means,' cries the voluptuary; 'honour consists in being beloved by a
very handsome woman, and finding no virtue proof against your
attacks.' 'How mistaken!' interrupts the general; 'to conquer whole
cities, to destroy whole armies, to ruin all provinces, THAT indeed
brings REAL honour.' The man of learning places his renown in the
number of pages which he has either written or read; the tinker, in
the number of pots and kettles which he has made or mended; the nun,
in the number of GOOD things which she has done, or BAD things which
she has resisted; the coquette, in the list of her admirers; the
Republic, in the extent of her provinces; and thus, my friend, every
one thinks that honour consists in something different from the
rest. And why, then, should not the bravo think that honour
consists in reaching the perfection of his trade, and in guiding a
dagger to the heart of an enemy with unerring aim?"

"By my life, 'tis a pity, Matteo, that you should be a bravo; the
schools have lost an excellent teacher of philosophy."

"Do you think so? Why, the fact is thus, Abellino. I was educated
in a monastery; my father was a dignified prelate in Lucca, and my
mother a nun of the Ursuline order, greatly respected for her
chastity and devotion. Now, Signor, it was thought fitting that I
should apply closely to my studies; my father, good man, would fain
have made me a light of the Church; but I soon found that I was
better qualified for an incendiary's torch. I followed the bent of
my genius, yet count I not my studies thrown away, since they taught
me more philosophy than to tremble at phantoms created by my own
imagination. Follow my example, friend, and so farewell."