Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/371

THE LOVER OF GLORY. 367 also as to those things that are good, there is a certain secret instinct of nature in us, that we have an aversion for some things without any apparent cause, and are carried on with a wonderful propensity to others. Hence it is that one is an expert soldier, another a good politician, and another you would say was born to be a student. And in these things too there is an admirable variety as great as is the diversity of employments. Nature has framed one for a general, another for a good common soldier ; and where nature has been most bountiful, there the same person may be fit to command or obey, as Homer says. So likewise in civil affairs, one is a good counsellor, another a good barrister, another is made for an ambassador, and performs that office with great success. What need is there to mention the variety of inclinations 1 There are some who are so strongly inclined to a monastic life, and yet not every one neithei*, but to this or that particular order, that they take no pleasure of their lives if they do not attain it ; when, on the other hand, others have so strong an aversion for that sort of life, that they had rather die than be made monks. Nor is this because they hate that way of living, or can give any reason for it but by some secret instinct in nature. Ph. As you say, I have often found many such instances, and have admired at them. Sy. In these gifts that nature liberally bestows upon us, a person shall be nmch less liable to envy, if a man be not proud and osten- tatious. Beauty, nobility, wealth, eloquence appear the most lovely in those persons that seem not to know they are endowed with them. Courtesy and modesty do no way lessen these advantages ; but as they add a grace to them, so they drive away envy. And this courtesy and sweetness of temper ought to go along with all the actions of our lives, unless it be contrary to our nature ; for in my opinion, Xenocrates would have attempted in vain that which Socrates and Diogenes succeeded in ; Cato the Censor would in vain have endeavoured after that which gained Laelius so much good will. Yet Demea in Terence being altered so on a sudden, is a sufficient instance of what efficacy it is in gaining good will to suit ourselves with persons' inclinations and humours; but as often as men deviate from right, they degenerate from true glory to the temporary favour of man ; but that glory only is lasting which is founded upon honesty, and comes from the judg- ment of reason. For the affections make their temporary efforts, and when they have once spent themselves, we begin to hate what before we loved vehemently, and hiss what before we clapped, and condemn what before we commended. But though the disposition cannot be wholly altered, yet it may in part be corrected. Ph. I want to hear what you aim at.

Sy. He that is of a complaisant temper ought to be careful lest, while he labours to ingratiate himself with all persons, he deviates from honesty ; and lest, while he endeavours to accommodate himself to all company, he changes his shape so often that none can tell what to make of him. Ph. I know a great many such slippery blades, at whose vanity one cannot forbear blushing. Sy. But then, again, they who are of a rugged temper ought to endeavour so to affect courtesy as that what they do may not seem to be counterfeit"; or by ever and anon falling into their natural propensity, instead of commendation get a double disgrace, first for acting rigidly, and then for being inconsistent