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72 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
forasmuch as nature seemeth to have recommended the
same unto us, ayming to extend, encrease, and advance
the successive parts or parcels of this her frame; it is
no wonder if hackagaine it is not so great from children
unto fathers. This other Aristotelian consideration
rememhred : that hee who doth benefit another, loveth
him better than hee is beloved of him againe; and hee
to whom a debt is owing, loveth better than hee that
oweth: And every workman loveth his worke better
than hee should bee beloved of it againe, if it had sense
or feeling. Forasmuch as we love to be, and being
consisteth in moving and action; therefore is every
man, in some sort or other, in his owne workmanship.
Whosoever doth a good deed, exerciseth a faire and
honest action : whosoever receiveth, exerciseth only a
profitable action. And profit is nothing so much to be
esteemed or loved as honesty. Honesty is firme and
permanent, affording him that did it a constant gratification.
Profit is very slipperie and easily lost, nor is the
memorie of it so sweet or so fresh. Such things are
dearest unto us, that have cost us most; and to give is
of more cost that to take. Since it hath pleased God to
endow us with some capacitie of discourse, that as
beasts we should not servily be subjected to common
lawes, but rather with judgement and voluntary liberty
apply ourselves unto them ; we ought somewhat to
yeeld unto the simple auctoritie of Nature, but not
suffer her tyrannically to carry us away: only reason
ought to have the conduct of our inclinations. As for
me, my tast is strangely distasted to its propensions,
which in us are produced without the ordinance and
direction of our judgement. As upon this subject I
speak of, I cannot receive this passion, wherewith some
embrace children scarsly borne, having neither motion
in the soule, nor forme well to be distinguished in the
body, whereby they might make themselves lovely or
amiable. And I could never well endure to have them
brought up or nursed neere about me. A true and well
ordered affection ought to be borne and augmented,
with the knowledge they give us of themselves; and