Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 5 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 5 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
that the same men should oversee so many operations and motions, some
of desire, others of fear, nay, by Jupiter, many times of envy and
emulation itself. And many times they themselves punish their dogs
and horses when they commit a fault, and this not to no purpose, but
to chastise them by causing in them through pain that trouble of mind
which we call repentance. Now the tickling the ear by pleasing sounds
is called enchantment, but the bewitching the eye is called bewitching;
both which we make use of in the domesticating of wild beasts. Harts
and horses are allured by the sounds of pipes and flutes. And there
are a sort of crabs which are charmed out of their holes by fifes; and
it is reported that the shadfish are drawn to show themselves above
water by singing and clapping of hands. The otus also, which is a bird
not much unlike a night-raven, is taken by allurement of the sight;
for that while he stands staring upon the fowlers dancing before him
in measure and figure, and out of affection will be striving to act
his part by aping their motions with his wings and shoulders, he is
frequently surprised and taken.
But as for those that more foolishly affirm that beasts are not
affected with joy or anger or fear, that the swallow does not build,
that the bee does not remember, that the lion is not angry, that the
hart is not timorous, but that they do all these things only as it were
and apparently; I would fain know what answer they will make to those
who say, that beasts neither see nor hear, but as it were see and as it
were hear; that they neither neigh nor bleat, but as it were send forth
a certain sound; lastly, that they do not absolutely live, but live
as it were? For, in my opinion, to aver this is as contrary to plain
demonstration as the rest.
4. SOCLARUS. Well then, Autobulus, suppose me to be one of those that
affirm these things. For it is great folly for men to compare the
actions of beasts with the customs, actions, and manner of living men,
and above all, to deny that beasts have the least inclination or aim at
any progress towards virtue, to which we bent our discourse. Indeed, I
doubt whether Nature gave them a beginning or no, since they are so
incapable to attain the end.
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