ON OTHER PERTURBATIONS OF THE MIND. 149are mad or drunk often do a great many things with un

usual vehemence. Ajax was always brave; but still he was most brave when he was in that state of frenzy: The greatest feat that Ajax e'er achieved Was, when his single arm the Greeks relieved. Quitting the field ; urged on by rising rage, Forced the declining troops again t' engage. Shall we say, then, that madness has its use? XXIV. Examine the definitions of courage: you will find it does not require the assistance of passion. Cour age is, then, an affection of mind that endures all things, being itself in proper subjection to the highest of all laws; or it may be called a firm maintenance of judgment in supporting or repelling everything that has a formidable appearance, or a knowledge of what is formidable or oth erwise, and maintaining invariably a stable judgment of all such things, so as to bear them or despise them ; or, in fewer woi'ds, according to Chrysippus (for the above defi nitions are Sphaerus's, a man of the first ability as a layer- down of definitions, as the Stoics think. But they are all pretty much alike: they give us only common notions, some one way, and some another). But what is Chrysip- pus's definition ? Fortitude, says he, is the knowledge of all things that are bearable, or an affection of the mind which bears and supports everything in obedience to the chief law of reason without fear. Now, though we should attack these men in the same manner as Carneades used to do, I fear they are the only real philosophers; for which of these definitions is there which does not explain that obscure and intricate notion of courage which every man conceives within himself? And when it is thus ex plained, what can a warrior, a commander, or an orator want more? And no one can think that they will be unable to behave themselves courageously without anger. What ! do not even the Stoics, who maintain that all fools are mad, make the same inferences? for, take away per turbations, especially a hastiness of temper, and they will appear to talk very absurdly. But what they assert is this : they say that all fools are mad, as all dunghills stink ; not that they always do so, but stir them, and you will

perceive it. Aud in like manner, a warm-tempered man is