Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/146

124 disposition about the seat and place of anger. And therefore we must use the body by frugality to take up and learn to be content with a competent mean (forasmuch as they who desire but a little, can never be disappointed nor frustrate of much), finding no fault, nor keeping any stir at the beginning about meat, but standing satisfied without saying a word, with that which God sendeth whatsoever it be, not fretting, vexing and tormenting ourselves at the table about everything, and in so doing, serving both ourselves and our company about us of friends, with the most unsavoury mess of meat, that is to wit, choler:

A supper worse than this I do not see How possibly one can devised be.

Namely, whiles the servants be beaten, the wife chidden and reviled for the meat burnt, for smoke in the parlour, for want of salt, or for the bread over-stale and dry. But Arcesilaus upon a time with other friends of his, feasted certain strangers and hosts of his abroad, whose guest he had been; and after the supper was come in, and meat set upon the board, there wanted bread, by reason that his servants had forgotten and neglected to buy any: for such a fault as this, which of us here would not have cried out that the walls should have burst withal, and been ready to have thrown the house out of the window? And he laughing at the matter: He had need be a wise man (quoth he), I see well, that would make a feast and set it out as it should be. Socrates also upon a time, when he came from the wrestling school, took Euthydemus home with him to supper: but Xantippe, his wife, fell a-chiding and scolding with him at the board, reviling him with most bitter terms, so long, until at last in an anger down went table and all that was upon it: Whereupon Euthydemus arose, and was about to depart; but Socrates: Will you be gone? (quoth he). Why, do you not remember that the other day as we sat at supper in your house, there flew up to the board a hen and did as much for you? and yet were not we offended nor angry for the matter. And in very truth, we must entertain our friends and guests with courtesy, mirth, a smiling countenance, and affectionate love: and not to brow-beat them, nor yet put the servitors in a fright, and make them quake and tremble with our frowning looks. Also we ought so to accustom ourselves that we may be content to be served with any kind of vessels whatsoever, and not upon a daintiness to have a mind to this rather than to that, but to like all indifferently. And yet there be some so divers, that