Self-restraint
If I heard you right, Guilano said, self-restraint is an imperfect virtue because it has a part of passion in it. When there is a struggle in our minds between reason and appetite, the virtue that fights and gives victory to reason ought to fair better than when no lust or passion opposes it. In this instance, the mind does not keep from evil out of virtue, but refrains from evil because there is no desire to do it.
Ottavio asked which captain is better, the one who fights openly and puts himself in danger and conquers the enemy. Or the one, by his ability and knowledge deprives them of their strength, reducing them that they can not fight, conquering them without any battle or danger.
Ottavio said you're right to say the one who conquers in safety. Self-restraint can be compared to a captain who fights manfully, though the enemy is strong and powerful. Moderation, free of all agitation is like the captain who conquers and rules without opposition. Having, not only put down, but extinguished the fire of lust in the mind where it lives. Like a good prince in the time of civil war, self-restraint destroys the subversive enemies within, the symbol and dominion given to reason.
The Book of the Courtier
Baldesar Castiglione
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment