Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/253

Rh reciprocally and by way of requital to yield the like and to give place unto him. Thus Cato, having from his infancy honoured and reverenced his elder brother Csepion, by all manner of obeisance and silence before him; in the end gained thus much by it, that when they were both men grown, he had so won him and filled him (as it were) with so great a respect and reverence of him, that he would neither say nor do ought without his privity and knowledge. For it is reported that when Csepion lad one day signed and sealed with his own signet a certain etter testimonial, Cato his brother coming afterwards would lot set to his seal; which, when Caepion understood, he called for the foresaid testimonial and pluckt away his own seal, before he had once demanded for what occasion his brother would not believe the deed, but suspected his testimony? It seemeth likewise that the brethren of Epicurus shewed great aspect and reverence unto him, in regard of the love and careful goodwill that he bare unto them; which appeared in this, that as to all other things else of his, so to his philosophy especially, they were so wedded, as if they had been inspired therewith. For albeit they were seduced and deceived in their opinion, giving out and holding always (as they did) from their infancy, that never was any man so deep a clerk nor so great a philosopher as their brother Epicurus: yet it is wonderful to consider as well him that could so frame and dispose them, as themselves also for being so disposed and affectionate unto him. And verily, even among the more modern philosophers of later time, Apollonius the Peripatetic, had convinced him of untruth (whosoever he was) that said lordship and glory could like no fellowship, for he made his brother Sotion more famous and renowned than himself. For mine own part, to say somewhat of myself; albeit that fortune hath done me many favours, in regard whereof I am bound to render unto her much thanks; there is not any one for which I take myself so much obliged and beholden unto her, as for the love that my brother Timon hath always shewed and doth yet shew unto me; a thing that no man is able to deny who hath never so little been in our company, and you least of all others may doubt who have conversed so familiarly with us.

Now there be other occasions of trouble which ought to be taken heed of among those brethren which are of like age or somewhat near in years; small passions (I wot well) they be, but many they are, and those ordinary and continual; by means whereof they bring with them an evil custom of vexing,