Re: (IVAN): JUSTICIA y RECTITUD
IVAN VALAREZO
So each degree of good fortune which raises us in the world removes us
farther from truth, because we are most afraid of wounding those whose
affection is most useful and whose dislike is most dangerous. A prince may
be the byword of all Europe, and he alone will know nothing of it. I am not
astonished. To tell the truth is useful to those to whom it is spoken, but
disadvantageous to those who tell it, because it makes them disliked. Now
those who live with princes love their own interests more than that of the
prince whom they serve; and so they take care not to confer on him a benefit
so as to injure themselves.
This evil is no doubt greater and more common among the higher classes; but
the lower are not exempt from it, since there is always some advantage in
making men love us. Human life is thus only a perpetual illusion; men
deceive and flatter each other. No one speaks of us in our presence as he
does of us in our absence. Human society is founded on mutual deceit; few
friendships would endure if each knew what his friend said of him in his
absence, although he then spoke in sincerity and without passion.
Man is, then, only disguise, falsehood, and hypocrisy, both in himself and
in regard to others. He does not wish any one to tell him the truth; he
avoids telling it to others, and all these dispositions, so removed from
justice and reason, have a natural root in his heart.
101. I set it down as a fact that if all men knew what each said of the
other, there would not be four friends in the world. This is apparent from
the quarrels which arise from the indiscreet tales told from time to time. I
say, further, all men would be...
102. Some vices only lay hold of us by means
IVAN VALAREZO
it used to retire, its mother heard it speaking aloud; which was
unusual, and never had been observed before. And her voice seemed to be
as of one exceedingly importunate and engaged; but her mother could
distinctly hear only these words, spoken in a childish manner, but with
extraordinary earnestness, and out of distress of soul, pray, blessed
Lord, give me salvation! I pray, beg, pardon all my sins! When the child
had done prayer, she came out of the closet, sat down by her mother, and
cried out aloud. Her mother very earnestly asked her several times what
the matter was, before she would make any answer; but she continued
crying, and writhing her body to and fro, like one in anguish of spirit.
Her mother then asked her, whether she was afraid that God would not
give her salvation. She then answered, Yes, 1 am afraid I shall go to
hell! Her mother then endeavored to quiet her, and told her she would
not have her cry, she must be a good girl, and pray every day, and she
hoped God would give her salvation. But this did not quiet her at all;
she continued thus earnestly crying, and taking on for some time, till
at length she suddenly ceased crying, and began to smile, and presently
said with a smiling countenance, Mother, the kingdom of heaven is come
to me! Her mother was surprised at the sudden alteration, and at the
speech; and knew not what to make of it; but at first said nothing to
her. The child presently spake again, and said, There is another come to
me, and there is another, there is three; and being asked what she
meant, she answered, One is, Thy will be don