Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/377

Rh the manner and form of his elocution, which is most excellent, and fullest of sweet affections; even so, the students in philosophy, when they shall perceive that they pass from orations exquisitely penned and framed for ostentation in frequent and solemn assemblies, unto moral speeches, and those that touch the quick, as well the mild and gentle motions as the hot and violent passions of the mind, then begin they indeed to lay down all pride and vanity, and profit truly in the school of philosophy.

Consider, then, not only in reading the works of philosophers, or in hearing their lectures, first and foremost, whether thou art not more attentive to the words than to the matter; or whether thou be not carried with a great affection to those who deliver a more subtle and curious composition of sentences, than such as comprise profitable, commodious, substantial and fleshy matters (if I may so say), but also in perusing poems, or taking in hand any history, observe well and take heed that there escape thee lot any one good sentence tending properly to the reformation (if manners or the alleviation of passions: for like as (according to Simonides) the bee settleth upon flowers for to suck out of t the yellow honey, whereas others love only their colour or pleasant scent, and neither care nor seek for anything else thereout; even so, when other men be conversant in poems for pleasure only and pastime, thou finding and gathering somewhat out thereof worth the noting, shalt seem at the first sight to have some knowledge already thereof by a certain custom and acquaintance with it, and a love taken unto it as a good thing and familiar unto thee. As for those that read the books of Plato and Xenophon, in no other regard but for the beauty of their gallant style, seeking for nought else but for the purity of speech and the very natural Attic language, as if they went to gather the thin dew or tender moss or down of herbs: What will you say of such? but that they love physic drugs, which have either a lovely colour or a pleasant smell only; but otherwise the medicinable virtues thereof and properties either to purge the body or mitigate any pain, they neither desire to mow nor are willing to use.

Moreover, such as are proceeded farther and profited more lave the skill and knowledge how to reap fruit not only out of words spoken or books written, but also to receive profit out of ill sights, spectacles, and what things soever they see, gathering rom thence whatsoever is fit and commodious for their purpose; is it is reported of Æschylus and other such as he: For Æschylus,