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FOURTH BOOK
249

and intrepidity, and courage, to wit, fiery, rash braveryis, in both instances, called by one name. How widely different are cold and hot virtues! And a fool he who presumes that "goodness”, is only subjoined by warmth: and more fool he who would describe it to coldness only. The truth is that mankind has found both hot and cold courage exceedingly useful, yet not frequently enough to be able to place either in the category of precious stones.

278

The benevolent memory.—A man of high rank will do well to provide himself with a benevolent memory, that is, to remember all the good qualities of people and put a full-stop behind them: in so doing he keeps them in a pleasant dependence. In like manner man may lead with himself: the fact whether he has or has not a benevolent memory finally determines his own attitude towards himself, his superior, gentle, or distrustful observation of his inclinations and purposes, and again, in the end, the nature of these very inclinations and purposes.

279

Therein we become artists.—Whoever idolises a person tries to justify himself in his own eyes by idealising him; he thus becomes an artist in order to have a safe conscience. If he suffers, he does not suffer from igno-