Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/110

88 be not of sententious saws; they have no need as the case now stands of free reprehensions: then lenity and gentle usage, aid and comfort are more meet for them. For even so, kind nurses when their little babes and infants have caught a fall, run not by and by to rate or chide them, but to take them up, wash and make them clean where they were berayed, and to still them by all means that they can; afterwards they rebuke and chastise them for looking no better to their feet.

It is reported of Demetrius the Phalerian, when being banished out of his country, he lived at Thebes in mean estate and very obscurely, that at the first he was not well pleased to see Crates the philosopher, who came to visit him, as looking ever when he would begin with some rough words unto him, according to that liberty of speech which those cynic philosophers then used: but when he heard Crates once speak kindly unto him, and discoursing after a mild manner of the state of his banishment: namely, that there was no misery fallen unto him by that means, nor any calamity at all, for which he should vex and torment himself; but rather that he had cause to rejoice, in that he was sequestered and delivered from the charge and management of such affairs as were ticklish, mutable and dangerous; and withal exhorting him to pluck up his heart, and be of good cheer, yea, and repose all his comfort in his own self and a clear conscience. Then Demetrius being more lightsome, and taking better courage, turned to his friends and said, Shame take those affairs and businesses; out upon those troublesome and restless occupations, which have kept me from the knowledge and acquaintance of such a worthy man: For

If men be in distress and grief, Sweet words of friends do bring relief: But foolish sots in all their actions. Have need eftsoons of sharp corrections.

And verily this is the manner of generous and gentle friends; but other base-minded and abject fellows, who flatter and fawn whiles fortune doth smile; like unto old ruptures, spasms, and cramps (as Demosthenes saith) do then stir and shew themselves, when any new accident happeneth unto the body, so they also stick close to every change and alteration of fortune, as being glad thereof, and taking pleasure and contentment therein. For, say that a man afflicted were to be put in mind of his fault and misgovernment of himself, by reason that he hath taken lewd courses and followed ill counsel, and so fallen