Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/375

A R A T U S . The philosopher Chrysippus, Polycrates, quotes an ancient proverb, not as really it should be, apprehending, I suppose, that it sounded too harshly, but so as he thought it would run best, in these words, "Who praise their fathers but the generous sons ? But Dionysodorus the Trcezenian proves him to be wrong, and restores the true reading, which is thus, — Who praise their fathers but degenerate sons ? telling us that the proverb is meant to stop the mouth of those who, having no merit of their own, take refuge in the virtues of their ancestors, and make their advantage of praising them. But, as Pindar hath it. He that by nature doth inherit From ancestors a noble spirit, as you do, who make your life the copy of the fairest originals of your family, — such, I say, may take great sat- isfaction in being reminded, both by hearing others speak and speaking themselves, of the best of their progenitors. For they assume not the glory of praises earned by oth- ers out of any want of worth of their own, but, affiliating their own deeds to those of their ancestors, give them honor as the authors both of their descent and manners.