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advantage of it； as well in shadow as in substance； and amongst the
various readings thereof in history； I cull out the most rare and
memorable to fit my own turn。 There are authors whose only end and
design it is to give an account of things that have happened； mine； if I
could arrive unto it； should be to deliver of what may happen。 There is
a just liberty allowed in the schools； of supposing similitudes； when
they have none at hand。 I do not； however； make any use of that
privilege； and as to that matter； in superstitious religion； surpass all
historical authority。 In the examples which I here bring in； of what I
have heard； read； done； or said； I have forbidden myself to dare to alter
even the most light and indifferent circumstances； my conscience does not
falsify one tittle； what my ignorance may do； I cannot say。
And this it is that makes me sometimes doubt in my own mind； whether a
divine； or a philosopher； and such men of exact and tender prudence and
conscience； are fit to write history： for how can they stake their
reputation upon a popular faith？ how be responsible for the opinions of
men they do not know？ and with what assurance deliver their conjectures
for current pay？ Of actions performed before their own eyes； wherein
several persons were actors； they would be unwilling to give evidence
upon oath before a judge； and there is no man； so familiarly known to
them； for whose intentions they would become absolute caution。 For my
part； I think it less hazardous to write of things past； than present； by
how much the writer is only to give an account of things every one knows
he must of necessity borrow upon trust。
I am solicited to write the affairs of my own time by some； who fancy I
look upon them with an eye less blinded with passion than another； and
have a clearer insight into them by reason of the free access fortune has
given me to the heads of various factions； but they do not consider； that
to purchase the glory of Sallust； I would not give myself the trouble；
sworn enemy as I am to obligation； assiduity； or perseverance： that there
is nothing so contrary to my style； as a continued narrative； I so often
interrupt and cut myself short in my writing for want of breath； I have
neither composition nor explanation worth anything； and am ignorant；
beyond a child； of the phrases and even the very words proper to express
the most common things； and for that reason it is； that I have undertaken
to say only what I can say； and have accommodated my subject to my
strength。 Should I take one to be my guide； peradventure I should not be
able to keep pace with him； and in the freedom of my liberty might
deliver judgments； which upon better thoughts； and according to reason；
would be illegitimate and punishable。 Plutarch would say of what he has
delivered to us； that it is the work of others： that his examples are all
and everywhere exactly true： that they are useful to posterity； and are
presented with a lustre that will light us the way to virtue； is his own
work。 It is not of so dangerous consequence； as in a medicinal drug；
whether an old story be so or so。
CHAPTER XXI
THAT THE PROFIT OF ONE MAN IS THE DAMAGE OF ANOTHER
Demades the Athenian＇Seneca； De Beneficiis； vi。 38； whence nearly the
whole of this chapter is taken。＇ condemned one of his city； whose trade
it was to sell the necessaries for funeral ceremonies； upon pretence that
he demanded unreasonable profit； and that that profit could not accrue to
him； but by the death of a great number of people。 A judgment that
appears to be ill grounded； forasmuch as no profit whatever can possibly
be made but at the expense of another； and that by the same rule he
should condemn all gain of what kind soever。 The merchant only thrives
by the debauchery of youth； the husband man by the dearness of grain； the
architect by the ruin of buildings； lawyers and officers of justice by
the suits and contentions of men： nay； even the honour and office of
divines are derived from our death and vices。 A physician takes no
pleasure in the health even of his friends； says the ancient Greek comic
writer； nor a soldier in the peace of his country； and so of the rest。
And； which is yet worse； let every one but dive into his own bosom； and
he will find his private wishes spring and his secret hopes grow up at
another's expense。 Upon which consideration it comes into my head； that
nature does not in this swerve from her general polity； for physicians
hold； that the birth； nourishment； and increase of every thing is the
dissolution and corruption of another：
〃Nam quodcumque suis mutatum finibus exit；
Continuo hoc mors est illius； quod fuit ante。〃
＇〃For； whatever from its own confines passes changed； this is at
once the death of that which before it was。〃Lucretius； ii。 752。＇
End