Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/75

Rh And another:

Contrariwise, another while where there is need of chastisement and correction, he will not spare but use sharp and biting words: yea, and that free speech which carrieth with it an affection careful to do good, and such as indeed beseemeth a tutor and governor, much after this manner:

It falleth out so likewise, that sometime he addeth deeds to words. And thus Menedemus shut the door against the son of Asclepiades his friend, and would not deign once to salute him, because he was a riotous youth, and lived dissolutely and out of all order: by which means he was reclaimed from loose life, and became an honest man. Arcesilaus in like manner excluded Battus out of his school, and would not suffer him to enter, because in a comedy that he composed, he had made one verse against Cleanthes; but afterwards, Battus repenting of that he had done, and making satisfaction unto Cleanthes, was pardoned and received again into his favour. For a man may offend his friend with intention to do him good; but he must not proceed so far in displeasing him that thereby he break or undo the knot of friendship: he ought (I say) to use a sharp rebuke, as a physician doth some bitter or tart medicine, to save or preserve the life of his patient.

And a good friend is to play the part of a musician, who to bring his instrument into tune and so to keep it, setteth up these strings, and letteth down those: and so ought a friend to exchange profit with pleasure, and use one with another, as occasion serveth, observing this rule, oftentimes to be pleasing unto his friend, but always profitable: whereas the flatterer, being used evermore to sing one note, and to play upon the same string, that is to say, to please: and in all his words and deeds to aim at nothing else but the contentment of him whom he flattereth, cannot skill either in act to resist, or in speech to reprove and offend him; but goeth on still in following his humour, according always with him in one tune, and keeping the same note just with him.

Now, as Xenophon writeth of King Agesilaus, that he was well apaid to be commended of them who he knew would