Page 926

Plutarch. (A.D. 46?–A.D. c. 120) (continued)

8912

Let us not wonder if something happens which never was before, or if something doth not appear among us with which the ancients were acquainted.

Symposiacs. Book viii. Question ix.

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Why does pouring oil on the sea make it clear and calm? Is it for that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force, nor cause any waves? 1

Symposiacs. Book viii. Question ix.

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The great god Pan is dead. 2

Why the Oracles cease to give Answers.

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I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up. 3

Of Isis and Osiris.

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When Hermodotus in his poems described Antigonus as the son of Helios, “My valet-de-chambre,” said he, “is not aware of this.” 4

Of Isis and Osiris.

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There is no debt with so much prejudice put off as that of justice.

Of those whom God is slow to punish.

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It is a difficult thing for a man to resist the natural necessity of mortal passions.

Of those whom God is slow to punish.

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He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush. 5

Of Garrulity.

Note 1.
See Pliny, Quotation 4. [back]

Note 2.
See Mrs. Browning, Quotation 11.

Plutarch relates (Isis and Osiris) that a ship well laden with passengers drove with the tide near the Isles of Paxi, when a loud voice was heard by most of the passengers calling unto one Thanus. The voice then said aloud to him, “When you are arrived at Palodes, take care to make it known that the great god Pan is dead.” [back]

Note 3.
I am the things that are, and those that are to be, and those that have been. No one ever lifted my skirts; the fruit which I bore was the sun.—Proclus: On Plato’s Timæus, p. 30 D. (Inscription in the temple of Neith at Sais, in Egypt.) [back]

Note 4.
No man is a hero to his valet-de-chambre.—Marshal Catinat (1637–1712).

Few men have been admired by their domestics.—Montaigne: Essays, book iii. chap. 2.

This phrase, “No man is a hero to his valet,” is commonly attributed to Madame de Sévigné, but on the authority of Madame Aissé (Letters, edited by Jules Ravenal, 1853) it really belongs to Madame Cornuel. [back]

Note 5.
See Heywood, Quotation 67. [back]

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