without a Country, without a House, without an Estate, without a Servant: I lie on the Ground: no Wife, no Children, no Coat[1]; but only Earth, and Heaven, and one sorry Cloke. And, what do I want? Am not I without Sorrow, without Fear? Am not I free? Did any of you ever see me disappointed of my Desire, or incurring my Aversion? Did I ever blame God or Man? Did I ever accuse any one? Hath any of you seen me look discontented? How do I treat those whom you fear, and of whom you are struck with Awe? Is it not like sorry Slaves? Who that sees me, doth not think, that he sees his own King and Master?" This is the Language, this the Character, this the Undertaking, of a Cynic. No: I warrant you; but the Wallet, and the Staff, and the great Jaws: swallowing, or treasuring up, whatever is given you; abusing unseasonably those you meet; or showing a brawny Arm. Do you consider, how you shall attempt so important an Affair? First take a Mirror. View your Shoulders, examine your Back, your Thighs. You are going to be enrolled a Combatant at the Olympic Games, Man; not in a poor slight Contest. In the Olympic Games, a Champion is not allowed merely to be conquered, and depart: but must first be disgraced, in the View of the whole World; not only of the Athenians, or Spartans, or Nicopolitans: and then he, who hath rashly departed, must be whipt too; and, before that, must suffer Thirst, and Heat; and swallow an Abundance of Dust.
§. 6. Consider carefully; know yourself; consult the Divinity: attempt nothing without God: for, if he counsels you, be assured, that it is his Will, that you should be a great Man; or, [which comes
to
- ↑ The Translation follows Mr. Upton's Conjecture, of χιτωναριον, instead of πραιτωριδιον.
