214044_The_Essa ... rd_Of_Montaigne_Vol_II.pdf - OUDL Home

602 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
beforehand: and that the same would hasten and in
great heapes environ me about, more thicke than long,
and more full than lasting. And let it hardly vanish
with my knowledge, and when this sweet alluring
sound shall no more tickle mine eares. It were a
fond conceit, now I am ready to leave the commerce
of men, by new commendations, to goe about anew to
beget my selfe unto them.
I make no account of goods which I could not employ
to the use of my life. Such as I am, so would 1 be
elsewhere then in paper. Mine art and industry have
been employed to make my selfe of some worth. My
study and endevour to doe, and not to write. I have
applied all my skill and devoire to frame my life. Lo
heere mine occupation and my worke. I am a lesse
maker of bookes then of any thing else. I have
desired and aimed at sufficiencie, rather for the benefitc
of my present and essentiall commodities then to make
a store-house and hoard it up for mine heires. Whosoever
hath any worth in him, let him shew it in his
behaviour, maners and ordinary discourses; be it to
treat of love or of quarrels ; of sport and play or bedmatters,
at board or elsewhere ; or be it in the conduct
of his owne affaires, or private household matters.
Those whom I see make good bookes, having tattered
hosen and ragged clothes on, had they believed me
they should first have gotten themselves good clothes.
Demand a Spartan, whether he would rather be a
cunning rhethorician then an excellent souldier : nay,
were I asked, I would say a good cooke, had I not
some to serve me. Good Lord (Madame) how I would
hate such a commendation, to be a sufficient man
in writing, and a foolish-shallow-headed braine or
coxcombe in all things else: yet had I rather be a
foole, both here and there, then to have made so base
a choice wherein to imploy my worth. So farre am I
also from expecting by such trifles to gaine new honour
to my self, as I shal think I make a good bargain if I
loose not a part of that little I had already gained.
For besides that this dumbe and dead picture shall