imbecillitas consilii, tum id sibi quisque genus ætatis degendæ constituit, quod maxime adamavit ; itaque ante implicatur aliquo certo genere cursuque vivendi, quam potuit, quod optimum esset, judicare. We ought particularly to determine what kind of characters we wish to be, and what is to be the course of our life, which is a matter of great difficulty. For in early youth, when the judgment is weak, every one selects the kind of life which he prefers; therefore he is fixed in a certain definite course before he is able to judge which is best for him. VIRTUOUS EXAMPLE OF A FATHER. Offic. i. 33. Optima autem hereditas a patribus traditur liberis, omnique patrimonio præstantior, gloria virtutis, rerumque gestarum cui dedecori esse, nefas, et impium judicandum est. The best inheritance that a father can give to his children, and which is superior to any patrimony, is the glory of his virtue and noble actions; to disgrace which ought to be regarded as base and impious. DUTIES OF CITIZENS. Privatum autem oportet æquo, et pari cum civibus jure vivere, neque submissum et abjectum, neque se efferentem: tum in republicâ ea velle, quæ tranquilla, et honesta sint; talem enim et sentire bonum civem, et dicere solemus. |