Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/332

310 wise are easy and commodious, become difficult and incommodious: And why?

and no marvel, for our very natures do not all incline in affection the same way; neither are we at all times conversant and acquainted with the like fortunes and adventures. To say nothing of their sundry occasions and occurrences which serve not indifferently for all our actions; but like as the winds unto sailors, they are with some and against others; sometimes on our backs and otherwhiles full in our face. And say that it may fall out so that all our friends at once do stand in need, and be desirous of one and the same help and ministry at our hands, it were very hard to fit all their turns and satisfy them to their content; whether it be in taking our advice and counsel in any negotiations, or in treating about state matters, or in suit after dignities, places of government, or in feasting and entertaining strangers in their houses: But suppose that at one and the same instant our friends, being diversely affected and troubled with sundry affairs, request all of them together our helping hand; as, for example, one that is going to sea, for to have our company in that voyage; another, who being defendant and to answer for himself in the law, to assist him in the court; and a third that is a plaintiff, to second him in his plea; a fourth, who either is to buy or sell, for to help him to make his markets; a fifth, who is to marry, for to sacrifice with him, and be at his wedding dinner; and a sixth, who is to inter a dead corpse, for to mourn and solemnise the funeral with him: in such a medley and confusion as this, as if according to Sophocles:

Certes, having so many friends, to assist and gratify them all were impossible, to pleasure more were absurd, and in serving one's turn to reject many others, were offensive and hurtful: for this is a rule:

And yet commonly such negligences and forgetful defaults of friends we take with more patience and put up with less anger and displeasure, when they shall come to excuse themselves