Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/295

273 things as have neither sense nor life: like as we read of one who break forth into these words:

And verily a busy prater is altogether (as one would say) a white line or strake in regard of all words, to wit, without discretion he speaketh indifferently of all matters; howbeit if he be affected more to some than to others, he ought to take heed thereof, and abstain from them; he is (I say) to withdraw and writhe himself from thence; for that by reason of the contentment which he may therein take, and the pleasure that he receiveth thereby, they may lead him wide and carry him every while very far out of the way: the same inclination to overshoot themselves in prating they find also when they discourse of those matters wherein they suppose themselves to have better experience, and a more excellent habit than others: such an one, I say, being a self-lover and ambitious withal:

As, for example, in histories if he hath read much; in artificial style and couching of his words, he that is a grammarian; in relation of strange reports and news, who hath been a great traveller and wandered through many foreign countries: hereof therefore great heed would be taken; for garrulity being therein fleshed and baited, willingly runneth to the old and usual haunt, like as every beast seeketh out the ordinary and accustomed pasture.

And in this point was the young prince Cyrus of a wonderful and excellent nature, who would never challenge his play-fellows and consorts in age unto any exercise wherein he knew himself to be superior and to surpass, but always to such feats wherein he was less practised than they; which he did as well because he would not grieve their hearts in winning the prize from them, as also for that he would profit thereby, and learn to do that wherein he was more raw and unready than they. But a talkative fellow contrariwise; if there be a matter proposed whereby he may hear and learn somewhat that he knew lot before, rejecteth and refuseth it; he cannot for his life hold lis tongue and keep silence a little while, to gain thereby some lire and reward, but casting and rolling his thought round about.