Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
Now in these instances the difference is manifest. But where a like
clear judgment cannot be passed, there we are to settle the young
man’s mind thus, by way of distinction. If Nausicaa, having cast her
eyes upon Ulysses, a stranger, and feeling the same passion for him as
Calypso had before, did (as one that was ripe for a husband) out of
wantonness talk with her maidens at this foolish rate,—
O Heaven! in my connubial hour decree
This man my spouse, or such a spouse as he![63]
she is blameworthy for her impudence and incontinence. But if,
perceiving the man’s breeding by his discourse, and admiring the
prudence of his addresses, she rather wisheth to have such a one for a
husband than a merchant or a dancing gallant of her fellow-citizens,
she is to be commended. And when Ulysses is represented as rejoicing
at Penelope’s jocular conversation with her wooers, and at their
presenting her with rich garments and other ornaments,
Because she cunningly the fools cajoled.
And bartered light words for their heavy gold;[64]
if that joy were occasioned by greediness and covetousness, he
discovers himself to be a more sordid prostituter of his own wife than
Poliager is wont to be represented on the stage to have been, of whom
it is said,—
Happy man he, whose wife, like Capricorn,
Stores him with riches from a golden horn!
But if through foresight he thought thereby to get them the more within
his power, as being lulled asleep in security for the future by the
hopes she gave them at present, this rejoicing, joined with confidence
in his wife, was rational. Again, when he is brought in numbering the
goods which the Phaeacians had set on shore together with himself and
departed; if indeed, being himself left in such a solitude, so ignorant
where he was, and having no security there for his own person, he is
yet solicitous for his goods, lest
The sly Phaeacians, when they stole to sea,
Had stolen some part of what they brought away;[65]
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