Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/96

74 others to a friend of his named Cephisocrates, when he came to his trial in a case of treason against the state: in pleading of which cause, the accuser his adversary called for Cephisocrates his ring, a pregnant evidence that made against him, which he had cleanly slipped from his finger and let it fall to the ground; whereof the said Lacydes being advised, set his foot presently over it, and so kept it out of sight: for that the main proof of the matter in question lay upon that ring. Now after sentence passed on Cephisocrates his side, and that he was cleanly acquit of the crime, he went privately to every one of the judges for to give them thanks: One of them who (as it should seem) had seen what was done, willed him to thank Lacydes: and with that told how the case stood, and how it went with him as it did: but all this while Lacydes himself had not said a word to any creature. Thus I think verily that the gods themselves do bestow many benefits and favours upon men secretly, and whereof they be not aware; being of this nature to take joy and pleasure in bountifulness and doing good.

Contrariwise, the office that a flatterer seemeth to perform, hath nothing in it that is just, nothing true, nothing simple, nothing liberal: only you shall see him sweat at it; you shall have him run up and down; keep a loud crying and a great ado, and set his countenance upon the matter, so as that he maketh right good semblance and shew that he doth especial service, taketh much care and pains about his business, and maketh haste to dispatch it: and much like are all his doings to a curious picture, which with strange colours, with broken plaits, wrinkles and angles, affecteth and striveth (as it were) to shew some lively resemblance. Moreover, much ado he maketh, and is troublesome in telling how he went to and fro, wandering here and there about the matter; also what a deal of care he took therein; how he incurred the evil will and displeasure of others; and a thousand hindrances, troubles and dangers, as besides he reckoneth up; insomuch as a man that heareth would say; All that ever he did was not worth so much as the twittle-twattle that he maketh. For surely a good turn that is upbraided in that wise, becometh burdensome, odious, and not thankfully accepted, but intolerable. In all the offices and services of a flatterer you shall find these upbraidings and shameful reports, that would make one blush to hear them, and those not only after the deed done, but at the very instant when he is about it. But instead hereof, a true friend, if it fall out so, that he be forced and urged to relate