number, than to be always dressing the olive-yard of some cynical
malcontent, which, when all was done, would scarce yield oil
enough to dress a salad or to supply his lamp in the long winter
evenings. Epicurus himself, who places happiness in the
profoundest quiet and sluggish inactivity, as the only secure
harbor from the storms of this troublesome world, could not but
confess that it is both more noble and delightful to do than to
receive a kindness; (Almost the same words with those of our
Saviour, It is more blessed to give than to receive. So that a
man can scarcely be a true Epicurean without practising some of
the maxims of Christianity.) for there is nothing which produces
so humane and genuine a sort of pleasure as that of doing good.
He who gave the names to the three Graces was intelligent, for
they all mean delectation and joy, (Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and
Thalia.) and these feelings surely are far greater and purer in
the giver. This is so evidently true, that we all receive good
turns blushing and with some confusion, but we are always gay and
well pleased when we are conferring one.

If then it is so pleasant to do good to a few, how are their hearts
dilated with joy who are benefactors to whole cities, provinces,
and kingdoms? And such benefactors are they who instil good
principles into those upon whom so many millions do depend. On the
other hand, those who debauch the minds of great men--as
sycophants, false informers, and flatterers worse than both,
manifestly do--are the centre of all the curses of a nation, as men
not only infuse deadly poison into the cistern of a private house,
but into the public springs of which so many thousands are to
drink. The people therefore laughed at the parasites of Callias,
whom, as Eupolis says, neither with fire nor brass nor steel could