A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 59 – Chapter 60
CHAP. LIX. Examples of such as have been hard Students.
SOcrates used to stand many times plodding upon points of Philosophy in the same posture of body for divers houres together, being all that while unsensible of any thing that was done about him.
Chrysippus was sometimes so transported at his study, that he had perished with hunger if his maide had not thrust meat into his mouth.
Alphonsus King of Spaine, and Naples was wont to bewaile the case of Kings, for that hearing with other mens eares they could seldome heare the truth, and therefore he held himselfe happy in his Muti Magistri, his Books, especially his Bible, which he read over fourteen times with Lyra's, and other mens notes upon the Text.
Archimedes, a famous Mathematician of Syracuse in the Isle of Sicily, when the City was besieged by the Romanes, by his rare Engins annoyed the Romanes more then all the men in the City: yet at last (through treachery) the Romanes entred: and Archimedes being drawing Mathematical Figures in his study, heard not the noise; yea, his study was broken open by a rude souldier, yet he heeded it not; so that the souldier thinking that he slighted him, ran him through with his sword.
This Archimedes was he that said: If you would give him a place whereon to fix it, he could make an Engin that would remove the whole earth.
Theodosius the Emperour wrote out the whole New Testament with his own hand, accounted it a great Jewell, and read part of it every day.
Henry the first, King of England, was bread up in learning, and such a prizer of it, that he often said, that he esteemed an unlearned King but as a crowned Asse. Speed.
Themistocles from his child-hood much affected learning, and was so studious, that when his fellows were at play, he would never be idle; but was alwayes either making, or conning Orations either to defend, or accuse some of his companions, which his Master observing used to say: That he was borne either to do some great good, or some extreme mischief to the Common-wealth. Plut.
Alexander the Great was by his father Philip placed under Aristotle to be brought up in learning, who carefully instructed him in most of the liberal sciences, in the study whereof Alexander took such delight, that he used to say, that he had rather have knowledge then to excell in power: He so prized Homers Iliads, that during all his Wars he alwayes carried it in his pocket, and laid it under his pillow anights: He loved his Master Aristotle as if he had been his father, and used to say, that as we have our being from our Parents, so we have our well being from our School-masters. Just. Q. Curtius.
Solon a very wise man, and great Scholar amongst the Athenians used to say, I grow old learning still. Plut.
Vespasian the Romane Emperour was a great friend to learning, and learned men, giving them large pensions out of his Exchequer besides other favours, and notable rewards. …mp. Hist.
Nicostratus the Athenian Painrer, standing with admiration whilst he beheld the picture of Helena drawn by Zeuxis, one asked him the cause of his wondring? To whom he answered: Friend, if you had mine eyes, you would not have asked me this question, but rather have admired it as I do. Plin.
Endymion was so affected with the study of Astronomy, that he spent whole nights upon rocks, and mountaines in contemplating the motions of the stars; whence the Poets feigned that the Moon was in love with, &c.
Atlas the Lybian was so delighted with observing the motions of the heavens that leaving the society of men he went and lived upon the highest mountaine of Affrica: whence that mountaine was called by his name, and for his singular knowledge in Astronomy the Poets feigned that he bore up the heavens with his shoulders.
The Indian Gymnosophists used to stand upon the hot sands from the rising to the setting of the Sunne, sometimes upon one leg, sometimes upon the other, that thereby they might inure their mindes to contemplation, and their bodies to hardship. Plin.
Pythagoras lived in a cave for a whole year together, that being sequestred from the society of men, he might the better meditate upon the abstruser parts of Philosophy.
Democritus Abderites having travelled through many Nations to get learning, when he returned into Greece, burned out his own eyes, that the eyes of his minde might be the more intent upon meditation of what he had learned. Sabel.
Thales Milesius spent so much time in contemplating the good government of a Common-wealth, that he was accounted one of the seven wise men of the world. Laert.
Phocion the Athenian was alwayes very studious how in few words he might comprize whatsoever he had to speake to the people, not omitting any thing of moment. Plut.
Scipio Africanus never went to the Senate, but getting up before day, he first went to the Temple of Jupiter where he spent some houres in meditation, that thereby he might the better finde out such things as conduced to the good of the Common-wealth: whence his usual saying was, Nunquan mnùs solus quàm cùm solus: That he was never lesse alone, then when alone.
Demosthenes knowing that his action and voice were not very fit for an Oratour, digged him a Cellar into which he often retired to frame his gestures, and compose his voice aright: Yea, sometimes he would spend two, or three moneths together in that place, shaving halfe his head, that so for shame, he might not be taken off from his serious studies: whereupon Pytheas, told him, that his Enthymeme smelled of the candle. Plut.
Aristotle used to sleep with a bullet in his hand over a brazen pan, that when it fell out of his hand he might be awakened by the noise. Laert.
Pythagoras used with a thrid to tie the haire of his head to a beame over him, that so when he did but nod by reason of sleep, he might be awakened thereby.
M. Cato used to say, that there were three things which he abhorred, 1. To commit secrets to a woman.
2. To go by water where he might go by land. 3. To spend one day idly. Plut.
See more in my first Part of Lives.
CHAP. LX. Examples of such as have been enemies to Learning.
LEwis the 7th King of France desired that his son might be no Scholar, lest learning should make him so proud that rejecting the advice of his Counsellours, he should adhere to his own private opinion, adding that he desired that he should learn onelyonly these five words of Latin: Qui nescit dissimulare nescit Regnare. He that cannot dissemble, knows not how to play the King.
Domitian that wicked Emperour was such an enemy to learning, that he banished all Philosophers out of Rome, and Italy. He crucified Metius Pompustanus, because he had made a Map of the world, and read over Livies History. Suet.
See the Example of Pope Paul the second. p. 62.