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"These are the Exercises of the Understanding, and in these, as in a Chariot, the Soul takes the Air; while I am capable of these, I don't give myself much concern about bodily Decays, I am always at the Command of my Friends attend the Service of the House frequently, and distinguish myself in Debates, wherein a Man compasses more by Strength of his Faculties, than he can do elsewhere by Force of Arms."

— Campbell, John (1708-75)

Author

Campbell, John (1708-75)

Work Title

Hermippus Redivivus: or, The Sage's Triumph over Old Age and the Grave

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

J. Nourse

Date

1744

Metaphor

"These are the Exercises of the Understanding, and in these, as in a Chariot, the Soul takes the Air; while I am capable of these, I don't give myself much concern about bodily Decays, I am always at the Command of my Friends attend the Service of the House frequently, and distinguish myself in Debates, wherein a Man compasses more by Strength of his Faculties, than he can do elsewhere by Force of Arms."

Metaphor in Context

"[...] I constantly use the Pythagorean Method for the Exercife of my Memory, and every Evening run over in my Mind whatever I have said, heard or done that Day. These are the Exercises of the Understanding, and in these, as in a Chariot, the Soul takes the Air; while I am capable of these, I don't give myself much concern about bodily Decays, I am always at the Command of my Friends attend the Service of the House frequently, and distinguish myself in Debates, wherein a Man compasses more by Strength of his Faculties, than he can do elsewhere by Force of Arms. But should it ever prove my Misfortune to be confined to my Bed, and be thereby rendered incapable of going through these Employments, yet the very Thoughts of what I would do, if I were able, would console me. But Thanks be to Heaven, I have no Reason to apprehend any such Thing, I have been a better Husband of my Time than so, for let a Man be but constantly exercifed in Labours like these, and he will not so soon find the Breaches of Age. Years will steal upon him insensibly, he will grow old by degrees, and without feeling it; nay, when he comes to break at last, the House will crumble gently, and fall down so slowly, as not to give him any great Pain." This is a very fine Picture, and contains a more finished Apology for that State of Life which I am endeavouring to extend, than my Abilities would suffer me to draw; but the very producing it serves my Purpose better than if I had wrote it. If I follow the Sentiments of Cicero, and the Example of Cato the Elder, who shall question either my Sense, or my Conduct?
(p. 117)