Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/286

264 flowing and inconstant lubricity which it hath; that we be not more undiscreet and fooHsh beasts than geese are, who when they be to take a flight into CiUcia over the mountain Taurus, which is full of eagles, take up every one in their bill a good big stone, which serveth them instead of a lock or bridle to restrain their gaggling; by which device they may pass all night long without any noise, and not be heard at all or descried by the said eagles.

Now if one should demand and ask of me, what person of all others is most mischievous and dangerous? I believe very well there is no man would name any other but a traitor. And yet Euthycrates (as saith Demosthenes) by his treason covored his own house with a roof made of timber that he had out of Macedonia. Philocrates also lived richly and gallant of that great mass of gold and silver which he had of King Philip for betraying his country, and therewith furnished himself with brave harlots, gallant concubines and dainty fishes. Euphorbius also, and Philagrus, who betrayed Eretria, were endowed by the king with fair lands and possessions: but a prattler is a traitor voluntary and for nothing, he demandeth no hire at all, neither looketh he to be solicited, but offereth himself and his service; nor betrayeth unto the enemies either horses or walls, but revealeth hidden secrets, and discloseth speeches which are to be concealed, whether it be in judicial matters of law or in seditious discords, or in managing of state affairs, it makes no matter, and no man conneth him thanks; nay, he will think himself beholden to others, if they will vouchsafe to give him audience. And therefore, that which is commonly said to a prodigal person, who foolishly mis-spendeth and vainly wasteth his substance he cares not how, to gratify every man: Thou art not liberal; this is no courtesy; a vice it is rather that thou are disposed unto, thus to take pleasure in nothing, but giving and giving still. The same rebuke and reprehension serveth very fitly for a babbler: Thou art no friend nor well-wilier of mine, thus to come and discover these things unto me; this is thy fault, and a disease which thou art sick of, that lovest to be clattering and hast no mind but of chatting.

Now would I have the reader to think that I write not all this, so much to accuse and blame the vice and malady of garrulity, as to cure and heal the same. For by judgment and exercise we surmount and overcome the vices and passions of the mind; but judgment, that is to say, knowledge, must go before: for no man accustometh himself to void, and (as it