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"Ruffians and Bravo's may kill, but the most Victorious Nations, and the bravest Generalls, were ever those whose Minds were polish'd, whose Arms receiv'd a Lustre from Virtue, and who could command their own Passions."

— Nourse, Timothy (c.1636–1699)

Author

Nourse, Timothy (c.1636–1699)

Work Title

A Discourse Upon the Nature and Faculties of Man

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for Jacob Tonson

Date

1686, 1689, 1697

Metaphor

"Ruffians and Bravo's may kill, but the most Victorious Nations, and the bravest Generalls, were ever those whose Minds were polish'd, whose Arms receiv'd a Lustre from Virtue, and who could command their own Passions."

Metaphor in Context

I come now to consider the other great Branch of Erudition, as it extends to precepts of Life and of Morality. This, tho it be not so Ornamental, is much more useful than the former, by how much the Faculty of doing well, exceeds that of knowing well: The Devils are capable of the latter, but to understand all things, and to pursue the best, is proper only to Angelical and Divine Natures. The Turks make little account of Learning, but as to their Morals, 'tis a Reproach to us, that they far exceed Christians in the Virtues of Temperance, Obedience to Superiors, moderation of Passions, and fidelity to their Words. How rigorous and severe is the Institution of the Janizaries, and by what Industry and Methods are the Youths of the Seraglio (those especially of a more noble Genius) wrought upon and improv'd, till at length being advanc'd to Office, they find an open Field for Merit to raise it self, and by degrees arrive to places of the highest Trust and Honour. In this particular they much resemble the brave and ancient Spartans, who tho they did not forbid the knowledg of Letters, yet they little esteem'd them, in respect of those Duties and Precepts by which Life was to be govern'd, which were generally these: First, To reverence Old-Age. Secondly, Obedience to the Commands of their Superiors, especially in time of War. For endurance of Pain and Hardship, none were ever comparable to the Spartans, for their Youth would emulate one another in this particular, and he only was accounted Heroical who could suffer the sharpest Torments without change of Countenance. Their Dyet and Apparel was course, and in their Behaviour they were most modest and submissive, insomuch that they would never look up in publick, nor role their Eyes about, nor shew the least sign of being transported, looking only upon what was before their Feet, and drawing up their Hands within the Pligs and Foldings of their Garments; and yet these were the bravest Souldiers the World ever had, accounting this to be the grand and indispensable Duty, to which they were all obliged, viz, in fighting either to Conquer or to dye. Virtue and Civility are the surest Badges of Valor. Ruffians and Bravo's may kill, but the most Victorious Nations, and the bravest Generalls, were ever those whose Minds were polish'd, whose Arms receiv'd a Lustre from Virtue, and who could command their own Passions.
(pp. 28-30)