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
4. I can find fault, replied I, with no part of the discourse, yet
I would subjoin, that this custom is an instruction for kindness
and good-will. For it is not lawful for any one that hath eaten
sufficiently to destroy the remainder of the food; nor for him that
hath supplied his necessities from the fountain to stop it up; nor
for him that hath made use of any marks, either by sea or land, to
ruin or deface them; but every one ought to leave those things that
may be useful to those persons that afterwards may have need of them.
Therefore it is not fit, out of a saving covetous humor, to put out
a lamp as soon as we need it not; but we ought to preserve and let
it burn for the use of those that perhaps want its light. Thus, it
would be very generous to lend our ears and eyes, nay, if possible,
our reason and fortitude, to others, whilst we are idle or asleep.
Besides, consider whether to stir up men to gratitude these minute
observances were practised. The ancients did not act absurdly when they
highly reverenced an oak. The Athenians called one fig-tree sacred,
and forbade any one to cut down an olive. For such observances do not
(as some fancy) make men prone to superstition, but persuade us to be
communicative and grateful to one another, by being accustomed to pay
this respect to these senseless and inanimate creatures. Upon the same
reason Hesiod, methinks, adviseth well, who would not have any meat or
broth set on the table out of those pots out of which there had been no
portion offered, but ordered the first-fruits to be given to the fire,
as a reward for the service it did in preparing it. And the Romans,
dealing well with the lamps, did not take away the nourishment they had
once given, but permitted them to live and shine by it.
5. When I had said thus, Eustrophus subjoined: This gives us some light
into that query about the table; for they thought that they ought to
leave some portion of the supper for the servants and waiters, for
those are not so well pleased with a supper provided for them apart, as
with the relics of their master’s table. And upon this account, they
say, the Persian king did not only send portions from his own table to
his friends, captains, and gentlemen of his bed-chamber, but had always
what was provided for his servants and his dogs served up to his own
table; that as far as possible all those creatures whose service was
useful might seem to be his guests and companions. For, by such feeding
in common and participation, the wildest of beasts might be made tame
and gentle.
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