Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
That man that made me leave my precious ore,
Clothed me with rags, and forced me to be poor;
That man that made me wander, beg my bread,
And scorn to have a house to hide my head.
For it had not been half so pleasant to have said, that man that made
me wise, content, and happy. And thus a Spartan, making as if he would
find fault with the master of the exercises for giving him wood that
would not smoke, said, He will not permit us even to shed a tear. So he
that calls a hospitable man, and one that treats often, a kidnapper,
and a tyrant who for a long time would not permit him to see his own
table; and he whom the King hath raised and enriched, that says he had
a design upon him and robbed him of his sleep and quiet. So if he that
hath an excellent vintage should complain of Aeschylus’s Cabeiri for
making him want vinegar, as they had jocosely threatened. For such as
these have a pungent pleasantness, so that the praised are not offended
nor take it ill.
8. Besides, he that would be civilly facetious must know the difference
between a vice and a commendable study or recreation; for instance,
between the love of money or contention and of music or hunting; for
men are grieved if twitted with the former, but take it very well if
they are laughed at for the latter. Thus Demosthenes the Mitylenæan was
pleasant enough when, knocking at a man’s door that was much given
to singing and playing on the harp, and being bid come in, he said, I
will, if you will tie up your harp. But the flatterer of Lysimachus was
offensive; for being frighted at a wooden scorpion that the king threw
into his lap, and leaping out of his seat, he said after he knew the
humor, And I’ll fright your majesty too; give me a talent.
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