Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/112

90 and partly for anger) was so moved, that he stabbed them both with his dagger, and slew them in the place.

Thus much in general may suffice to determine and define as touching the opportunity of free speech to friends: meanwhile a faithful and careful friend must not reject such occasions as many times are presented unto him by them, but to take hold thereof quickly, and make good use of them: for otherwhiles it falleth out, that a demand or question asked, a narration related, a reprehension or commendation of like things in other persons, open the door and make way for us to enter, and giveth us leave to speak frankly. After this manner it is said that Demaratus took his vantage to utter his mind freely: who coming upon a time from Corinth to Macedonia, whenas King Philip was in some terms of dissension with his wife and son, was friendly received by Philip and bidden kindly welcome. Now after salutations and other compliments passed between, the king asked him whether the Greeks were at accord and unity one with another? Demaratus, as he was a friend very inward with him, and one that loved him heartily, answered thus; It becometh you well indeed, sir, to enquire of the concord and agreement between the Athenians and the Peloponnesians, when in the meanwhile you suffer your own house to be full of domestical quarrels and debates. Well did Diogenes likewise, who being come into the camp of King Philip, when he had an expedition or journey against the Greeks, was taken and brought before the king, who not knowing what he was, demanded of him if he were not a spy: Yes, marry (quoth he), and come I am to spy out your inconsiderate folly (O Philip) and want of forecast, who being not urged nor compelled by any man, are come thus far to hazard in one hour the state of your kingdom and your own life, and to lay all upon the chance and cast of a die.

But some man peradventure will say. This was a speech somewhat with the sharpest, and too much biting. Moreover, another fit time and occasion there is of admonition, when those whom we mind to reprove, having been reproached and taunted already by others for some faults which they committed, are become submiss and cast down to our hands. Which opportunity a wise and skilful friend will not omit, but make especial good use of: namely, by seeming in open place to check those that thus have slandered them, yea, and to repulse and put back such opprobrious imputations, but privately he will take his friend apart by himself, and put him in mind to live more