Section 8 (part 1)

p. 37 THE SIMILITUDES OF DEMOPHILUS 1. Flattery is like painted armour, because it affords delight, but is of no use. 2. Learning is similar to a golden crown; for it is both honourable and advantageous. 3. Flighty men, like empty vessels, are easily laid hold of by the ears. 1 4. Life, like a musical instrument, being harmonized by remission and intention, becomes more agreeable. p. 38 5. Reason, like a good potter, introduces a beautiful form to the soul. 6. The intellect of wise men, like gold, possesses the greatest weight. 7. Boasting, like gilt armour, is not the same within as without. 8. Reason has the same power as an ointment, for it benefits us when we are disordered, but delights us when well. 9. Of a bad man, as of a bad dog, the silence is more to be dreaded than the voice. 10. It is neither becoming to prefer a mistress to a wife; nor flattery to a friend. 11. Garrulous men, like magpies, by their continued loquacity destroy the pleasures of conversation. 12. The Furies pursue the sins of bad men who are impious, and those also of the stupid and daring, when they grow old. 13. It is necessary that a well-educated man should depart from life elegantly, as from a banquet. 14. A port is a place of rest to a ship, but friendship, to life. 15. The reproof of a father is a pleasant medicine; for it is more advantageous than severe chastisements. p. 39 16. It is necessary that a worthy man, like a good wrestler, should oppose his weight to fortune, when acting the part of an antagonist. 17. The possession of self-sufficiency, 1 like a short and pleasant road, has much grace and but little labour. 18. Restive horses are led by the bridle, but irritable minds, by reasoning. 19. Tests, like salt, should be used sparingly. 20. Both a well-adapted shoe, and a well-harmonized life, are accompanied with but little pain. 21. Garments reaching to the feet impede the body 2 ; and immoderate riches, the soul. 22. To those who run in the stadium, the reward of victory is in the end of the race; p. 49 but to those who delight to labour in wisdom, the reward is in old age. 23. It is necessary that he who hastens to behold virtue as his country, should pass by pleasures, as he would by the sirens. 24. As those who sail in fair weather are wont to have things prepared against a storm, so also those who are wise in prosperity, should prepare things necessary for their assistance against adversity. 25. Garments that are made clean and bright become soiled again by use; but the soul being once purified from ignorance, remains splendid forever. 26. Fugitive slaves, although they are not pursued, are affrighted; but the unwise suffer perturbation, although they have not yet acted badly. 27. The wealth of the avaricious, like the sun when it has descended under the earth, delights no living thing. 28. The fruits of the earth spring up once a year; but the fruits of friendship at all times. 29. It is the business of a musician to harmonize every instrument; but of a well-educated man to adapt himself harmoniously to every fortune. p. 41 30. Neither the blows of a sick man, nor the threats of a stupid one, are to be feared. 31. It is necessary to provide an inward garment for the protection of the breast, and intellect as a protection against pain. 32.