ds do some good to such as are happy, to bring
them to a moderation, and make them reflect and know themselves, by seeing
the inconstancy of human felicity, others' misery; and to such as are
distressed, if they will but attend and consider of this, it cannot choose
but give some content and comfort. [3554]"'Tis true, no medicine can cure
all diseases, some affections of the mind are altogether incurable; yet
these helps of art, physic, and philosophy must not be contemned." Arrianus
and Plotinus are stiff in the contrary opinion, that such precepts can do
little good. Boethius himself cannot comfort in some cases, they will
reject such speeches like bread of stones, _Insana stultae mentis haec
solatia._ [3555]

"Words add no courage," which [3556]Catiline once said to his soldiers, "a
captain's oration doth not make a coward a valiant man:" and as Job [3557]
feelingly said to his friends, "you are but miserable comforters all." 'Tis
to no purpose in that vulgar phrase to use a company of obsolete sentences,
and familiar sayings: as [3558]Plinius Secundus, being now sorrowful and
heavy for the departure of his dear friend Cornelius Rufus, a Roman
senator, wrote to his fellow Tiro in like case, _adhibe solatia, sed nova
aliqua, sed fortia, quae audierim nunquam, legerim nunquam: nam quae
audivi, quae legi omnia, tanto dolore superantur_, either say something
that I never read nor heard of before, or else hold thy peace. Most men
will here except trivial consolations, ordinary speeches, and known
persuasions in this behalf will be of small force; what can any man say
that hath not been said? To what end are such paraenetical discourses? you
may as soon remove Mount Caucasus, as alter some men's affections. Yet sure
I think they cannot choose but do some good, and comfort and ease a little,
though it be the same again, I will say it, and upon that hope I will
adventure. [3559]_Non meus hic sermo_, 'tis not my speech this, but of
Seneca, Plutarch, Epictetus, Austin, Bernard, Christ and his Apostles. If I
make nothing, as [3560]Montaigne said in like case, I will mar nothing;
'tis not my doctrine but my study, I hope I shall do nobody wrong to speak
what I think, and deserve not blame in imparting my mind. If it be not for
thy ease, it may for mine own; so Tully, Cardan, and Boethius wrote _de
consol_. as well to help themselves as others; be it as it may I will
essay.

Discontents and grievances are either general or partic