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514 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
cost, which being vented and exprest, become more
languishing and weake: better it is to let its pointe
worke outwardly, then bend it against our selves.
Omnia vitia in aperto lemora sunt: et tunc pernieiosissina,
quum simulata sanitate subsidunt: l ' All vices
are then lesse perilous when they lie open to bee seene,
but then most pernitious when they lurke under
counterfeited soundenesse.' I ever warne those of my
household who by their offices-authoritie may sometimes
have occasion to be angry, first to husband their
anger, then not employ it upon every slight cause; for
that impeacheth the effect and worth of it Hash and
ordinary brawling is converted to a custome, and thats
the reason each man contemnes it. That which you
employ against a servant for any theeving is not perceived,
because it is the same he hath sundry times
seene you use against him if he have not washt a glasse
well or misplaced a stoole. Secondly, that they be not
angry in vaine, but ever have regard their chiding
come to his eares with whom they are offended ; for
commonly some will brawle before he come in their
presence, and chide a good while after he is gone—
Et tecum petulant amentia certat,*
Madnesse makes with it selfe a fray,
Which fondly doth the wanton play—
and wreake their anger against his shadow, and make
the storme fall where no man is either chastised or interested,
but with the rumour of their voice, and some*
times with such as cannot doe withall. I likewise
blame those who being angry will brave and mutirno
when the partie with whom they are offended is not by.
These rhodomontados must be employed on such as
fearethem.
Mugitus veluti citm prima in prcdla taurus
Terrificos ciet, atque iratci in cornua tcntat,
Arboris obnixut trunco, ventosque lacessit
Ictibus et sparsa ad pugnam proludit arena. 9
¹ SEN, Epist, lvi. ² CLAUD, in En, 1. i. 48,
³ VIRG. AEn. 1. xii. 103.