Essays, or discourses, vol. 1 (of 4) : $b Selected from the works of Feyjoo, and translated from the SpanishFeijoo, Benito Jerónimo
Philosophy
Essays, or discourses, vol. 1 (of 4) : $b Selected from the works of Feyjoo, and translated from the Spanish
Feijoo, Benito Jerónimo
Spanish essays -- Translations into English
_Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos_
_Tangit, & immemores non sinit esse sui._
_Quid melius Roma? Scythico quid frigore pejus?_
_Huc tamen ex illa barbarus urbe fugit._
XLVIII. It is owing to none of all this, nor was it the effect of a
mysterious magic, which charms and enchants men to be fond of their own
country, which induced the Scythians to leave the soft habitations of
Rome, for the frozen regions of Scythia; for we every day see men, who
to improve their fortunes leave their native homes, sometimes never
to return again; but it does not follow from thence, that they cease
to love their country. The place where I write this abounds in such
examples. The true reason of this political phænomenon is, that the
mode of the Scythians living in their own country, was proportioned and
suited to their natural genius and disposition. The same thing happens
with respect to the Laplanders, a Northern nation, situated between
Norway, Sweden, and Russia, on the coasts of the Frozen Sea. These
Barbarians live in a continual state of war, with an immense number of
bears and wolves, and in a country full of lakes, and almost always
covered with snow. Many of them at various times have been brought
to Germany; but notwithstanding they were well accommodated, and had
a good maintenance assigned them, there never was one, who, when an
opportunity offered, did not fly back to his own country.
XLIX. True temporal felicity, consists, in attaining that state or mode
of life, which the genius or inclination of a man prompts him to wish
or desire. Conveniences with respect to the soul, may be compared to
clothes with respect to the body, it not being possible to bring those,
which in appearance are best made, to suit well with, or to fit every
shape.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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