Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/189

Rh every part and point therein from one end to the other: whiles in the meantime they neglect and let alone their own lives and manners; notwithstanding there be many unpleasant sights to be spied and observed therein: looking evermore without, and admiring the advancements, welfare and fortunes of others: much like as adulterers who have an eye after their neighbours' wives, but loath and set naught by their own.

And verily this one point also is of great consequence for the settling of a man's mind in sure repose; namely, to consider principally himself, his own estate and condition; or at leastwise (if he do not so) yet to look back unto those that be his inferiors and under him; and not as the most sort do, who love always to look forward and to compare themselves with their betters and superiors. As, for example, slaves that are bound in prison and lie in irons, repute them happy who are abroad at liberty; such as be abroad and at liberty, think their state blessed who be manumised and made free; being once affranchised, they account themselves to be in very good case if they were citizens; and being citizens they esteem rich men most happy; the rich imagine it a gay matter to be lords and princes; lords and princes have a longing desire to be kings and monarchs; kings and monarchs aspire still higher and would be gods; and yet they rest not so, unless they may have the power to flash lightnings and shoot thunderbolts as well as Jupiter. Thus, whiles they evermore come short of that which is above them and covet still after it, they enjoy no pleasure at all of those things that they have, nor be thankful therefore.

The treasures great I care not for Of Gyges king so rich in gold; Such avarice I do abhor, Nor money will I touch untold. I never long'd with gods above, In their high works for to compare: Grand seignories I do not love, Far from mine eyes all such things are.

A Thracian he was that protested thus. But some other, that were a Chian, a Galatian or a Bithynian (I dare warrant you), not contenting himself with his part of honour, credit and authority in his own country and among his neighbours and fellow-citizens, would be ready to weep and expostulate the matter with tears, if he might not also wear the habit and ornaments of a patrician or senator of Rome. And say it were granted and allowed him to be a noble senator, he would not be quiet until he were a Roman lord prætor: Be he lord prætor, he