26. It is observed by two or three ancient authors, that _Socrates_,
notwithstanding he lived in _Athens_ during that great plague, which
has made so much noise through all ages, and has been celebrated at
different times by such eminent hands; I say, notwithstanding that he
lived in the time of this devouring pestilence, he never caught the
least infection, which those writers unanimously ascribe to that
uninterrupted temperance which he always observed.

27. And here I cannot but mention an observation which I have often
made, upon reading the lives of the philosophers, and comparing them
with any series of kings or great men of the same number. If we consider
these ancient sages, a great part of whose philosophy consisted in a
temperate and abstemious course of life, one would think the life of a
philosopher and the life of a man were of two different dates. For we
find that the generality of these wise men were nearer an hundred than
sixty years of age at the time of their respective deaths.

28. But the most remarkable instance of the efficacy of temperance
towards the procuring of long life, is what we meet with in a little
book published by _Lewis Cornaro_, the _Venetian_; which I the rather
mention, because it is of undoubted credit, as the late _Venetian_
ambassador, who was of the same family, attested more than once in
conversation, when he resided in _England_. _Cornaro_, who was the
author of the little treatise I am mentioning, was of an infirm
constitution, till about forty, when, by obstinately persisting in an
exact course of temperance, he recovered a perfect state of health;
insomuch that at fourscore he published his book, which has been
translated into _English_, under the title of, _Sure and certain methods
of attaining a long and healthy Life_.