Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/391

Rh thinking upon great and worthy men represented suddenly unto those who are in the way of perfection, and taking hold of them in all passions and perplexions which shall encounter them, holdeth them up, and keepeth them upright, that they cannot fall; and therefore this also may go for one argument and token of proceeding in virtue.

Over and besides, not to be so much troubled with any occurrent, nor to blush exceedingly for shame as beforetime, nor to seek to hide or otherwise to alter our countenance or anything else about us, upon the sudden coming in place of a great or sage personage unexpected, but to persist resolute, to go directly toward him with bare and open face, are tokens that a man feeleth his conscience settled and assured. Thus Alexander the Great, seeing a messenger running toward him apace with a pleasant and smiling countenance, and stretching forth his hand afar off to him: How now, good fellow (quoth he), what good news canst thou bring me more, unless it be tidings that Homer is risen again? esteeming in truth that his worthy acts and noble deeds already achieved wanted nothing else, nor could be made greater than they were, but only by being consecrated unto immortality by the writings of some noble spirit; even so a young man that groweth better and better every day, and hath reformed his manners, loving nothing more than to make himself known what he is unto men of worth and honour; to shew unto them his whole house and the order thereof, his table, his wife and children, his studies and intents; to acquaint them with his sayings and writings; insomuch as otherwhiles he is grieved in his heart to think and remember, either that his father natural that begat him, or his master that taught him, are departed out of this life, for that they be not alive to see in what good estate he is in and to joy thereat; neither would he wish or pray to the gods for anything so much as that they might revive and come again above ground, for to be spectators and eye-witnesses of his life and all his actions.

Contrariwise, those that have neglected themselves and not endeavoured to do well, but are corrupt in their manners, cannot without fear and trembling abide to see those that belong unto them, no, nor so much as to dream of them. Add moreover, if you please, unto that which hath been already said, thus much also for a good token of progress in virtue: When I man thinketh no sin or trespass small, but is very careful and wary to avoid and shun them all. For like as they who despair over to be rich make no account at all of saving a little expense;