friend is so great an advantage, even for the greatest lords, in
order that he may speak well of them and back them in their absence, that
they should do all to have one. But they should choose well; for, if they
spend all their efforts in the interests of fools, it will be of no use,
however well these may speak of them; and these will not even speak well
of
them if they find themselves on the weakest side, for they have no
influence; and thus they will speak ill of them in company.
156. Ferox gens, nullam esse vitam sine armis rati.20 --They prefer death
to
peace; others prefer death to war.
Every opinion may be held preferable to life, the love of which is so
strong
and so natural.
157. Contradiction: contempt for our existence, to die for nothing, hatred
of our existence.
158. Pursuits.--The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to
which it is attached, even death.
159. Noble deeds are most estimable when hidden. When I see some of these
in
history, they please me greatly. But after all they have not been quite
hidden, since they have been known; and though people have done what they
could to hide them, the little publication of them spoils all, for what
was
best in them was the wish to hide them.
160. Sneezing absorbs all the functions of the soul, as well as work does;
but we do not draw therefrom the same conclusions against the greatness of
man, because it is against his will. And although we bring it on
ourselves,
it is nevertheless against our will that we sneeze. It is not in view of
the
act itself; it is for another end. And thus it is not a proof of the
weakness of man and of his slavery under that action.
It is not disgraceful for man to yield to pain, and it is disgraceful to
yield to pleasure. This is not because pain comes to us from without, and
we
ourselves seek pleasure; for it is possible to seek pain, and yield to it
purposely, without
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