We have begun, it seems, by tasting some of the spices with which the Wise seasoned their counsel. We come now to the solid matter of their doctrine. By noting the qualities they praised or blamed, the deeds which won their approval or their censure, we shall gain a general conception of their aspirations. What were their ideals for men as individuals, as members of a family, as citizens of a State? I.--THE INDIVIDUAL The threefold division just suggested--man in his individual, domestic and political relationships--seems simple and natural, but proves difficult to maintain, because the first category in reality trespasses on the other two. Strictly speaking, none of the virtues and the vices concern the individual alone. If a man ruin his health by intemperate indulgence of fleshly desires, doubtless he is himself the prime sufferer, but obviously the State loses something thereby, and woe betide his family! Still, such a quality as Temperance may reasonably enough be classed as a personal virtue, being primarily an aspect of Man’s duty to himself. But what shall be said of duties such as Generosity, Forbearance, Deceitfulness, the exercise of which might be reckoned almost as much Man’s duty to his neighbours in family or State as to himself? In which division shall we reckon these? For convenience, let these also be considered under the first heading as personal, rather than social, qualities. Enough material will still remain for use in the second and third sections of our topic. (_a_) VIRTUES OF RESTRAINT. A convenient starting-point for our review of the characteristics the Wise desired to see in the individual is provided by certain negative virtues of restraint, which the proverbs frequently enjoin. [Sidenote: I OF THE APPETITE] The duty of Moderation in eating and drinking is sufficiently, though not urgently, commended: _He that loveth pleasure shall come to want, and he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich_ (Pr. 21^{17})--_A companion of gluttonous men shameth his father_ (Pr. 28^{7}). Again, _Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoso erreth therein no wise man is he_ (Pr. 20^{1}; cp. 23^{29-35}). Not that the Wise were advocates of an ascetic abstinence: they did no more than commend moderation.[62] Thus Ben Sirach, who certainly enjoyed banqueting on good food and good wine, contents himself with advising the inexperienced “not to eat greedily lest he be hated”; _How sufficient_, says he, _to a well-mannered man is a very little, and he doth not breathe hard upon his bed. Healthy sleep cometh of moderate eating; he riseth early and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness and colic and griping, these go to the insatiable man_ (E. 31^{19-20}). [Sidenote: II OF ANGER]