Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/277

Rh the remove? Lo, how he would not trust him with a word of secrecy, unto whom he was to leave his kingdom in succession I teaching him thereby that he also another day should in such cases be wary and spare his speech. Old Metellus likewise, being asked such another secret as touching the army and setting forward of some expedition: If I wist (quoth he) that my shirt which is next my skin knew this my inward intent and secret purpose, I would put it off and fling it into the fire. King Eumenes, being advertised that Craterus was coming against him with his forces, kept it to himself, and would not acquaint any of his nearest friends therewith, but made semblance and gave it out (though untruly) that it was Neoptolemus who had the leading of that power; for him did his soldiers contemn and make no reckoning of, whereas the glory and renown of Craterus they had in admiration, and loved his virtue and valour: now when no man else but himself knew of Craterus his being in the field, they gave him battle, vanquished him, slew him before they were aware, neither took they knowledge of him before they found him dead on the ground.

See how by a stratagem of secrecy and silence the victory was achieved, only by concealing so hardy and terrible an enemy; insomuch as his very friends about him admired more his wisdom in keeping this secret from them, than complained of his diffidence and distrust of them. And say that a man should complain of thee in such a case, better it were yet to be challenged and blamed for distrusting, all the while thou remainest safe and obtain a victory by that means, than to be justly accused after an overthrow, for being so open and trusting so easily. Moreover, how darest thou confidently and boldly blame and reprove another for not keeping that secret which thou thyself hast revealed? for if it was behoveful and expedient that it should not be known, why hast thou told it to another? but in case when thou hast let fly a secret from thyself unto a man, thou wouldest have him to hold it in, and not blurt it out, surely it cannot be but thou hast better confidence in another than thyself: now if he be like thyself, who will pity thee if thou come by a mischief? is he better, and so by that means saveth thee harmless beyond all reason and ordinary course? then hast thou met with one more faithful to thee than thou art thyself but haply thou wilt say: He is my very friend; so hath he another friend (be sure) whom he will do as much for, and disclose the same secret unto, and that friend (no doubt) hath another. Thus one word will get more still, it will grow and multiply by