Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/312

 308 FAMILIAR COLLOQUIES. up riches when their minds are destitute of all good science? who make their clothes and houses fine, but let their minds lie neglected and slovenly ? who are very careful to preserve their bodies in health, and take no care of their minds, that are sick of mortal diseases ? and in the last place, who, for the sake of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of this life, deserve eternal torments 1 Bo. Reason itself obliges a man to confess that they are worse than fools. Be. But though every place is full of such fools as these, you can scarce find one that can bear to be called a fool, though they have no aversion to being fools. Bo. It is really so. Be. Come on, you know everybody hates to be called a liar or a thief. Bo. They are very hateful names, and not without reason. Be. But for all that, though to debauch another man's wife is a greater sin than theft, some glory in the name of adulterers ; and if you were to call them thieves they would draw their swords upon you. Bo. This is a common thing with a great many. Be. And, again, though many give themselves up to whoring and drinking, and do it publicly, yet if you should call them whorern asters they would be highly offended at it. Bo. These glory in the thing and hate the name that be- longs to it. Be. There is scarce any name that sounds harsher in our ears than the name of a liar. Bo. I know some that would run a man through that should affront them by giving them the lie. Be. But I wish they did as much abhor the practice. Have you never had it happen to you, that he that promised to pay you what you lent him, upon a certain day, failed you 1 Bo. Ay, very often ; and though he had sworn to it too, and not only once, but over and over. Be. But it may be they were not able to pay. Bo. Nay, they were able enough, but they thought it more to their advantage to let it alone. Be. And is not this lying? Bo. Ay, downright. Be. And did you dare to say to this debtor, Why have you told me so many lies ? Bo. No, not except I had a mind to fight him too. Be. Well, and in like manner do not masons, smiths, goldsmiths, and tailors promise things xipon a certain day, and do not perform it, although it is of great concern to you ? Bo. Ay, and are not at all ashamed of it. And you may add to these such persons as promise to do you a kindness. Be. Ay, you might give a thousand instances more, not one of which would bear to have the lie given them. Bo. The world abounds with these lies. Be. So, in like manner, nobody will bear to be called thief, when at the same time they have not the same abhorrence of stealing. Bo. I would have you tell me plainly what difference there is between him that steals a thing out of your escritoire and him that forswears what you have deposited with him. Be. No difference but this, that he is the more wicked man that robs him who reposes a confidence in him. Bo. But how few are there that do restore that which has been put into their hands ? or, if they do, restore the whole ? Be. I believe but very few. But yet not one of them will bear to be called a thief, though he has no aversion to the thing itself. Bo. This is very common. Be. Now do but reckon up with me what is commonly done in the management of the estates of orphans, as to wills and legacies ; how much sticks to the fingers of the managers ? Bo. Very