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422 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
into credite and reputation, in the beginning of their
progresse I could never have done it.
— Spem prctio non cmo,¹
Expence of present pay
For hope, I do not lay.
I fasten myself on that which I see and hold, and go
not far from the shore:
Alter ramus aquas, alter tibi radat arenas. 2
Keepe water with one oare,
With th' other grate the shore.
Besides a man seldome comes to these preferments
but in hazarding first his owne : and I am of opinion
if that which a man hath sufficeth to maintaine the
condition wherein he was borne and brought up, it is
folly to let it goe upon the uncertainety of encreasing
the same. He to whom fortune refuseth mcanes to
settle his estate and establish a quiet and reposed
being, is excusable if he cast what he hath at hazard,
since thus as well as thus- nqcessitie sends him to shift
and search out.
Capienda rebus in malts preceps via est.*
A headlong course is best,
When mischiefes are addrest.
And I rather excuse a younger brother to make sale
of his inheritance than him who hath the honor of his
house in charge, who cannot fall into wants but through
his default. I have by the counsell of my good friends
of former times found the way shorter and easier to rid
my selfe of this desire and keepe my selfe husht;
Cui sit conditio dulcis, sine pulvere palmce.*
Who like it well to beare the prise,
But take no toile in any wise.
Judging also rightly of my forces that they were not
capable of great matters: and remembering the saying
1 2
TER. Add. act ii. sc. 2. PROP. 1. iii. Eleg. ii. 23.
³ SEN. Agam. act ii. sC. 1, 47. 4 HOB. 1. i. Epist i. 51