"Des humeurs desraisonnables des hommes, il semble que les philosophes mesmes se desfacent plus tard et plus envy de cette cy que de nulle autre: c'est la plus revesche et opiniastre; quia etiam bene proficientes animos tentare non cessat." Of the unreasoning humours of mankind it seems that (fame) is the one of which the philosophers themselves have disengaged themselves from last and with the most reluctance: it is the most intractable and obstinate; for [as St. Augustine says] it persists in tempting even minds nobly inclined." MONTAIGNE Essays. Bk. I. Ch. XLI. Quoting the Latin from ST. AUGUSTINEDe Civit. Dei. 5. 14. Omnia post obitum fingit majora vetustas: Time magnifies everything after death; a man's fame is increased as it passes from mouth to mouth after his burial. PROPERTIUS-Elegia. III. 1. 23. 23 Your fame shall (spite of proverbs) make it plain |