Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/383

Rh who when they come first thither seem sophi that is, be wise, and afterwards prove philosophi, that is, lovers of wisdom; then of philosophers they become sophisters, that is, professors and readers, until in process of time they grow to be idiots, that is to say, ignorant and fools to see to: for the nearer that they approach to the use of reason and to learning indeed, the more do they abridge the opinion that they have of themselves, and lay down their presumption.

Among those that have need of physic, some that are troubled with the toothache, or have a felon or whitflaw on their finger, go themselves to the physician for to have remedy; others who are sick of an ague send for the physician home to their houses, and desire to be eased and cured by him; but those that are fallen either into a fit of melancholy, or phrensy, or otherwise be distracted in their brains and out of their right wits, otherwhiles will not admit or receive the physicians, although they came of themselves uncalled, but either drive them out of doors, or else hide themselves out of their sight, and so far gone they be and dangerously sick, that they feel not their own sickness; semblably of those who sin and do amiss, such be incorrigible and uncurable, who are grievously offended and angry, yea, and in mortal hatred with those who seem to admonish and reprove them for their misbehaviour; but such as will abide them, and are content to receive and entertain them, be in better state and on a readier way to recover their health: marry, he that yieldeth himself to such as rebuke him, confessing unto them his errors, discovering of his own accord his poverty and nakedness, unwilling that anything as touching his state should be hidden, not loving to be unknown and secret, but acknowledging and avowing all that he is charged with, yea, and who prayeth a man to check, to reprove, to touch him to the quick, and so raveth for help; certainly herein he sheweth no small sign of good progress and amendment: according to that which Diogenes was wont to say: He that would be saved, (that is to say) become an honest man, had need to seek either a good friend or a sharp and bitter enemy, to the end that either by gentle reproof and admonition, or else by a rigorous cure of correction, he may be delivered from his vices.

But how much soever a man in a glorious bravery sheweth those that be abroad either a foul and threadbare coat or a stained garment, or a rent shoe, or in a kind of a presumptuous humility mocketh himself in that peradventure he is of a very