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"If I cannot, draw out Cacus from his Den; I may pluck the Villain from my own Breast. I cannot cleanse the Stables of Augeas; but I may cleanse my own Heart from Filth and Impurity: I may demolish the Hydra of Vices within me; and should be careful too, that while I lop off one, I do not suffer more to grow up in its stead."

— Hay, William (1695-1755)

Author

Deformity, An Essay

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for R. and J. Dodsley

Date

1754

Metaphor

"If I cannot, draw out Cacus from his Den; I may pluck the Villain from my own Breast. I cannot cleanse the Stables of Augeas; but I may cleanse my own Heart from Filth and Impurity: I may demolish the Hydra of Vices within me; and should be careful too, that while I lop off one, I do not suffer more to grow up in its stead."

Metaphor in Context

On looking about him, he will find many Avenues to the Temple of Fame barred against him: but some are still open through, that of Virtue: and those, if he has a right Ambition, he will most probably attempt to pass. The more a Man is unactive in his Person, the more his Mind will be at work: and the Time which others spend in Action, he will pass in Study and Contemplation: by these he may acquire Wisdom, and by Wisdom Fame. The Name of Socrates is as much sounded, as those of Alexander and Caesar; and is recorded in much fairer Characters, He gained Renown by Wisdom and Goodness; they by Tyranny and Oppression: he by instructing; they by destroying Mankind: and happy it is, that their evil Deeds were confined to their Lives; while he continues to instruct us to this Day. A deformed Person will naturally consider, where his Strength and his Foible lie; and as he is well acquainted with the last, he will easily find out the first; and must know, that (if it is any where) it is not, like Sampson's , in the Hair; but must be in the Lining of the Head. He will say to himself, I am weak in Person; unable to serve my Country in the Field; I can acquire no military Glory: but I may, like Socrates, acquire Reputation by Wisdom and Probity: let me therefore be wise and honest. My Figure is very bad: and I should appear but ill as an Orator, either in the Pulpit 'or at the Bar: let me therefore pass my Time in my Study, either in reading what may improve my self, or in writing what may entertain or instruct others. I have not the Strength of Hercules; nor can I rid the World of so many Monsters: but perhaps I may get rid of some my self. If I cannot, draw out Cacus from his Den; I may pluck the Villain from my own Breast. I cannot cleanse the Stables of Augeas; but I may cleanse my own Heart from Filth and Impurity: I may demolish the Hydra of Vices within me; and should be careful too, that while I lop off one, I do not suffer more to grow up in its stead. Let me be serviceable in any way that I can: and if I am so, it may in some measure be owing to my Deformity. Which at least should be a Restraint on my Conduct, lest my Conduct make me more deformed.
(pp. 69-71)