really
rise to honour those whom they regard as malefactors? or that these
others who step aside to let their betters pass them in the street,
desire thus to show respect to miscreants? (13) And as to gifts, it is
notorious, people commonly bestow them largely upon those they hate, and
that too when their fears are gravest, hoping to avert impending evil.
Nay, these are nothing more nor less than acts of slavery, and they may
fairly be set down as such.

(12) Or, "the compliance of cold lips where love is not reciprocated
is..."

(13) Or, "to rank injustice."

But honours have a very different origin, (14) as different to my
mind as are the sentiments to which they give expression. See how, for
instance, men of common mould will single out a man, who is a man, (15)
they feel, and competent to be their benefactor; one from whom they hope
to reap rich blessings. His name lives upon their lips in praise. As
they gaze at him, each one among them sees in him a private treasure.
Spontaneously they yield him passage in the streets. They rise from
their seats to do him honour, out of love not fear; they crown him for
his public (16) virtue's sake and benefactions. They shower gifts upon
him of their own free choice. These same are they who, if my definition
holds, may well be said to render honour to their hero by such service,
whilst he that is held worthy of these services is truly honoured. And
for my part I can but offer my congratulations to him. "God bless him,"
say I, perceiving that so far from being the butt of foul conspiracy, he
is an object of anxiety to all, lest evil should betide him; and so he
pursues the even tenour of his days in happiness exempt from fears
and jealousy (17) and risk. But the current of the tyrant's life runs
differently. Day and night, I do assure you, Simonides, he lives like
one condemned by the general verdict of mankind to die for his iniquity.

(14) Lit. "Honours would seem to be the outcome and expression of
conditions utterly remote from these, in fact their very
opposites."

(15) Cf. Napoleon's accost of Goethe, "Vous etes un homme," and "as
Goethe left the room, Napoleon repeated to Berthier and Daru,
'Voila un homme!'" ("The Life of Goethe," Lewes, p. 500).

(16) Reading {koines}, which ought to mean "common to them and him";
if with Cobet {koine}, "in public crown him for his virtue's sake,
a benefactor."

(17) Or, "without reproach."

N