As for glory, how deceitful it is oftentimes, and dishonest! For which
cause the tragical poet deservedly exclaimeth: "O glory, glory, thou
hast raised to honour and dignity myriads of worthless mortals!"[128]
For many have often been much spoken of through the false opinions of
the common people. Than which what can be imagined more vile? For those
who are falsely commended must needs blush at their own praises. Which
glory though it be gotten by deserts, yet what adds it to a wise man's
conscience who measureth his own good, not by popular rumours, but by
his own certain knowledge? And if it seemeth a fair thing to have
dilated our fame, consequently we must judge it a foul thing not to have
it extended. But since, as I showed a little before, there must needs be
many nations to which the fame of one man cannot arrive, it cometh to
pass that he whom thou esteemeth glorious, in the greater part of the
world seemeth to have no glory at all. And here now I think popular
glory not worth the speaking of, which neither proceedeth from judgment,
nor ever hath any firmness. Likewise, who seeth not what a vain and idle
thing it is to be called noble? Which insofar as it concerneth fame, is
not our own. For nobility seemeth to be a certain praise proceeding from
our parents' deserts. But if praising causeth fame, they must
necessarily be famous who are praised. Wherefore the fame of others, if
thou hast none of thine own, maketh not thee renowned. But if there be
anything good in nobility, I judge it only to be this, that it imposeth
a necessity upon those which are noble, not to suffer their nobility to
degenerate from the virtue of their ancestors.
[128] Eurip. _Androm._ 319.