Alas! this ill comes from the powers divine
That oft we see what's good, yet it decline.
(From the "Chrysippus" of Euripides, Frag. 838.)
Yea, rather, say we, it is a brutish and irrational and wretched fault of ours, that when we understand better things, we are carried away to the pursuit of those which are worse, through our intemperance and effeminacy. Again, one says,
For not the teacher's speech but practice moves.
(From Menander.)
Yea, rather, say we, both the speech and practice,—or the practice by the means of speech,—as the horse is managed with the bridle, and the ship with the helm. For virtue hath no instrument so suitable and agreeable to human nature to work on men withal, as that of rational discourse. Again, we meet with this character of some person:—
A. Is he more inclined to male or female love?
B. He bends both ways, where beauty moves.
But it had been better said thus:—
He's flexible to both, where virtue moves.
For it is no commendation of a man's dexterity to be tossed up and down as pleasure and beauty move him, but an argument rather of a weak and unstable disposition. Once more, this speech,
Religion damps the courage of our minds,
And ev'n wise men to cowardice inclines,
is by no means to be allowed; but rather the contrary,