PREF. LUCILIUS RECORD 165 



witness to your character ; if false, there will be 

 no witness to the derision you have earned. I may 17 

 myself appear at present to be either seeking to 

 throw my net over you or trying to make you rise 

 to my fly. Take either supposition for true, and 

 begin, from the example I offer, to fear all flatterers. 

 Meditate on Virgil s words : 



Nowhere is honour safe ; 

 or on Ovid s : 



As far as earth extends, the savage Fury rules ; 

 For crime, methinks, all have conspired ; 



or on this sentiment of Menander s for who has 

 not put forth the full strength of his indignation 18 

 on this topic, in abhorrence of mankind s agreement 

 in rushing toward vice ? All are bad livers, says 

 the poet, presenting himself on the stage in the 

 rude character of a raw countryman. He excepts 

 neither greybeard nor youth, neither man nor woman. 

 He adds to the charge that it is not individuals or 

 small numbers that sin, but that wickedness is now 

 ingrained in society all through. One must flee from 

 the world and return to oneself, nay, rather one must 

 escape from oneself. Though you and I are separated 

 by the sea, I will endeavour to render you some 19 

 service : placing my hand in yours I will guide 

 your doubtful steps along the more excellent way. 

 At this distance I will mingle my talk with yours, 

 that you may not feel the loneliness. We shall be 

 united in our noblest part the spirit. We shall 

 impart mutual counsel, and, as you hang upon the 

 lips of your monitor, I will lead you far away from 

 that province of yours. For I would not have you 

 put too implicit trust in records of the past, or 

 become self-satisfied as often as you reflect : I 



