ae ene 2 eee 
XXIL 1.] THE SECOND BOOK. 203 
doth he inculcate this part. So saith Cicero in great com- 
mendation of Cato the second, that he had applied himself 
to philosophy, Von zta disputandi causa, sed tta vivendt. 
And although the neglect of our times, wherein few men 
do hold any consultations touching the reformation of 
their life (as Seneca excellently saith, De paribus vite 
guisque deliberat, de summa nemo), may make this part 
‘seem superfluous; yet I must conclude with that aphor- 
ism of Hippocrates, Qui gravi morbo correptt dolores non 
sentiunt, tis mens egrotat. ‘They need medicine, not only 
to assuage the disease, but to awake the sense. And if 
it be said, that the cure of men’s minds belongeth to 
sacred divinity, it is most true: but.yet moral philosophy 
may be preferred unto her as a wise servant and humble 
handmaid. For as the Psalm saith, Zhat the eyes of the 
handmaid look perpetually towards the mistress, and yet no 
doubt many things are left to the discretion of the hand- 
maid, to discern of the mistress’ will; so ought moral 
philosophy to give a constant attention to the doctrines 
of divinity, and yet so as it may yield of herself (within 
due limits) many sound and profitable directions. 
2. This part therefore, because of the excellency thereof, 
I cannot but find exceeding strange that it is not reduced 
to written inquiry: the rather, because it consisteth of 
much matter, wherein both speech and action is often 
conversant; and such wherein the common talk of men 
(which is rare, but yet cometh sometimes to pass) is 
wiser than their books. It is reasonable therefore that 
we propound it in the more particularity, both for the 
worthiness, and because we may acquit ourselves for 
reporting it deficient; which seemeth almost incredible, 
and is otherwise conceived and presupposed by those them- 
selves that have written. We will therefore enumerate 
