the essays of montaigne, v17-第3章
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me lies； to do the same。 Could I do better for him； I would； and am
proud that his will is still performing and acting by me。 God forbid
that in my hands I should ever suffer any image of life； that I am able
to render to so good a father； to fail。 And wherever I have taken in
hand to strengthen some old foundations of walls； and to repair some
ruinous buildings； in earnest I have done it more out of respect to his
design； than my own satisfaction； and am angry at myself that I have not
proceeded further to finish the beginnings he left in his house； and so
much the more because I am very likely to be the last possessor of my
race； and to give the last hand to it。 For； as to my own particular
application； neither the pleasure of building； which they say is so
bewitching； nor hunting； nor gardens； nor the other pleasures of a
retired life； can much amuse me。 And 'tis what I am angry at myself for；
as I am for all other opinions that are incommodious to me； which I would
not so much care to have vigorous and learned； as I would have them easy
and convenient for life； they are true and sound enough； if they are
useful and pleasing。 Such as hear me declare my ignorance in husbandry；
whisper in my ear that it is disdain； and that I neglect to know its
instruments； its seasons； its order； how they dress my vines； how they
graft； and to know the names and forms of herbs and fruits； and the
preparing the meat on which I live； the names and prices of the stuffs I
wear； because； say they； I have set my heart upon some higher knowledge；
they kill me in saying so。 It is not disdain； it is folly； and rather
stupidity than glory； I had rather be a good horseman than a good
logician：
〃Quin to aliquid saltem potius； quorum indiget usus；
Viminibus mollique paras detexere junco。〃
＇〃'Dost thou not rather do something which is required； and make
osier and reed basket。〃Virgil； Eclog。； ii。 71。＇
We occupy our thoughts about the general； and about universal causes and
conducts； which will very well carry on themselves without our care； and
leave our own business at random； and Michael much more our concern than
man。 Now I am； indeed； for the most part at home； but I would be there
better pleased than anywhere else：
〃Sit meae sedes utinam senectae；
Sit modus lasso maris； et viarum；
Militiaeque。〃
＇〃Let my old age have a fixed seat； let there be a limit to fatigues
from the sea； journeys； warfare。〃Horace； Od。； ii。 6； 6。＇
I know not whether or no I shall bring it about。 I could wish that；
instead of some other member of his succession； my father had resigned to
me the passionate affection he had in his old age to his household
affairs； he was happy in that he could accommodate his desires to his
fortune； and satisfy himself with what he had； political philosophy may
to much purpose condemn the meanness and sterility of my employment； if I
can once come to relish it； as he did。 I am of opinion that the most
honourable calling is to serve the public； and to be useful to many；
〃Fructus enim ingenii et virtutis； omnisque praestantiae；
tum maximus capitur； quum in proximum quemque confertur：〃
＇〃For the greatest enjoyment of evil and virtue； and of all
excellence； is experienced when they are conferred on some one
nearest。〃Cicero； De Amicil。； c。＇
for myself； I disclaim it； partly out of conscience （for where I see the
weight that lies upon such employments； I perceive also the little means
I have to supply it； and Plato； a master in all political government
himself； nevertheless took care to abstain from it）； and partly out of
cowardice。 I content myself with enjoying the world without bustle；
only…to live an excusable life； and such as may neither be a burden to
myself nor to any other。
Never did any man more fully and feebly suffer himself to be governed by
a third person than I should do； had I any one to whom to entrust myself。
One of my wishes at this time should be； to have a son…in…law that knew
handsomely how to cherish my old age； and to rock it asleep； into whose
hands I might deposit； in full sovereignty； the management and use of all
my goods； that he might dispose of them as I do； and get by them what I
get； provided that he on his part were truly acknowledging； and a friend。
But we live in a world where loyalty of one's own children is unknown。
He who has the charge of my purse in his travels； has it purely and
without control； he could cheat me thoroughly； if he came to reckoning；
and； if he is not a devil； I oblige him to deal faithfully with me by so
entire a trust：
〃Multi fallere do cuerunt； dum timent falli；
et aliis jus peccandi suspicando fecerunt。〃
＇〃Many have taught others to deceive； while they fear to be
deceived； and； by suspecting them； have given them a title to do
ill。〃Seneca； Epist。； 3。＇
The most common security I take of my people is ignorance； I never
presume any to be vicious till I have first found them so； and repose the
most confidence in the younger sort； that I think are least spoiled by
ill example。 I had rather be told at two months' end that I have spent
four hundred crowns； than to have my ears battered every night with
three； five； seven： and I have been； in this way； as little robbed as
another。 It is true； I am willing enough not to see it； I； in some sort；
purposely； harbour a kind of perplexed； uncertain knowledge of my money：
up to a certain point； I am content to doubt。 One must leave a little
room for the infidelity or indiscretion of a servant； if you have left
enough； in gross； to do your business； let the overplus of Fortune's
liberality run a little more freely at her mercy； 'tis the gleaner's
portion。 After all； I do not so much value the fidelity of my people as
I contemn their injury。 What a mean and ridiculous thing it is for a man
to study his money； to delight in handling and telling it over and over
again！ 'Tis by this avarice makes its approaches。
In eighteen years that I have had my estate in my； own hands； I could
never prevail with myself either to read over my deeds or examine my
principal affairs； which ought； of necessity； to pass under my knowledge
and inspection。 'Tis not a philosophical disdain of worldly and
transitory things； my taste is not purified to that degree； and I value
them at as great a rate； at least； as they are worth； but 'tis； in truth；
an inexcusable and childish laziness and negligence。 What would I not
rather do than read a contract？ or than； as a slave to my own business；
tumble over those dusty writings？ or； which is worse； those of another
man； as so many do nowadays； to get money？ I grudge nothing but care and
trouble； and endeavour nothing so much； as to be careless and at ease。
I had been much fitter； I believe； could it have been without obligation
and servitude； to have lived upon another man's fortune than my own： and；
indeed； I do not know； when I examine it nearer； whether； according to my
humour； what I have to suffer from my affairs and servants； has not in it
something more abject； troublesome； and tormenting than there would be in
serving a man better born than myself； who would govern me with a gentle
rein； and a little at my own case：
〃Servitus obedientia est fracti animi et abjecti；
arbitrio carentis suo。〃
＇〃Servitude is the obedience of a subdued and abject mind； wanting
its own free will。〃Cicero； Paradox； V。 I。＇
Crates did worse； who threw himself into the liberty of poverty； only to
rid himself of the inconveniences and cares of his house。 This is what I
would not do； I hate poverty equally with pain； but I could be content to
change the kind of life I live for another that was humbler and less
chargeable。
When absent from home； I divest myself of all these thoughts； and should
be less concerned for the ruin of a tower； than I am； when present； at
the fall of a tile。 My mind is easily composed at distance； but suffers
as much as that of the meanest peasant when I am at home； the reins of my
br
