Sound opinions of the people.—­To be spruce is not altogether foolish, for it proves that a great number of people work for one.  It shows by one’s hair, that one has a valet, a perfumer, etc., by one’s band, thread, lace, ... etc.  Now it is not merely superficial nor merely outward show to have many arms at command.  The more arms one has, the more powerful one is.  To be spruce is to show one’s power.

317

Deference means, “Put yourself to inconvenience.”  This is apparently silly, but is quite right.  For it is to say, “I would indeed put myself to inconvenience if you required it, since indeed I do so when it is of no service to you.”  Deference further serves to distinguish the great.  Now if deference was displayed by sitting in an arm-chair, we should show deference to everybody, and so no distinction would be made; but, being put to inconvenience, we distinguish very well.

318

He has four lackeys.

319

How rightly do we distinguish men by external appearances rather than by internal qualities!  Which of us two shall have precedence?  Who will give place to the other?  The least clever.  But I am as clever as he.  We should have to fight over this.  He has four lackeys, and I have only one.  This can be seen; we have only to count.  It falls to me to yield, and I am a fool if I contest the matter.  By this means we are at peace, which is the greatest of boons.

320

The most unreasonable things in the world become most reasonable, because of the unruliness of men.  What is less reasonable than to choose the eldest son of a queen to rule a State?  We do not choose as captain of a ship the passenger who is of the best family.

This law would be absurd and unjust; but because men are so themselves, and always will be so, it becomes reasonable and just.  For whom will men choose, as the most virtuous and able?  We at once come to blows, as each claims to be the most virtuous and able.  Let us then attach this quality to something indisputable.  This is the king’s eldest son.  That is clear, and there is no dispute.  Reason can do no better, for civil war is the greatest of evils.

321

Children are astonished to see their comrades respected.

322

To be of noble birth is a great advantage.  In eighteen years it places a man within the select circle, known and respected, as another would have merited in fifty years.  It is a gain of thirty years without trouble.

323

What is the Ego?

Suppose a man puts himself at a window to see those who pass by.  If I pass by, can I say that he placed himself there to see me?  No; for he does not think of me in particular.  But does he who loves someone on account of beauty really love that person?  No; for the small-pox, which will kill beauty without killing the person, will cause him to love her no more.