Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/427

 THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE COURTIER prince will have much more to praise and reward than to punish ; and dominion will be very happy for the subjects and for the prince — not imperious, like that of master over slave, but sweet and gentle, like that of a good father over a good son." 28 Then my lord Gaspar said: " I should much like to know what these virtues are that are useful and necessary in war, and what ones are righteous in peace." My lord Ottaviano replied: " All virtues are good and helpful, because they tend to a good end; but of especial utility in war is that true courage which so frees the mind from the passions that it not only fears not dangers, but even pays no heed to them ; likewise steadfastness, and that enduring patience, with a mind staunch and undisturbed by all the shocks of fortune. It is also fitting in war, and always, to have all the virtues that make for right, — like justice, continence, temperance; but much more in time of peace and ease, because men placed in prosperity and ease, whengood fortune smiles upon them, often become unjust, intemperate, and allow themselves to be corrupted by pleasures: hence those who are in such case have very great need of these virtues, for ease too readily engen- ders evil behaviour in human minds. Therefore it was anciently said as a proverb, slaves should be given no ease; and it is be- lieved that the pyramids of Egypt were made to keep the people busy, because it is very good for everyone to be accustomed to bear toil. " There are still many other virtues that are all helpful, but let it suffice for the present that I have spoken until now; for if I knew how to teach my prince and instruct him in this kind of worthy education such as we have planned, merely by so doing I should deem myself to have attained sufficiently well the aim of the good Courtier." 29-— Then my lord Gaspar said: "My lord Ottaviano, since you have highly praised good edu- cation, and seemed almost to think that it is the chief means of making a man virtuous and good, I should like to know whether this instruction, which the Courtier must give his prince, ought to be begun with practice and with daily behaviour as it were, 267