The Essays of Montaigne — Volume 06 by Michel de Montaigne
page 18 of 92 (19%)
page 18 of 92 (19%)
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in all things, that methinks I am no more than half of myself:
"Illam meae si partem anima tulit Maturior vis, quid moror altera? Nec carus aeque, nec superstes Integer? Ille dies utramque Duxit ruinam." ["If that half of my soul were snatch away from me by an untimely stroke, why should the other stay? That which remains will not be equally dear, will not be whole: the same day will involve the destruction of both."] or: ["If a superior force has taken that part of my soul, why do I, the remaining one, linger behind? What is left is not so dear, nor an entire thing: this day has wrought the destruction of both." --Horace, Ode, ii. 17, 5.] There is no action or imagination of mine wherein I do not miss him; as I know that he would have missed me: for as he surpassed me by infinite degrees in virtue and all other accomplishments, so he also did in the duties of friendship: "Quis desiderio sit pudor, aut modus Tam cari capitis?" ["What shame can there, or measure, in lamenting so dear a friend?" --Horace, Ode, i. 24, I.] |
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