Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/418

 THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE COURTIER like making an edict that no one must drink wine, in order to be rid of drunkenness, or forbidding everyone to run, because in run- ning we sometimes fall. You know that those who tame horses do not keep them from running and leaping, but would have them do so seasonably and in obedience to the rider. ^ " Thus, when moderated by temperance, the passions are help- / ful to virtue, like the wrath that aids strength, hatred of evil-doers aids justice, and likewise the other virtues are aided by the pas- sions; which, if they were wholly removed, would leave the reason very weak and languid, so that it could effect little, like the master of a vessel abandoned by the winds in a great calm. " Now do not marvel, messer Cesare, if I have said that many other virtues are born of temperance, for when a mind is attuned to this harmony, it then through the reason easily receives true strength, which makes it bold, and safe from every peril, and almost superior to human passions. Nor is this less true of jus- tice (unspotted virgin, friend of modesty and good, queen of all the other virtues), because she teaches us to do that which it is right to do, and to shun that which it is right to shun ; and therefore she is most perfect, because the other virtues perform their works through her, and because she is helpful to whomsoever possesses her, bothto himself and to others : -without whom (as it is said) Jove lows these and enhances them all ; but she cannot stand alone, for whoever has no other virtue, cannot be magnanimous. Then the guide of these virtues is foresight, which consists in a certain judgment in choosing well. And in this happy chain are joined liberality, magnificence, thirst for honour, gentleness, pleasant- ness, affability and many others which there is not now time to name. " But if our Courtier will do that which we have said, he will find them all in his prince's mind, and will daily see spring there- from beautiful flowers and fruits, such as all the delightful gar- dens in the world do not contain; and he will feel within him very great content when he remembers that he gave his prince, not that which fools give (which is gold or silver, vases, raiment, and the like, whereof the giver has very great dearth, and the recipient very great abundance), but that faculty which of all 258
 * himself could not rule his kingdom rightly. Magnanimity also fol-