advantageous and disadvantageous, to different Persons. On this Account, chiefly, we stand in need of a liberal Education, to teach us, to adapt the Preconceptions of reasonable and unreasonable to particular Cases, conformably to Nature. But to judge of reasonable, and unreasonable, we make use not only of a due Estimation of Things without us, but of what relates to each Person's particular Character. Thus, it is reasonable for one Man to submit to a dirty[1] disgraceful Office, who considers this only, that if he does not submit to it, he shall be whipt, and lose his Dinner; but if he does, that he has nothing hard or disagreeable to suffer: Whereas to another it appears insupportable, not only to submit to such an Office himself, but to bear with any one else who does. If you ask me, then, whether you shall do this dirty Office or not, I will tell you, it is a more valuable Thing to get a Dinner, than not; and a greater Disgrace to be whipt, than not to be whipt: So that, if you measure yourself by these Things, go and do your Office.
"Ay, but this is not suitable to my Character."
It is You who are to consider that, not I: For it is you who know yourself, what Value you set upon yourself, and at what Rate you sell yourself: for different People sell themselves at different Prices.
§ 3. Hence Agrippinus[2], when Florus was considering whether he should go to Nero's Shows, so as to perform some Part in them himself, bid him go."But why do not you go then?" says Florus. "Because, replied Agrippinus, I do not deliberate
about
- ↑ The Translation here gives only the general Sense, as a more particular Description would be scarcely supportable in our Language.
- ↑ Nero was remarkably fond of Theatrical Entertainments; and used to introduce upon the Stage the Descendants of noble Families, whom Want had rendered venal. Tacitus, L. xiv. c. 14.
