I think it shame even in another heart, who loves overmuch
or hates overmuch; measure is in all things best.
And the expression (O. viii. 351):—
A pledge is near to evil,
Evil are evil folks' pledges to hold.
And that saying of Pythagoras to one who asked who is a friend said "an ALTER EGO."
Homer's parallel saying is (O. xviii. 82):—
The equal to my head.
Belonging to the same species of Apothegm is what is called the Gnome, a universal expression about life stated briefly. All poets and philosophers and orators have used it and have attempted to explain things gnomically. Homer was the first to introduce in his poetry many excellent Gnomes stating a principle he wishes to lay down; as when he says (I. i. 80):—
And terrible to men of low estate the anger of a king.
And again what must needs be done or not done (I. ii 24):—
To sleep all night but ill becomes a chief.