Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/124



[ we are taught how to discern a flatterer from a friend, it seemeth that this treatise, as touching mildness and how we ought to bridle anger, was set here in his proper place. For like as we may soon err grossly in choice of those whom we are willing and well content to have about us, and in that respect are to be circumspect, and to stand upon our guard; so we have no less cause to consider how we should converse among our neighbours. Now of all those vices and imperfections which defame man's life, and cause the race and course thereof to be difficult and wondrous painful to pass, anger is one of those which are to be ranged in the first rank; in such sort that it booteth not to be provided of good friends, if this furious humour get the mastery over us: like as contrariwise flatterers and such other pestilent plagues have not so easy entrance into us, nor such ready means to be possessed of us, so long as we be accompanied with a certain wise and prudent mildness. In this discourse then, our author, doing the part of an expert physician, laboureth to purge our minds from all choler, and would train them to modesty and humanity, so far forth as philosophy moral is able to perform. And for to attain unto so great a benefit, he sheweth in the first place that we ought to procure our friends for to observe and mark our imperfections, that by long continuance of time we may accustom ourselves to hold in our judgment by the bit of reason. After certain proper similitudes serving for this purpose, and a description of the inconveniences and harms that come by wrath, he proveth that it is an easy matter to restrain and repress the same: to which purpose he setteth down divers means, upon which he discourseth after his usual manner, that is to say, with reasons and inductions, enriched with notable similitudes and examples: afterwards, having spoken of the time and manner of chastising and correcting those who are under our power and governance, he proposeth as well certain remedies to cure choler, as preservatives to keep us from relapse into it again: Which done, he representeth ire lively, as in a painted table, to the end that those who suffer themselves to be surprised therewith, may be abashed and ashamed of their unhappy state: and therewith he giveth five