Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/223

Rh incur infamy; and if we furnish them not with that which they require, we are convinced as though we were not able. And forasmuch as our weakness is such that we cannot deny them simply that which they would have, we undertake and promise many times unto those who do importune and lie upon us uncessantly, even those things that we are not able to compass and make good; as namely, our commendatory letters for to find favour in princes' courts; to be mediators for them unto great rulers and governors, and to talk with them about their causes; as being neither willing nor so hardy as thus to say; The king knoweth not us; he regardeth others more, and you were better go to such and such. After this manner, when Lysander had offended King Agesilaus and incurred his heavy displeasure, and yet was thought worthy to be chief in credit above all those that were about him, in regard of the great opinion and reputation that men had of him for his noble acts, he never bashed to repel and put back those suitors that came unto him, making excuse and bidding them to go unto others, and assay them, who were in greater credit with the king than himself. For it is no shame not to be able to effect all things, but for a man to be driven upon a foolish modesty to enterprise such matters as he is neither able to compass nor meet to manage, besides that it is shameful, I hold it also a right great corrosive to the heart.

But now to go unto another principle, we ought willingly and with a ready heart to do pleasure unto those that request at our hands such things as be meet and reasonable; not as forced thereto by a rustical fear of shame, but as yielding unto reason and equity. Contrariwise, if their demands be hurtful, absurd, and without all reason, we ought evermore to have the saying of Zeno in readiness, who meeting with a young man, one of his acquaintance, walking close under the town wall secretly as if he would not be seen, asked of him the cause of his being there, and understanding by him that it was because he would avoid one of his friends, who had been earnest with him to bear false witness in his behalf: What sayst thou (quoth Zeno), sot that thou art? Was thy friend so bold and shameless to require that of thee which is unreasonable, unjust and hurtful unto thee? And darest thou not stand against him in that which is just and honest? For whosoever he was that said:

A crooked wedge is fit to cleave A knotted knurry tree. It well beseems against lewd folk With lewdness arm'd to be,