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BORN B.C. 481-DIED B.C. 406.

EURIPIDES, the celebrated tragic writer of Athens, son of Mnesarchus and Cleito, is said to have been born on the very day of the battle of

There is no one more happy than the poor man: Salamis, to which island his parents had been he expects no change for the worse.

POVERTY AND BAD CONDUCT.

compelled to fly at the time that Athens was threatened by Xerxes. He was a pupil of Prodicus of Chios, and took lessons from the philoso

Poverty united to bad conduct utterly destroys pher Anaxagoras. The persecutions which Anaxand upturns the life of man.

MAN BORN TO TROUBLE.

agoras underwent warned Euripides of the dangerous path he was pursuing, inducing him to renounce the study of philosophy, and direct his attention to the stage. This took place, it is said,

I am a mortal; this very thing is the greatest in his eighteenth year, and in 455 B.C. he succeeded cause of sorrow in life.

THE BLESSINGS AND EVILS OF LIFE.

As fortune, sometimes, when it is bringing up one blessing for us, in pouring out discharges

three evils.

NOTHING FIXED IN LIFE.

There is nothing fixed in the life of man; for no one lives steadily in the way that he has chosen.

SHAMELESSNESS.

in gaining the third prize. Of all the plays which he wrote, only five, according to Varro, were reckoned worthy of being crowned; but this fact may be explained by the violent spirit of rivalry and jealousy which seems to have prevailed at Athens at this time. In his domestic affairs he was by no means fortunate; both his wives disgraced him by the irregularity of their lives; and from this circumstance probably arose his violent hatred of the sex, the weakness of which he took every opportunity of ridiculing and exposing. His private grief became the butt of the comic

There is no animal more bold than shameless-Writers of the day, and Aristophanes more par

ness.

MAN.

ticularly held him up to the ridicule of the public. It was no doubt in consequence of these incessant attacks that Euripides determined to

If thou knowest what man is, thou wilt be more leave Athens. He removed first to Magnesia, and happy.

thence to the court of Archelaus, King of Mace

THE IGNORANT.

A person may seem to be ignorant, even though speak with wisdom, to be foolish.

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT.

For it is the part of a wise man to practise mod eration in passion.

donia, who reigned from 413 to 399 B.C., and was
then the beneficent patron of literature and sci-
ence. By him he was received with all that he
respect to which his distinguished talents entitled
him, and some say that he was appointed one of
his principal ministers. Here he resided till his
death (406 B.C.), which was as full of tragic cir-
cumstances as any story ever exhibited upon the
stage. As he was strolling through a wood, a
pack of the royal hounds attacked the poet, and
tore him in pieces. His remains were removed to
Pella by the king, and every honor was shown to
his memory. The Athenians were now anxious to
procure his ashes, but Archelaus refused to gratify
those who had neglected the poet in his lifetime.

THE WORDS OF THE WISE.

When a wise man chooses a fit subject for his discourse, there is no difficulty in speaking well; thou hast indeed a fluent tongue; as if thou wert wisdom itself; but thy words have not her power. A mighty man, when bold and able to speak, is a bad citizen if he lack discretion.

THE TWO BEST THINGS AMONG MEN.

For, young man, there are two things of prime importance among men. Ceres, the goddess, she is the Earth, call her by what name thou wilt: she nourishes mortals with dry food. But he who is come is a match for her, the son of Semele: he has discovered the liquid drink of the grape, introducing it among mortals, causing the wretched to forget their sorrows, when they are filled with the stream of the vine, giving balmy sleep as an oblivion of the anxieties that beset man day by day, nor is there any other medicine that can cure the troubles of life.

GLORY NOT IN THY WISDOM.

But, Pentheus, be persuaded by me, boast not that thy imperial power has rule over men, nor even, if thou thinkest so, glory not in thy wisdom, for thy glorying is vain.

So Jeremiah (ix. 28)-"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches."

THE FOOL.

For the fool speaks foolish things.

PRIDE BEFORE A FALL.

So Ephesians (iv. 26)-"Be ye angry, and sin not: let no the sun go down upon your wrath."

WINE AND LOVE.

For where there is not wine, love fails, and everything else pleasant to man.

THE DELIGHTS OF LIBERTY.

Shall "I trip it on the light fantastic toe" the neck to the dewy air, frisking like a fawn in the livelong night in honor of Bacchus, exposing my delights of the green meadow, when it has escaped

a fearful chase away from the well-woven nets (and the huntsman cheers and hurries on his dogs), and toilfully, like the swift storm, speeds along the plain that skirts the river, rejoicing in the solitude, away from men, and in the thickets of the dark foliaged wood?

CRIME FOLLOWED BY PUNISHMENT.

The power of the divinity is called forth slowly, but then it is unerring, chastising those who insanely pay honor to folly, and show not respect to the gods. The gods cunningly conceal the long step of time, and hunt after the impious. For it is wrong to determine or plan anything contrary to their laws. It is surely a slight matter to regard what is divine as exercising this power, and that what has been law for a long time is eternal, and the dictate of nature.

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DIFFERENT FATES OF MEN.

Misery is the end of unbridled mouths and law-thing for mortals. less folly, but a quiet life accompanied by wisdom remains unmoved, and knits together families; for though the heavenly powers dwell in the far distance, inhabiting the air, they behold the deeds of men. But cleverness is not wisdom, nor yet the musing on things that belong not to this world. Life is short, and who pursuing great things in it would not enjoy the present? These are the manners of madmen and of the ill-disposed in my opinion..

So Matthew (v. 9)-" Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

Various are the fates sent by the gods, and much comes to us that is unexpected; on the one hand, what we look for is not accomplished; and on the other, God finds a way to bring about what we least expected. Such, too, is the end of this awful day.

DIGNITY IN THOSE OF NOBLE BIRTH.

Nobleness is thine, and thy form, lady, is the reflection of thy nature, whoever thou art. For

by looking at external appearance one is generally | from fear of death. Thou wilt say, no doubt, able to learn whether man is noble by nature.

THINGS AGAINST THE WILL OF THE Gods.

For such things as we strive after against the will of the gods, we possess not as real goods, lady; but what they give us willingly, by these we are benefited.

EVILS OF LIFE.

Countless are the woes of mortals, and various are their forms; but one single blessing for a lengthened period one will scarcely find in the life

of men.

A WIFE.

that gold has sovereign power over such things, and that it is pleasant to be rich. I love not to hear reproach while watching over my riches, and to be subject to toils. What I wish for is a comNow hear, my Opetency, unattended by pains. father, the advantages I have enjoyed in this place. First, indeed, leisure, which is most beloved by men, and no bustling crowd around; nor am I jostled from the path by a knave, for it is intol erable to be obliged to give way to some insolent wretch. I was ever employed in the worship of the gods or in the service of men, who were surrounded by the happy and not by the mourning. Some, indeed, I sent away, while other strangers came in their place, so that I was always joyful, being new with new faces. That which men should pray for, even if it be against their will, to be just before the gods, custom and nature together brought about in me. Taking these things into consideration, my father, I deem my lot better here than there. Suffer me, then, to live here, for there is equal pleasure to be got in humble life as in the palaces of the great.

For woman's condition among men is full of ills; for the good women being mixed up with the bad, we are objects of hatred, so wretched are we by

nature.

THE BASE PUNISHED BY THE GODS. For whosoever of mortals is of a base nature, him the gods chastise.

THE CHILDLESS AND THOSE WITH CHILDREN CON-
TRASTED.

For there is a constant spring of surpassing happiness to mortals when handsome youths flourish in the paternal hall, with wealth to transmit in succession from sires to children; for they are an

ever-present aid in troubles, a joy in good fortune,
and in war they bring help to their country with
their spear. May the nurturing care of kind chil-
dren be mine in preference to riches and alliances
with kings. Childless life I abhor, and I blame
him who approves of it. But with a competency
of this world's goods may I have a noble offspring.

THINGS NEAR APPEAR DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
AT A DISTANCE.

The appearance of things does not appear the same when seen far off and close at hand.

RIVALS IN POLITICAL HONORS.

The good and wise lead a quiet life, and aim not at the honors of the state; with them I shall incur ridicule, not living tranquilly in the midst of a city full of turmoil. Again, if I aspire to the dignity of those who direct the affairs of the nation, I shall be watched more closely, and subject to hostile votes; for such is usual, my father; those who possess influence are most inimical to those who are their rivals.

ROYAL AND HUMBLE LIFE CONTRASTED.

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The outward aspect of vainly-praised sovereignty is indeed delightful, but its inward state is misery. For who can be happy, who can be blessed, dragging on a life full of terrors, and every moment in dread of violence? I would rather live happy in humble life than be a tyrant, forced to choose my friends from the wicked, and hating the good nothing.

THE DEAD.

Time will soften thy grief; he that is dead is

WISDOM IN THE GOOD.

In the good there is all kind of wisdom.

MUSIC.

Thou wouldst not err in calling men of the olden

So John (vii. 17)—“If any man will do his will, he shall time silly and in no way wise who invented songs know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."

THE PIOUS.

My heart is confident that the man who reveres the gods will fare prosperously.

for festivals, banquets, and suppers, delights that charm the ear; but no one has found out how to soothe with music and sweet symphony those bitter pangs by which death and sad misfortunes destroy families. And yet to assuage such griefs by

So Psalms (cxi. 10)-" The fear of the Lord is the beginning music were wisdom. For when the banquet is

of wisdom."

OLD MAN.

It is vain for old men praying for death, complaining of age and the length of life, since if death come near, not one is willing to die; then old age is no longer burdensome to them.

TO-MORROW UNCERTAIN.

spread, why raise the song? When the table is richly piled, it brings of itself a cheerfulness that wakes the heart to joy.

WOMAN.

Of all beings who have life and sense, we women are most wretched. First of all, we must buy a husband with money, and receive in him a lord; for this is a still greater ill than the former. And then the question is whether we receive a bad or good one. For divorces are not honorable to women, nor is it right to repudiate our husband. For coming to new tempers and new laws, we must be endowed with powers of prophecy if we

Knowest thou of what nature mortal things are? I think not; how shouldst thou? Death is a debt that all mortals must pay, and there is not one of them who knows whether he shall see the coming morrow; for what depends on fortune is uncertain how it will turn out, and is not to be learned, neither is it to be caught by art. Having, there-can know what sort of yoke-fellow we shall have. fore, heard and learned these things from me, be merry, drink, and regard the life granted to thee day by day as thine own, but the rest to be For

tune's.

EFFECT OF WINE.

And well do I know that the trickling of the cup down thy throat will change thee from thy present gloomy and pent state of mind. Being mortals, we should think as mortals; since to all those who are morose and of sad countenance, if they take me as judge at least, life is not truly life, but misery.

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

This is the surest tie of conjugal happiness, when the wife is not estranged from the husband. But everything here is at variance, and the dearest ties are weakened.

But should a husband dwell with us, diligently engaged in the performance of our duties, who treats us with kindness, our lot is deserving of envy; if not, death is to be preferred. If a man find aught unpleasing in his house, going abroad, he seeks relief among his compeers or friends. We must look for happiness to one only. Men say of us that we live a life of ease at home, while they are fighting with the spear. Misjudging men! thrice would I engage in fierce conflict than once suffer the pangs of childbirth.

A FIERY IS BETTER THAN A SULLEN SPIRIT.

For a woman that is quick in anger, and a man too, can be more easily guarded against than one that is crafty and keeps silence.

EXILE.

Exile draws many evils in its train.

YOUTH.

For youth holds no society with grief.

EVERY ONE LOVES HIMSELF MORE THAN HIS

NEIGHBOR.

Dost thou only now know this, that every one loves himself more than his neighbor, some, indeed, with justice, but others for the sake of gain?

ROYAL AND HUMBLE LIFE.

The acts of tyrants are terrible; being seldom controlled, in most things acting despotically, they lay aside with difficulty their passion. To be accustomed to humble life is far better; may it be my lot then to grow old, not in gorgeous state, but without danger. There is a protection in the very name of moderation, and to enjoy it is far the best for man. Towering greatness remains not long to mortals, and has often brought the greatest woes on families when the Deity is enraged.

IMPUDENCE.

The worst of all diseases among men is impudence.

THE WICKED.

O Jove! why hast thou given us certain proofs to know adulterate gold, but stamped no mark, where it is most needed, on man's base metal ?

THE POWER OF THE RHETORICIAN.

For in my opinion, the unjust man, whose tongue is full of glozing rhetoric, merits the heavi est punishment. Vaunting that he can with his tongue gloze over injustice, he dares to act wickedly, yet he is not over-wise.

GIFTS OF A BAD MAN.

The gifts

Of a bad man can bring no good with them.

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THE EVILS OF LIFE MUST BE BORNE. A mortal must bear calamities with meekness. So Philippians (i. 23)" For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."

"THE EVIL THAT I WOULD NOT, THAT I DO." I know, indeed, the ills I am about to commit, but my inclination gets the better of me.

So Romans (vii. 14)—" For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

THE BACHELOR.

I maintain that those entirely free from wedlock, and who claim no title to a father's name, surpass in happiness those who have families; those who are childless, not knowing whether children give delight or anguish, are relieved of much misery. But those who have a sweet blooming offspring of children in their house, I see worn out with care the whole time; first of all, how they shall bring them up honorably, and how they shall leave what may sustain them; and besides, they know not whether they are toiling for good or bad children. But one ill to mortals, the worst of all, I now shall mention. For let us suppose that they have got together a sufficient fortune, and that their children have reached manhood, behaving honorably, yet if this should happen, that death, bearing away their sons, vanishes with them to the shades of darkness, I ask, why do the gods heap on mortals this grief in addition, the most bitter of all, to drop the tears on the lost son's untimely bier ?

NO MORTAL MAN IS HAPPY.

But what belongs to mortals I do not now for the first time deem to be a mere shadow, nor would I fear to say that those who boast most of their wisdom and acquired knowledge, stray widest in the paths of folly. No mortal is happy; if the tide of wealth flow in upon him, one may be more fortunate than another, more happy he cannot be.

THE RESTLESSNESS OF THE LOVE-SICK. Alas! the evils of mortals and their hateful diseases! What shall I do for thee? what not? Here is the bright light of day, here the clear air; and now thy couch on which thou liest sick is out of the house; for every word thou spokest was to bring thee hither; but soon thou wilt be in a hurry to return back to thy chamber; thou art soon changed, and rejoice in nothing; nothing present pleases, thou reckonest what is not present as more agreeable. It is better to be sick than to tend the sick: the one is a simple ill, but with

the other is joined both pain of mind and toil of body. The whole life of men is full of pain and trouble, knows no rest. But whatever else there is more precious than life, darkness hangs round it, concealing it in clouds; hence we appear to dote on this present state, because it gilds the earth, for we know nothing of our future life, and cannot discover aught of the realms below; but all is wrapped in perplexing fables.

A plague on the whimsies of sickly folk:
What am I to do? what not?

Why, here's the fair sky,

And here you lie,

With your couch in a sunny spot.

For this you were puling, whenever you spoke, Craving to lie outside,

And now you'll be sure not to bide;

You won't be here for an hour-
You'll want to be back to your bower;
Longing and never enjoying,

Shifting from yea to nay;
For all that you taste is cloying,
And sweet is the far away.
'Tis bad to be sick but worse

To have to sit by and nurse;

For that is single, but this is double,-
The mind in pain, and the hands in trouble.
The life men live is a weary coil;
There is no rest from woe and toil;
And if there's aught, elsewhere, more dear
Than drawing breath as we do here,
That darkness holds

In black inextricable folds.
Love-sick it seems are we
Of this, whate'er it be,

That gleams upon the earth,
Because that second birth,

That other life, no man hath tried;
What lies below

No god will show,

And we, because the truth's denied, Drift upon idle fables to and fro. -From THACKERAY'S "Anthologia Græc., Fr. 9."

SICKNESS OF THE HEART.

The cares of life, they say, if carried too far, qring more of pain than pleasure, and war against the health. Thus I praise less what is in extreme than the sentiment of "Nothing in excess," and the wise will agree with me.

PURE HANDS BUT IMPURE THOUGHTS.

My hands are clean, but my heart has somewhat of impurity.

So Romans (xiii. 9)—" Thou shalt not covet."

WE KNOW THE GOOD BUT DO IT NOT.

What is good we understand and know, but practise not, some from sloth, and others preferring some other pleasure to what is right. For there are many pleasures in life-lengthened hours of frivolous conversation, indolence, a pleasing ill, and shame; but there are two, the one indeed not base, but the other, the weight that pulls down houses; but if the occasion in which each is used

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