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
But if he envies all that are so happy, or is the only one in the world
that repines at his own brother’s felicity, his malicious temper speaks
him one of the most wretched creatures in the world. Wherefore, as
Metellus’s opinion was, that the Romans were bound to thank the Gods
that Scipio, being such a brave man, was not born in another city;
so he who aspires after great things, if he miss of his designs for
himself, can do no less than entitle his brother to his best wishes.
But some are so unlucky in estimating of virtuous and worthy actions
that, whereas they are overjoyed to see their friends grow in esteem,
and are not a little proud of entertaining persons of honor or great
opulency, their brother’s worth and eminency is in the mean time looked
upon with a jealous eye, as though it threatened to cloud and eclipse
the splendor of their condition. How do they exalt themselves at the
memory of some prosperous exploits of their father, or the wise conduct
of their great-grandfather, by all which they are nothing advantaged?
But again, how are they daunted and dispirited to see a brother
preferred to inheritances, dignities, or honorable marriage? But we
should not envy any one; but if this cannot be, we ought at least to
turn our malice and rancor out of the family against worse objects, in
imitation of those who ease the city of sedition by turning the same
upon their enemies without. We may say, as Diomedes said to Glaucus:
Trojans I have and friends; you, what I hate,—
Grecians to envy and to emulate.[27]
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