Yet each of these was willing to renounce his power.

Seneca tried to surrender his wealth also to Nero, and go into retirement; but neither achieved his purpose.

When they tottered, their very greatness dragged them down.

What manner of thing, then, is this power which keeps men in fear while they possess it--which when thou art fain to keep, thou art not safe, and when thou desirest to lay it aside thou canst not rid thyself of?
Are friends any protection who have been attached by fortune, not by virtue?
Nay; him whom good fortune has made a friend, ill fortune will make an enemy.

And what plague is more effectual to do hurt than a foe of one's own household ?' FOOTNOTES: [G] The sword of Damocles.
SONG V.
SELF-MASTERY.
Who on power sets his aim, First must his own spirit tame; He must shun his neck to thrust 'Neath th' unholy yoke of lust.
For, though India's far-off land Bow before his wide command, Utmost Thule homage pay-- If he cannot drive away Haunting care and black distress, In his power, he's powerless.
VI.
'Again, how misleading, how base, a thing ofttimes is glory! Well does the tragic poet exclaim: '"Oh, fond Repute, how many a time and oft Hast them raised high in pride the base-born churl!" For many have won a great name through the mistaken beliefs of the multitude--and what can be imagined more shameful than that?
Nay, they who are praised falsely must needs themselves blush at their own praises! And even when praise is won by merit, still, how does it add to the good conscience of the wise man who measures his good not by popular repute, but by the truth of inner conviction?
And if at all it does seem a fair thing to get this same renown spread abroad, it follows that any failure so to spread it is held foul.