214044_The_Essa ... rd_Of_Montaigne_Vol_II.pdf - OUDL Home

408 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
themselves upon the Epicicle of Mercury, and see so
farre into heaven, they even pull out my teeth. For
in the study which I professe, the subject whereof is
Man, finding so extreme a varietie of judgements, so
inextricable a labyrinth of difficulties one upon the
necke of another, so great diversitie, and so much uncertaintie,
yea even in the schoole of wisedome it selfe:
you may imagine since those men could never be
resolved of the knowledge of themselves and of their
owne condition, which is continually before their eyes,
which is ever within them ; since they know not how
that moveth, which themselves cause to move, nor how
to set forth the springs, and decipher the wards, which
themselves hold and handle, how should I thinke of
the true cause of the flux and reflux of the river Nilus ?
The curiosity to know things hath beene given to men
(as saith the holy Scripture) for a scourge. But to
come to my particular, it is very hard (mee seemeth)
that some other regardeth him selfe lesse, yea and
some other estcemeth me lesse than I esteeme my selfe.
I accompt my selfe of the common sort, except in that
I deeme my selfe guiltie of the basest, and culpable
most popular defects: but not disavowed nor excused.
And I only prise my selfe wherein I know my worth.
If any glory be in me, it is but superficially infused
into me; by the treason of my complexion : and hath
no solide body appearing to the sight of my judgement.
I am but sprinckled over, but not throughly dyed.
For in truth, touching the effects of the spirit in what
manner soever, there never came any thing from me
that contented me. And others approbation is no
currant payment for me. My judgement is tender and
hard, especially in mine owne behalf. I feele my self
to waver and bend through weaknesse: I have nothing
of mine owne to satisfie my judgement. My sight is
indifferently cleare and regular; but if I take any
serious worke in hand, it is troubled and dimmed: as
I perceive most evidently in poesie: I love it exceedingly
: I have some insight or knowledge in other
mens labours, but in truth I play the novice when I