The courtiers manual oracle, or, The art of prudence written originally in Spanish by Baltazar Gracian, and now done into English.
         Oráculo manual y arte de prudencia. English
         Gracián y Morales, Baltasar, 1601-1658.
      
       
         
           1685
        
      
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         A41733
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         12087799
         ocm 12087799
         53792
         
           
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             The courtiers manual oracle, or, The art of prudence written originally in Spanish by Baltazar Gracian, and now done into English.
             Oráculo manual y arte de prudencia. English
             Gracián y Morales, Baltasar, 1601-1658.
          
           [28], 272, [5] p.
           
             Printed by M. Flesher, for Abel Swalle ...,
             London :
             1685.
          
           
             Translation of: Oraculo manual y arte de prudencia.
             Advertisements on p. [1]-[4] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Yale University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Courts and courtiers.
           Maxims.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           COURTIERS
           Manual
           Oracle
           ,
           OR
           ,
           THE
           ART
           OF
           PRUDENCE
           .
        
         
           Written
           Originally
           in
           Spanish
           ,
           By
           
             BALTAZAR
             GRACIAN
          
           .
           And
           now
           done
           into
           English
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             M.
             Flesher
          
           ,
           for
           
             Abel
             Swalle
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Sign
           of
           the
           Vnicorn
           ,
           at
           the
           West-End
           of
           St.
           
           Paul's
           .
           1685.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           Preface
           .
        
         
           
             THe
             Courtiers
             Manual
             Oracle
          
           ,
           which
           is
           here
           presented
           to
           the
           Reader
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           an
           abridgment
           of
           all
           the
           works
           of
           that
           judicious
           and
           learned
           Spaniard
           
             Baltazar
             Gracian
          
           ;
           so
           it
           carries
           in
           its
           own
           Title
           an
           abridgment
           of
           it self
           ,
           as
           not
           onely
           pointing
           at
           the
           subject
           it
           treats
           of
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           persons
           for
           whose
           use
           it
           is
           designed
           .
        
         
           Oracles
           are
           the
           glimmerings
           of
           a
           supernatural
           light
           ,
           which
           do
           rather
           dazle
           than
           illuminate
           those
           who
           are
           not
           both
           attentive
           ,
           and
           sharp
           sighted
           :
           And
           therefore
           the
           Maximes
           
           which
           here
           bear
           that
           name
           ,
           are
           not
           calculated
           for
           all
           degrees
           of
           Men
           ,
           nor
           for
           all
           sorts
           of
           Vnderstandings
           .
           There
           is
           an
           art
           of
           short
           speaking
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           that
           of
           short
           hand-writing
           ,
           and
           both
           are
           obscure
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           intelligent
           and
           thinking
           ,
           who
           may
           draw
           considerable
           advantage
           from
           both
           .
           It
           's
           an
           old
           saying
           ;
           
             A
             word
             's
             enough
             to
             the
             Wise
          
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           cannot
           crack
           the
           shell
           ,
           and
           taste
           the
           kernel
           of
           a
           sentence
           ,
           though
           he
           may
           be
           wise
           in
           his
           own
           Eyes
           ,
           will
           never
           be
           reckoned
           so
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           Sages
           .
           A
           Proverb
           patly
           applied
           and
           well
           understood
           ,
           makes
           a
           deeper
           impression
           upon
           the
           minds
           of
           understanding
           men
           ,
           than
           a
           lank
           declamation
           adorned
           with
           all
           the
           Posies
           and
           Flowers
           of
           Rhetorick
           .
           This
           made
           the
           learned
           and
           discerning
           Authour
           affect
           a
           certain
           vigorous
           laconicism
           in
           all
           his
           writings
           ,
           that
           made
           him
           highly
           esteemed
           
           by
           the
           greatest
           men
           of
           his
           own
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           of
           Strangers
           also
           who
           understood
           his
           language
           ,
           though
           the
           French
           Authour
           
             Des
             Entretiens
             d'
             Ariste
             &
             Eugene
             ,
          
           a
           leading
           Critick
           accounts
           him
           unintelligible
           ,
           and
           by
           consequent
           untranslateable
           ;
           but
           whether
           he
           be
           so
           or
           not
           in
           this
           translation
           ,
           it
           is
           left
           to
           the
           judgment
           of
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           made
           a
           Probleme
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           by
           some
           ,
           whether
           
             The
             Art
             of
             Prudence
          
           ,
           be
           at
           this
           time
           seasonably
           or
           not
           translated
           and
           published
           in
           English
           ;
           seeing
           to
           instruct
           and
           not
           to
           instruct
           ,
           has
           great
           affinity
           with
           the
           answering
           and
           not
           answering
           a
           fool
           in
           his
           folly
           ,
           according
           to
           Solomon
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           World
           are
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           vast
           number
           of
           more
           than
           ordinary
           fools
           ,
           and
           mad
           men
           amongst
           us
           at
           present
           .
           The
           title
           and
           design
           of
           the
           Book
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           may
           salve
           the
           doubt
           ;
           for
           
           it
           is
           
             the
             Courtiers
             Manual
             Oracle
          
           ,
           not
           of
           him
           onely
           who
           has
           the
           honour
           to
           be
           actually
           in
           that
           station
           ;
           but
           of
           others
           also
           ,
           who
           by
           knowing
           ,
           and
           reflecting
           upon
           the
           transactions
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           may
           be
           capable
           ,
           if
           not
           to
           serve
           the
           Publick
           ,
           yet
           to
           live
           like
           men
           in
           their
           generation
           ,
           and
           to
           such
           it
           cannot
           be
           unseasonable
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           the
           ingenuity
           to
           act
           according
           to
           its
           maximes
           ,
           seeing
           in
           so
           doing
           they
           will
           find
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           when
           once
           the
           ground
           is
           well
           known
           ,
           one
           may
           hit
           the
           Jack
           with
           a
           Boul
           that
           runs
           streight
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           their
           custome
           to
           bowl
           so
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           with
           that
           which
           fetches
           the
           greatest
           compass
           by
           its
           biass
           ;
           and
           that
           a
           man
           may
           be
           a
           Politician
           successfully
           ,
           and
           with
           applause
           ,
           without
           forsaking
           the
           rational
           Rules
           of
           Morality
           and
           Religion
           ,
           for
           the
           deceitfull
           Sophistry
           of
           Cunning
           and
           Artisice
           ,
           which
           commonly
           soon
           or
           too
           late
           
           shews
           its
           own
           perniciousness
           by
           the
           fatal
           disappointments
           of
           those
           that
           practise
           it
           .
           For
           the
           unintelligent
           and
           head-strong
           Mobile
           ,
           that
           makes
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           they
           have
           nothing
           to
           doe
           with
           this
           Book
           ;
           
             Odi
             profanum
             vulgus
             &
             arceo
          
           :
           The
           Authour
           wrote
           not
           for
           them
           ,
           well
           knowing
           that
           their
           inveterate
           folly
           is
           not
           to
           be
           cured
           but
           restrained
           ;
           and
           that
           as
           it
           is
           very
           easie
           by
           force
           of
           words
           and
           long-winded
           Cant
           ,
           to
           preach
           them
           out
           of
           their
           senses
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           as
           impossible
           by
           short
           documents
           to
           sentence
           them
           into
           their
           Wits
           and
           good
           Manners
           again
           ,
           as
           to
           cure
           a
           Chronical
           Hypochondriarcy
           by
           an
           Aphorism
           of
           Hippocrates
           ,
           or
           a
           spell
           of
           
           Seneca's
           or
           
           Plutarch's
           Morals
           .
           To
           these
           Animals
           then
           for
           whom
           the
           Bit
           and
           Bridle
           is
           designed
           ,
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Whip
           is
           the
           best
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           nothing
           of
           this
           nature
           can
           be
           seasonable
           or
           unseasonable
           ,
           
           but
           as
           it
           may
           influence
           those
           of
           the
           smaller
           number
           ,
           who
           are
           their
           Riders
           ,
           and
           spur
           them
           at
           their
           pleasure
           ;
           Now
           if
           these
           be
           so
           mad
           as
           to
           run
           upon
           precipices
           ,
           and
           ride
           over
           Rocks
           ,
           those
           Maximes
           can
           in
           this
           onely
           be
           unseasonable
           ;
           that
           they
           seasonably
           taught
           them
           ,
           what
           too
           late
           ,
           and
           unseasonably
           they
           were
           convinced
           of
           .
        
         
           Vale.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             
               MAX.
               1.
            
             
             Every
             thing
             is
             now
             at
             the
             point
             of
             its
             perfection
             ,
             and
             an
             able
             Man
             at
             the
             highest
             pitch
             thereof
             .
             
               p.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               2.
            
             
             Wit
             and
             a
             Genius
             .
             
               p.
               2.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               3.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             free
             nor
             open
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               4.
            
             
             Knowledge
             and
             Valour
             club
             to
             the
             making
             of
             great
             Men.
             
               p.
               3.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               5.
            
             
             To
             be
             always
             usefull
             .
             
               p.
               4.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               6.
            
             
             Man
             at
             the
             height
             of
             his
             perfection
             .
             
               p.
               5.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               7.
            
             
             To
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             outdoe
             ones
             Master
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               8.
            
             
             A
             Man
             never
             taken
             in
             passion
             .
             
               p.
               6.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               9.
            
             
             To
             falsifie
             the
             defects
             of
             ones
             Nation
             .
             
               p.
               7.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               10.
            
             
             Fortune
             and
             Renown
             .
             
               p.
               8.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               11.
            
             
             To
             converse
             with
             those
             from
             whom
             one
             may
             learn.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               12.
            
             
             Nature
             and
             Art
             :
             Matter
             and
             the
             Artist
             .
             
               p.
               9.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               13.
            
             
             To
             proceed
             sometimes
             cunningly
             ,
             sometimes
             candidly
             .
             
               p.
               10.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               14.
            
             
             The
             thing
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             thing
             .
             
               p.
               11.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               15.
            
             
             To
             make
             use
             of
             Auxiliary
             wits
             .
             
               p.
               15.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               16.
            
             
             Knowledge
             and
             a
             right
             intention
             .
             
               p.
               16.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               17.
            
             
             Not
             to
             follow
             always
             one
             and
             the
             same
             Conduct
             .
             
               p.
               17.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               18.
            
             
             Application
             and
             Genius
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               19.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             much
             blazed
             abroad
             by
             the
             noise
             of
             Fame
             .
             
               p.
               18.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               20.
            
             
             Every
             man
             in
             his
             time
             .
             
               p.
               19.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               21.
            
             
             The
             Art
             of
             being
             happy
             .
             
               p.
               20.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               22.
            
             
             The
             Man
             that
             takes
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               23.
            
             
             To
             have
             no
             blemish
             .
             
               p.
               21.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               24.
            
             
             To
             moderate
             ones
             own
             imagination
             .
             
               p.
               22.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               25.
            
             
             A
             good
             Pryer
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               26.
            
             
             To
             find
             out
             the
             weak
             side
             of
             every
             one
             .
             
               p.
               23.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               27.
            
             
             To
             prefer
             intention
             before
             extention
             .
             
               p.
               24.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               28
            
             To
             have
             nothing
             that
             's
             vulgar
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               29.
            
             
             The
             upright
             Man.
             
               p.
               25.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               30.
            
             
             Not
             to
             affect
             extraordinary
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Chimerical
             Employments
             .
             
               p.
               26.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               31.
            
             
             To
             know
             happy
             People
             ,
             to
             make
             use
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             unhappy
             to
             avoid
             
             them
             .
             
               p.
               27.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               32.
            
             
             To
             have
             the
             reputation
             of
             contenting
             every
             body
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               33.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             be
             a
             denied
             Man.
             
               p.
               28.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               34.
            
             
             To
             know
             ones
             own
             strength
             .
             
               p.
               29.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               35.
            
             
             To
             weigh
             things
             according
             to
             their
             just
             value
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               36.
            
             
             Not
             to
             engage
             in
             any
             enterprise
             before
             one
             hath
             examined
             his
             own
             fortune
             and
             ability
             .
             
               p.
               30.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               37.
            
             
             To
             guess
             at
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             little
             hints
             that
             are
             given
             us
             by
             the
             bye
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             how
             to
             make
             the
             best
             of
             them
             .
             
               p.
               31.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               38.
            
             
             To
             be
             moderate
             in
             good
             fortune
             .
             
               p.
               32.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               39.
            
             
             To
             know
             the
             nature
             and
             season
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             able
             to
             make
             use
             of
             them
             .
             
               p.
               33.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               40.
            
             
             To
             gain
             the
             love
             of
             all
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               41.
            
             
             Never
             to
             Exaggerate
             .
             
               p.
               34.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               42.
            
             
             Of
             the
             Ascendant
             .
             
               p.
               35.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               43.
            
             
             To
             speak
             with
             the
             Vulgar
             ,
             but
             to
             think
             with
             the
             Wise
             .
             
               p.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               44.
            
             
             To
             sympathize
             with
             great
             men
             .
             
               p.
               40.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               45.
            
             
             To
             use
             Reflexion
             without
             abusing
             it
             .
             
               p.
               41.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               46.
            
             
             To
             correct
             ones
             Antipathy
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               47.
            
             
             To
             shun
             Engagements
             .
             
               p.
               42.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               48.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             a
             good
             Stock
             .
             
               p.
               43.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               49.
            
             
             The
             judicious
             and
             penetrating
             man.
             
               p.
               44.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               50.
            
             
             Never
             to
             lose
             the
             respect
             which
             is
             due
             to
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               46.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               51.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             a
             good
             choice
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               52.
            
             
             Never
             to
             be
             disordered
             .
             
               p.
               47.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               53.
            
             
             Diligent
             and
             intelligent
             .
             
               p.
               48.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               54.
            
             
             To
             be
             a
             man
             of
             metal
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               55.
            
             
             The
             man
             that
             can
             wait
             with
             patience
             .
             
               p.
               49.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               56.
            
             
             To
             find
             out
             good
             expedients
             .
             
               p.
               51.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               57.
            
             
             The
             surest
             men
             are
             men
             of
             Reflexion
             .
             
               p.
               55.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               58.
            
             
             To
             shape
             ones
             self
             according
             to
             people
             .
             
               p.
               57.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               59.
            
             
             The
             man
             that
             makes
             himself
             to
             be
             desired
             and
             regretted
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               60.
            
             
             Good
             sense
             .
             
               p.
               59.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               61.
            
             
             To
             excell
             in
             the
             excellent
             .
             
               p.
               60.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               62.
            
             
             To
             make
             use
             of
             good
             Instruments
             .
             
               p.
               61.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               63.
            
             
             The
             excellence
             of
             Primacy
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               64.
            
             
             To
             vex
             as
             little
             as
             may
             be
             .
             
               p.
               62.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               65.
            
             
             The
             quaint
             and
             critical
             Judgment
             .
             
               p.
               63.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               66.
            
             
             To
             take
             good
             measures
             before
             one
             undertakes
             .
             
               p.
               64.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               67.
            
             
             To
             prefer
             plausible
             Employments
             .
             
               p.
               65.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               68.
            
             
             To
             inform
             ,
             is
             far
             better
             than
             to
             
             put
             in
             mind
             .
             
               p.
               68.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               69.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             of
             the
             humour
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             
               p.
               69.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               70.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             refuse
             .
             
               p.
               71.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               71.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             unequal
             ,
             and
             irregular
             in
             ones
             proceeding
             .
             
               p.
               72.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               72.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             resolution
             .
             
               p.
               73.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               73.
            
             
             To
             find
             out
             Evasions
             .
             
               p.
               74.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               74.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             inaccessible
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               75.
            
             
             To
             propose
             to
             ones
             self
             some
             Heroe
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             be
             imitated
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             surpassed
             .
             
               p.
               75.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               76.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             always
             in
             the
             jocose
             humour
             .
             
               p.
               76.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               77.
            
             
             To
             be
             company
             for
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               78.
            
             
             The
             art
             of
             undertaking
             to
             purpose
             .
             
               p.
               77.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               79.
            
             
             The
             jovial
             humour
             .
             
               p.
               78.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               80.
            
             
             To
             be
             carefull
             to
             be
             informed
             .
             ib.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               81.
            
             
             To
             revive
             ones
             Reputation
             from
             time
             to
             time
             .
             
               p.
               79.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               82.
            
             
             Not
             to
             pry
             too
             much
             neither
             into
             good
             nor
             evil
             .
             
               p.
               80.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               83.
            
             
             To
             commit
             some
             small
             faults
             on
             design
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               84.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             draw
             advantage
             from
             Enemies
             .
             
               p.
               81.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               85.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             lavish
             of
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               82.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               86.
            
             
             To
             arm
             against
             Calumny
             .
             
               p.
               83.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               87.
            
             
             To
             cultivate
             and
             embellish
             .
             
               p.
               84.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               88.
            
             
             To
             study
             to
             have
             a
             gentile
             Carriage
             in
             Actions
             .
             
               p.
               85.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               89.
            
             
             Exactly
             to
             know
             ones
             Genius
             ,
             Mind
             ,
             Heart
             and
             Passions
             .
             
               p.
               86.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               90.
            
             
             The
             way
             to
             live
             long
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               91.
            
             
             To
             act
             without
             fear
             of
             failing
             .
             
               p.
               87.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               92.
            
             
             A
             transcendant
             Wit
             in
             all
             things
             .
             
               p.
               88.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               93.
            
             
             The
             universal
             Man.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               94.
            
             
             An
             inexhaustible
             Capacity
             .
             
               p.
               89.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               95.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             entertain
             another's
             expectation
             .
             
               p.
               90.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               96.
            
             
             Conscience
             .
             
               p.
               91.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               97.
            
             
             To
             acquire
             and
             preserve
             Reputation
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               98.
            
             
             To
             dissemble
             .
             
               p.
               92.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               99.
            
             
             Reality
             and
             appearance
             .
             
               p.
               94.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               100.
            
             
             The
             Man
             undeceived
             .
             The
             Christian
             Sage
             .
             The
             Courtly
             Philosopher
             .
             ib.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               101.
            
             
             One
             part
             of
             the
             World
             laughs
             at
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             both
             laugh
             at
             their
             common
             folly
             .
             
               p.
               95.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               102.
            
             
             A
             stomach
             that
             can
             well
             receive
             the
             large
             mouth-fulls
             of
             Fortune
             .
             
               p.
               96.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               103.
            
             
             Every
             one
             is
             to
             keep
             the
             grandeur
             that
             is
             proper
             for
             his
             state
             .
             
               p.
               97.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               104.
            
             
             To
             examine
             the
             nature
             of
             businesses
             .
             
               p.
               98.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               105.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             tedious
             .
             
               p.
               99.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               106.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             proud
             of
             ones
             Fortune
             .
             
             
               p.
               100.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               107.
            
             
             Not
             to
             appear
             pleased
             with
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               101.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               108.
            
             
             The
             shortest
             way
             to
             become
             a
             great
             man
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             able
             to
             chuse
             his
             company
             .
             
               p.
               102.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               109.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             Reprehensive
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               110.
            
             
             Not
             to
             wait
             ,
             till
             one
             be
             a
             setting
             Sun.
             
               p.
               103.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               111.
            
             
             To
             make
             Friends
             .
             
               p.
               104.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               112.
            
             
             To
             gain
             the
             Heart
             .
             
               p.
               105.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               113.
            
             
             In
             Prosperity
             to
             prepare
             for
             Adversity
             .
             
               p.
               106.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               114.
            
             
             Never
             to
             stand
             in
             competition
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               115.
            
             
             To
             comply
             with
             the
             humours
             of
             those
             with
             whom
             one
             is
             to
             live
             .
             
               p.
               107.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               116.
            
             
             To
             deal
             always
             with
             men
             who
             are
             carefull
             of
             their
             duty
             .
             
               p.
               108.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               117.
            
             
             Never
             to
             speak
             of
             ones
             self
             .
             ib.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               118.
            
             
             To
             affect
             the
             name
             of
             being
             obliging
             .
             
               p.
               109.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               119.
            
             
             Not
             to
             affect
             to
             be
             Churlish
             .
             
               p.
               110.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               120.
            
             
             To
             comply
             with
             the
             Times
             .
             
               p.
               111.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               121.
            
             
             Not
             to
             make
             much
             of
             nothing
             .
             
               p.
               112.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               122.
            
             
             Authority
             in
             Words
             and
             Actions
             .
             
               p.
               113.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               123.
            
             
             The
             Man
             without
             Affectation
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               124.
            
             
             How
             to
             be
             Regrated
             .
             
               p.
               114.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               125.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             Book
             of
             Accounts
             .
             
               p.
               115.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               126.
            
             
             To
             commit
             a
             folly
             makes
             not
             a
             fool
             ;
             but
             not
             to
             know
             how
             to
             hide
             it
             ,
             does
             .
             
               p.
               116.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               127.
            
             
             The
             secret
             charm
             ,
             or
             the
             unexpressible
             somewhat
             ;
             which
             the
             French
             call
             
               Le
               Je-ne-sai-quoi
            
             .
             And
             the
             Spaniards
             
               El
               despejo
               .
               p.
               117.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               128.
            
             
             The
             high
             Courage
             .
             
               p.
               121.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               129.
            
             
             Never
             to
             Complain
             .
             
               p.
               123.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               130.
            
             
             To
             doe
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             appear
             .
             
               p.
               124.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               131.
            
             
             The
             procedure
             of
             a
             gallant
             Man.
             
               p.
               125.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               132.
            
             
             To
             advise
             and
             revise
             .
             
               p.
               126.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               133.
            
             
             Rather
             to
             be
             a
             Fool
             with
             all
             Men
             ,
             than
             Wise
             all
             alone
             .
             
               p.
               127.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               134.
            
             
             To
             have
             a
             double
             portion
             of
             the
             things
             that
             are
             necessary
             for
             life
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               135.
            
             
             Not
             to
             have
             a
             spirit
             of
             Contradiction
             .
             
               p.
               128.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               136.
            
             
             To
             take
             things
             aright
             ,
             and
             presently
             to
             nick
             the
             point
             .
             
               p.
               129.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               137.
            
             
             The
             Wise
             Man
             is
             sufficient
             for
             himself
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               138.
            
             
             The
             Art
             to
             let
             things
             go
             as
             they
             can
             go
             ,
             especially
             when
             the
             Sea
             is
             tempestuous
             .
             
               p.
               130.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               139.
            
             
             To
             know
             unlucky
             days
             .
             
               p.
               131.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               140.
            
             
             To
             hit
             at
             first
             upon
             the
             best
             of
             every
             thing
             .
             
               p.
               132.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               141.
            
             
             Not
             to
             listen
             to
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               133.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               142.
            
             
             Never
             to
             espouse
             a
             bad
             party
             in
             spight
             to
             an
             Adversary
             ,
             who
             hath
             taken
             the
             better
             .
             
               p.
               134.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               143.
            
             
             To
             take
             heed
             not
             to
             run
             into
             Paradoxes
             ,
             by
             shunning
             to
             be
             vulgar
             .
             
               p.
               135.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               144.
            
             
             Vnder
             the
             veil
             of
             another
             man's
             interest
             ,
             to
             find
             ones
             own
             .
             
               p.
               136.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               145.
            
             
             Not
             to
             shew
             the
             sore
             place
             .
             ib.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               146.
            
             
             To
             look
             into
             the
             inside
             .
             
               p.
               137.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               147.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             inaccessible
             .
             
               p.
               138.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               148.
            
             
             To
             have
             the
             Art
             of
             Conversing
             .
             
               p.
               139.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               149.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             cast
             the
             blame
             and
             misfortunes
             upon
             others
             .
             
               p.
               140.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               150.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             put
             a
             value
             upon
             what
             one
             doeth
             .
             
               p.
               141.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               151.
            
             
             To
             think
             to
             day
             what
             may
             happen
             to
             morrow
             ,
             and
             a
             long
             time
             after
             .
             
               p.
               142.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               152.
            
             
             Never
             to
             keep
             company
             that
             may
             eclipse
             ones
             lustre
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               153.
            
             
             To
             shun
             being
             obliged
             to
             fill
             the
             place
             of
             a
             great
             Man.
             
               p.
               143.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               154.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             easie
             neither
             to
             believe
             ,
             nor
             to
             love
             .
             
               p.
               144.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               155.
            
             
             The
             Art
             of
             restraining
             Passions
             .
             
               p.
               145.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               156.
            
             
             Friends
             by
             Election
             .
             
               p.
               146.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               157.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             mistaken
             in
             People
             .
             
             
               p.
               147.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               158.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             use
             Friends
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               159.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             bear
             with
             Fools
             .
             
               p.
               149.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               160.
            
             
             To
             speak
             sparingly
             to
             our
             Competitours
             for
             Caution
             sake
             ,
             and
             to
             others
             for
             Civility
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               161.
            
             
             To
             know
             the
             failings
             wherein
             one
             takes
             pleasure
             .
             
               p.
               150.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               162.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             triumph
             over
             Jealousie
             and
             Envy
             .
             
               p.
               151.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               163.
            
             
             One
             must
             never
             lose
             the
             favour
             of
             him
             that
             is
             happy
             ,
             to
             take
             compassion
             on
             a
             Wretch
             .
             
               p.
               152.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               164.
            
             
             To
             let
             fly
             some
             shot
             in
             the
             Air.
             
               p.
               153.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               165.
            
             
             To
             wage
             War
             fairly
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               166.
            
             
             To
             distinguish
             betwixt
             the
             man
             of
             Words
             ,
             and
             the
             man
             of
             Deeds
             .
             
               p.
               154.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               167.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             help
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               155.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               168.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             Monstrous
             .
             
               p.
               156.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               169.
            
             
             To
             take
             more
             heed
             not
             to
             miss
             once
             ,
             than
             to
             hit
             an
             hundred
             times
             .
             ib.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               170.
            
             
             To
             be
             sparing
             in
             all
             things
             .
             
               p.
               157.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               171.
            
             
             Not
             to
             abuse
             Favour
             .
             
               p.
               158.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               172.
            
             
             Never
             to
             engage
             with
             him
             that
             hath
             nothing
             to
             lose
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               173.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             Glass
             in
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             much
             less
             in
             Friendship
             .
             
               p.
               159.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               174.
            
             
             Not
             to
             live
             too
             fast
             .
             
               p.
               160.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               175.
            
             
             The
             substantial
             Man.
             
               p.
               161.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               176.
            
             
             To
             know
             ,
             or
             to
             hearken
             to
             those
             who
             know
             .
             
               p.
               162.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               177.
            
             
             To
             avoid
             too
             much
             familiarity
             in
             Conversation
             .
             
               p.
               163.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               178.
            
             
             To
             believe
             the
             Heart
             ,
             and
             especially
             if
             it
             be
             a
             presaging
             Heart
             .
             
               p.
               164.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               179.
            
             
             To
             be
             reserved
             in
             speaking
             ,
             is
             the
             Seal
             of
             the
             Capacity
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               180.
            
             
             Not
             to
             take
             the
             design
             of
             an
             Enemy
             for
             the
             rule
             of
             our
             Measures
             .
             
               p.
               165.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               181.
            
             
             Not
             to
             tell
             a
             lie
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             to
             speak
             all
             the
             truth
             neither
             .
             
               p.
               166.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               182.
            
             
             A
             grain
             of
             boldness
             is
             worth
             a
             pound
             weight
             of
             skill
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               183.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             Head-strong
             .
             
               p.
               167.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               184.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             Ceremonious
             .
             
               p.
               168.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               185.
            
             
             Never
             to
             expose
             ones
             Credit
             to
             the
             risque
             of
             one
             single
             interview
             .
             
               p.
               169.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               186.
            
             
             To
             discern
             faults
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             in
             fashion
             .
             
               p.
               170.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               187.
            
             
             To
             act
             all
             that
             is
             agreeable
             to
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             's
             odious
             by
             others
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               188.
            
             
             To
             bring
             always
             into
             company
             something
             to
             be
             praised
             .
             
               p.
               171.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               189.
            
             
             To
             make
             use
             of
             the
             needs
             of
             others
             .
             
               p.
               172.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               190.
            
             
             To
             be
             satisfied
             in
             all
             conditions
             .
             
               p.
               173.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               191.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             gull'd
             with
             excessive
             Courtesie
             .
             
               p.
               174.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               192.
            
             
             The
             peaceable
             man
             is
             the
             long
             liv'd
             man.
             
               p.
               175.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               193.
            
             
             Watch
             strictly
             over
             him
             that
             engages
             in
             thy
             interests
             ,
             to
             come
             off
             with
             his
             own
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               194.
            
             
             To
             have
             a
             modest
             Opinion
             of
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             affairs
             ,
             especially
             when
             he
             does
             but
             begin
             the
             world
             .
             
               p.
               176.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               195.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             judge
             .
             
               p.
               177.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               196.
            
             
             To
             know
             ones
             Planet
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               197.
            
             
             Never
             to
             be
             hampered
             with
             Fools
             .
             
               p.
               178.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               198.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             transplant
             ones
             self
             .
             
               p.
               179.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               199.
            
             
             To
             be
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             not
             an
             intrigueing
             Man.
             
               p.
               180.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               200.
            
             
             To
             have
             always
             something
             still
             to
             desire
             ,
             that
             one
             may
             not
             be
             unhappy
             in
             his
             happiness
             .
             
               p.
               181.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               201.
            
             
             All
             who
             appear
             Fools
             ,
             are
             so
             ,
             and
             one
             half
             also
             of
             those
             who
             appear
             not
             to
             be
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               202.
            
             
             Sayings
             and
             Actions
             render
             a
             Man
             accomplished
             .
             
               p.
               182.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               203.
            
             
             To
             know
             the
             Excellencies
             of
             ones
             Age.
             
               p.
               183.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               204.
            
             
             What
             is
             easie
             ought
             to
             be
             set
             about
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             difficult
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             difficult
             as
             if
             it
             were
             easie
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               205.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             use
             of
             Contempt
             .
             
               p.
               184.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               206.
            
             
             We
             must
             know
             that
             the
             vulgar
             humour
             is
             every
             where
             .
             
               p.
               185.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               207.
            
             
             To
             use
             Retention
             .
             
               p.
               186.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               208.
            
             
             Not
             to
             die
             the
             death
             of
             a
             Fool.
             
               p.
               187.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               209.
            
             
             Not
             to
             imitate
             the
             folly
             of
             others
             .
             
               p.
               188.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               210.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             use
             of
             truth
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               211.
            
             
             In
             Heaven
             all
             is
             pleasure
             ;
             in
             Hell
             all
             pain
             .
             The
             world
             being
             in
             the
             middle
             ,
             has
             a
             share
             of
             both
             .
             
               p.
               191.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               212.
            
             
             Not
             to
             discover
             the
             mystery
             of
             ones
             Art.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               213.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             contradict
             .
             
               p.
               192.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               214.
            
             
             Of
             one
             Folly
             not
             to
             make
             two
             .
             
               p.
               193.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               215.
            
             
             To
             have
             an
             eye
             over
             him
             that
             looks
             one
             way
             ,
             and
             rows
             another
             .
             
               p.
               194.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               216.
            
             
             To
             speak
             clearly
             .
             
               p.
               195.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               217.
            
             
             We
             must
             neither
             love
             ,
             nor
             hate
             
             for
             ever
             .
             
               p.
               196.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               218.
            
             
             To
             doe
             nothing
             whimsically
             ,
             but
             every
             thing
             with
             circumspection
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               219.
            
             
             Not
             to
             pass
             for
             a
             Crafty
             Man.
             
               p.
               197.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               220.
            
             
             To
             cover
             our selves
             with
             the
             Fox's
             skin
             ,
             when
             we
             cannot
             doe
             it
             with
             the
             Lion's
             .
             
               p.
               198.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               221.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             ready
             to
             engage
             ,
             nor
             to
             engage
             another
             .
             
               p.
               199.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               222.
            
             
             A
             reserved
             man
             is
             apparently
             a
             prudent
             man.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               223.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             singular
             ,
             neither
             through
             affectation
             nor
             inadvertency
             .
             
               p.
               200.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               224.
            
             
             Never
             to
             take
             things
             against
             the
             hair
             ,
             though
             they
             come
             that
             way
             .
             
               p.
               204.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               225.
            
             
             To
             know
             ones
             prevailing
             fault
             .
             
               p.
               205.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               226.
            
             
             Attention
             to
             engage
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               227.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             man
             of
             the
             first
             impression
             .
             
               p.
               206.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               228.
            
             
             To
             have
             neither
             the
             report
             ,
             nor
             reputation
             of
             being
             a
             bad
             Tongue
             .
             
               p.
               207.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               229.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             divide
             ones
             life
             ,
             like
             a
             man
             of
             Parts
             .
             
               p.
               208.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               230.
            
             
             To
             open
             ones
             Eyes
             when
             it
             is
             time
             .
             
               p.
               214.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               231.
            
             
             Never
             to
             shew
             things
             before
             they
             be
             finished
             .
             
               p.
               215.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               232.
            
             
             To
             understand
             the
             Commerce
             of
             life
             a
             little
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               233.
            
             
             To
             find
             out
             the
             palate
             of
             others
             .
             
               p.
               216.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               234.
            
             
             Never
             to
             engage
             ones
             Reputation
             without
             good
             assurances
             of
             the
             honour
             and
             integrity
             of
             others
             .
             
               p.
               217.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               235.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             ask
             .
             
               p.
               218.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               236.
            
             
             To
             make
             that
             a
             favour
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             been
             afterwards
             but
             a
             reward
             .
             
               p.
               219.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               237.
            
             
             Never
             to
             be
             privy
             to
             the
             secrets
             of
             Superiours
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               238.
            
             
             To
             know
             the
             piece
             that
             we
             want
             .
             
               p.
               220.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               239.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             quaint
             .
             
               p.
               221.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               240.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             play
             the
             Ignorant
             .
             
               p.
               222.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               241.
            
             
             To
             suffer
             raillery
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             use
             it
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               242.
            
             
             To
             pursue
             ones
             point
             .
             
               p.
               223.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               243.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             Dove
             in
             all
             things
             .
             
               p.
               224.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               244.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             oblige
             .
             
               p.
               225.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               245.
            
             
             To
             reason
             sometimes
             quite
             contrary
             to
             the
             mobile
             .
             
               p.
               226.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               246.
            
             
             Never
             to
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             those
             who
             demand
             none
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               247.
            
             
             To
             know
             a
             little
             more
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             a
             little
             less
             .
             
               p.
               227.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               248.
            
             
             Not
             to
             put
             off
             to
             the
             last
             .
             
               p.
               228.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               249.
            
             
             Not
             to
             begin
             to
             live
             ,
             where
             we
             should
             leave
             off
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               250.
            
             
             When
             must
             one
             reason
             the
             contrary
             way
             .
             
               p.
               229.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               251.
            
             
             We
             are
             to
             use
             Humane
             means
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             none
             Divine
             ;
             and
             Divine
             means
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             none
             Humane
             .
             
               p.
               230.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               252.
            
             
             Not
             altogether
             for
             thy self
             ,
             nor
             altogether
             for
             others
             neither
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               253.
            
             
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             intelligible
             .
             
               p.
               231.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               254.
            
             
             Not
             to
             slight
             the
             evil
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             little
             .
             
               p.
               232.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               255.
            
             
             To
             doe
             small
             kindnesses
             at
             a
             time
             ,
             but
             often
             .
             
               p.
               233.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               256.
            
             
             To
             be
             always
             in
             a
             readiness
             to
             ward
             the
             blows
             of
             Clowns
             ,
             Opiniatours
             ,
             proud
             Persons
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             other
             Impertinents
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               257.
            
             
             Never
             to
             come
             to
             a
             Rupture
             .
             
               p.
               234.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               258.
            
             
             To
             look
             out
             for
             one
             that
             may
             help
             to
             carry
             the
             burthen
             of
             adversity
             .
             
               p.
               235.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               259.
            
             
             To
             prevent
             offences
             ,
             and
             turn
             them
             into
             favours
             .
             
               p.
               236.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               260.
            
             
             Thou
             shalt
             never
             be
             wholly
             at
             the
             devotion
             of
             any
             one
             ,
             nor
             any
             one
             at
             
             thine
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               261.
            
             
             Not
             to
             continue
             a
             Foppery
             .
             
               p.
               237.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               262.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             forget
             .
             
               p.
               238.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               263.
            
             
             Many
             things
             that
             serve
             for
             pleasure
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             peculiar
             .
             
               p.
               239.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               264.
            
             
             To
             be
             at
             no
             time
             careless
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               265.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             engage
             ones
             Dependents
             .
             
               p.
               240.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               266.
            
             
             To
             be
             too
             good
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             naught
             .
             
               p.
               241.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               267.
            
             
             Silken
             words
             .
             
               p.
               242.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               268.
            
             
             The
             Wise
             Man
             ought
             to
             doe
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             what
             the
             Fool
             does
             in
             the
             end
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               269.
            
             
             To
             make
             the
             best
             of
             ones
             being
             new
             .
             
               p.
               243.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               270.
            
             
             Not
             to
             condemn
             singly
             what
             pleaseth
             many
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               271.
            
             
             Let
             him
             that
             knows
             but
             little
             in
             his
             profession
             ,
             stick
             to
             what
             he
             knows
             best
             .
             
               p.
               244.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               272.
            
             
             To
             sell
             things
             as
             Courtesie
             thinks
             fit
             to
             value
             them
             .
             
               p.
               245.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               273.
            
             
             Thoroughly
             to
             know
             the
             temper
             of
             those
             with
             whom
             we
             have
             to
             doe
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               274.
            
             
             To
             have
             the
             gift
             of
             pleasing
             .
             
               p.
               246.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               275.
            
             
             To
             conform
             to
             common
             Custome
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             common
             Folly.
             
               p.
               247.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               276.
            
             
             To
             be
             able
             to
             retrieve
             ones
             Genius
             by
             Nature
             and
             by
             Art.
             
               p.
               248.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               277.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             true
             Ostentation
             .
             
               p.
               251.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               278.
            
             
             In
             all
             things
             to
             avoid
             being
             remarkable
             .
             
               p.
               255.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               279.
            
             
             To
             suffer
             Contradiction
             without
             Gain-saying
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               280.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             good
             stuff
             .
             
               p.
               256.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               281.
            
             
             The
             approbation
             of
             knowing
             Men.
             
               p.
               257.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               282.
            
             
             To
             make
             absence
             an
             expedient
             ,
             for
             being
             respected
             ,
             or
             esteemed
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               283.
            
             
             The
             Man
             of
             good
             invention
             .
             
               p.
               258.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               284.
            
             
             Meddle
             not
             in
             other
             mens
             business
             ,
             and
             thine
             own
             will
             go
             well
             .
             
               p.
               259.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               285.
            
             
             Not
             to
             lose
             ones
             self
             with
             another
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               286.
            
             
             Suffer
             not
             thy self
             to
             be
             obliged
             ,
             nor
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             People
             .
             
               p.
               260.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               287.
            
             
             Never
             to
             act
             in
             passion
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               288.
            
             
             To
             live
             according
             to
             occasion
             .
             
               p.
               261.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               289.
            
             
             What
             most
             discredits
             a
             Man
             ,
             is
             to
             shew
             that
             he
             is
             man.
             
               p.
               262.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               290.
            
             
             It
             's
             a
             happiness
             to
             join
             esteem
             with
             affection
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               291.
            
             
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             an
             essay
             .
             
               p.
               263.
            
             
          
           
             
             
               Max.
               292.
            
             
             To
             be
             above
             ,
             and
             not
             below
             ones
             Employment
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               293.
            
             
             Of
             Maturity
             .
             
               p.
               264.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               294.
            
             
             To
             be
             moderate
             in
             ones
             Opinions
             .
             
               p.
               265.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               295.
            
             
             To
             be
             ,
             and
             not
             seem
             to
             be
             a
             man
             of
             business
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               296.
            
             
             The
             man
             of
             value
             ,
             and
             majestick
             qualities
             .
             
               p.
               268.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               297.
            
             
             To
             doe
             all
             things
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             witnesses
             .
             
               p.
               269.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               298.
            
             
             The
             ready
             Wit
             ,
             the
             profound
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             the
             quaint
             Discerning
             .
             
               p.
               270.
            
             
          
           
             
               Max.
               299.
            
             
             To
             leave
             with
             an
             Appetite
             .
          
           
             
               Max.
               300.
            
             
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             be
             Holy.
             
               p.
               271.
            
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           THE
           COURTIERS
           
             MANVAL
             ORACLE
          
           ,
           OR
           ,
           THE
           ART
           of
           PRUDENCE
           .
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             I.
             
          
           
             Every
             thing
             is
             now
             at
             the
             point
             of
             its
             perfection
             ,
             and
             an
             able
             Man
             at
             the
             highest
             pitch
             thereof
             .
          
           
             THERE
             goes
             more
             to
             the
             making
             up
             of
             one
             Wise
             Man
             now
             a
             days
             ,
             than
             in
             Ancient
             Times
             of
             seven
             :
             And
             at
             present
             there
             is
             more
             sense
             required
             for
             treating
             with
             one
             single
             Person
             ,
             than
             heretofore
             with
             a
             whole
             Nation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             II.
             
          
           
             Wit
             and
             a
             Genius
          
           
             Are
             two
             Qualities
             wherein
             the
             Capacity
             of
             a
             Man
             consists
             .
             To
             have
             one
             without
             the
             other
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             happy
             but
             by
             halves
             .
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             to
             have
             a
             good
             understanding
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             a
             Genius
             also
             to
             accompany
             it
             .
             It
             is
             commonly
             the
             ill
             luck
             of
             weak
             or
             aukward
             People
             to
             be
             mistaken
             in
             the
             choice
             of
             their
             Profession
             ,
             of
             their
             Friends
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             place
             of
             their
             Residence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             III.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             free
             ,
             nor
             open
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             Admiration
             of
             Novelty
             that
             makes
             events
             to
             be
             valued
             .
             There
             is
             neither
             pleasure
             nor
             profit
             in
             playing
             ones
             Game
             too
             openly
             .
             Not
             to
             declare
             immediately
             ,
             is
             the
             way
             to
             hold
             minds
             in
             suspence
             ,
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             importance
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             object
             of
             universal
             expectation
             .
             That
             makes
             every
             thing
             to
             be
             thought
             a
             mystery
             ,
             and
             the
             secret
             of
             that
             raises
             veneration
             .
             In
             the
             manner
             of
             expression
             one
             ought
             to
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             
             be
             too
             plain
             :
             and
             to
             speak
             with
             open
             heart
             is
             not
             always
             convenient
             in
             conversation
             .
             Silence
             is
             the
             Sanctuary
             of
             Prudence
             .
             A
             resolution
             made
             manifest
             was
             never
             esteemed
             .
             He
             that
             declares
             himself
             ,
             is
             obnoxious
             to
             Censure
             :
             and
             if
             he
             succeeds
             not
             ,
             he
             is
             doubly
             miserable
             .
             We
             ought
             then
             to
             imitate
             the
             method
             of
             God
             Almighty
             ,
             who
             always
             holds
             men
             in
             suspence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             IV.
             
          
           
             Knowledge
             and
             Valour
             club
             to
             the
             making
             of
             great
             Men.
             
          
           
             These
             are
             two
             qualities
             which
             render
             Men
             immortal
             ,
             because
             they
             themselves
             are
             so
             .
             No
             man
             is
             great
             but
             in
             so
             far
             as
             he
             knows
             :
             and
             when
             he
             knows
             ,
             he
             can
             doe
             all
             things
             .
             Man
             that
             knows
             nothing
             ,
             is
             the
             World
             in
             darkness
             .
             Prudence
             and
             Strength
             are
             his
             Eyes
             and
             Hands
             .
             Knowledge
             is
             barren
             ,
             if
             Valour
             do'nt
             accompany
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             V.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             always
             usefull
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             the
             Guilder
             but
             the
             Adorer
             that
             makes
             the
             God.
             A
             Man
             of
             Parts
             had
             rather
             meet
             with
             those
             who
             depend
             upon
             him
             ,
             than
             that
             are
             thankfull
             to
             him
             .
             To
             keep
             People
             in
             hope
             ,
             is
             Civility
             ;
             to
             trust
             to
             their
             Gratitude
             ,
             Simplicity
             .
             For
             it
             is
             as
             common
             for
             Gratitude
             to
             be
             forgetfull
             ,
             as
             for
             Hope
             to
             be
             mindfull
             .
             You
             get
             always
             more
             by
             this
             ,
             than
             by
             the
             other
             .
             When
             one
             hath
             once
             drank
             ,
             he
             turns
             his
             back
             upon
             the
             Well
             :
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             Orange
             is
             squeezed
             ,
             it
             's
             thrown
             upon
             the
             ground
             ,
             When
             Dependance
             ceaseth
             ,
             there
             's
             an
             end
             of
             Correspondence
             ,
             and
             of
             Esteem
             also
             .
             It
             is
             therefore
             a
             lesson
             of
             Experience
             ,
             that
             a
             Man
             ought
             to
             endeavour
             always
             to
             render
             himself
             usefull
             ,
             nay
             even
             to
             his
             Prince
             ;
             though
             he
             must
             not
             affect
             an
             excess
             of
             silence
             ,
             to
             make
             others
             overshoot
             themselves
             ,
             nor
             for
             his
             own
             interest
             render
             another
             man's
             evil
             incurable
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             VI.
             
          
           
             Man
             at
             the
             height
             of
             his
             perfection
             .
          
           
             He
             is
             not
             born
             complete
             ;
             but
             dayly
             improves
             in
             his
             Manners
             and
             Employment
             ,
             untill
             at
             length
             he
             arrive
             at
             the
             point
             of
             Consummation
             .
             Now
             these
             are
             the
             marks
             by
             which
             we
             may
             know
             an
             accomplished
             Man
             :
             a
             quaint
             perception
             ,
             readiness
             in
             discerning
             ,
             solidity
             of
             judgment
             ,
             tractableness
             of
             will
             ,
             and
             circumspection
             in
             words
             and
             actions
             .
             Some
             never
             attain
             to
             that
             pitch
             ,
             there
             is
             somewhat
             always
             wanting
             :
             and
             others
             arrive
             at
             it
             ,
             but
             late
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             VII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             outdoe
             ones
             Master
             .
          
           
             All
             Superiority
             is
             odious
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             Subject
             over
             his
             Prince
             ,
             it
             is
             ever
             foolish
             ,
             or
             fatal
             .
             An
             accomplished
             man
             conceals
             vulgar
             advantages
             ,
             as
             a
             modest
             Woman
             hides
             her
             Beauty
             under
             a
             negligent
             dress
             .
             There
             are
             many
             who
             will
             yield
             in
             good
             fortune
             ,
             or
             in
             good
             humour
             ;
             but
             no
             body
             will
             yield
             in
             Wit
             ,
             and
             least
             of
             all
             a
             Sovereign
             .
             Wit
             is
             the
             King
             of
             Attributes
             ,
             and
             by
             
             consequent
             ,
             every
             Offence
             against
             it
             ,
             is
             no
             less
             a
             Crime
             than
             Treason
             .
             Sovereigns
             would
             be
             witty
             in
             all
             things
             that
             are
             most
             eminent
             .
             Princes
             are
             willing
             to
             be
             assisted
             ,
             but
             not
             surpassed
             .
             Those
             who
             advise
             them
             ,
             ought
             to
             speak
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             put
             them
             in
             mind
             of
             what
             they
             forgot
             ,
             and
             not
             as
             teaching
             them
             what
             they
             knew
             not
             .
             This
             is
             a
             lesson
             that
             the
             Stars
             reade
             to
             us
             ,
             which
             though
             they
             be
             the
             sparkling
             Children
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             yet
             never
             appear
             in
             his
             presence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             VIII
             .
          
           
             A
             Man
             never
             taken
             in
             passion
          
           
             Is
             a
             mark
             of
             the
             sublimest
             reach
             of
             wit
             ,
             seeing
             thereby
             a
             man
             puts
             himself
             above
             all
             vulgar
             impressions
             .
             It
             is
             the
             greatest
             of
             Dominions
             to
             rule
             ones
             self
             and
             passions
             .
             That
             is
             the
             triumph
             of
             free
             will.
             )
             If
             passion
             ever
             seize
             the
             mind
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             without
             prejudice
             to
             our
             employment
             ,
             especially
             if
             it
             be
             considerable
             .
             That
             's
             the
             way
             to
             prevent
             much
             vexation
             ,
             and
             to
             gain
             a
             high
             reputation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             IX
             .
          
           
             To
             falsifie
             the
             defects
             of
             ones
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Water
             imbibes
             the
             good
             or
             bad
             qualities
             of
             the
             Minerals
             through
             which
             it
             passes
             ,
             and
             Man
             those
             of
             the
             Climates
             where
             he
             is
             born
             .
             Some
             are
             more
             obliged
             than
             others
             to
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             have
             met
             with
             a
             more
             favourable
             constellation
             in
             it
             .
             There
             is
             no
             Nation
             how
             Polite
             soever
             ,
             but
             hath
             some
             original
             failing
             ,
             which
             their
             Neighbours
             ,
             either
             out
             of
             caution
             or
             emulation
             censure
             .
             It
             is
             the
             victory
             of
             an
             able
             man
             to
             correct
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             bely
             the
             censure
             of
             these
             failings
             .
             Thereby
             one
             acquires
             the
             glorious
             renown
             of
             being
             singular
             ,
             and
             that
             exemption
             from
             a
             common
             fault
             is
             the
             more
             esteemed
             ,
             that
             no
             body
             expects
             it
             .
             There
             are
             also
             Family-defects
             ,
             defects
             of
             Profession
             ,
             Employment
             and
             Age
             ,
             which
             concurring
             all
             together
             in
             one
             and
             the
             same
             subject
             ,
             render
             it
             an
             unsupportable
             Monster
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             timely
             prevented
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             X.
             
          
           
             Fortune
             and
             Renown
             .
          
           
             The
             one
             is
             as
             fickle
             ,
             as
             the
             other
             firm
             and
             constant
             .
             The
             first
             serves
             during
             life
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             after
             death
             .
             The
             one
             resists
             Envy
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             Oblivion
             .
             Fortune
             is
             courted
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             obtained
             by
             the
             help
             of
             Friends
             .
             Renown
             is
             gained
             by
             Industry
             .
             The
             desire
             of
             Reputation
             springs
             from
             Virtue
             .
             Renown
             hath
             been
             and
             is
             the
             Sister
             of
             Giants
             :
             it
             is
             always
             upon
             the
             extremes
             either
             of
             Applause
             or
             Execration
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XI
             .
          
           
             To
             converse
             with
             those
             from
             whom
             one
             may
             learn.
             
          
           
             Familiar
             Conversation
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             School
             of
             Learning
             and
             breeding
             .
             A
             man
             is
             to
             make
             his
             Masters
             of
             his
             Friends
             ,
             seasoning
             the
             pleasure
             of
             conversing
             with
             the
             profit
             of
             instruction
             .
             Betwixt
             Men
             of
             Wit
             the
             advantage
             is
             reciprocal
             .
             )
             They
             who
             speak
             are
             rewarded
             with
             the
             applause
             that
             is
             given
             to
             what
             they
             say
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             hear
             ,
             with
             the
             profit
             they
             receive
             
             from
             it
             .
             Our
             own
             interest
             inclines
             us
             to
             conversation
             .
             A
             man
             of
             sense
             frequents
             the
             company
             of
             good
             Courtiers
             ,
             whose
             Houses
             are
             rather
             the
             Theatres
             of
             Heroism
             ,
             than
             the
             Palaces
             of
             vanity
             .
             There
             are
             some
             men
             who
             besides
             their
             being
             Oracles
             themselves
             ,
             that
             instruct
             others
             by
             their
             Example
             ,
             are
             also
             so
             happy
             ,
             that
             their
             Retinue
             is
             an
             Academy
             of
             Prudence
             and
             Breeding
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XII
             .
          
           
             Nature
             and
             Art
             :
             Matter
             and
             the
             Artist
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             Beauty
             without
             help
             ,
             nor
             perfection
             that
             is
             not
             apt
             to
             fall
             into
             barbarity
             ,
             if
             Art
             lend
             not
             an
             helping
             hand
             .
             Art
             corrects
             what
             is
             bad
             ,
             and
             perfects
             what
             is
             good
             .
             Nature
             commonly
             denies
             us
             the
             best
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             we
             may
             have
             recourse
             to
             Art.
             The
             best
             Nature
             without
             Art
             is
             but
             a
             Wilderness
             :
             and
             how
             great
             soever
             a
             Man's
             Talents
             may
             be
             ,
             unless
             they
             be
             cultivated
             ,
             they
             are
             but
             half-talents
             .
             Without
             Art
             a
             man
             knows
             nothing
             as
             he
             ought
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             is
             Clownish
             in
             every
             thing
             he
             sets
             about
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XIII
             .
          
           
             To
             proceed
             sometimes
             cunningly
             ,
             sometimes
             candidly
             .
          
           
             Man's
             life
             is
             a
             conflict
             with
             the
             malice
             of
             man
             himself
             .
             An
             expert
             man
             for
             Weapons
             uses
             the
             strategems
             of
             intention
             .
             He
             never
             does
             what
             he
             seems
             to
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             doe
             .
             He
             takes
             an
             aim
             ,
             but
             that
             is
             to
             deceive
             the
             Eyes
             that
             look
             upon
             him
             .
             He
             blurts
             out
             a
             word
             in
             the
             air
             ,
             and
             then
             does
             a
             thing
             that
             no
             body
             dreamt
             of
             .
             If
             he
             come
             out
             with
             a
             saying
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             amuse
             the
             attention
             of
             his
             Rivals
             ,
             and
             whilst
             that
             is
             taken
             up
             in
             considering
             what
             he
             drives
             at
             ,
             he
             presently
             acts
             what
             never
             came
             into
             their
             thoughts
             .
             He
             then
             ,
             that
             takes
             heed
             not
             to
             be
             imposed
             upon
             ,
             prevents
             the
             cunning
             of
             his
             Companion
             by
             good
             reflexions
             .
             He
             always
             understands
             the
             contrary
             of
             what
             one
             would
             have
             him
             to
             understand
             ,
             and
             thereby
             he
             immediately
             discovers
             the
             falsifie
             .
             He
             lets
             the
             first
             pass
             goe
             ,
             and
             expects
             the
             second
             or
             third
             with
             a
             good
             guard
             .
             And
             when
             afterwards
             his
             Artifice
             is
             known
             ,
             he
             refines
             his
             dissimulation
             ,
             making
             use
             of
             truth
             it self
             to
             deceive
             by
             .
             To
             change
             his
             cunning
             ,
             he
             changes
             his
             ground
             and
             
             battery
             .
             His
             Artifice
             is
             to
             have
             no
             more
             Art
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             subtilty
             is
             to
             pass
             from
             Dissimulation
             to
             Candour
             .
             He
             ,
             who
             observes
             it
             with
             a
             piercing
             Eye
             ,
             knowing
             the
             Arts
             of
             his
             Rival
             ,
             stands
             upon
             his
             guard
             ,
             and
             discovers
             darkness
             under
             a
             veil
             of
             light
             .
             He
             un●●ddles
             a
             procedure
             the
             more
             mysterious
             ,
             that
             every
             thing
             in
             it
             is
             sincere
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             wiles
             of
             Pytho
             engage
             the
             candour
             of
             Apollo
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XIV
             .
          
           
             The
             thing
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             thing
             .
          
           
             The
             substance
             is
             not
             enough
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             cloathed
             with
             its
             circumstances
             .
             An
             ill
             way
             spoils
             all
             ,
             it
             even
             disfigures
             Justice
             and
             Reason
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             a
             gracefull
             way
             supplies
             all
             defects
             ,
             it
             guilds
             a
             denial
             ,
             sweetens
             the
             sharpness
             that
             is
             in
             truth
             ,
             and
             smooths
             the
             wrinkles
             of
             old
             age
             .
             The
             How
             does
             much
             in
             all
             things
             .
             A
             free
             and
             disengaged
             way
             charms
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             makes
             the
             complete
             Ornament
             of
             life
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Maxime
               is
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               third
               Chapter
               of
               the
               Authours
               Discreet
               ,
            
             Del
             modo
             y
             Agrado
             .
             
               And
               seeing
               that
               Chapter
               is
               very
               instructive
               ,
               the
               Reader
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               will
               not
               take
               it
               ill
               to
               have
               here
               an
               abstract
               of
               it
               .
            
          
           
           
             For
             this
             great
             Precept
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             Cleobulus
             got
             the
             Reputation
             of
             the
             chief
             of
             the
             Wise
             Men.
             And
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             chief
             of
             Precepts
             .
             But
             if
             to
             teach
             it
             was
             sufficient
             for
             procuring
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             chief
             of
             the
             Sages
             ,
             what
             rem●ins
             for
             him
             that
             shall
             put
             it
             in
             practice
             ?
             For
             to
             know
             things
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             practise
             them
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             be
             a
             Philosopher
             but
             a
             Grammarian
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             things
             the
             circumstance
             is
             as
             necessary
             as
             the
             substance
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             more
             .
             The
             thing
             that
             first
             presents
             to
             us
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             essence
             ,
             but
             the
             appearance
             .
             By
             the
             outside
             we
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             what
             is
             within
             .
             By
             the
             bark
             of
             the
             manner
             we
             discern
             the
             fruit
             of
             the
             substance
             :
             insomuch
             that
             we
             judge
             of
             Persons
             whom
             we
             know
             not
             by
             their
             deportment
             .
          
           
             The
             way
             and
             manner
             is
             that
             part
             of
             merit
             which
             most
             affects
             the
             attention
             .
             And
             seeing
             it
             is
             to
             be
             acquired
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             without
             it
             is
             inexcusable
             .
          
           
             Truth
             has
             force
             ;
             Reason
             authority
             ;
             and
             Justice
             power
             :
             but
             they
             are
             without
             luster
             if
             the
             gracefull
             way
             be
             wanting
             ;
             as
             with
             it
             every
             thing
             is
             set
             off
             with
             more
             advantage
             .
             It
             makes
             amends
             for
             all
             things
             ,
             even
             for
             the
             defects
             of
             reason
             ;
             it
             guilds
             slights
             ,
             paints
             deformities
             ,
             hides
             
             imperfections
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             disguises
             every
             thing
             .
          
           
             Great
             Zeal
             in
             a
             Minister
             ;
             Valour
             in
             a
             Commander
             ;
             learning
             in
             a
             Scholar
             ;
             Power
             in
             a
             Prince
             ;
             are
             not
             enough
             ,
             unless
             these
             qualities
             be
             accompanied
             with
             that
             important
             formality
             .
             But
             it
             is
             in
             no
             employment
             more
             necessary
             ,
             than
             in
             Sovereign
             Command
             .
             To
             be
             humane
             rather
             than
             despotick
             is
             in
             Superiours
             a
             singular
             way
             to
             engage
             .
             To
             see
             a
             Prince
             make
             Superiority
             yield
             to
             Humanity
             ,
             obliges
             Subjects
             upon
             a
             double
             account
             to
             love
             him
             .
             He
             must
             reign
             in
             the
             first
             place
             over
             the
             wills
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             then
             over
             the
             rest
             .
             Conciliate
             to
             thy self
             the
             good
             will
             ,
             and
             even
             the
             applause
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             if
             not
             out
             of
             inclination
             ,
             at
             least
             by
             art
             .
             For
             they
             who
             admire
             ,
             mind
             not
             whether
             thy
             way
             be
             natural
             or
             adventitious
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             many
             things
             which
             are
             worth
             but
             little
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             esteemed
             for
             their
             manner
             .
             By
             the
             help
             of
             that
             old
             things
             become
             new
             ,
             and
             return
             into
             fashion
             .
             If
             the
             circumstances
             be
             of
             common
             use
             ,
             they
             palliate
             the
             uncouthness
             of
             Antiquity
             .
             The
             relish
             of
             men
             advances
             always
             ,
             and
             never
             recoils
             .
             What
             is
             past
             takes
             not
             ,
             and
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             new
             pleases
             it
             .
             Nevertheless
             ,
             a
             little
             change
             may
             beguile
             it
             .
             Circumstances
             
             make
             things
             grow
             young
             again
             ,
             they
             cure
             them
             of
             the
             musty
             scent
             ,
             and
             the
             mouldiness
             of
             
               Too
               often
            
             ,
             which
             is
             always
             intolerable
             ,
             and
             especially
             in
             imitations
             ,
             which
             can
             never
             rise
             neither
             to
             the
             height
             ,
             nor
             Novelty
             of
             the
             Original
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             still
             more
             obvious
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             the
             functions
             of
             the
             mind
             .
             For
             though
             things
             be
             very
             well
             known
             ,
             yet
             they
             never
             fail
             to
             raise
             the
             Appetite
             ,
             if
             the
             Oratour
             and
             Historian
             hit
             upon
             a
             new
             way
             of
             saying
             or
             writing
             them
             .
          
           
             When
             things
             are
             exquisite
             ,
             they
             cloy
             not
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             even
             seven
             times
             repeated
             .
             But
             though
             they
             be
             not
             tedious
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             not
             admired
             .
             And
             therefore
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             season
             them
             ,
             otherwise
             to
             the
             end
             they
             may
             excite
             attention
             .
             Novelty
             caresses
             and
             charms
             the
             Palate
             .
             And
             objects
             are
             renewed
             merely
             by
             changing
             the
             Ragoe
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             true
             art
             of
             pleasing
             .
          
           
             Two
             men
             shall
             say
             the
             very
             same
             things
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             one
             shall
             please
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             by
             the
             same
             means
             offend
             .
             So
             important
             it
             is
             to
             know
             the
             way
             how
             !
             So
             usefull
             is
             a
             gracefull
             manner
             ,
             and
             so
             hurtfull
             an
             unseemly
             !
             Now
             if
             the
             want
             of
             a
             manner
             be
             so
             remarkable
             ,
             what
             must
             that
             be
             which
             is
             actually
             bad
             ,
             and
             designedly
             offensive
             ,
             and
             especially
             in
             
             those
             that
             hold
             a
             publick
             Post
             ?
             Thy
             Clownish
             Air
             is
             but
             a
             small
             defect
             ,
             said
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             yet
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             make
             all
             people
             disgust
             thee
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             an
             external
             agreeableness
             promises
             a
             suitableness
             of
             mind
             ;
             and
             beauty
             vouches
             for
             good
             humour
             .
          
           
             The
             gracefull
             manner
             so
             guilds
             and
             sets
             off
             a
             No
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             it
             more
             esteemed
             than
             an
             ill
             seasoned
             Yea.
             It
             so
             skilfully
             sugar's
             over
             truths
             ,
             that
             they
             pass
             for
             blandishments
             :
             and
             sometimes
             when
             it
             seems
             to
             flatter
             ,
             it
             undeceives
             ,
             by
             telling
             People
             not
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             but
             what
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XV.
             
          
           
             To
             make
             use
             of
             Auxiliary-wits
             .
          
           
             The
             happiness
             of
             great
             men
             consists
             in
             having
             witty
             men
             about
             them
             ,
             who
             clear
             them
             from
             the
             difficulties
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             by
             disentangling
             their
             affairs
             .
             To
             entertain
             Wise
             Men
             ,
             is
             a
             grandeur
             surpassing
             the
             barbarous
             haughtiness
             of
             that
             same
             Tigranes
             ,
             who
             prided
             himself
             in
             being
             served
             by
             Kings
             ,
             whom
             he
             had
             conquered
             .
             It
             is
             a
             new
             kind
             of
             Dominion
             to
             make
             those
             our
             Servants
             by
             Art
             ,
             whom
             Nature
             hath
             made
             our
             Masters
             .
             Man
             
             has
             much
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             but
             a
             short
             while
             to
             live
             ;
             and
             he
             lives
             not
             at
             all
             ,
             if
             he
             know
             nothing
             at
             all
             .
             It
             is
             therefore
             a
             singular
             piece
             of
             skill
             to
             study
             without
             pains
             ,
             and
             to
             learn
             much
             ,
             by
             learning
             of
             all
             .
             When
             that
             is
             once
             done
             ,
             you
             shall
             see
             a
             man
             speak
             in
             a
             publick
             Assembly
             with
             the
             wit
             of
             many
             ;
             or
             rather
             ,
             you
             hear
             as
             many
             Sages
             speaking
             by
             his
             mouth
             ,
             as
             have
             before
             instructed
             him
             .
             Thus
             ,
             the
             labours
             of
             others
             make
             him
             pass
             for
             an
             Oracle
             ,
             seeing
             these
             Sages
             fit
             his
             Lesson
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             distill
             into
             him
             the
             quintessence
             of
             their
             knowledge
             .
             After
             all
             ,
             let
             him
             who
             cannot
             have
             Wisedom
             for
             a
             Servant
             ,
             endeavour
             at
             least
             to
             have
             it
             for
             a
             Companion
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XVI
             .
          
           
             Knowledge
             and
             a
             right
             intention
             .
          
           
             Both
             these
             together
             are
             the
             source
             of
             good
             successes
             .
             A
             good
             Understanding
             with
             a
             bad
             Will
             ,
             make
             a
             monstrous
             Marriage
             .
             An
             ill
             intention
             is
             the
             poison
             of
             Humane
             life
             ,
             and
             is
             the
             more
             mischievous
             when
             backed
             by
             knowledge
             .
             That
             's
             an
             unlucky
             Wit
             which
             is
             employed
             to
             doe
             evil
             .
             Learning
             destitute
             of
             true
             judgment
             is
             double
             folly
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XVII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             follow
             always
             one
             and
             the
             same
             Conduct
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             good
             to
             vary
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             frustrate
             the
             Curiosity
             ,
             especially
             of
             those
             who
             envy
             you
             .
             For
             if
             they
             come
             to
             observe
             an
             uniformity
             in
             your
             actions
             ,
             they
             will
             prevent
             your
             enterprizes
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             make
             them
             miscarry
             .
             )
             It
             is
             easie
             to
             shoot
             a
             Fowl
             that
             flies
             out-right
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             Bird
             which
             is
             irregular
             in
             its
             flight
             .
             Yet
             it
             is
             not
             good
             to
             be
             always
             upon
             the
             intrigue
             neither
             ;
             for
             at
             second
             bound
             the
             cunning
             will
             be
             discovered
             .
             Jealousie
             is
             upon
             the
             watch
             ;
             there
             is
             much
             skill
             required
             to
             guard
             against
             it
             .
             (
             A
             cunning
             Gamester
             never
             plays
             the
             Card
             which
             his
             Adversary
             expects
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             that
             which
             he
             desires
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             Application
             and
             Genius
             .
          
           
             No
             body
             can
             be
             eminent
             without
             both
             these
             .
             When
             those
             two
             parts
             concur
             ,
             they
             make
             a
             great
             man.
             An
             ordinary
             Wit
             that
             applies
             it self
             ,
             goes
             farther
             than
             a
             sublime
             
             mind
             without
             application
             .
             Reputation
             is
             got
             by
             indefatigable
             labour
             .
             What
             costs
             but
             little
             ,
             is
             good
             for
             nothing
             .
             Some
             have
             wanted
             application
             even
             in
             the
             highest
             employments
             ;
             so
             rare
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             to
             force
             ones
             Genius
             .
             To
             have
             rather
             be
             indifferent
             in
             a
             sublime
             employment
             ,
             than
             excellent
             in
             an
             indifferent
             ,
             is
             a
             desire
             rendred
             excusable
             by
             Generosity
             .
             But
             he
             is
             not
             to
             be
             pardoned
             who
             rests
             satisfied
             to
             be
             indifferent
             good
             in
             a
             small
             employment
             ,
             when
             he
             might
             excell
             in
             a
             great
             .
             One
             must
             have
             Art
             and
             a
             Genius
             then
             ,
             which
             he
             is
             to
             complete
             by
             application
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             much
             blazed
             abroad
             by
             the
             noise
             of
             Fame
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             usual
             misfortune
             of
             every
             thing
             that
             hath
             been
             much
             talked
             of
             ,
             always
             to
             come
             short
             of
             the
             perfection
             that
             men
             have
             imagined
             to
             themselves
             .
             )
             Reality
             can
             never
             equal
             imagination
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             as
             difficult
             to
             have
             all
             perfections
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             entertain
             a
             notion
             of
             them
             .
             Since
             desire
             is
             the
             Husband
             of
             imagination
             ,
             it
             always
             conceives
             much
             more
             of
             things
             than
             they
             are
             in
             effect
             .
             How
             great
             soever
             
             perfections
             may
             be
             ,
             they
             never
             match
             the
             Idea
             of
             them
             .
             And
             as
             men
             find
             themselves
             frustrated
             of
             their
             expectation
             ,
             so
             they
             undeceive
             themselves
             in
             stead
             of
             admiring
             .
             Hope
             always
             lessens
             the
             truth
             .
             And
             therefore
             Prudence
             ought
             to
             correct
             it
             ,
             by
             qualifying
             it
             so
             ,
             that
             the
             enjoyment
             may
             surpass
             the
             desire
             .
             Some
             beginnings
             of
             Credit
             serve
             to
             awaken
             the
             Curiosity
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             endear
             the
             object
             of
             it
             .
             It
             is
             most
             honourable
             when
             the
             effect
             exceeds
             the
             notion
             and
             expectation
             .
             This
             rule
             holds
             not
             good
             in
             evil
             ,
             wherein
             exaggeration
             serves
             to
             belie
             ,
             calumnie
             ,
             and
             detraction
             with
             the
             greater
             applause
             ,
             by
             making
             that
             appear
             tolerable
             which
             was
             thought
             to
             be
             abominable
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XX.
             
          
           
             Every
             man
             in
             his
             time
             .
          
           
             People
             of
             extraordinary
             and
             eminent
             merit
             depend
             on
             the
             Times
             .
             All
             have
             not
             had
             the
             Age
             they
             deserved
             ,
             and
             many
             who
             have
             met
             with
             that
             ,
             have
             not
             had
             the
             happiness
             to
             make
             the
             best
             of
             it
             .
             Others
             have
             been
             worthy
             of
             a
             better
             Age
             ;
             which
             is
             an
             argument
             ,
             that
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             good
             ,
             does
             not
             always
             triumph
             .
             Things
             of
             this
             world
             have
             their
             
             seasons
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             most
             eminent
             ,
             is
             obnoxious
             to
             the
             freakishness
             of
             Custome
             .
             But
             it
             is
             always
             the
             comfort
             of
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             Eternal
             .
             For
             if
             his
             own
             age
             be
             ungreatefull
             to
             him
             ,
             those
             that
             come
             after
             doe
             him
             Justice
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXI
             .
          
           
             The
             Art
             of
             being
             happy
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             rules
             of
             good
             Fortune
             ;
             and
             Happiness
             in
             regard
             of
             a
             Wise
             Man
             is
             not
             always
             fortuitous
             .
             His
             industry
             can
             help
             it
             forwards
             .
             Some
             think
             it
             enough
             to
             stand
             at
             the
             Gate
             of
             Fortune
             in
             a
             good
             posture
             ,
             and
             expect
             till
             she
             open
             it
             .
             Others
             doe
             better
             ,
             and
             trusting
             to
             their
             confidence
             or
             merit
             advance
             farther
             on
             ,
             so
             that
             by
             cajoling
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             soon
             or
             late
             they
             gain
             her
             .
             However
             ,
             according
             to
             right
             Philosophy
             ,
             vertue
             and
             application
             are
             the
             onely
             Arbiters
             of
             a
             man's
             lot
             .
             For
             as
             imprudence
             is
             the
             source
             of
             all
             the
             crosses
             of
             life
             ,
             so
             Prudence
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             all
             its
             happiness
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXII
             .
          
           
             The
             Man
             that
             takes
             .
          
           
             A
             gentile
             Education
             is
             the
             portion
             of
             
             Men
             of
             Breeding
             .
             The
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Affairs
             of
             the
             Time
             ,
             good
             sayings
             spoken
             to
             purpose
             ,
             pleasant
             ways
             of
             doing
             things
             ,
             make
             the
             man
             of
             fashion
             :
             and
             the
             more
             he
             excells
             in
             these
             things
             ,
             the
             less
             he
             holds
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             Sometimes
             a
             sign
             or
             gesture
             makes
             deeper
             impression
             than
             all
             the
             documents
             of
             a
             severe
             Master
             .
             The
             art
             of
             conversing
             hath
             stood
             in
             greater
             stead
             to
             some
             ,
             than
             the
             seven
             liberal
             Arts
             all
             together
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             no
             blemish
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             perfection
             without
             an
             If
             ,
             or
             a
             But.
             There
             are
             but
             very
             few
             that
             want
             faults
             ,
             either
             in
             manners
             or
             body
             .
             But
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             who
             are
             vain
             of
             the
             faults
             ,
             which
             it
             would
             be
             easie
             for
             them
             to
             amend
             .
             When
             we
             see
             the
             smallest
             defect
             in
             an
             accomplished
             man
             ,
             we
             say
             it's
             pity
             ,
             because
             one
             Cloud
             is
             enough
             to
             eclipse
             all
             the
             Sun.
             These
             defects
             are
             blemishes
             at
             which
             envy
             levels
             .
             It
             would
             be
             a
             notable
             piece
             of
             skill
             to
             change
             them
             into
             persections
             ,
             as
             
               Julius
               Caesar
            
             did
             ,
             who
             being
             bald
             ,
             covered
             that
             defect
             under
             the
             shadow
             of
             his
             Laurels
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             moderate
             ones
             own
             imagination
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             means
             of
             living
             happy
             ,
             and
             of
             being
             always
             esteemed
             Wise
             ,
             is
             either
             to
             correct
             it
             ,
             or
             confine
             it
             .
             Otherwise
             it
             takes
             a
             Tyrannical
             Empire
             over
             us
             ,
             and
             transgressing
             the
             limits
             of
             speculation
             ,
             becomes
             so
             very
             absolute
             ,
             that
             life
             is
             happy
             ,
             or
             miserable
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             different
             fancies
             that
             it
             imprints
             upon
             us
             .
             For
             to
             some
             it
             represents
             nothing
             but
             pains
             and
             trouble
             ,
             and
             through
             their
             folly
             becomes
             their
             Domestick
             Executioner
             .
             Others
             there
             are
             again
             ,
             to
             whom
             it
             proposes
             onely
             pleasures
             and
             grandeurs
             ,
             delighting
             to
             divert
             them
             in
             dreams
             .
             And
             these
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             imagination
             ,
             when
             not
             curb'd
             by
             reason
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXV
             .
          
           
             A
             good
             Pryer
             .
          
           
             To
             understand
             the
             art
             of
             reasoning
             and
             discourse
             ,
             was
             heretofore
             the
             Science
             of
             Sciences
             :
             but
             that
             alone
             will
             not
             doe
             now
             a-days
             ,
             we
             must
             guess
             and
             divine
             ,
             and
             especially
             if
             we
             would
             undeceive
             our
             
             selves
             .
             He
             that
             is
             not
             a
             good
             Pryer
             can
             never
             be
             a
             good
             Judge
             .
             There
             are
             Spies
             over
             the
             heart
             and
             intentions
             .
             The
             truths
             which
             import
             us
             most
             ,
             are
             never
             told
             us
             but
             by
             halves
             .
             A
             man
             of
             Wit
             must
             dive
             into
             the
             meaning
             of
             them
             ,
             checking
             his
             credulity
             in
             what
             appears
             advantageous
             ,
             and
             giving
             the
             reins
             to
             believe
             as
             to
             that
             which
             is
             odious
             !
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             find
             out
             the
             weak
             side
             of
             every
             one
             .
          
           
             That
             is
             the
             art
             of
             managing
             humours
             ,
             and
             of
             gaining
             our
             ends
             upon
             men
             .
             It
             depends
             more
             upon
             skill
             than
             resolution
             to
             know
             how
             to
             win
             upon
             the
             minds
             of
             People
             .
             There
             is
             no
             will
             that
             hath
             not
             its
             predominant
             passion
             ,
             and
             these
             passions
             are
             different
             according
             to
             the
             diversity
             of
             tempers
             .
             All
             men
             are
             Idolaters
             :
             some
             of
             honour
             ,
             others
             of
             interest
             ,
             and
             most
             part
             of
             their
             pleasures
             .
             The
             skill
             is
             then
             ,
             to
             know
             aright
             these
             Idols
             ,
             if
             we
             would
             hit
             the
             weak
             side
             of
             those
             who
             adore
             them
             .
             He
             that
             can
             doe
             so
             ,
             has
             the
             key
             of
             another
             man's
             will.
             )
             We
             must
             move
             with
             the
             first
             mover
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             not
             always
             the
             higher
             ,
             but
             most
             commonly
             the
             lower
             faculty
             .
             For
             in
             this
             world
             the
             number
             of
             those
             
             who
             are
             irregular
             ,
             is
             far
             greater
             than
             of
             those
             who
             are
             not
             .
             (
             We
             are
             first
             to
             know
             the
             Character
             of
             the
             Person
             ,
             next
             feel
             his
             Pulse
             ,
             and
             then
             attack
             him
             by
             his
             strongest
             passion
             ,
             which
             is
             his
             weaker
             side
             .
             That
             is
             a
             sure
             way
             to
             gain
             the
             Party
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             prefer
             intention
             before
             extention
             .
          
           
             Perfection
             consists
             not
             in
             quantity
             ,
             but
             in
             quality
             .
             Of
             all
             that
             is
             very
             good
             ,
             there
             is
             always
             but
             very
             little
             .
             That
             whereof
             there
             is
             much
             ,
             is
             little
             esteemed
             .
             And
             even
             amongst
             men
             Giants
             pass
             commonly
             for
             real
             Dwarfs
             ,
             (
             some
             value
             Books
             for
             their
             bulk
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             made
             rather
             to
             load
             the
             Arms
             than
             to
             exercise
             the
             mind
             .
             )
             Extention
             alone
             could
             never
             exceed
             mediocrity
             .
             And
             it
             is
             the
             unhappiness
             of
             men
             that
             offer
             at
             every
             thing
             ,
             to
             excell
             in
             nothing
             ,
             because
             they
             would
             excell
             in
             all
             .
             Intention
             gives
             an
             eminent
             rank
             ,
             and
             makes
             a
             Heroe
             ,
             if
             the
             matter
             be
             sublime
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             nothing
             that
             's
             vulgar
             .
          
           
             He
             was
             a
             man
             of
             an
             excellent
             discerning
             ,
             
             whom
             it
             displeased
             to
             please
             many
             :
             Wise
             Men
             are
             never
             fond
             of
             vulgar
             Applause
             .
             There
             are
             Camelions
             of
             so
             popular
             a
             palate
             ,
             that
             they
             take
             more
             pleasure
             to
             suck
             in
             a
             gross
             air
             ,
             than
             to
             smell
             the
             sweet
             Zephyres
             of
             Apollo
             .
             Be
             not
             dazled
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             miracles
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             Ignorants
             are
             always
             in
             a
             maze
             .
             That
             which
             makes
             the
             folly
             of
             the
             mobile
             admire
             ,
             undeceives
             the
             discerning
             of
             the
             Wise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             .
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             The
             upright
             Man.
             
          
           
             One
             ought
             always
             to
             be
             on
             the
             side
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             that
             so
             constantly
             ,
             that
             neither
             vulgar
             passion
             ,
             nor
             any
             tyrannical
             violence
             may
             be
             able
             to
             make
             him
             abandon
             the
             party
             .
             But
             where
             is
             that
             Phoenix
             of
             equity
             to
             be
             found
             ?
             Sure
             ,
             she
             has
             not
             many
             Adherents
             .
             There
             are
             many
             who
             publish
             her
             praises
             ,
             but
             will
             not
             admit
             her
             into
             their
             Houses
             .
             Others
             follow
             her
             as
             far
             as
             danger
             will
             permit
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             come
             to
             that
             ,
             some
             like
             salse
             Friends
             deny
             her
             ;
             and
             the
             rest
             ,
             like
             Politicians
             ,
             pretend
             they
             know
             her
             not
             .
             She
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             scruples
             not
             to
             fall
             out
             with
             Friends
             ,
             with
             Powers
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             
             with
             her
             own
             interest
             :
             and
             there
             lies
             the
             danger
             of
             mistaking
             her
             .
             The
             cunning
             stand
             neuter
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             plausible
             and
             metaphysical
             subtilty
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             reconcile
             their
             Conscience
             with
             reason
             of
             state
             .
             But
             an
             upright
             man
             looks
             upon
             that
             way
             of
             trimming
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             Treason
             ,
             thinking
             it
             more
             honour
             to
             be
             constant
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             a
             Statesman
             .
             He
             is
             always
             where
             truth
             is
             :
             and
             if
             he
             sometimes
             leave
             people
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             that
             he
             is
             fickle
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             have
             first
             forsaken
             reason
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             affect
             extraordinary
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Chimerical
             Employments
             .
          
           
             That
             affectation
             serves
             onely
             to
             attract
             contempt
             .
             Whimsey
             hath
             hatched
             many
             Sects
             :
             but
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ought
             to
             espouse
             none
             of
             them
             .
             There
             are
             some
             strange
             palates
             ,
             that
             like
             nothing
             of
             what
             others
             love
             .
             Every
             thing
             that
             is
             singular
             pleases
             them
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             that
             makes
             them
             to
             be
             taken
             notice
             of
             ,
             but
             rather
             to
             be
             laughed
             at
             than
             esteemed
             .
             Nay
             ,
             (
             those
             who
             would
             be
             wise
             ,
             ought
             to
             have
             a
             special
             care
             not
             to
             affect
             to
             be
             so
             .
             )
             Upon
             far
             better
             ground
             ought
             they
             ,
             who
             are
             of
             a
             profession
             ,
             that
             renders
             the
             professours
             ridiculous
             .
             
             We
             name
             not
             here
             the
             Employments
             ,
             seeing
             the
             contempt
             that
             every
             one
             has
             of
             them
             ,
             makes
             them
             sufficiently
             known
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXI
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             happy
             People
             ,
             to
             make
             use
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             unhappy
             to
             avoid
             them
             .
          
           
             Misfortune
             commonly
             is
             an
             effect
             of
             folly
             :
             and
             there
             is
             not
             a
             more
             dangerous
             contagion
             than
             that
             of
             the
             unfortunate
             .
             We
             must
             not
             open
             the
             door
             to
             the
             least
             evil
             ,
             for
             others
             ,
             and
             those
             greater
             too
             ,
             which
             lie
             in
             ambush
             come
             always
             after
             .
             The
             true
             skill
             at
             play
             ,
             is
             to
             know
             how
             to
             discard
             .
             The
             lowest
             Card
             that
             turns
             up
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             the
             highest
             of
             the
             former
             dealing
             .
             In
             doubts
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             better
             expedient
             than
             to
             consult
             the
             wise
             :
             soon
             or
             late
             that
             will
             answer
             our
             expectation
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             the
             reputation
             of
             contenting
             every
             body
             .
          
           
             That
             gives
             Credit
             to
             those
             who
             Govern
             .
             By
             that
             means
             Sovereigns
             gain
             
             the
             good
             will
             of
             the
             publick
             .
             The
             onely
             advantage
             they
             have
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             doe
             more
             good
             than
             other
             men
             .
             Those
             are
             the
             truest
             Friends
             who
             are
             made
             by
             reiterated
             Amities
             .
             But
             there
             are
             some
             of
             a
             humour
             of
             contenting
             no
             body
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             because
             that
             would
             be
             chargeable
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             that
             their
             Nature
             is
             averse
             from
             shewing
             kindness
             .
             In
             all
             things
             contrary
             to
             Divine
             Bounty
             ,
             which
             communicates
             it self
             incessantly
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             be
             a
             denied
             Man.
             
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             a
             great
             art
             to
             know
             how
             to
             refuse
             favours
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             far
             greater
             to
             be
             able
             to
             deny
             ones
             self
             in
             business
             and
             visits
             .
             There
             are
             some
             troublesome
             employments
             that
             corrode
             the
             most
             pretious
             time
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             doe
             nothing
             at
             all
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             busie
             to
             no
             purpose
             .
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             to
             be
             a
             prudent
             man
             ,
             to
             make
             no
             intrigues
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             also
             avoid
             to
             meddle
             in
             them
             .
             We
             must
             not
             be
             so
             much
             at
             the
             devotion
             of
             others
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             more
             at
             our
             own
             .
             We
             are
             not
             to
             abuse
             Friends
             ,
             nor
             to
             require
             more
             of
             them
             than
             they
             are
             willing
             to
             grant
             .
             Every
             thing
             that
             is
             excessive
             is
             vitious
             ,
             especially
             in
             conversation
             :
             and
             
             without
             that
             moderation
             there
             is
             no
             preserving
             of
             the
             good
             will
             and
             esteem
             of
             others
             ,
             on
             which
             Civil
             Decency
             depends
             .
             One
             should
             use
             all
             his
             liberty
             in
             chusing
             what
             is
             most
             excellent
             ,
             but
             so
             ,
             as
             he
             never
             offend
             against
             judgment
             and
             discretion
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             ones
             own
             strength
             .
          
           
             That
             knowledge
             serves
             to
             cultivate
             the
             excellent
             and
             improve
             common
             endowments
             .
             Many
             would
             have
             become
             great
             men
             ,
             had
             they
             known
             their
             true
             Talent
             .
             Strive
             then
             to
             know
             thine
             own
             ,
             and
             join
             to
             it
             application
             .
             In
             some
             judgment
             has
             the
             advantage
             ,
             and
             in
             others
             courage
             :
             most
             part
             lay
             a
             constraint
             upon
             their
             Genius
             :
             whence
             it
             is
             that
             they
             never
             excell
             in
             any
             thing
             .
             One
             is
             late
             in
             forsaking
             what
             passion
             made
             him
             early
             espouse
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXV
             .
          
           
             To
             weigh
             things
             according
             to
             their
             just
             value
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             onely
             ruine
             of
             Fools
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             consider
             .
             Seeing
             they
             do
             not
             comprehend
             things
             ,
             they
             neither
             see
             the
             damage
             ,
             
             nor
             profit
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             trouble
             themselves
             not
             about
             them
             .
             Some
             set
             a
             great
             value
             upon
             that
             which
             is
             but
             of
             little
             worth
             ,
             because
             they
             take
             all
             things
             the
             backward
             way
             .
             Many
             for
             want
             of
             sense
             ,
             feel
             not
             their
             distemper
             .
             There
             are
             some
             things
             on
             which
             one
             cannot
             think
             too
             much
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             reflects
             on
             all
             ,
             but
             not
             on
             all
             alike
             .
             For
             he
             dives
             where
             there
             is
             any
             ground
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             he
             thinks
             there
             is
             more
             in
             the
             thing
             than
             he
             thinks
             of
             :
             So
             that
             his
             reflexion
             goes
             as
             far
             as
             his
             apprehension
             went.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXVI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             engage
             in
             any
             enterprise
             before
             one
             hath
             examined
             his
             own
             fortune
             and
             ability
             .
          
           
             This
             experience
             is
             far
             more
             necessary
             than
             the
             knowledge
             of
             our
             constitution
             .
             If
             it
             be
             the
             mark
             of
             a
             Fool
             to
             begin
             at
             forty
             years
             of
             age
             ,
             to
             consult
             Hipocrates
             about
             his
             health
             :
             He
             is
             a
             far
             greater
             Fool
             ,
             who
             begins
             at
             that
             age
             ,
             to
             go
             to
             the
             School
             of
             Seneca
             ,
             to
             learn
             how
             to
             live
             .
             It
             is
             no
             small
             point
             to
             know
             how
             to
             govern
             ones
             fortune
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             in
             waiting
             till
             she
             be
             in
             the
             good
             humour
             :
             
             (
             for
             she
             loves
             to
             be
             waited
             on
             )
             or
             in
             taking
             her
             such
             as
             she
             offers
             .
             For
             she
             hath
             an
             ebbing
             and
             flowing
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             fix
             her
             ,
             being
             so
             irregular
             and
             variable
             as
             she
             is
             .
             Let
             him
             who
             hath
             often
             found
             her
             favourable
             ,
             not
             desist
             from
             importuning
             her
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             usual
             with
             her
             to
             declare
             for
             the
             bold
             ,
             and
             being
             courtly
             ,
             to
             love
             the
             young
             .
             Let
             him
             who
             is
             unhappy
             withdraw
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             not
             meet
             with
             the
             affront
             of
             a
             double
             repulse
             ,
             in
             presence
             of
             a
             happy
             rival
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             guess
             at
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             little
             hints
             that
             are
             given
             us
             by
             the
             bye
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             how
             to
             make
             the
             best
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             delicatest
             part
             in
             humane
             conversation
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             finest
             probe
             of
             the
             recesses
             of
             the
             heart
             of
             man.
             There
             are
             some
             malitious
             and
             angry
             jirks
             dipt
             in
             the
             gall
             of
             passion
             :
             and
             these
             are
             imperceptible
             Thunder-bolts
             ,
             that
             strike
             down
             those
             whom
             they
             smite
             .
             Many
             times
             a
             word
             hath
             thrown
             down
             headlong
             from
             the
             pinacle
             of
             favour
             ,
             those
             whom
             the
             murmurings
             of
             a
             whole
             people
             combined
             against
             them
             could
             not
             so
             much
             as
             shake
             .
             There
             are
             other
             words
             or
             hints
             which
             
             produce
             an
             effect
             quite
             contrary
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             which
             support
             and
             encrease
             the
             reputation
             of
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             are
             addressed
             .
             But
             seeing
             they
             are
             cunningly
             glanced
             ,
             so
             also
             are
             they
             to
             be
             cautiously
             received
             .
             For
             the
             security
             consists
             in
             smelling
             out
             the
             intention
             ,
             and
             the
             blow
             foreseen
             is
             always
             warded
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             moderate
             in
             good
             fortune
          
           
             Is
             the
             part
             of
             a
             good
             Gamester
             ,
             when
             Reputation
             lies
             at
             stake
             .
             A
             brave
             Retreat
             is
             as
             great
             as
             a
             brave
             Enterprise
             .
             When
             one
             hath
             acted
             great
             exploits
             ,
             he
             ought
             to
             secure
             the
             glory
             of
             them
             ,
             by
             drawing
             off
             in
             time
             .
             A
             continued
             Prosperity
             is
             always
             suspected
             .
             That
             which
             hath
             its
             interruptions
             is
             the
             surer
             .
             A
             little
             sharp
             with
             the
             sweet
             makes
             it
             relish
             better
             .
             The
             more
             Prosperities
             crowd
             one
             upon
             another
             ,
             the
             more
             slippery
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             subject
             to
             a
             reverse
             .
             The
             quality
             of
             the
             pleasure
             makes
             sometimes
             amends
             for
             the
             shortness
             of
             the
             enjoyment
             .
             Fortune
             is
             weary
             to
             carry
             one
             and
             the
             same
             man
             always
             upon
             her
             shoulders
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             the
             nature
             and
             season
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             able
             to
             make
             use
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             works
             of
             Nature
             commonly
             attain
             to
             the
             point
             of
             their
             perfection
             .
             They
             encrease
             always
             by
             degrees
             ,
             untill
             they
             arrive
             at
             it
             ;
             and
             so
             soon
             as
             they
             are
             come
             to
             that
             ,
             decline
             again
             as
             fast
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             the
             works
             of
             art
             are
             never
             so
             perfect
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             still
             may
             be
             more
             .
             It
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             quaint
             discerning
             to
             observe
             what
             is
             excellent
             in
             every
             thing
             :
             but
             few
             are
             capable
             of
             that
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             may
             ,
             do
             not
             always
             doe
             it
             .
             There
             is
             a
             point
             of
             maturity
             even
             in
             the
             fruits
             of
             the
             mind
             :
             and
             it
             is
             good
             to
             know
             that
             point
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             make
             our
             best
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XL.
             
          
           
             To
             gain
             the
             love
             of
             all
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             much
             to
             be
             admired
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             far
             more
             to
             be
             beloved
             .
             The
             fortunate
             Planet
             contributes
             somewhat
             to
             that
             ,
             but
             Industry
             all
             the
             rest
             .
             This
             perfects
             what
             the
             other
             did
             but
             begin
             .
             An
             eminent
             
             merit
             is
             not
             enough
             ,
             though
             ,
             in
             reality
             ,
             it
             be
             easie
             to
             gain
             the
             affection
             ,
             when
             one
             hath
             once
             gained
             the
             esteem
             .
             He
             that
             would
             be
             beloved
             ,
             must
             love
             ,
             be
             beneficent
             ,
             give
             good
             words
             ,
             and
             still
             shew
             better
             effects
             .
             Courtesie
             is
             the
             politick
             magick
             of
             great
             Persons
             .
             One
             must
             first
             set
             his
             hand
             to
             great
             affairs
             ,
             and
             then
             open
             it
             liberally
             to
             good
             Pens
             :
             alternately
             employ
             the
             Sword
             and
             the
             Paper
             .
             For
             the
             favour
             of
             Writers
             who
             perpetuate
             great
             Exploits
             is
             to
             be
             courted
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLI
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             Exaggerate
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             speak
             in
             Superlatives
             ,
             is
             a
             sign
             of
             a
             Wise
             Man.
             For
             that
             way
             of
             speaking
             always
             wounds
             either
             Truth
             or
             Prudence
             .
             Exaggerations
             are
             so
             many
             prostitutions
             of
             Reputation
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             discover
             the
             weakness
             of
             understanding
             ,
             and
             the
             bad
             discerning
             of
             him
             that
             speaks
             .
             Excessive
             Praises
             excite
             Curiosity
             ,
             and
             incite
             to
             Envy
             .
             So
             that
             if
             merit
             answer
             not
             the
             value
             that
             is
             set
             upon
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             commonly
             happens
             ;
             general
             opinion
             revolts
             against
             the
             imposture
             ,
             and
             makes
             the
             flatterer
             and
             flattered
             both
             ridiculous
             .
             And
             therefore
             a
             prudent
             man
             proceeds
             
             with
             a
             close
             rein
             ,
             and
             chuses
             rather
             to
             offend
             by
             giving
             too
             little
             ,
             than
             too
             much
             .
             Excellence
             is
             rare
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             the
             value
             of
             it
             is
             to
             be
             well
             weighed
             .
             Exaggeration
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             lying
             :
             by
             Exaggeration
             one
             gets
             himself
             the
             reputation
             of
             a
             man
             of
             bad
             discerning
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             worse
             ,
             of
             little
             judgment
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLII
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             Ascendant
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             certain
             unaccountable
             force
             of
             Superiority
             that
             springs
             from
             the
             Nature
             ,
             and
             not
             from
             the
             Artifice
             ,
             nor
             affectation
             of
             him
             that
             has
             it
             .
             Every
             one
             submits
             thereto
             without
             knowing
             how
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             that
             one
             yields
             to
             the
             insinuating
             power
             of
             the
             natural
             authority
             of
             another
             .
             These
             Paramount
             Genies
             are
             Kings
             by
             merit
             ,
             and
             Lions
             by
             a
             privilege
             that
             is
             born
             with
             them
             .
             They
             command
             the
             Heart
             and
             Tongues
             of
             others
             by
             a
             secret
             Charm
             ,
             that
             makes
             them
             be
             respected
             .
             When
             such
             men
             have
             the
             other
             requisite
             qualities
             ,
             they
             are
             cut
             out
             for
             the
             chief
             movers
             of
             the
             Government
             Politick
             ,
             in
             respect
             they
             can
             doe
             more
             with
             a
             hint
             ,
             than
             others
             with
             all
             their
             efforts
             and
             reasons
             .
          
           
           
             This
             Empire
             ,
             saith
             the
             Authour
             ,
             in
             the
             Chapter
             
               Del
               senorio
               en
               el
               dezir
            
             ,
             &c.
             is
             skotched
             out
             by
             nature
             ,
             and
             finished
             by
             art
             .
             All
             who
             have
             that
             advantage
             ,
             find
             things
             ready
             done
             to
             their
             hands
             .
             Nay
             ,
             Superiority
             it self
             facilitates
             all
             things
             to
             them
             ,
             insomuch
             that
             nothing
             puzles
             them
             ,
             but
             in
             every
             thing
             they
             come
             off
             with
             Honour
             .
             Their
             sayings
             and
             actions
             seem
             as
             great
             again
             as
             they
             are
             .
             An
             ordinary
             thing
             hath
             even
             appeared
             excellent
             ,
             when
             seconded
             by
             that
             Empire
             .
             They
             who
             want
             that
             Superiority
             ,
             enter
             diffidently
             upon
             affairs
             :
             which
             takes
             from
             them
             much
             of
             their
             gracefulness
             ,
             especially
             if
             it
             be
             observed
             .
             From
             diffidence
             immediately
             springs
             fear
             ,
             which
             shamefully
             banishes
             assurance
             ;
             and
             by
             consequent
             action
             and
             reason
             loose
             all
             their
             lustre
             .
             That
             fear
             so
             absolutely
             Tyrannizes
             over
             the
             mind
             ,
             that
             it
             deprives
             it
             of
             all
             liberty
             .
             Insomuch
             that
             reason
             is
             at
             a
             stand
             ,
             words
             are
             frozen
             ,
             and
             activity
             remains
             under
             an
             interdict
             .
          
           
             The
             Ascendant
             of
             him
             that
             speaks
             ,
             gains
             him
             at
             first
             the
             respect
             of
             him
             who
             hears
             .
             It
             makes
             the
             greatest
             Critick
             give
             attention
             ,
             and
             Sovereignly
             sways
             the
             consent
             of
             a
             whole
             Company
             .
             It
             furnishes
             expressions
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             sentences
             to
             the
             person
             that
             speaks
             :
             whereas
             fear
             
             choaks
             the
             words
             .
             Timidity
             is
             sufficient
             to
             chill
             reasoning
             :
             and
             though
             it
             could
             overflow
             with
             a
             Torrent
             of
             Eloquence
             ,
             yet
             the
             great
             cold
             of
             fear
             will
             put
             a
             stop
             to
             its
             course
             .
          
           
             He
             that
             with
             Native
             Authority
             enters
             into
             Conversation
             ,
             has
             respect
             at
             his
             Devotion
             before
             hand
             :
             But
             he
             who
             comes
             to
             it
             with
             fear
             ,
             accuses
             himself
             of
             weakness
             ,
             and
             confesses
             he
             is
             overcome
             :
             for
             which
             diffidence
             of
             mind
             he
             is
             despised
             ,
             or
             at
             best
             not
             much
             esteemed
             of
             others
             .
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             a
             wise
             man
             ought
             to
             be
             reserved
             ,
             and
             particularly
             when
             he
             is
             not
             acquainted
             with
             his
             company
             .
             He
             first
             tries
             the
             foard
             ,
             but
             especially
             if
             he
             foresee
             that
             it
             is
             deep
             .
          
           
             Though
             it
             be
             both
             Civility
             and
             Duty
             to
             qualifie
             this
             imperious
             boldness
             ,
             in
             speaking
             to
             Princes
             and
             great
             men
             ;
             yet
             one
             must
             have
             a
             care
             of
             falling
             into
             the
             extremity
             of
             discomposing
             bashfulness
             .
             There
             it
             is
             that
             a
             man
             ought
             to
             keep
             a
             mean
             betwixt
             boldness
             and
             confusion
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             neither
             be
             disagreeable
             nor
             ridiculous
             .
             Let
             neither
             thy
             fear
             be
             so
             great
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             thee
             lose
             assurance
             ;
             nor
             thy
             boldness
             so
             sawcy
             ,
             as
             to
             forget
             respect
             .
          
           
             That
             Superiority
             glisters
             in
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             ,
             but
             much
             more
             in
             great
             men
             .
             In
             
             an
             Oratour
             it
             is
             more
             than
             one
             circumstance
             :
             It
             's
             essential
             to
             a
             Lawyer
             ;
             In
             an
             Ambassadour
             it
             is
             a
             glorious
             Quality
             ;
             and
             a
             victorious
             Attribute
             in
             a
             Commander
             :
             but
             in
             a
             Prince
             it
             is
             the
             Ornament
             of
             perfection
             .
             It
             raises
             the
             price
             of
             all
             humane
             actions
             ;
             and
             reaches
             even
             the
             countenance
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             throne
             of
             comeliness
             ;
             and
             the
             gate
             also
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             the
             steps
             of
             a
             man
             are
             the
             signatures
             of
             the
             character
             of
             his
             heart
             ;
             and
             judicious
             persons
             delineate
             theirs
             by
             a
             noble
             way
             of
             acting
             and
             speaking
             .
             For
             sublime
             actions
             are
             of
             double
             value
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             accompanied
             with
             majesty
             .
          
           
             Some
             are
             born
             with
             an
             universal
             power
             in
             all
             that
             they
             say
             and
             doe
             .
             One
             would
             say
             that
             nature
             had
             made
             them
             the
             elder
             brothers
             of
             mankind
             .
             They
             are
             designed
             to
             be
             Superiours
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             if
             not
             in
             Dignity
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             Merit
             .
             A
             spirit
             of
             Dominion
             exerts
             it self
             in
             them
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             most
             common
             actions
             .
             All
             obey
             them
             ,
             because
             in
             every
             thing
             they
             excell
             .
             They
             rob
             the
             hearts
             ,
             and
             so
             at
             first
             become
             the
             masters
             of
             others
             ;
             for
             their
             capacity
             is
             large
             enough
             for
             all
             things
             .
             And
             though
             there
             may
             be
             others
             sometimes
             that
             have
             more
             learning
             ,
             nobility
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             vrtue
             ;
             yet
             still
             they
             get
             the
             better
             on
             't
             by
             an
             Ascendant
             ,
             that
             gives
             them
             the
             
             Superiority
             ;
             so
             that
             if
             they
             be
             not
             in
             the
             right
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             they
             make
             good
             their
             title
             by
             possession
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLIII
             .
          
           
             To
             speak
             with
             the
             Vulgar
             ,
             but
             to
             think
             with
             the
             Wise
             .
          
           
             To
             go
             against
             the
             stream
             ,
             is
             a
             thing
             wherein
             it
             is
             as
             impossible
             to
             succeed
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             be
             exposed
             to
             danger
             .
             Socrates
             was
             the
             onely
             man
             that
             could
             undertake
             it
             .
             Contradiction
             passes
             for
             an
             affront
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             a
             condemning
             of
             the
             Judgment
             of
             another
             .
             Malecontents
             multiply
             ,
             sometimes
             because
             of
             the
             thing
             that
             is
             censured
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             because
             of
             the
             Party
             that
             it
             had
             .
             Truth
             is
             known
             but
             of
             a
             very
             few
             ,
             and
             false
             Opinions
             go
             current
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             .
             One
             must
             not
             judge
             of
             a
             wise
             man
             by
             what
             he
             says
             ,
             seeing
             sometimes
             he
             speaks
             at
             second
             hand
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             common
             voice
             ,
             though
             his
             judgment
             give
             the
             lie
             to
             the
             vulgar
             errour
             .
             A
             wise
             man
             shuns
             as
             much
             to
             be
             contradicted
             ,
             as
             to
             contradict
             .
             The
             more
             his
             judgment
             enclines
             him
             to
             censure
             ,
             the
             more
             he
             has
             a
             care
             not
             to
             publish
             it
             .
             Opinion
             is
             free
             ;
             it
             neither
             can
             nor
             ought
             to
             
             be
             forced
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             retires
             within
             the
             Sanctuary
             of
             his
             silence
             ,
             and
             if
             sometimes
             he
             be
             communicative
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             to
             a
             few
             ,
             and
             those
             the
             Wise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLIV
             .
          
           
             To
             sympathize
             with
             great
             men
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             quality
             of
             a
             Heroe
             to
             love
             a
             Heroe
             ;
             it
             is
             a
             secret
             instinct
             that
             nature
             bestows
             upon
             those
             whom
             she
             intends
             to
             conduct
             to
             Heroism
             .
             There
             is
             a
             kindred
             of
             hearts
             and
             inclinations
             ,
             and
             the
             effects
             of
             it
             are
             by
             the
             vulgar
             attributed
             to
             enchantment
             .
             That
             sympathy
             rests
             not
             at
             esteem
             ,
             it
             proceeds
             to
             good
             will
             ,
             and
             at
             length
             arrives
             at
             affection
             :
             it
             persuades
             without
             speaking
             ,
             and
             obtains
             without
             recommendation
             .
             There
             is
             an
             active
             and
             a
             passive
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             sublime
             ,
             the
             more
             happy
             they
             are
             .
             The
             skill
             lies
             in
             knowing
             ,
             distinguishing
             ,
             and
             understanding
             how
             to
             make
             the
             best
             use
             of
             them
             .
             Without
             that
             inclination
             the
             rest
             is
             good
             for
             nothing
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XLV
             .
          
           
             To
             use
             Reflexion
             without
             abusing
             it
             .
          
           
             Reflexion
             ought
             neither
             to
             be
             affected
             nor
             known
             .
             Artifice
             is
             to
             be
             hid
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             it
             is
             suspicious
             ,
             and
             all
             caution
             more
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             odious
             .
             If
             Cheating
             be
             in
             vogue
             ;
             double
             your
             vigilance
             ,
             but
             without
             making
             it
             known
             ,
             lest
             that
             make
             people
             distrustfull
             .
             Suspicion
             provokes
             to
             revenge
             ,
             and
             sets
             men
             upon
             thoughts
             of
             doing
             the
             hurt
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             thought
             on
             before
             .
             Reflexion
             upon
             the
             state
             of
             affairs
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             help
             in
             acting
             .
             There
             is
             not
             a
             better
             proof
             of
             a
             man
             of
             sense
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             reflexive
             .
             The
             greatest
             perfection
             of
             actions
             depends
             on
             the
             full
             knowledge
             with
             which
             they
             have
             been
             executed
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLVI
             .
          
           
             To
             correct
             ones
             Antipathy
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             our
             custome
             to
             hate
             right
             or
             wrong
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             even
             before
             we
             know
             what
             he
             is
             ,
             whom
             we
             hat
             :
             and
             sometimes
             that
             vulgar
             aversion
             ,
             has
             the
             boldness
             to
             attack
             great
             persons
             .
             Prudence
             
             ought
             to
             keep
             it
             under
             .
             For
             nothing
             discredits
             us
             more
             ,
             than
             to
             hate
             those
             who
             deserve
             to
             be
             beloved
             .
             As
             it
             is
             noble
             to
             sympathize
             with
             Heroes
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             disgracefull
             to
             have
             antipathy
             against
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLVII
             .
          
           
             To
             shun
             Engagements
          
           
             Is
             one
             of
             the
             chief
             Maximes
             of
             Prudence
             .
             In
             large
             places
             there
             is
             always
             great
             distance
             from
             one
             end
             to
             the
             other
             .
             It
             is
             the
             same
             in
             great
             affairs
             .
             We
             must
             jog
             on
             a
             good
             way
             before
             we
             come
             to
             see
             the
             end
             of
             them
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             wise
             engage
             not
             willingly
             therein
             .
             They
             come
             to
             a
             rupture
             as
             late
             as
             possibly
             they
             can
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             easier
             to
             wave
             the
             occasion
             ,
             than
             to
             get
             off
             ,
             if
             engaged
             with
             honour
             .
             There
             are
             temptations
             of
             judgment
             ,
             which
             it
             is
             safer
             to
             avoid
             ,
             than
             to
             overcome
             .
             One
             Engagement
             draws
             a
             greater
             after
             it
             ,
             and
             commonly
             there
             is
             a
             precipice
             hard
             by
             .
             Some
             men
             naturally
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             through
             a
             national
             fault
             ,
             meddle
             in
             every
             thing
             ,
             and
             engage
             inconsiderately
             .
             But
             he
             that
             takes
             reason
             for
             his
             Guide
             ,
             proceeds
             always
             with
             circumspection
             .
             He
             finds
             greater
             advantage
             in
             not
             engaging
             ,
             than
             in
             overcoming
             :
             and
             
             though
             some
             rash
             blockhead
             may
             be
             ready
             to
             begin
             ,
             yet
             he
             has
             a
             care
             not
             to
             make
             a
             second
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XLVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             a
             good
             Stock
             .
          
           
             The
             more
             depth
             one
             hath
             ,
             the
             more
             man
             he
             is
             .
             The
             inside
             ought
             to
             be
             worth
             as
             much
             again
             as
             what
             appears
             outwardly
             .
             Some
             men
             have
             no
             more
             but
             a
             front
             ,
             just
             like
             Houses
             ,
             which
             for
             want
             of
             a
             good
             foundation
             ,
             have
             not
             been
             finished
             .
             The
             entry
             speaks
             the
             Palace
             ,
             and
             the
             Cottage
             the
             Lodging
             .
             These
             men
             have
             nothing
             that
             one
             can
             fix
             upon
             ,
             or
             rather
             every
             thing
             is
             fixed
             with
             them
             .
             For
             after
             the
             first
             salutation
             the
             conversation
             is
             at
             an
             end
             .
             They
             make
             their
             complement
             of
             entry
             ,
             as
             the
             Sicilian
             Horses
             their
             Caracols
             ,
             and
             then
             all
             of
             a
             sudden
             are
             dumb
             .
             For
             words
             are
             soon
             drained
             when
             the
             Understanding
             is
             shallow
             .
             It
             is
             easie
             for
             them
             to
             deceive
             others
             ,
             who
             like
             themselves
             have
             nothing
             but
             a
             shew
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             fops
             to
             men
             of
             discerning
             ,
             who
             presently
             discover
             that
             they
             are
             empty
             within
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XLIX
             .
          
           
             The
             judicious
             and
             penetrating
             man
          
           
             Masters
             objects
             ,
             and
             is
             never
             mastered
             by
             them
             .
             He
             presently
             sounds
             the
             bottom
             of
             the
             profoundest
             depth
             .
             He
             knows
             very
             well
             how
             to
             make
             the
             Anatomy
             of
             mens
             capacities
             .
             Let
             him
             but
             look
             upon
             a
             man
             ,
             and
             he
             'll
             dive
             into
             the
             depth
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             know
             him
             throughly
             .
             He
             deciphers
             all
             the
             secrets
             of
             the
             closest
             heart
             .
             He
             is
             quick
             in
             conceiving
             ,
             severe
             in
             censuring
             ,
             and
             judicious
             in
             drawing
             his
             consequences
             .
             He
             discovers
             all
             ,
             observes
             all
             ,
             and
             comprehends
             all
             .
          
           
             
               That
               and
               the
               preceding
               Maxime
               have
               their
               Commentary
               in
               the
               Authours
               Discreet
               ,
               ch
               .
            
             Hombre
             Juizioso
             y
             notante
             ,
             
               where
               thus
               he
               speaks
            
             .
          
           
             Momus
             reasoned
             but
             very
             dully
             ,
             when
             he
             would
             have
             had
             a
             little
             Window
             to
             be
             made
             in
             the
             heart
             of
             Man.
             It
             would
             be
             of
             very
             little
             use
             to
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             look
             through
             perspective
             glasses
             .
             A
             good
             judgment
             is
             the
             principal
             key
             of
             another
             man's
             heart
             .
             It
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             for
             ignorance
             to
             retreat
             into
             the
             Sanctuary
             of
             silence
             ,
             and
             Hypocrisie
             into
             a
             whited
             Sepulchre
             ,
             a
             judicious
             man
             discovers
             all
             ,
             
             guesses
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             penetrates
             into
             all
             .
             He
             at
             first
             distinguishes
             appearance
             from
             reality
             .
             He
             looks
             into
             the
             inside
             ,
             and
             rests
             not
             on
             the
             vulgar
             surface
             .
             He
             deciphers
             the
             intentions
             and
             ends
             ;
             for
             the
             key
             of
             Criticizing
             is
             in
             his
             possession
             .
             Seldom
             hath
             deceit
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             ignorance
             bragg'd
             of
             being
             too
             hard
             for
             him
             .
             That
             pre-eminence
             hath
             rendred
             Tacitus
             so
             famous
             in
             the
             particular
             ,
             and
             Seneca
             so
             esteemed
             in
             the
             common
             .
             There
             is
             no
             quality
             more
             opposite
             to
             vulgar
             ignorance
             than
             this
             :
             it
             is
             sufficient
             alone
             to
             gain
             a
             man
             the
             reputation
             of
             discreet
             .
             The
             vulgar
             hath
             always
             been
             malitious
             ,
             but
             never
             judicious
             :
             And
             though
             it
             says
             any
             thing
             ,
             yet
             it
             understands
             not
             every
             thing
             .
             It
             seldom
             distinguishes
             truth
             from
             probability
             .
             Seeing
             it
             never
             bites
             but
             the
             bark
             ,
             it
             swallows
             down
             all
             ,
             without
             nauseating
             a
             lie
             .
             
               And
               about
               two
               pages
               after
            
             .
             A
             yea
             from
             those
             judges
             of
             merit
             and
             capacity
             ,
             is
             worth
             more
             than
             all
             the
             acclamations
             of
             a
             people
             .
             And
             it
             was
             not
             without
             ground
             ,
             that
             Plato
             called
             Aristotle
             his
             whole
             School
             ;
             and
             Antigonus
             the
             Philosopher
             Zeno
             ,
             the
             whole
             sum
             of
             his
             Renown
             .
             But
             it
             is
             to
             be
             observed
             that
             there
             is
             great
             difference
             betwixt
             censure
             and
             backbiting
             For
             the
             one
             is
             grounded
             upon
             indifference
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             upon
             
             malice
             .
             Our
             Aphorism
             enjoins
             not
             a
             discreet
             man
             to
             be
             satyrical
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             intelligent
             :
             it
             prescribes
             not
             the
             condemning
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             an
             insupportable
             extravagance
             of
             mind
             ;
             but
             far
             less
             the
             approving
             all
             things
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             silliest
             piece
             of
             Pedantry
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             L.
             
          
           
             Never
             to
             lose
             the
             respect
             which
             is
             due
             to
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             One
             ought
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             no
             cause
             of
             blushing
             in
             private
             .
             His
             own
             Conscience
             ought
             to
             be
             a
             sufficient
             rule
             of
             his
             Actions
             .
             A
             good
             man
             is
             more
             obliged
             to
             his
             own
             severity
             ,
             than
             to
             all
             Precepts
             .
             He
             refrains
             to
             doe
             what
             is
             indifferent
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             wounding
             his
             own
             modesty
             ,
             rather
             than
             offending
             against
             the
             Authority
             of
             his
             Superiours
             .
             When
             one
             stands
             in
             awe
             of
             himself
             ,
             he
             stands
             in
             no
             need
             of
             
             Seneca's
             imaginary
             Tutor
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LI.
             
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             a
             good
             choice
             .
          
           
             A
             good
             choice
             supposes
             a
             good
             discerning
             and
             good
             sense
             .
             Wit
             and
             Study
             are
             
             not
             sufficient
             to
             make
             a
             happy
             life
             .
             There
             is
             no
             perfection
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             nothing
             to
             be
             chosen
             .
             To
             be
             able
             to
             chuse
             ,
             and
             to
             chuse
             well
             ,
             are
             the
             two
             advantages
             of
             a
             good
             discerning
             .
             Many
             who
             have
             a
             pregnant
             and
             fertile
             wit
             ,
             a
             strong
             judgment
             ,
             and
             much
             knowledge
             acquired
             by
             study
             ,
             are
             at
             a
             loss
             when
             they
             are
             to
             make
             a
             choice
             :
             it
             is
             fatal
             to
             them
             to
             hit
             upon
             the
             worst
             ,
             and
             one
             would
             say
             ,
             that
             they
             loved
             to
             deceive
             themselves
             .
             It
             is
             then
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             gifts
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             man
             of
             a
             good
             choice
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             be
             disordered
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             great
             point
             always
             to
             be
             master
             of
             ones
             self
             .
             A
             man
             thereby
             becomes
             excellent
             ,
             and
             has
             the
             heart
             of
             a
             King
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             very
             difficult
             to
             shake
             a
             great
             Soul.
             Passions
             are
             the
             Elementary
             humours
             of
             the
             mind
             :
             so
             soon
             as
             these
             humours
             exceed
             ,
             the
             mind
             becomes
             sick
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             distemper
             rise
             to
             the
             mouth
             ,
             Reputation
             is
             much
             in
             danger
             .
             One
             ought
             therefore
             so
             to
             get
             the
             mastery
             over
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             never
             be
             accused
             of
             transport
             ,
             neither
             in
             the
             height
             of
             prosperity
             ,
             nor
             in
             the
             worst
             of
             adversity
             ;
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             make
             himself
             be
             admired
             as
             invincible
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LIII
             .
          
           
             Diligent
             and
             intelligent
             .
          
           
             Diligence
             executes
             speedily
             what
             intelligence
             projects
             slowly
             .
             Precipitancy
             is
             the
             passion
             of
             fools
             ,
             who
             not
             being
             able
             to
             discover
             the
             danger
             ,
             act
             at
             hap-hazard
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             the
             wise
             trespass
             in
             slowness
             ,
             the
             common
             effect
             of
             reflexion
             .
             Sometimes
             delay
             makes
             a
             well
             concerted
             enterprise
             to
             miscarry
             .
             Speedy
             execution
             is
             the
             mother
             of
             good
             Fortune
             .
             He
             hath
             done
             much
             ,
             who
             hath
             left
             nothing
             to
             be
             done
             till
             to
             morrow
             .
             It
             's
             a
             saying
             worthy
             of
             
               Augustus
               :
               Festina
               lentè
               ,
               make
               haste
               slowly
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LIV.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             a
             man
             of
             metal
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             Lion
             is
             dead
             ,
             the
             Beasts
             are
             not
             afraid
             .
             Brave
             men
             are
             not
             to
             be
             jeasted
             with
             .
             If
             one
             resist
             not
             the
             first
             time
             ,
             he
             'll
             far
             less
             resist
             the
             second
             ,
             and
             it
             grows
             still
             worse
             and
             worse
             .
             For
             the
             same
             difficulty
             that
             in
             the
             beginning
             might
             have
             been
             surmounted
             ,
             is
             greater
             in
             the
             end
             .
             The
             vigour
             of
             mind
             surpasses
             that
             
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             it
             must
             always
             be
             in
             a
             readiness
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Sword
             ,
             to
             be
             made
             use
             of
             when
             occasion
             serves
             .
             By
             that
             means
             we
             gain
             respect
             .
             Many
             men
             have
             had
             eminent
             qualities
             ,
             who
             for
             want
             of
             a
             good
             heart
             ,
             have
             been
             looked
             upon
             as
             dead
             ,
             seeing
             they
             have
             been
             buried
             alive
             in
             the
             obscurity
             of
             contempt
             .
             It
             is
             not
             without
             reason
             that
             Nature
             hath
             given
             Bees
             both
             honey
             and
             a
             sting
             ,
             and
             the
             body
             of
             man
             also
             both
             nerves
             and
             bones
             .
             The
             mind
             then
             ,
             must
             also
             have
             some
             mixture
             of
             sweetness
             and
             resolution
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LV.
             
          
           
             The
             man
             that
             can
             wait
             with
             patience
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             be
             too
             forward
             nor
             passionate
             ,
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             free
             and
             unconfined
             heart
             .
             He
             that
             is
             master
             of
             himself
             ,
             will
             soon
             be
             of
             others
             .
             We
             must
             traverse
             the
             large
             carriere
             of
             time
             ,
             before
             we
             come
             to
             the
             centre
             of
             occasion
             .
             A
             rational
             temporizing
             ripens
             secrets
             and
             resolutions
             .
             The
             crutch
             of
             time
             does
             more
             business
             than
             the
             Club
             of
             Hercules
             .
             God
             himself
             when
             he
             punishes
             us
             ,
             makes
             not
             use
             of
             the
             rod
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             season
             .
             It
             was
             a
             good
             saying
             of
             Philip
             the
             second
             of
             
               Spain
               :
               Time
               and
               I
               are
               good
               enough
               for
               other
               two
               .
            
             Nay
             ,
             
             Fortune
             rewards
             with
             interest
             those
             who
             have
             the
             patience
             to
             wait
             for
             her
             .
          
           
             The
             Authour
             in
             the
             third
             Chapter
             of
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             having
             given
             an
             allegorical
             description
             of
             the
             triumphant
             Chariot
             of
             Expectation
             ,
             drawn
             by
             
             Remora's
             ,
             and
             of
             her
             Throne
             made
             of
             the
             shell
             of
             a
             Tortoise
             ;
             and
             having
             told
             ,
             how
             that
             Chariot
             was
             on
             a
             day
             attacked
             by
             a
             Squadron
             of
             Monsters
             ,
             which
             were
             blind
             passion
             ,
             undiscreet
             engagement
             ,
             imprudent
             haste
             ,
             fool-hardiness
             ,
             inconsideration
             ,
             precipitation
             and
             confusion
             :
             Expectation
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             knowing
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             danger
             ,
             commanded
             Retention
             to
             make
             hault
             ;
             and
             Dissimulation
             to
             amuse
             the
             Enemies
             ,
             whilst
             she
             should
             consult
             what
             was
             best
             to
             be
             done
             .
          
           
             The
             wise
             Bias
             ,
             chief
             Servant
             to
             that
             great
             Mistress
             of
             her self
             ,
             advised
             her
             to
             imitate
             Jupiter
             ,
             whose
             Thunderbolts
             would
             have
             already
             been
             all
             spent
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             had
             patience
             .
             Louis
             XI
             .
             King
             of
             France
             ,
             was
             of
             the
             Opinion
             that
             she
             should
             dissemble
             as
             he
             had
             done
             ,
             who
             never
             taught
             his
             Son
             any
             other
             Grammar
             ,
             nor
             other
             Politicks
             .
             
               Don
               John
            
             II.
             King
             of
             Aragon
             ,
             represented
             to
             her
             ,
             that
             till
             then
             the
             Spanish
             delaying
             had
             wrought
             more
             than
             the
             French
             haste
             .
             The
             great
             Augustus
             recommended
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             
             and
             instead
             of
             all
             ,
             his
             
               Festina
               Lenté
            
             .
             The
             Catholick
             King
             
               Don
               Ferdinand
            
             ,
             as
             a
             Prince
             of
             Politicks
             ,
             wherein
             expectation
             is
             well
             versed
             ,
             spake
             more
             largely
             .
             One
             must
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             be
             master
             of
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             then
             he
             'll
             quickly
             be
             of
             others
             .
             Temporizing
             seasons
             resolutions
             ,
             and
             ripens
             secrets
             :
             whereas
             precipitation
             always
             begets
             untimely
             births
             that
             never
             attain
             to
             the
             life
             of
             immortality
             .
             One
             must
             think
             leisurely
             ,
             and
             execute
             speedily
             .
             All
             diligence
             that
             is
             not
             directed
             by
             staidness
             runs
             great
             risk
             .
             Things
             escape
             from
             it
             ,
             as
             easily
             as
             they
             fall
             in
             its
             way
             :
             and
             sometimes
             the
             resounding
             of
             the
             fall
             is
             the
             first
             signal
             of
             their
             being
             laid
             hold
             on
             .
             Expectation
             is
             the
             fruit
             of
             great
             hearts
             ;
             and
             abounds
             in
             good
             successes
             .
             Men
             of
             little
             courage
             can
             neither
             keep
             time
             nor
             secrets
             .
             And
             then
             he
             concludes
             with
             that
             Catalan
             Oracle
             :
             
               God
               makes
               not
               use
               of
               the
               rod
               but
               of
               the
               season
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LVI
             .
          
           
             To
             find
             out
             good
             expedients
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             effect
             of
             a
             happy
             quickness
             which
             is
             no
             more
             puzled
             at
             any
             thing
             ,
             than
             as
             if
             nothing
             happened
             fortuitously
             :
             Some
             after
             long
             plodding
             ,
             are
             still
             mistaken
             
             in
             every
             thing
             ;
             and
             others
             hit
             upon
             expedients
             for
             all
             things
             ,
             without
             thinking
             on
             them
             before
             .
             There
             are
             characters
             of
             Antiperistasis
             ,
             that
             never
             succeed
             better
             than
             in
             a
             plunge
             .
             These
             are
             Prodigies
             that
             doe
             every
             thing
             well
             upon
             the
             spot
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             ill
             which
             they
             have
             premeditated
             .
             What
             they
             hit
             not
             upon
             at
             first
             ,
             they
             never
             hit
             upon
             .
             Such
             people
             have
             great
             Reputation
             ,
             because
             by
             the
             quickness
             of
             their
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             the
             success
             of
             their
             enterprises
             ,
             men
             judge
             their
             capacity
             to
             be
             Prodigious
             .
          
           
             Promptitude
             ,
             saith
             the
             Authour
             ,
             in
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             Chap.
             
               Tener
               buevos
               repentes
            
             ,
             is
             the
             Mother
             of
             good
             Fortune
             .
             Unpremeditated
             hits
             proceed
             always
             from
             a
             high-flown
             mind
             .
             
               And
               some
               lines
               after
            
             .
             If
             esteem
             be
             due
             to
             all
             that
             is
             pertinently
             done
             or
             said
             ,
             a
             pat
             expedient
             found
             out
             at
             the
             nick
             ,
             deserves
             applause
             .
             Readiness
             and
             success
             give
             a
             double
             value
             to
             things
             .
             Some
             think
             much
             ,
             and
             nevertheless
             still
             fail
             ;
             and
             others
             succeed
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             without
             thinking
             on
             them
             before
             .
             The
             quickness
             of
             wit
             supplies
             the
             defect
             of
             a
             deep
             judgment
             .
             What
             offers
             at
             first
             anticipates
             consultation
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             casual
             for
             such
             men
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             presence
             of
             mind
             stands
             them
             in
             stead
             of
             forecast
             .
             Extemporaries
             are
             the
             gentile
             
             feats
             of
             a
             good
             discerning
             ,
             and
             the
             loadstone
             of
             admiration
             .
             Ordinary
             actions
             unpremeditated
             ,
             make
             a
             greater
             shew
             than
             high
             designs
             that
             have
             been
             concerted
             .
             
               And
               a
               page
               after
            
             .
             One
             single
             extemporary
             hit
             was
             enough
             to
             procure
             Solomon
             the
             renown
             of
             being
             the
             wisest
             of
             men
             .
             By
             one
             word
             he
             rendred
             himself
             more
             redoubtable
             ,
             than
             by
             all
             his
             power
             .
             Alexander
             and
             Caesar
             deserved
             to
             be
             the
             elder
             Sons
             of
             Fame
             ,
             the
             one
             by
             bethinking
             himself
             to
             cut
             the
             Gordian
             Knot
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             by
             saying
             when
             he
             fell
             ,
             
               It
               is
               a
               good
               sign
               that
            
             Africa
             
               is
               under
               me
            
             .
             Two
             Extemporaries
             were
             as
             good
             to
             both
             ,
             as
             the
             Conquest
             of
             two
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             .
             That
             essay
             gave
             a
             specimen
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             capable
             of
             ruling
             the
             Universe
             .
          
           
             If
             a
             sudden
             repartee
             hath
             always
             been
             plausible
             ,
             a
             prompt
             resolution
             deserves
             well
             to
             be
             applauded
             .
             A
             happy
             promptitude
             in
             the
             effects
             ,
             shews
             an
             eminent
             activity
             in
             the
             cause
             .
             Promptitude
             in
             conceiving
             ,
             is
             a
             sign
             of
             subtilty
             ,
             and
             a
             readiness
             in
             finding
             out
             good
             expedients
             ,
             is
             a
             proof
             of
             Wisedom
             so
             much
             the
             more
             to
             be
             esteemed
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             great
             distance
             betwixt
             vivacity
             and
             prudence
             ,
             and
             betwixt
             wit
             and
             judgment
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             perfection
             no
             less
             necessary
             than
             sublime
             in
             Generals
             of
             Armies
             ,
             and
             brave
             
             men
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             their
             actions
             and
             executions
             are
             for
             most
             part
             all
             sudden
             and
             transitory
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             many
             fortuitous
             cases
             that
             have
             neither
             been
             foreseen
             ,
             nor
             consulted
             ;
             and
             so
             must
             be
             ordered
             according
             as
             occasion
             offers
             :
             wherein
             consists
             the
             triumph
             of
             their
             presence
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             the
             whole
             assurance
             of
             their
             Victories
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             becomes
             Kings
             better
             to
             think
             ,
             because
             all
             their
             actions
             are
             eternal
             .
             They
             are
             to
             consider
             for
             many
             ,
             and
             consequently
             have
             need
             of
             much
             Auxiliary
             Prudence
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             secure
             the
             publick
             repose
             .
             They
             have
             time
             ,
             and
             their
             Beds
             ,
             where
             they
             let
             their
             resolutions
             ripen
             .
             They
             spend
             whole
             nights
             in
             thinking
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             spend
             the
             days
             in
             safety
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             they
             labour
             more
             with
             the
             head
             than
             with
             the
             hands
             .
          
           
             
               And
               in
               the
               third
               Chapter
               of
               a
               Heroe
               .
            
             He
             thus
             speaks
             .
          
           
             The
             sayings
             of
             Alexander
             are
             the
             Flamboes
             of
             his
             deeds
             .
             Caesar
             was
             equally
             prompt
             in
             thinking
             and
             in
             acting
             .
             The
             promptitude
             of
             the
             mind
             is
             as
             happy
             as
             that
             of
             the
             will
             is
             dangerous
             .
             It
             furnishes
             wings
             for
             soaring
             to
             the
             height
             of
             grandeur
             .
             With
             these
             wings
             many
             have
             raised
             themselves
             from
             the
             centre
             of
             obscurity
             to
             the
             orb
             of
             the
             Sun.
             
          
           
           
             If
             subtilty
             reign
             not
             ,
             it
             deserves
             ,
             at
             least
             to
             accompany
             those
             who
             reign
             .
             The
             ordinary
             sayings
             of
             a
             King
             are
             Crowned
             points
             of
             Wit.
             The
             treasures
             of
             Princes
             often
             fail
             ;
             but
             their
             witty
             sayings
             are
             everlastingly
             preserved
             in
             the
             repository
             of
             Fame
             .
             Brave
             men
             have
             gone
             farther
             sometimes
             with
             one
             word
             ,
             than
             with
             the
             force
             of
             their
             Arms
             ,
             Victory
             being
             the
             ordinary
             reward
             of
             a
             shot
             of
             wit.
             The
             King
             of
             Sages
             ,
             and
             the
             wisest
             of
             Kings
             ,
             acquired
             that
             reputation
             by
             the
             ready
             expedient
             ,
             which
             he
             found
             out
             in
             the
             greatest
             of
             all
             differences
             ,
             which
             was
             to
             plead
             for
             an
             Infant
             .
             And
             this
             shews
             that
             wit
             is
             usefull
             to
             give
             credit
             to
             Justice
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LVII
             .
          
           
             The
             surest
             men
             are
             men
             of
             Reflexion
             .
          
           
             What
             is
             well
             ,
             comes
             always
             in
             good
             time
             .
             What
             is
             incontinently
             done
             ,
             is
             as
             soon
             undone
             .
             That
             which
             is
             to
             last
             to
             eternity
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             an
             eternity
             a
             making
             .
             Perfection
             is
             the
             onely
             thing
             that
             is
             minded
             ,
             and
             nothing
             lasts
             but
             what
             is
             perfect
             .
             All
             that
             proceeds
             from
             a
             profound
             Understanding
             ,
             endures
             for
             ever
             .
             What
             is
             worth
             much
             costs
             much
             .
             The
             most
             pretious
             Metal
             is
             the
             latest
             in
             
             coming
             to
             perfection
             ,
             and
             the
             heaviest
             .
          
           
             
               Soon
               enough
               ,
               if
               well
               enough
               ,
            
             said
             a
             Wise
             Man.
             We
             examine
             not
             how
             long
             one
             has
             been
             a
             doing
             of
             a
             work
             ,
             but
             if
             it
             be
             well
             done
             .
             That
             onely
             makes
             it
             valuable
             .
             Fast
             and
             slow
             ,
             are
             accidents
             which
             are
             unknown
             or
             forgotten
             :
             whereas
             Well
             is
             permanent
             .
             What
             is
             done
             in
             a
             trice
             ,
             will
             be
             undone
             all
             of
             a
             sudden
             .
             It
             soon
             ends
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             soon
             finished
             .
             The
             more
             the
             Children
             of
             Saturn
             come
             before
             the
             time
             ,
             the
             faster
             he
             devours
             them
             .
             That
             which
             is
             to
             last
             for
             eternity
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             an
             eternity
             in
             coming
             .
             Gratian
             in
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             Chap.
             
               Tener
               buevos
               repentes
            
             .
          
           
             Apelles
             said
             to
             a
             Painter
             ,
             who
             bragg'd
             that
             he
             spent
             but
             little
             time
             in
             making
             his
             Pictures
             :
             
               That
               is
               easily
               believed
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               seen
               .
            
             The
             famous
             
               Michael
               Angelo
            
             ,
             who
             was
             very
             long
             about
             his
             Works
             ,
             said
             ,
             that
             in
             arts
             haste
             was
             good
             for
             nothing
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             Nature
             takes
             much
             time
             in
             forming
             Animals
             ,
             that
             are
             to
             last
             long
             :
             so
             Art
             that
             strives
             to
             imitate
             Nature
             ,
             ought
             to
             work
             leisurely
             ,
             it
             being
             impossible
             for
             man
             to
             doe
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             excellent
             in
             haste
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             shape
             ones
             self
             according
             to
             people
             .
          
           
             One
             must
             not
             strive
             to
             shew
             his
             parts
             alike
             with
             all
             people
             ,
             nor
             employ
             greater
             force
             than
             the
             occasion
             requires
             .
             There
             must
             be
             no
             profusion
             neither
             of
             knowledge
             nor
             power
             .
             The
             skilfull
             Fowler
             throws
             no
             more
             meat
             to
             the
             Birds
             than
             what
             is
             necessary
             to
             catch
             them
             .
             Have
             a
             special
             care
             not
             to
             make
             ostentation
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             for
             you
             'll
             soon
             come
             to
             want
             admirers
             .
             Some
             new
             thing
             is
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             store
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             appear
             with
             to
             morrow
             :
             every
             day
             a
             fresh
             proof
             ,
             is
             the
             way
             still
             to
             keep
             in
             credit
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             the
             more
             admired
             ,
             that
             so
             one
             never
             shews
             the
             bounds
             of
             his
             capacity
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LIX
             .
          
           
             The
             man
             that
             makes
             himself
             to
             be
             desired
             and
             regretted
             .
          
           
             If
             a
             man
             enter
             the
             house
             of
             Fortune
             by
             the
             gate
             of
             pleasure
             ,
             he
             comes
             out
             commonly
             by
             the
             door
             of
             vexation
             .
             It
             is
             greater
             art
             to
             get
             out
             happily
             ,
             than
             to
             enter
             it
             with
             popular
             applause
             .
             It
             is
             the
             
             ordinary
             lot
             of
             fortunate
             people
             to
             have
             most
             favourable
             beginnings
             ,
             and
             then
             a
             tragical
             end
             .
             Felicity
             consists
             not
             in
             having
             the
             applause
             of
             the
             people
             at
             ones
             entry
             :
             for
             that
             is
             an
             advantage
             which
             all
             that
             enter
             have
             .
             The
             difficult
             matter
             is
             to
             have
             the
             same
             applause
             at
             ones
             exit
             .
             You
             see
             but
             very
             few
             who
             are
             regrated
             .
             It
             seldom
             happens
             that
             they
             who
             go
             out
             ,
             are
             accompanied
             with
             good
             fortune
             .
             For
             it
             is
             her
             pleasure
             to
             be
             as
             surly
             to
             those
             that
             go
             ,
             as
             she
             is
             civil
             and
             caressing
             to
             those
             who
             come
             .
          
           
             The
             same
             applause
             ,
             says
             he
             in
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             Chap.
             
               Hombre
               de
               buen
               dexo
            
             ,
             that
             one
             hath
             had
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             makes
             the
             murmuring
             the
             greater
             at
             the
             end
             .
             The
             fronts
             of
             Offices
             are
             all
             magnificent
             ,
             but
             never
             the
             back
             parts
             ,
             entries
             into
             Dignities
             are
             Crowned
             like
             Victories
             ,
             but
             the
             goings
             off
             are
             attended
             with
             curses
             .
          
           
             What
             strange
             applauses
             to
             an
             Authority
             that
             begins
             ,
             whether
             because
             of
             the
             pleasure
             that
             people
             take
             in
             changes
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             hopes
             that
             every
             one
             hath
             to
             obtain
             particular
             favours
             !
             but
             when
             it
             expires
             ,
             alas
             ,
             what
             silence
             !
             nay
             ,
             and
             silence
             would
             stand
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             favourable
             acclamation
             too
             .
          
           
             Prudence
             applies
             it self
             wholly
             to
             end
             
             things
             well
             .
             It
             is
             far
             more
             attentive
             how
             to
             come
             out
             ,
             than
             in
             listening
             to
             the
             applauses
             of
             an
             entry
             .
             A
             vigilant
             Palinurus
             governed
             not
             his
             Vessel
             by
             the
             head
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             stern
             .
             There
             he
             keeps
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             conduct
             her
             through
             the
             voyage
             of
             this
             life
             :
             all
             the
             disgrace
             ,
             (
             and
             as
             he
             says
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             that
             Chapter
             )
             all
             the
             race
             of
             misfortune
             remains
             for
             the
             end
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             bitterness
             is
             at
             the
             ground
             of
             the
             potion
             .
             The
             precept
             of
             that
             Roman
             for
             beginning
             and
             ending
             was
             excellent
             ,
             who
             said
             that
             he
             had
             obtained
             all
             Dignities
             before
             he
             desired
             them
             ,
             and
             had
             left
             them
             all
             ,
             before
             they
             were
             desired
             by
             others
             .
             Misfortune
             is
             sometimes
             the
             punishment
             of
             immoderation
             .
             It
             is
             the
             comfort
             of
             the
             Wise
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             retired
             before
             Fortune
             withdrew
             .
             Heaven
             it self
             hath
             employed
             that
             remedy
             in
             favours
             of
             some
             Heroes
             .
             Moses
             disappeared
             ,
             and
             Elias
             was
             taken
             up
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             might
             end
             in
             triumph
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LX.
             
          
           
             Good
             sense
             .
          
           
             Some
             are
             born
             Prudent
             ,
             by
             a
             natural
             inclination
             they
             enter
             into
             the
             way
             of
             wisedom
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             got
             almost
             half
             way
             
             at
             first
             .
             Their
             reason
             ripens
             with
             age
             and
             experience
             ,
             and
             at
             length
             they
             attain
             to
             the
             highest
             degree
             of
             judgment
             .
             They
             startle
             at
             capriciousness
             ,
             as
             a
             temptation
             of
             their
             prudence
             ,
             but
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             State
             ;
             which
             by
             reason
             of
             their
             extreme
             importance
             ,
             require
             the
             strictest
             circumspection
             .
             Such
             men
             deserve
             to
             sit
             at
             the
             helm
             of
             Government
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             be
             Counsellers
             to
             those
             who
             hold
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXI
             .
          
           
             To
             excell
             in
             the
             excellent
          
           
             Is
             a
             thing
             very
             singular
             in
             the
             plurality
             of
             perfections
             .
             There
             can
             be
             no
             Heroe
             without
             some
             extreme
             sublimity
             .
             Mediocrity
             is
             not
             an
             object
             big
             enough
             for
             applause
             .
             Eminence
             in
             a
             high
             employment
             distinguishes
             from
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             and
             raises
             one
             to
             the
             category
             of
             rare
             men
             .
             To
             be
             eminent
             in
             a
             low
             profession
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             great
             in
             little
             ,
             and
             something
             in
             nothing
             .
             What
             is
             most
             delectable
             is
             least
             sublime
             .
             Eminence
             in
             high
             matters
             is
             as
             a
             character
             of
             Sovereignty
             ,
             which
             excites
             admiration
             ,
             and
             conciliates
             good
             will.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LXII
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             use
             of
             good
             Instruments
             .
          
           
             Some
             make
             the
             quaintness
             of
             their
             wit
             to
             consist
             in
             employing
             bad
             instruments
             .
             A
             dangerous
             point
             of
             honour
             ,
             and
             worthy
             of
             an
             unhappy
             issue
             .
             The
             excellence
             of
             the
             Minister
             hath
             never
             lessened
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             Master
             :
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             all
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             success
             rebounds
             upon
             the
             principal
             cause
             ;
             and
             in
             like
             manner
             all
             the
             blame
             .
             Fame
             sounds
             always
             the
             praises
             of
             the
             first
             Authours
             .
             It
             never
             says
             :
             
               That
               Man
               hath
               had
               good
               or
               bad
               Servants
            
             ;
             but
             ,
             
               That
               he
               hath
               been
               a
               good
               or
               bad
               Workman
               .
            
             One
             must
             therefore
             endeavour
             to
             chuse
             his
             Ministers
             well
             ,
             since
             on
             them
             depends
             the
             immortality
             of
             Reputation
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXIII
             .
          
           
             The
             excellence
             of
             Primacy
             .
          
           
             If
             Primacy
             be
             backed
             by
             Eminence
             ,
             it
             is
             on
             a
             double
             account
             excellent
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             advantage
             to
             have
             the
             hand
             at
             play
             ,
             for
             that
             gives
             the
             better
             on
             't
             ,
             if
             the
             Cards
             be
             equal
             .
             Several
             had
             been
             the
             Phoenix
             
             of
             their
             Profession
             ,
             if
             others
             had
             not
             gone
             before
             them
             .
             The
             first
             have
             the
             birth-right
             in
             the
             inheritance
             of
             reputation
             ,
             and
             there
             remains
             but
             a
             scanty
             portion
             of
             the
             Juniors
             ,
             nay
             and
             that
             too
             contested
             .
             It
             's
             to
             no
             purpose
             for
             those
             to
             fret
             ,
             they
             cannot
             baffle
             the
             opinion
             which
             the
             world
             hath
             ,
             that
             they
             doe
             no
             more
             but
             imitate
             .
             Great
             spirits
             have
             always
             affected
             a
             new
             way
             for
             attaining
             to
             excellence
             :
             yet
             so
             ,
             that
             Prudence
             hath
             always
             been
             employed
             for
             their
             guide
             .
             The
             Wise
             by
             the
             novelty
             of
             their
             enterprises
             get
             themselves
             to
             be
             listed
             in
             the
             Catalogue
             of
             Heroes
             .
             Some
             had
             rather
             be
             the
             Captains
             of
             the
             second
             form
             ,
             than
             the
             seconds
             of
             the
             first
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             vex
             as
             little
             as
             may
             be
             .
          
           
             Is
             a
             most
             usefull
             Science
             .
             It
             's
             as
             the
             Midwife
             to
             all
             the
             happiness
             of
             life
             .
             It
             is
             good
             for
             nothing
             either
             to
             give
             or
             receive
             bad
             tidings
             .
             We
             are
             onely
             to
             give
             entry
             to
             those
             that
             asswage
             trouble
             .
             There
             are
             some
             who
             employ
             their
             Ear
             onely
             in
             hearing
             flatteries
             ;
             others
             please
             themselves
             to
             listen
             to
             false
             reports
             ;
             and
             some
             cannot
             live
             so
             much
             as
             one
             day
             without
             
             some
             vexation
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Mithridates
             could
             without
             poison
             .
             Nay
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             far
             greater
             absurdity
             for
             one
             to
             be
             willing
             to
             disturb
             himself
             as
             long
             as
             he
             lives
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             once
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             another
             ,
             how
             closely
             soever
             he
             may
             be
             linked
             to
             him
             .
             We
             must
             never
             offend
             against
             our selves
             ,
             to
             comply
             with
             him
             ,
             who
             advises
             ,
             and
             keeps
             off
             at
             a
             distance
             .
             It
             is
             therefore
             a
             rational
             and
             usefull
             lesson
             ,
             that
             as
             often
             as
             it
             is
             put
             to
             thy
             option
             to
             please
             another
             or
             displease
             thy self
             ,
             thou'lt
             doe
             better
             to
             let
             another
             be
             discontented
             ,
             than
             to
             become
             so
             thy self
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             remedy
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXV
             .
          
           
             The
             quaint
             and
             critical
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             The
             judgment
             is
             cultivated
             as
             well
             as
             the
             wit.
             The
             excellence
             of
             understanding
             refines
             the
             desire
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             pleasure
             of
             enjoyment
             .
             The
             extent
             of
             the
             capacity
             is
             measured
             by
             the
             niceness
             of
             the
             judgment
             .
             A
             great
             capacity
             stands
             in
             need
             of
             a
             great
             object
             to
             give
             it
             content
             ,
             as
             a
             large
             stomach
             requires
             proportionable
             food
             ,
             so
             high
             minds
             demand
             elevated
             matters
             .
             The
             noblest
             objects
             are
             afraid
             of
             a
             delicate
             judgment
             ,
             perfections
             
             that
             are
             generally
             esteemed
             ,
             dare
             not
             hope
             to
             please
             it
             .
             Seeing
             there
             is
             but
             very
             little
             without
             defect
             ,
             one
             ought
             to
             be
             very
             sparing
             of
             esteem
             .
             Judgments
             are
             formed
             in
             conversation
             ,
             and
             we
             make
             another
             man's
             judgment
             our
             own
             by
             frequenting
             his
             company
             .
             It
             is
             then
             a
             great
             happiness
             to
             have
             commerce
             with
             persons
             of
             an
             excellent
             judgment
             .
             Yet
             we
             must
             not
             make
             profession
             of
             esteeming
             nothing
             at
             all
             .
             For
             that
             is
             an
             extreme
             folly
             ,
             and
             an
             affectation
             more
             odious
             than
             a
             depraved
             palate
             .
             Some
             would
             have
             God
             to
             make
             another
             world
             ,
             and
             other
             beauties
             to
             satisfie
             their
             extravagant
             and
             whimsical
             fancies
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             take
             good
             measures
             before
             one
             undertakes
             .
          
           
             Some
             eye
             the
             project
             more
             than
             the
             event
             :
             and
             nevertheless
             direction
             is
             not
             a
             sufficient
             surety
             to
             save
             one
             from
             the
             dishonour
             that
             attends
             an
             unfortunate
             issue
             .
             The
             Conquerour
             has
             no
             account
             to
             give
             .
             There
             are
             but
             a
             few
             who
             are
             capable
             to
             examine
             the
             reasons
             and
             circumstances
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             judges
             by
             the
             event
             .
             And
             therefore
             a
             successfull
             man
             
             never
             loses
             his
             reputation
             .
             A
             happy
             end
             crowns
             all
             ,
             though
             wrong
             means
             may
             have
             been
             used
             for
             attaining
             to
             it
             .
             For
             it
             is
             art
             to
             go
             contrary
             to
             art
             ,
             when
             otherwise
             one
             cannot
             compass
             what
             he
             intends
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             prefer
             plausible
             Employments
             .
          
           
             Most
             things
             depend
             upon
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             others
             .
             Esteem
             is
             to
             perfections
             ,
             what
             the
             Zephyres
             are
             to
             flowers
             ;
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             nourishment
             and
             life
             .
             There
             are
             some
             employments
             generally
             applauded
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             which
             though
             they
             be
             high
             ,
             yet
             are
             not
             courted
             .
             The
             former
             gain
             the
             good
             will
             of
             all
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             managed
             in
             sight
             of
             all
             people
             .
             The
             other
             are
             more
             majestuous
             ,
             and
             as
             such
             ,
             attract
             more
             veneration
             :
             but
             because
             they
             are
             undiscernable
             ,
             they
             are
             the
             less
             applauded
             to
             .
             Amongst
             Princes
             ,
             the
             victorious
             are
             the
             more
             celebrated
             :
             and
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             the
             Kings
             of
             Aragon
             have
             been
             so
             famous
             ,
             by
             their
             titles
             of
             Warriours
             ,
             Conquerours
             ,
             Magnanimous
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             of
             merit
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             eternise
             his
             memory
             by
             general
             applause
             ,
             chuse
             then
             such
             employments
             ,
             wherein
             every
             one
             hath
             some
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             all
             have
             a
             share
             .
          
           
           
             Some
             ,
             says
             the
             Authour
             in
             the
             eighth
             Chapter
             of
             his
             Heroe
             ,
             prefer
             difficult
             employments
             before
             others
             that
             are
             more
             plausible
             ,
             the
             admiration
             of
             some
             choice
             men
             being
             more
             charming
             to
             them
             ,
             than
             the
             applause
             of
             a
             great
             many
             in
             the
             crowd
             .
             They
             call
             plausible
             enterprizes
             the
             miracles
             of
             the
             ignorant
             .
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             few
             men
             know
             the
             difficulty
             and
             excellence
             of
             a
             great
             undertaking
             ;
             but
             seeing
             these
             are
             sublime
             spirits
             ,
             for
             all
             they
             are
             so
             few
             ,
             they
             fail
             not
             to
             put
             them
             in
             vogue
             .
             What
             is
             plausible
             is
             easily
             known
             ,
             it
             familiarizes
             it self
             to
             the
             senses
             ;
             but
             then
             the
             applause
             it
             receives
             ,
             is
             so
             much
             the
             more
             vulgar
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             universal
             .
             The
             daintiness
             of
             the
             small
             number
             carries
             it
             over
             the
             multitude
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             Nevertheless
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             character
             of
             a
             fine
             wit
             ,
             to
             bribe
             common
             attention
             by
             the
             charm
             of
             plausibility
             :
             since
             eminence
             dazling
             the
             Eyes
             of
             all
             ,
             settles
             Reputation
             by
             common
             consent
             .
             We
             must
             esteem
             what
             most
             esteem
             .
             The
             excellence
             of
             plausible
             actions
             is
             conspicuous
             :
             whereas
             those
             which
             are
             above
             the
             ordinary
             reach
             ,
             are
             never
             so
             evident
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             are
             still
             very
             metaphysical
             ,
             being
             no
             ways
             illustrious
             but
             by
             the
             Idea's
             that
             men
             conceive
             of
             them
             .
             I
             call
             that
             plausible
             which
             is
             acted
             in
             view
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             all
             people
             ,
             and
             hath
             
             always
             reputation
             for
             a
             basis
             .
             Whereby
             I
             exclude
             some
             employments
             that
             are
             as
             void
             of
             credit
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             full
             of
             ostentation
             .
             A
             Comedian
             is
             rich
             in
             applauses
             ,
             but
             poor
             in
             esteem
             .
             In
             the
             functions
             of
             the
             mind
             the
             plausible
             hath
             ever
             had
             the
             honour
             .
             A
             polite
             and
             smooth
             running
             discourse
             tickles
             the
             ears
             ,
             and
             charms
             the
             understanding
             :
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             a
             dry
             ,
             bombast
             ,
             metaphysical
             expression
             offends
             or
             cloys
             the
             hearers
             .
             And
             in
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             Chap.
             
               Hombre
               de
               buena
               election
            
             :
             There
             are
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             employments
             ,
             the
             chief
             exercise
             whereof
             consists
             in
             chusing
             ,
             and
             which
             depend
             more
             upon
             others
             ,
             than
             upon
             the
             practiser
             :
             as
             are
             all
             such
             whose
             end
             is
             to
             teach
             and
             please
             .
             Let
             the
             Oratour
             then
             prefer
             plausible
             arguments
             .
             The
             Historian
             mingle
             the
             pleasant
             with
             the
             usefull
             :
             and
             the
             Philosopher
             the
             specious
             with
             the
             sententious
             .
             Let
             them
             all
             study
             to
             fit
             the
             universal
             relish
             of
             others
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             true
             method
             of
             chusing
             .
             For
             it
             is
             the
             same
             as
             in
             a
             Feast
             ,
             where
             the
             Dishes
             are
             not
             drest
             for
             the
             palate
             of
             the
             Cooks
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             Guests
             .
             What
             signifies
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             matters
             exceedingly
             please
             the
             Oratour
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             relished
             by
             the
             hearers
             ,
             for
             whom
             they
             are
             prepared
             ?
          
           
           
             
               
                 —
                 Nam
                 coenae
                 fercula
                 nostrae
              
               ,
            
             
               
                 Malim
                 convivis
                 ,
                 quam
                 placuisse
                 cocis
                 .
              
            
             
               Saith
               
                 Martial
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             inform
             ,
             is
             far
             better
             than
             to
             put
             in
             mind
             .
          
           
             Sometimes
             we
             are
             to
             rememorate
             ,
             sometimes
             advise
             .
             There
             are
             many
             who
             fail
             to
             doe
             things
             which
             would
             be
             excellent
             ,
             because
             they
             thought
             not
             of
             them
             .
             Then
             it
             is
             that
             a
             good
             advice
             is
             in
             season
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             conceive
             what
             is
             important
             to
             be
             done
             .
             It
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Talents
             of
             a
             man
             to
             have
             a
             present
             mind
             to
             think
             on
             what
             he
             hath
             to
             doe
             ,
             for
             want
             whereof
             many
             affairs
             miscarry
             .
             He
             then
             that
             comprehends
             ,
             is
             to
             carry
             the
             light
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             needs
             to
             be
             lighted
             ,
             ought
             to
             make
             application
             to
             the
             other
             .
             The
             first
             ought
             to
             be
             sparing
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             diligent
             .
             It
             's
             enough
             for
             the
             former
             to
             clear
             the
             way
             for
             the
             latter
             .
             This
             is
             a
             very
             important
             maxime
             ,
             and
             profitable
             for
             him
             that
             instructs
             :
             and
             in
             case
             his
             first
             lesson
             be
             not
             sufficient
             ,
             he
             ought
             with
             pleasure
             to
             proceed
             .
             Having
             once
             conquered
             the
             Nay
             ,
             
             he
             must
             dextrously
             catch
             hold
             of
             a
             Yea.
             For
             it
             often
             happens
             ,
             that
             nothing
             is
             obtained
             ,
             because
             nothing
             attempted
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             of
             the
             humour
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
          
           
             He
             is
             a
             great
             man
             that
             gives
             no
             admission
             to
             popular
             impressions
             .
             It
             is
             a
             lesson
             of
             Prudence
             to
             reflect
             upon
             ones
             self
             ,
             to
             know
             ones
             own
             inclination
             ,
             to
             prevent
             it
             ,
             and
             even
             to
             goe
             to
             the
             other
             extremity
             ,
             that
             one
             may
             find
             the
             poise
             of
             reason
             betwixt
             nature
             and
             art
             .
             The
             knowledge
             of
             ones
             self
             is
             the
             beginning
             of
             amendment
             .
             There
             are
             some
             Monsters
             of
             impertinence
             ,
             who
             are
             now
             of
             one
             humour
             ,
             and
             by
             and
             by
             of
             another
             ;
             and
             change
             their
             opinions
             as
             their
             humours
             .
             They
             engage
             in
             quite
             contrary
             affairs
             ,
             being
             always
             hurried
             away
             by
             the
             impetuosity
             of
             that
             civil
             torrent
             ,
             which
             not
             onely
             corrupts
             the
             will
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             knowledge
             and
             judgment
             .
          
           
             A
             great
             Capacity
             (
             saith
             the
             Authour
             in
             the
             Chapter
             ,
             
               No
               rendirse
               al
               humor
            
             of
             his
             Discreet
             )
             is
             never
             carried
             with
             the
             flux
             and
             reflux
             neither
             of
             humours
             ,
             nor
             of
             passions
             .
             It
             is
             always
             above
             that
             clownish
             immoderation
             .
             Many
             shamefully
             
             suffer
             themselves
             to
             be
             tyrannized
             over
             by
             the
             predominant
             humour
             .
             They
             maintain
             to
             day
             what
             they
             contradicted
             yesterday
             .
             Sometime
             they
             stand
             for
             reason
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             they
             trample
             it
             under
             foot
             .
             There
             is
             no
             rest
             for
             their
             judgements
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             height
             of
             extravagance
             .
             You
             cannot
             take
             them
             in
             a
             good
             sense
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             none
             .
             Yesterday
             and
             to
             day
             they
             differ
             as
             much
             as
             black
             and
             white
             :
             and
             then
             having
             been
             the
             first
             to
             contradict
             themselves
             ,
             they
             contradict
             all
             others
             .
             When
             once
             we
             understand
             their
             depraved
             mind
             ,
             it
             is
             best
             to
             let
             them
             alone
             in
             their
             own
             confusion
             .
             For
             the
             more
             they
             doe
             ,
             the
             more
             they
             undoe
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             rich
             stock
             of
             sense
             ,
             to
             know
             how
             to
             prevent
             and
             correct
             ones
             humour
             ,
             since
             it
             is
             a
             disease
             of
             mind
             ,
             wherein
             a
             wise
             man
             ought
             to
             govern
             himself
             as
             in
             a
             distemper
             of
             body
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             such
             far
             gone
             impertinents
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             always
             in
             some
             humour
             ;
             always
             galled
             with
             some
             passion
             ;
             insupportable
             to
             those
             who
             have
             to
             doe
             with
             them
             ,
             perpetual
             Enemies
             of
             conversation
             and
             civility
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             relish
             of
             the
             best
             things
             ;
             more
             incurable
             than
             stark
             fools
             .
             For
             with
             a
             little
             compliance
             these
             are
             wheedled
             ,
             and
             those
             grow
             worse
             by
             it
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             to
             be
             got
             of
             them
             
             by
             reason
             ,
             for
             having
             none
             themselves
             ,
             they
             'll
             receive
             none
             from
             others
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             a
             man
             sometimes
             fall
             into
             a
             passion
             ,
             and
             that
             but
             rarely
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             great
             cause
             ,
             that
             will
             be
             no
             ground
             to
             accuse
             him
             of
             a
             vulgar
             humour
             .
             For
             never
             to
             be
             angry
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             always
             a
             Beast
             .
             But
             a
             constant
             bad
             humour
             ,
             and
             towards
             all
             people
             ,
             is
             insupportable
             Clownishness
             .
             Anger
             ,
             which
             makes
             the
             slave
             ,
             may
             still
             be
             a
             sawce
             for
             a
             free
             state
             .
             But
             he
             that
             is
             not
             capable
             of
             knowing
             himself
             ,
             will
             be
             still
             less
             of
             correcting
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXX
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             refuse
             .
          
           
             All
             is
             not
             to
             be
             granted
             ,
             nor
             to
             all
             .
             To
             know
             how
             to
             refuse
             ,
             is
             as
             important
             as
             to
             know
             how
             to
             bestow
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             very
             necessary
             qualification
             in
             those
             who
             command
             .
             All
             consists
             in
             the
             manner
             .
             A
             Nay
             of
             some
             is
             better
             received
             than
             a
             Yea
             of
             others
             ,
             because
             a
             Nay
             seasoned
             with
             civility
             ,
             gives
             greater
             content
             than
             a
             Yea
             with
             bad
             grace
             .
             There
             are
             some
             who
             have
             always
             a
             Nay
             in
             their
             mouth
             .
             No
             ,
             is
             always
             their
             first
             answer
             ,
             and
             though
             they
             chance
             afterwards
             to
             grant
             all
             that
             's
             desired
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             thanks
             for
             it
             ,
             because
             
             of
             the
             unsavoury
             No
             that
             went
             before
             .
             We
             must
             not
             refuse
             point
             blanck
             ,
             but
             make
             our
             denial
             be
             taken
             down
             by
             little
             sips
             ,
             if
             I
             may
             say
             so
             .
             Nor
             must
             we
             refuse
             all
             things
             neither
             ,
             lest
             we
             put
             people
             into
             despair
             :
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             leave
             always
             a
             remnant
             of
             hope
             to
             sweeten
             the
             bitterness
             of
             the
             denial
             .
             Let
             Courtesie
             fill
             up
             the
             vacuity
             of
             favour
             ,
             and
             good
             words
             supply
             the
             defect
             of
             good
             deeds
             .
             Yea
             and
             No
             are
             soon
             said
             ,
             but
             before
             we
             say
             them
             ,
             we
             should
             think
             on
             them
             long
             first
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             unequal
             ,
             and
             irregular
             in
             ones
             proceeding
             .
          
           
             A
             prudent
             man
             never
             falls
             into
             that
             fault
             neither
             through
             humour
             nor
             affectation
             .
             He
             is
             still
             the
             same
             in
             relation
             to
             that
             which
             is
             perfect
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             mark
             of
             a
             sound
             judgment
             .
             If
             sometimes
             he
             change
             ,
             it
             is
             because
             the
             countenance
             of
             occasions
             and
             affairs
             is
             changed
             .
             All
             inequality
             mis-becomes
             Prudence
             .
             There
             are
             some
             who
             dayly
             differ
             from
             themselves
             .
             Their
             understanding
             is
             even
             journal
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             their
             will
             and
             conduct
             .
             What
             was
             yesterday
             their
             pleasant
             
             Yea
             ,
             is
             to
             day
             their
             unpleasant
             No.
             They
             always
             falsifie
             their
             proceeding
             ,
             and
             the
             opinion
             that
             men
             have
             of
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             never
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXII
             .
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             resolution
             .
          
           
             Irresolution
             is
             worse
             than
             bad
             execution
             .
             Waters
             corrupt
             not
             so
             long
             as
             they
             run
             ,
             but
             when
             they
             are
             standing
             .
             There
             are
             some
             men
             so
             irresolute
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             doe
             any
             thing
             but
             when
             they
             are
             pusht
             on
             to
             it
             by
             others
             :
             and
             that
             sometimes
             proceeds
             not
             so
             much
             from
             the
             puzle
             of
             their
             judgment
             ,
             which
             is
             often
             quick
             and
             subtile
             ,
             as
             from
             a
             natural
             laziness
             .
             It
             is
             a
             sign
             of
             a
             great
             mind
             to
             raise
             to
             it self
             difficulties
             ,
             but
             of
             a
             greater
             to
             know
             how
             to
             clear
             them
             .
             There
             are
             also
             men
             who
             are
             puzled
             at
             nothing
             ,
             and
             these
             are
             born
             for
             great
             employments
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             quickness
             of
             their
             conception
             ,
             and
             steadiness
             of
             their
             judgment
             ,
             facilitate
             to
             them
             the
             understanding
             and
             dispatch
             of
             affairs
             .
             Whatever
             falls
             into
             their
             hands
             is
             as
             good
             as
             done
             .
             One
             of
             that
             character
             having
             given
             the
             Law
             to
             one
             whole
             world
             ,
             had
             time
             enough
             over
             and
             above
             to
             think
             of
             another
             .
             
             Such
             men
             undertake
             with
             assurance
             ,
             under
             the
             protection
             of
             their
             good
             fortune
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             find
             out
             Evasions
          
           
             Is
             the
             knack
             of
             men
             of
             wit.
             With
             a
             touch
             of
             gallantry
             they
             extricate
             themselves
             out
             of
             the
             greatest
             labyrinth
             .
             A
             gracefull
             smile
             will
             make
             them
             avoid
             the
             most
             dangerous
             quarrel
             .
             The
             greatest
             of
             Captains
             founded
             all
             his
             Reputation
             upon
             that
             .
             A
             word
             of
             a
             double
             meaning
             agreeably
             palliates
             a
             negative
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             better
             ,
             than
             never
             to
             be
             too
             well
             understood
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             inaccessible
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             wild
             Beasts
             are
             where
             most
             people
             are
             .
             A
             difficult
             access
             is
             the
             vice
             of
             those
             whose
             manners
             honour
             hath
             changed
             .
             To
             begin
             by
             rejecting
             of
             others
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             way
             to
             get
             credit
             .
             How
             pleasant
             is
             it
             to
             see
             one
             of
             those
             untractable
             monsters
             strut
             it
             in
             the
             garb
             of
             haughtiness
             !
             They
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             unhappy
             as
             to
             have
             business
             with
             them
             ,
             goe
             to
             their
             
             Audience
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             going
             to
             fight
             with
             Tigers
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             armed
             as
             much
             with
             fear
             as
             circumspection
             .
             To
             mount
             up
             to
             that
             post
             they
             cringed
             to
             all
             people
             ;
             but
             so
             soon
             as
             they
             are
             in
             it
             ,
             it
             seems
             they
             would
             take
             their
             revenge
             by
             huffing
             every
             body
             .
             Their
             employment
             requires
             that
             they
             should
             be
             free
             to
             all
             men
             :
             but
             their
             pride
             and
             surly
             humour
             makes
             them
             accessible
             to
             no
             man.
             So
             that
             the
             true
             way
             to
             be
             revenged
             on
             them
             ,
             is
             to
             let
             them
             alone
             by
             themselves
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             wanting
             all
             conversation
             ,
             they
             may
             never
             become
             wise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXV
             .
          
           
             To
             propose
             to
             ones
             self
             some
             Heroe
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             be
             imitated
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             surpassed
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             models
             of
             grandeur
             ,
             and
             living
             books
             of
             reputation
             .
             Let
             every
             one
             propose
             to
             themselves
             those
             who
             have
             excelled
             in
             their
             Profession
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             follow
             as
             to
             outstrip
             them
             .
             Alexander
             wept
             ,
             not
             that
             he
             saw
             Achilles
             in
             the
             Tomb
             ,
             but
             to
             see
             himself
             so
             little
             known
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             Achilles
             .
             Nothing
             inspires
             more
             Ambition
             than
             the
             fame
             of
             another's
             Reputation
             .
             That
             which
             stisles
             envy
             ,
             gives
             breath
             to
             courage
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LXXVI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             always
             in
             the
             jocose
             humour
             .
          
           
             Prudence
             appears
             in
             seriousness
             ;
             and
             the
             serious
             are
             more
             esteemed
             than
             the
             jocose
             .
             He
             that
             drolls
             always
             ,
             is
             never
             a
             thorough-pac'd
             man.
             We
             use
             these
             men
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             liars
             ,
             not
             believing
             what
             one
             nor
             the
             other
             says
             ,
             jeasting
             being
             no
             less
             suspected
             than
             lying
             .
             It
             is
             never
             known
             when
             they
             speak
             with
             judgment
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             same
             as
             if
             they
             had
             none
             at
             all
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             unpleasant
             than
             a
             continual
             pleasantness
             .
             By
             endeavouring
             to
             purchase
             the
             Reputation
             of
             being
             pleasant
             ,
             one
             loses
             the
             advantage
             of
             being
             thought
             wise
             .
             Some
             minutes
             are
             to
             be
             allowed
             to
             mirth
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             to
             seriousness
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             company
             for
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             He
             is
             a
             wise
             Proteus
             that
             is
             holy
             with
             the
             holy
             ,
             learned
             with
             the
             learned
             ,
             serious
             with
             the
             serious
             ,
             and
             jovial
             with
             the
             merry
             .
             That
             is
             the
             way
             to
             gain
             all
             hearts
             ,
             similitude
             being
             the
             bond
             of
             good
             
             will.
             To
             discern
             tempers
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             politick
             transformation
             to
             suit
             the
             humour
             and
             character
             of
             every
             one
             ,
             is
             a
             secret
             absolutely
             necessary
             for
             those
             who
             depend
             on
             others
             .
             But
             that
             requires
             a
             great
             stock
             .
             A
             man
             who
             is
             universal
             in
             knowledge
             and
             experience
             ,
             has
             less
             trouble
             in
             doing
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             art
             of
             undertaking
             to
             purpose
             .
          
           
             Folly
             enters
             always
             at
             random
             :
             for
             all
             fools
             are
             bold
             .
             The
             same
             ignorance
             which
             hinders
             them
             at
             first
             from
             considering
             what
             is
             necessary
             ,
             hides
             from
             them
             afterwards
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             faults
             which
             they
             commit
             .
             But
             Wisedom
             enters
             with
             great
             circumspection
             .
             Her
             Fore-runners
             are
             reflexion
             and
             discretion
             ,
             that
             scour
             the
             roade
             for
             her
             ,
             that
             so
             she
             may
             advance
             without
             any
             danger
             .
             Discretion
             condemns
             all
             kinds
             of
             temerity
             to
             a
             precipice
             ,
             though
             good
             fortune
             sometime
             justify
             them
             .
             One
             ought
             to
             go
             step
             by
             step
             where
             he
             suspects
             there
             is
             any
             depth
             .
             It
             is
             the
             part
             of
             judgment
             to
             try
             ,
             and
             of
             Prudence
             to
             pursue
             .
             There
             are
             at
             present
             great
             shelves
             in
             the
             commerce
             of
             the
             world
             .
             We
             
             ought
             therefore
             to
             have
             a
             care
             of
             our
             soundings
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXIX
             .
          
           
             The
             jovial
             humour
          
           
             Is
             rather
             an
             accomplishment
             than
             a
             defect
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             no
             excess
             in
             it
             .
             A
             grain
             of
             mirth
             seasons
             all
             .
             The
             greatest
             men
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             play
             their
             frolicks
             ,
             for
             conciliating
             the
             good
             will
             of
             every
             body
             :
             but
             with
             this
             difference
             that
             they
             always
             retain
             the
             preference
             for
             wisedom
             ,
             and
             respect
             to
             decency
             .
             Others
             come
             off
             when
             they
             are
             gone
             too
             far
             by
             a
             spell
             of
             good
             humour
             .
             For
             some
             things
             are
             to
             be
             taken
             laughing
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             same
             sometimes
             that
             others
             take
             in
             good
             earnest
             .
             Such
             a
             humour
             is
             the
             loadstone
             of
             hearts
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXX
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             carefull
             to
             be
             informed
             .
          
           
             The
             life
             of
             man
             is
             almost
             wholly
             spent
             in
             taking
             information
             .
             What
             we
             see
             is
             the
             least
             essential
             .
             We
             live
             upon
             the
             credit
             of
             others
             .
             The
             ear
             is
             the
             second
             door
             to
             truth
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             to
             lies
             .
             Commonly
             truth
             is
             seen
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             extraordinary
             
             to
             hear
             it
             .
             It
             seldom
             comes
             pure
             to
             our
             ears
             ,
             especially
             when
             it
             come
             from
             a
             far
             .
             For
             then
             it
             takes
             some
             tincture
             of
             the
             passions
             that
             it
             meets
             by
             the
             way
             .
             It
             pleases
             or
             displeases
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             colours
             that
             passion
             or
             interest
             give
             it
             ,
             which
             aim
             always
             at
             prepossessing
             .
             Have
             a
             care
             of
             him
             that
             praises
             ;
             but
             much
             more
             of
             him
             that
             blames
             .
             There
             it
             is
             that
             one
             hath
             need
             of
             a
             sharp
             sight
             ,
             to
             discover
             the
             intention
             of
             him
             that
             makes
             his
             pass
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             before
             hand
             where
             he
             has
             a
             mind
             to
             hit
             .
             Make
             use
             of
             reflexion
             in
             discerning
             the
             slight
             or
             counterfeit
             from
             the
             good
             stuff
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXI
             .
          
           
             To
             revive
             ones
             Reputation
             from
             time
             to
             time
          
           
             Is
             the
             privilege
             of
             the
             Phoenix
             .
             Excellence
             is
             subject
             to
             grow
             old
             ,
             and
             with
             it
             in
             like
             manner
             fame
             .
             Custome
             lessens
             admiration
             .
             An
             ordinary
             novelty
             commonly
             carries
             it
             from
             the
             highest
             excellence
             ,
             that
             begins
             to
             grow
             old
             .
             One
             had
             need
             then
             to
             revive
             in
             valour
             ,
             wit
             ,
             fortune
             ,
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             to
             shew
             always
             new
             beauties
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             doth
             ,
             which
             so
             often
             changes
             Horizons
             and
             Theatres
             ,
             
             that
             so
             privation
             may
             make
             him
             desirable
             when
             he
             sets
             ;
             and
             novelty
             admirable
             ,
             when
             he
             rises
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             pry
             too
             much
             neither
             into
             good
             nor
             evil
             .
          
           
             A
             wise
             man
             comprehended
             all
             his
             wisedom
             in
             this
             Precept
             ,
             
               ne
               quid
               nimis
               ,
               nothing
               too
               much
               .
            
             Too
             strict
             a
             justice
             degenerates
             into
             injustice
             .
             The
             Orange
             that
             is
             too
             much
             squeezed
             ,
             yields
             a
             bitter
             juice
             .
             Nay
             in
             enjoyment
             ,
             we
             ought
             never
             to
             go
             to
             either
             of
             the
             two
             extremes
             .
             Wit
             it self
             is
             exhausted
             by
             too
             much
             straining
             .
             By
             endeavouring
             to
             draw
             down
             too
             much
             milk
             ,
             bloud
             is
             often
             fetched
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             commit
             some
             small
             faults
             on
             design
             .
          
           
             A
             little
             negligence
             sometimes
             sets
             off
             good
             qualities
             .
             Envy
             hath
             its
             Ostracism
             ,
             and
             that
             Ostracism
             is
             the
             more
             in
             fashion
             .
             That
             it
             is
             unjust
             .
             It
             accuses
             that
             which
             is
             perfect
             of
             the
             fault
             of
             being
             without
             a
             fault
             :
             and
             the
             perfecter
             the
             thing
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             condemns
             it
             .
             It
             is
             an
             Argus
             in
             discovering
             faults
             in
             that
             which
             is
             most
             
             excellent
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             out
             of
             spight
             of
             coming
             short
             of
             it
             .
             Censure
             is
             like
             the
             Thunderbolt
             that
             commonly
             falls
             upon
             the
             highest
             Mountains
             .
             It
             is
             convenient
             then
             to
             sleep
             sometimes
             ,
             as
             the
             good
             Homer
             did
             ,
             and
             to
             affect
             certain
             failings
             whether
             in
             wit
             or
             courage
             ,
             (
             but
             without
             annoying
             reason
             )
             to
             appease
             ill
             will
             ,
             and
             to
             hinder
             the
             imposture
             of
             bad
             humour
             from
             breaking
             .
             That
             is
             the
             throwing
             of
             ones
             cloak
             before
             the
             Eyes
             of
             Envy
             ,
             to
             save
             reputation
             for
             ever
             after
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             draw
             advantage
             from
             Enemies
             .
          
           
             All
             things
             are
             to
             be
             taken
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             blade
             ,
             which
             may
             hurt
             ;
             but
             by
             the
             handle
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             way
             for
             defence
             .
             And
             upon
             better
             reason
             envy
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             draws
             more
             advantage
             from
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             than
             the
             fool
             does
             from
             his
             Friends
             .
             The
             envious
             are
             as
             a
             spur
             to
             the
             wise
             man
             to
             make
             him
             surmount
             a
             thousand
             difficulties
             :
             whereas
             flatterers
             many
             times
             divert
             him
             .
             Many
             owe
             their
             fortune
             to
             their
             enviers
             .
             Flattery
             is
             more
             cruel
             than
             hatred
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             it
             palliates
             the
             faults
             ,
             which
             the
             other
             makes
             us
             remedy
             .
             The
             
             wise
             man
             makes
             the
             hatred
             of
             his
             Enviers
             his
             looking-glass
             ,
             wherein
             he
             sees
             himself
             far
             better
             than
             in
             that
             of
             kindness
             .
             That
             looking-glass
             shews
             him
             the
             faults
             which
             he
             corrects
             ,
             and
             thereby
             prevents
             backbiting
             .
             For
             men
             keep
             upon
             their
             close
             guard
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             rivals
             ,
             or
             Enemies
             for
             Neighbours
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             lavish
             of
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             misfortune
             of
             all
             that
             is
             excellent
             to
             degenerate
             into
             abuse
             ;
             when
             it
             is
             too
             much
             made
             use
             of
             .
             What
             all
             men
             passionately
             covet
             ,
             comes
             at
             length
             to
             displease
             all
             men
             .
             It
             's
             a
             great
             unhappiness
             to
             be
             good
             at
             nothing
             ;
             as
             also
             to
             desire
             to
             be
             good
             at
             every
             thing
             .
             These
             always
             lose
             ,
             through
             a
             desire
             of
             gaining
             too
             much
             ;
             and
             at
             long
             run
             they
             are
             as
             much
             hated
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             favoured
             before
             .
             All
             perfections
             are
             obnoxious
             to
             this
             lot
             :
             so
             soon
             as
             they
             lose
             the
             reputation
             of
             being
             rare
             ,
             they
             get
             that
             of
             being
             common
             .
             The
             onely
             remedy
             for
             every
             thing
             that
             excells
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             moderate
             in
             shew
             .
             The
             excess
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             the
             perfection
             ,
             and
             the
             mean
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             shewing
             it
             .
             The
             more
             light
             a
             Torch
             gives
             ,
             the
             shorter
             
             while
             it
             lasts
             .
             What
             is
             cut
             off
             from
             appearance
             and
             ostentation
             ,
             is
             fully
             made
             up
             in
             esteem
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             arm
             against
             Calumny
             .
          
           
             The
             vulgar
             hath
             many
             Heads
             and
             Tongues
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             more
             eyes
             also
             .
             Let
             a
             bad
             rumour
             slip
             amongst
             these
             Tongues
             ,
             that
             alone
             is
             enough
             to
             blemish
             the
             highest
             Reputation
             :
             and
             if
             that
             rumour
             turn
             into
             a
             nick-name
             ,
             farewell
             all
             the
             esteem
             that
             a
             man
             hath
             acquired
             .
             These
             scoffs
             hit
             commonly
             upon
             certain
             obvious
             defects
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             singular
             ,
             furnish
             ample
             matter
             of
             derision
             .
             And
             as
             there
             are
             imperfections
             which
             private
             envy
             exposes
             to
             the
             eyes
             of
             publick
             malice
             :
             there
             are
             also
             sharp
             edged
             Tongues
             ,
             which
             with
             a
             word
             blurted
             in
             the
             air
             ,
             destroy
             more
             suddenly
             a
             great
             Reputation
             ,
             than
             others
             do
             with
             all
             their
             impudence
             .
             It
             is
             very
             easie
             to
             have
             an
             ill
             name
             ,
             because
             evil
             is
             soon
             believed
             ,
             and
             sinistrous
             impressions
             are
             very
             difficult
             to
             be
             obliterated
             .
             A
             wise
             man
             therefore
             ought
             to
             be
             upon
             his
             Guard.
             For
             it
             is
             easier
             to
             prevent
             Calumny
             ,
             than
             to
             remedy
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             cultivate
             and
             embellish
             .
          
           
             Man
             is
             born
             barbarous
             .
             He
             is
             ransomed
             from
             the
             condition
             of
             Beasts
             ,
             onely
             by
             being
             cultivated
             .
             The
             more
             he
             is
             cultivated
             ,
             the
             more
             he
             becomes
             man.
             In
             respect
             of
             Education
             ,
             Greece
             had
             reason
             to
             call
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             barbarous
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             so
             rude
             as
             ignorance
             ;
             nor
             nothing
             that
             polishes
             more
             than
             knowledge
             .
             But
             (
             knowledge
             it self
             is
             rude
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             without
             art
             .
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             that
             the
             understanding
             is
             cleared
             ,
             the
             will
             must
             also
             be
             regulated
             ,
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             conversing
             more
             .
             )
             There
             are
             some
             men
             naturally
             polished
             ,
             whether
             as
             to
             conceiving
             ,
             or
             speaking
             ;
             as
             to
             the
             advantages
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             as
             the
             bark
             ;
             or
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             fruit
             .
             There
             are
             others
             again
             so
             clownish
             ,
             that
             all
             their
             actions
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             even
             the
             rich
             Talents
             which
             they
             have
             ,
             are
             disfigured
             by
             the
             ruggedness
             of
             their
             humour
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             study
             to
             have
             a
             gentile
             Carriage
             in
             Actions
             .
          
           
             A
             great
             man
             ought
             never
             to
             be
             punctilious
             in
             his
             proceedings
             .
             One
             must
             never
             nibble
             too
             much
             at
             things
             ,
             especially
             at
             those
             which
             are
             not
             agreeable
             .
             For
             though
             it
             be
             usefull
             to
             observe
             every
             thing
             by
             the
             bye
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             so
             to
             dive
             into
             them
             purposely
             .
             We
             ought
             commonly
             to
             cary
             with
             a
             gentile
             indifference
             ,
             which
             makes
             a
             part
             of
             Gallantry
             .
             To
             dissemble
             is
             the
             chief
             means
             to
             govern
             .
             It
             is
             good
             to
             pass
             by
             a
             great
             many
             things
             that
             occur
             in
             the
             commerce
             of
             life
             ,
             but
             particularly
             amongst
             Enemies
             .
             The
             
               too
               much
            
             is
             always
             irksome
             ,
             and
             in
             humour
             it
             is
             unsupportable
             .
             It
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             madness
             to
             hunt
             after
             vexations
             .
             And
             ordinarily
             such
             is
             the
             way
             of
             carriage
             ,
             as
             the
             humour
             is
             in
             which
             one
             acts
             .
             Our
             actions
             take
             the
             character
             of
             the
             humour
             we
             are
             in
             when
             we
             doe
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             LXXXIX
             .
          
           
             Exactly
             to
             know
             ones
             Genius
             ,
             Mind
             ,
             Heart
             and
             Passions
             .
          
           
             One
             cannot
             be
             master
             of
             himself
             ,
             unless
             he
             know
             himself
             to
             the
             bottom
             .
             There
             are
             looking-glasses
             for
             the
             face
             ,
             but
             none
             for
             the
             mind
             .
             That
             then
             must
             be
             supplied
             by
             a
             serious
             reflexion
             upon
             ones
             self
             .
             When
             the
             external
             image
             is
             gone
             ,
             let
             the
             internal
             retain
             and
             correct
             it
             .
             Measure
             thy
             strength
             and
             skill
             before
             thou
             undertake
             any
             thing
             .
             Know
             thy
             activity
             that
             thou
             mayst
             engage
             ,
             fathom
             thy
             depth
             ,
             and
             examine
             how
             far
             thy
             capacity
             may
             reach
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XC
             .
          
           
             The
             way
             to
             live
             long
          
           
             Is
             to
             live
             well
             .
             There
             are
             two
             things
             which
             shorten
             the
             life
             ,
             solly
             and
             wickedness
             .
             Some
             have
             lost
             it
             ,
             because
             they
             knew
             not
             how
             to
             keep
             it
             ;
             others
             because
             they
             would
             not
             .
             As
             vertue
             is
             its
             own
             reward
             ,
             so
             is
             vice
             it
             s
             own
             executioner
             .
             Whoever
             lives
             fast
             in
             vice
             ,
             dies
             soon
             ,
             and
             that
             two
             ways
             :
             whereas
             they
             who
             live
             
             fast
             in
             vertue
             never
             die
             .
             The
             integrity
             of
             mind
             is
             communicated
             to
             the
             body
             :
             and
             a
             good
             life
             is
             always
             long
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             the
             intension
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             extension
             also
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCI
             .
          
           
             To
             act
             without
             fear
             of
             failing
             .
          
           
             The
             fear
             of
             not
             succeeding
             ,
             discovers
             the
             weakness
             of
             him
             that
             acts
             to
             his
             Rival
             .
             If
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             heat
             of
             passion
             ,
             the
             mind
             is
             in
             suspense
             ,
             so
             soon
             as
             that
             first
             flash
             is
             over
             ,
             he
             will
             upbraid
             himself
             with
             his
             own
             imprudence
             .
             All
             actions
             that
             are
             done
             with
             doubting
             are
             dangerous
             ,
             it
             were
             better
             to
             let
             them
             alone
             .
             Prudence
             is
             not
             satisfied
             with
             probabilities
             ,
             it
             goes
             always
             on
             sure
             grounds
             .
             How
             can
             that
             enterprise
             succeed
             which
             fear
             damns
             ,
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             mind
             hath
             conceived
             it
             ?
             And
             if
             a
             resolution
             that
             hath
             been
             unanimously
             taken
             in
             the
             council
             of
             Reason
             ,
             hath
             often
             a
             bad
             issue
             ,
             what
             is
             to
             be
             expected
             from
             that
             which
             hath
             wavered
             from
             the
             beginning
             in
             reason
             and
             prognostication
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             XCII
             .
          
           
             A
             transcendent
             Wit
             in
             all
             things
          
           
             Is
             the
             principal
             rule
             ,
             whether
             for
             acting
             or
             speaking
             .
             The
             more
             sublime
             employments
             are
             ,
             the
             more
             that
             Wit
             is
             necessary
             .
             A
             grain
             of
             Prudence
             is
             worth
             more
             than
             a
             barn
             full
             of
             subtilty
             .
             It
             is
             a
             way
             that
             leads
             to
             infallibility
             ,
             although
             it
             touches
             not
             so
             much
             upon
             plausibility
             .
             Though
             the
             fame
             of
             Wisedom
             be
             the
             triumph
             of
             Renown
             ,
             yet
             it
             will
             suffice
             to
             content
             the
             wise
             ,
             whose
             approbation
             is
             the
             touch-stone
             of
             enterprizes
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCIII
             .
          
           
             The
             universal
             Man.
             
          
           
             The
             man
             who
             possesses
             all
             sorts
             of
             perfections
             ,
             is
             alone
             worth
             a
             great
             many
             others
             .
             He
             renders
             life
             happy
             by
             communicating
             to
             others
             .
             Variety
             joined
             to
             perfection
             is
             the
             recreation
             of
             life
             .
             It
             is
             great
             skill
             to
             know
             how
             to
             furnish
             ones
             self
             with
             all
             that
             is
             good
             .
             And
             since
             nature
             hath
             in
             man
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             most
             excellent
             of
             her
             works
             ,
             made
             an
             abridgment
             of
             the
             whole
             Universe
             ,
             Art
             ought
             also
             to
             
             make
             of
             the
             mind
             of
             man
             an
             universe
             of
             knowledge
             and
             vertue
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCIV
             .
          
           
             An
             inexhaustible
             Capacity
             .
          
           
             Let
             a
             man
             of
             parts
             have
             a
             special
             care
             that
             no
             man
             sound
             the
             depth
             of
             his
             knowledge
             and
             skill
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             be
             reverenced
             by
             all
             .
             Let
             him
             suffer
             himself
             to
             be
             known
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             be
             comprehended
             .
             Let
             no
             man
             have
             that
             advantage
             over
             him
             as
             to
             find
             out
             the
             bounds
             of
             his
             capacity
             ,
             lest
             he
             may
             come
             to
             be
             undeceived
             .
             Let
             him
             husband
             himself
             so
             well
             ,
             that
             no
             body
             may
             see
             him
             entirely
             .
             Opinion
             and
             doubting
             procures
             more
             veneration
             to
             him
             of
             whose
             wit
             and
             parts
             the
             reach
             is
             not
             known
             ,
             than
             when
             he
             is
             fully
             known
             to
             be
             what
             he
             is
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             never
             so
             accomplished
             and
             great
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Authour
               Comments
               excellently
               upon
               this
               Aphorism
               in
               the
               first
               Chapter
               of
               his
               Heroe
               .
            
          
           
             As
             no
             man
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             dares
             to
             cross
             a
             River
             on
             foot
             ,
             untill
             he
             hath
             found
             out
             the
             foard
             ,
             even
             so
             a
             man
             is
             reverenced
             so
             long
             as
             one
             sees
             not
             the
             bottom
             of
             his
             capacity
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             an
             unknown
             depth
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             presumed
             to
             be
             great
             ,
             
             is
             respected
             out
             of
             fear
             .
             If
             he
             ,
             who
             discovers
             ,
             becomes
             the
             master
             of
             him
             that
             is
             discovered
             ,
             as
             the
             Proverb
             saith
             :
             he
             that
             stands
             upon
             his
             guard
             is
             never
             surprized
             .
             Let
             the
             address
             of
             a
             witty
             man
             way-lay
             the
             curiosity
             of
             him
             that
             attempts
             to
             find
             it
             out
             .
             For
             it
             is
             in
             the
             beginnings
             of
             an
             essay
             that
             curiosity
             employs
             all
             its
             cunning
             .
             If
             one
             cannot
             be
             infinite
             ,
             he
             ought
             at
             least
             endeavour
             to
             appear
             so
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             of
             Mitilene
             had
             reason
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             half
             was
             more
             than
             the
             whole
             ,
             seeing
             one
             half
             in
             shew
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             in
             reserve
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             a
             whole
             made
             manifest
             .
             Thou
             then
             who
             aspirest
             to
             greatness
             ,
             and
             art
             a
             candidate
             of
             Renown
             observe
             well
             this
             Precept
             .
             Let
             all
             men
             know
             thee
             ,
             but
             no
             man
             know
             thee
             thoroughly
             .
             By
             that
             industry
             thy
             little
             will
             appear
             great
             ;
             thy
             great
             more
             ,
             and
             thy
             more
             infinite
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             entertain
             another's
             expectation
             .
          
           
             The
             way
             to
             feed
             it
             is
             always
             to
             give
             it
             fresh
             nourishment
             .
             Much
             ought
             to
             promise
             more
             ;
             a
             great
             action
             ought
             to
             serve
             for
             a
             spur
             to
             others
             greater
             .
             All
             
             must
             not
             be
             shewn
             at
             first
             time
             .
             It
             's
             a
             piece
             of
             skill
             to
             know
             how
             to
             measure
             ones
             strength
             according
             to
             necessity
             and
             time
             ,
             and
             dayly
             to
             discharge
             what
             is
             dayly
             expected
             by
             the
             publick
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCVI
             .
          
           
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             Throne
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             the
             basis
             of
             Prudence
             .
             When
             that
             is
             consulted
             ,
             it
             is
             easie
             not
             to
             miscarry
             .
             It
             is
             a
             gift
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             being
             so
             important
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             cannot
             be
             too
             much
             desired
             .
             It
             is
             the
             chief
             piece
             of
             the
             Armour
             of
             Man
             ,
             and
             is
             so
             necessary
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             be
             sufficient
             ,
             though
             all
             the
             rest
             were
             wanting
             .
             All
             the
             actions
             of
             life
             depend
             upon
             its
             influence
             ,
             and
             are
             esteemed
             good
             or
             bad
             ,
             according
             as
             it
             judges
             of
             them
             ,
             since
             every
             thing
             ought
             to
             be
             done
             with
             reason
             .
             It
             consists
             in
             a
             natural
             inclination
             ,
             which
             tends
             to
             equity
             ,
             and
             takes
             always
             the
             surer
             side
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCVII
             .
          
           
             To
             acquire
             and
             preserve
             Reputation
             ,
          
           
             Is
             to
             have
             and
             to
             hold
             Fame
             .
             Reputation
             
             costs
             much
             in
             the
             purchase
             ,
             because
             it
             requires
             for
             that
             end
             eminent
             qualities
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             rare
             as
             the
             indifferent
             are
             common
             .
             Being
             once
             purchased
             ,
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             preserve
             it
             .
             It
             animates
             much
             ,
             and
             acts
             still
             more
             .
             It
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             majesty
             ,
             when
             it
             commands
             veneration
             ,
             by
             virtue
             of
             the
             sublimity
             of
             its
             cause
             and
             sphere
             .
             But
             that
             Reputation
             is
             the
             most
             substantial
             ,
             which
             always
             hath
             been
             well
             supported
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             dissemble
             .
          
           
             Passions
             are
             the
             breaches
             of
             the
             mind
             .
             The
             most
             usefull
             knowledge
             is
             the
             art
             to
             dissemble
             .
             He
             that
             shews
             his
             Game
             ,
             runs
             the
             risque
             of
             losing
             it
             .
             Let
             circumspection
             combat
             against
             Curiosity
             .
             Cover
             thine
             heart
             with
             a
             hedge
             of
             diffidence
             and
             reserve
             ,
             from
             those
             who
             nibble
             too
             nicely
             at
             words
             .
             Let
             them
             never
             know
             thy
             disposition
             ,
             lest
             they
             prevent
             thee
             either
             by
             contradiction
             or
             flattery
             .
          
           
             He
             who
             yields
             to
             his
             passions
             ,
             saith
             the
             Authour
             ,
             Chap.
             2.
             of
             his
             Heroe
             ,
             stoops
             from
             the
             state
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             to
             the
             condition
             of
             a
             Beast
             ;
             whereas
             he
             that
             disguises
             them
             ,
             preserves
             his
             Credit
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             appearance
             .
             Our
             passions
             are
             the
             
             swoonings
             of
             our
             Reputation
             .
             He
             that
             can
             make
             a
             sacrifice
             of
             his
             will
             ,
             is
             Lord
             over
             himself
             .
             (
             To
             dive
             into
             the
             will
             of
             another
             ,
             is
             a
             mark
             of
             a
             sublime
             wit
             :
             to
             be
             able
             to
             hide
             ones
             own
             ,
             is
             to
             get
             the
             superiority
             over
             another
             .
             To
             discover
             ones
             thought
             ,
             is
             to
             open
             the
             gate
             of
             the
             fort
             of
             the
             mind
             .
             Here
             it
             is
             that
             politick
             Enemies
             give
             the
             assault
             ,
             and
             most
             frequently
             with
             success
             too
             .
             When
             once
             the
             passions
             are
             known
             ,
             all
             the
             avenues
             and
             Sally-ports
             of
             the
             will
             are
             known
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             it
             may
             be
             commanded
             upon
             any
             occasion
             .
             )
             A
             complete
             man
             must
             then
             in
             the
             first
             place
             apply
             himself
             to
             the
             subduing
             of
             his
             passions
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             the
             dissembling
             of
             them
             so
             artfully
             ,
             that
             no
             spie
             can
             ever
             be
             able
             to
             unmask
             his
             thought
             .
             This
             Maxime
             teaches
             one
             to
             become
             an
             able
             man
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             not
             ;
             and
             so
             cunningly
             to
             hide
             all
             his
             imperfections
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             sharp-sighted
             spies
             of
             another
             man's
             road
             ,
             lose
             their
             way
             in
             seeking
             it
             .
             That
             Catholick
             Amazon
             of
             
               Sapin
               ,
               (
               he
               speaks
               of
               Queen
            
             Isabelle
             ,
             
               Wife
               to
            
             Ferdinand
             )
             may
             serve
             as
             a
             pattern
             in
             that
             art
             .
             When
             she
             was
             to
             be
             brought
             to
             bed
             ,
             she
             shut
             her self
             up
             in
             the
             darkest
             and
             most
             secret
             place
             of
             her
             Palace
             ;
             that
             by
             a
             veil
             of
             darkness
             she
             might
             cover
             the
             sower
             faces
             and
             distorted
             looks
             that
             might
             
             be
             forced
             from
             her
             in
             the
             agony
             of
             her
             labour
             ,
             and
             hinder
             the
             shrieks
             and
             complainings
             that
             might
             escape
             her
             in
             the
             extremity
             of
             pain
             ,
             from
             coming
             to
             peoples
             ears
             .
             If
             she
             observed
             so
             great
             measures
             of
             decency
             and
             majesty
             on
             such
             occasions
             wherein
             every
             thing
             is
             excusable
             ,
             how
             carefull
             must
             she
             have
             been
             in
             those
             where
             her
             Reputation
             was
             to
             be
             maintained
             ?
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             XCIX
             .
          
           
             Reality
             and
             appearance
             .
          
           
             Things
             are
             not
             taken
             for
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             but
             for
             what
             they
             appear
             to
             be
             .
             There
             is
             scarcely
             any
             one
             that
             sees
             into
             the
             inside
             ,
             most
             part
             of
             men
             content
             themselves
             with
             shews
             .
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             to
             have
             a
             good
             intention
             ,
             if
             the
             action
             look
             ill
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             C.
             
          
           
             The
             Man
             undeceived
             .
             The
             Christian
             Sage
             .
             The
             Courtly
             Philosopher
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             fit
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             appear
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             to
             affect
             to
             be
             thought
             so
             .
             Though
             to
             Philosophize
             be
             the
             most
             worthy
             exercise
             of
             the
             wise
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             now
             
             a-days
             out
             of
             fashion
             .
             The
             learning
             of
             able
             men
             is
             despised
             .
             Seneca
             having
             introduced
             it
             into
             Rome
             ,
             it
             was
             sometime
             in
             vogue
             at
             Court
             ,
             and
             at
             present
             it
             passes
             there
             for
             folly
             .
             But
             Prudence
             and
             a
             good
             mind
             are
             not
             fed
             with
             prejudice
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CI.
             
          
           
             One
             part
             of
             the
             World
             laughs
             at
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             both
             laugh
             at
             their
             common
             folly
             .
          
           
             Every
             thing
             is
             good
             or
             bad
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             whimsey
             of
             People
             .
             That
             Fool
             is
             insupportable
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             all
             things
             go
             according
             to
             his
             fancy
             .
             Perfections
             depend
             not
             upon
             one
             single
             approbation
             .
             There
             are
             as
             many
             Opinions
             as
             Faces
             ,
             and
             as
             great
             difference
             amongst
             the
             one
             as
             the
             other
             .
             There
             is
             no
             fault
             without
             an
             adherent
             ,
             and
             thou
             oughtest
             not
             to
             be
             discouraged
             ,
             if
             what
             thou
             doest
             ,
             pleases
             not
             some
             ,
             seeing
             there
             will
             always
             be
             others
             who
             will
             value
             it
             .
             But
             be
             not
             proud
             of
             the
             approbation
             of
             these
             ,
             since
             you
             will
             be
             still
             exposed
             to
             the
             censure
             of
             others
             .
             The
             rule
             whereby
             to
             know
             what
             deserves
             esteem
             ,
             is
             the
             approbation
             of
             men
             of
             worth
             ,
             and
             of
             such
             as
             are
             acknowledegdly
             capable
             of
             being
             good
             judges
             of
             the
             thing
             .
             The
             civil
             life
             moves
             not
             
             upon
             one
             single
             opinion
             ,
             nor
             upon
             one
             single
             custome
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CII
             .
          
           
             A
             stomach
             that
             can
             well
             receive
             the
             large
             mouth-fulls
             of
             Fortune
             .
          
           
             A
             great
             stomach
             is
             not
             the
             least
             part
             of
             the
             body
             of
             Prudence
             .
             A
             large
             capacity
             hath
             need
             of
             great
             parts
             .
             Prosperities
             cumber
             not
             him
             who
             deserves
             greater
             .
             What
             cloys
             some
             raises
             an
             appetite
             in
             others
             .
             There
             are
             many
             who
             receive
             prejudice
             from
             all
             juicy
             food
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             of
             a
             weak
             Constitution
             ,
             and
             are
             neither
             born
             ,
             nor
             bred
             up
             for
             so
             high
             employments
             .
             The
             commerce
             of
             the
             world
             is
             bitter
             to
             their
             taste
             ,
             and
             the
             steams
             of
             their
             vain-glory
             ,
             which
             mount
             up
             to
             their
             brain
             ,
             occasion
             dangerous
             giddinesses
             :
             high
             places
             make
             their
             heads
             to
             swim
             ,
             they
             cannot
             hold
             themselves
             ,
             because
             their
             fortune
             cannot
             hold
             within
             them
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             of
             Brains
             then
             shew
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             still
             a
             place
             left
             to
             lodge
             a
             greater
             fortune
             in
             :
             and
             use
             all
             his
             industry
             to
             avoid
             every
             thing
             that
             may
             give
             the
             least
             sign
             of
             a
             low
             courage
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CIII
             .
          
           
             Every
             one
             is
             to
             keep
             the
             grandeur
             that
             is
             proper
             for
             his
             state
             .
          
           
             Let
             all
             thy
             actions
             proportionably
             to
             thy
             condition
             ,
             be
             the
             actions
             if
             not
             of
             a
             King
             ,
             at
             least
             worthy
             of
             a
             King.
             That
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             carry
             Royally
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             thy
             fortune
             can
             allow
             .
             Let
             there
             be
             grandeur
             in
             thine
             actions
             ,
             elevation
             in
             thy
             thoughts
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             if
             thou
             be
             not
             a
             King
             in
             reality
             ,
             thou
             mayst
             be
             one
             in
             merit
             .
             )
             For
             true
             Royalty
             consists
             in
             Vertue
             .
             He
             has
             no
             reason
             to
             envy
             the
             grandeur
             ,
             who
             may
             be
             the
             model
             thereof
             .
             But
             it
             concerns
             those
             chiefly
             who
             are
             upon
             the
             Throne
             ,
             or
             who
             approach
             near
             to
             it
             ,
             to
             make
             some
             provision
             of
             true
             superiority
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             of
             the
             qualities
             of
             majesty
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             please
             themselves
             with
             the
             Ceremonies
             ,
             which
             vanity
             and
             luxury
             have
             introduced
             .
             They
             ought
             to
             prefer
             the
             solidity
             of
             substance
             before
             the
             emptiness
             of
             Ostentation
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CIV
             .
          
           
             To
             examine
             the
             nature
             of
             businesses
             .
          
           
             Every
             employment
             hath
             its
             way
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             an
             essay-master
             that
             can
             judge
             the
             difference
             of
             them
             .
             Some
             employments
             require
             valour
             ,
             others
             quickness
             :
             some
             demand
             onely
             probity
             ,
             and
             others
             again
             Artifice
             .
             The
             first
             are
             more
             easie
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             more
             difficult
             to
             be
             discharged
             .
             For
             performing
             the
             first
             ,
             good
             natural
             ability
             is
             sufficient
             ,
             whereas
             for
             the
             others
             ,
             all
             application
             and
             vigilance
             is
             too
             little
             .
             It
             is
             a
             very
             painfull
             office
             to
             have
             the
             government
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             much
             more
             to
             have
             the
             conduct
             of
             Fools
             and
             Beasts
             .
             A
             double
             portion
             of
             sense
             is
             needfull
             for
             ordering
             of
             those
             that
             have
             none
             .
             That
             is
             an
             insupportable
             employment
             which
             requires
             a
             man's
             whole
             labour
             ,
             is
             stinted
             to
             hours
             ,
             and
             hath
             always
             the
             same
             thing
             to
             doe
             .
             Those
             are
             much
             better
             wherein
             variety
             concurs
             with
             importance
             ,
             seeing
             change
             delights
             the
             mind
             .
             But
             the
             best
             of
             all
             are
             such
             ,
             which
             are
             least
             dependant
             ,
             or
             whose
             dependance
             is
             most
             remote
             :
             and
             that
             is
             the
             worst
             ,
             which
             ,
             when
             we
             come
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             obliges
             us
             to
             render
             an
             account
             to
             rigorous
             
             Judges
             ,
             and
             especially
             when
             it
             is
             to
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             tedious
             .
          
           
             A
             man
             that
             hath
             but
             one
             business
             ,
             or
             he
             that
             hath
             always
             the
             same
             thing
             to
             say
             ,
             is
             commonly
             tedious
             .
             Brevity
             is
             fitter
             for
             negotiation
             .
             It
             gains
             by
             delighting
             what
             it
             loses
             by
             sparing
             .
             What
             is
             good
             ,
             is
             doubly
             good
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             short
             :
             and
             in
             like
             manner
             what
             is
             bad
             ,
             is
             less
             so
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             little
             of
             it
             .
             )
             Spirits
             operate
             better
             than
             mingled
             Potions
             .
             It
             is
             a
             known
             truth
             that
             a
             great
             talker
             is
             seldom
             a
             man
             of
             parts
             .
             There
             are
             some
             men
             that
             give
             more
             trouble
             than
             honour
             to
             the
             Universe
             .
             They
             are
             clouts
             thrown
             out
             into
             the
             Streets
             ,
             which
             every
             one
             kicks
             out
             of
             his
             way
             .
             A
             discreet
             man
             ought
             to
             have
             special
             care
             not
             to
             be
             troublesome
             ,
             especially
             to
             men
             of
             much
             business
             .
             For
             it
             were
             better
             to
             be
             uneasie
             to
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             than
             to
             one
             of
             those
             .
             What
             is
             well
             said
             ,
             is
             said
             in
             short
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CVI.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             proud
             of
             ones
             Fortune
             .
          
           
             Ostentation
             of
             Dignity
             offends
             more
             than
             ostentation
             of
             person
             .
             To
             carry
             high
             ,
             is
             to
             become
             odious
             ;
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             be
             envied
             .
             The
             more
             we
             hunt
             after
             Reputation
             ,
             the
             less
             we
             find
             it
             .
             Seeing
             it
             depends
             on
             the
             judgment
             of
             others
             ,
             no
             body
             can
             give
             it
             :
             and
             by
             consequent
             it
             must
             be
             merited
             and
             expected
             .
             Great
             employments
             require
             an
             authority
             suitable
             to
             their
             Functions
             ,
             and
             without
             that
             ,
             they
             cannot
             be
             worthily
             discharged
             .
             We
             ought
             to
             preserve
             all
             the
             authority
             that
             is
             necessary
             for
             acquitting
             our selves
             of
             the
             main
             of
             our
             obligations
             :
             not
             to
             make
             too
             much
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             second
             it
             .
             All
             who
             pretend
             to
             be
             overcharged
             with
             business
             ,
             shew
             themselves
             to
             be
             unworthy
             of
             their
             employments
             ,
             as
             loaded
             with
             a
             burthen
             they
             are
             not
             able
             to
             bear
             .
             If
             any
             man
             would
             set
             himself
             off
             ,
             let
             him
             doe
             it
             rather
             by
             a
             great
             personal
             worth
             ,
             than
             by
             a
             borrowed
             character
             .
             Nay
             ,
             a
             King
             ought
             to
             gain
             himself
             more
             veneration
             by
             his
             own
             worth
             ,
             than
             by
             his
             Sovereignty
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             an
             external
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CVII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             appear
             pleased
             with
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             dissatisfied
             with
             ones
             self
             ,
             is
             weakness
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             pleased
             ,
             folly
             .
             )
             In
             most
             men
             that
             satisfaction
             proceeds
             from
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             ends
             in
             a
             blind
             felicity
             ,
             which
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             entertains
             pleasure
             ,
             but
             preserves
             not
             the
             Reputation
             .
             As
             it
             is
             rare
             to
             judge
             well
             of
             the
             eminent
             qualities
             of
             others
             ,
             so
             men
             applaud
             to
             themselves
             in
             those
             they
             have
             ,
             how
             vulgar
             and
             ordinary
             soever
             they
             be
             .
             Diffidence
             hath
             always
             been
             usefull
             to
             the
             wise
             ,
             whether
             for
             taking
             such
             good
             measures
             ,
             that
             affairs
             did
             succeed
             ;
             or
             for
             comforting
             themselves
             when
             they
             succeeded
             not
             .
             For
             he
             that
             hath
             foreseen
             the
             evil
             ,
             is
             the
             less
             troubled
             at
             it
             ,
             when
             it
             happens
             .
             Sometimes
             Homer
             himself
             is
             asleep
             ,
             and
             Alexander
             descends
             from
             the
             Throne
             of
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             acknowledges
             his
             weakness
             .
             Affairs
             depend
             on
             many
             circumstances
             ,
             and
             what
             hath
             succeeded
             at
             one
             time
             ,
             hath
             been
             unfortunate
             at
             another
             .
             But
             it
             is
             the
             incorrigibility
             of
             fools
             ,
             that
             they
             turn
             their
             vainest
             thoughts
             into
             flowers
             ,
             and
             that
             their
             weeds
             are
             always
             sprouting
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             shortest
             way
             to
             become
             a
             great
             man
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             able
             to
             chuse
             his
             company
             .
          
           
             Conversation
             is
             of
             great
             weight
             .
             Manners
             ,
             humours
             ,
             opinions
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             wit
             ,
             are
             insensibly
             communicated
             .
             So
             a
             hasty
             man
             should
             frequent
             the
             company
             of
             one
             that
             is
             patient
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             his
             contrary
             .
             By
             this
             means
             they
             will
             without
             any
             labour
             attain
             to
             a
             fit
             temper
             .
             It
             is
             no
             small
             matter
             to
             be
             able
             to
             moderate
             ones
             self
             .
             The
             alternate
             variety
             of
             seasons
             causes
             the
             beauty
             and
             duration
             of
             the
             Universe
             .
             As
             contrariety
             makes
             the
             harmony
             of
             natural
             things
             ,
             so
             the
             harmony
             of
             civil
             society
             becomes
             more
             lovely
             by
             the
             difference
             of
             manners
             .
             Prudence
             ought
             to
             make
             use
             of
             this
             policy
             in
             the
             choice
             of
             Friends
             and
             Servants
             ,
             and
             from
             that
             communication
             of
             contraries
             a
             most
             delightfull
             temper
             will
             arise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             Reprehensive
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             rough
             men
             that
             make
             a
             crime
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             out
             
             of
             passion
             ,
             as
             of
             a
             natural
             disposition
             .
             In
             some
             they
             condemn
             all
             that
             they
             have
             done
             ;
             in
             others
             all
             that
             they
             would
             doe
             :
             they
             so
             exaggerate
             every
             thing
             ,
             that
             they
             make
             of
             motes
             ,
             beams
             in
             the
             eye
             .
             Their
             worse
             than
             cruel
             humour
             ,
             would
             be
             enough
             to
             turn
             the
             Elysian
             field
             into
             a
             Galley
             .
             But
             if
             passion
             mingle
             with
             it
             ,
             their
             rigour
             passes
             all
             bounds
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             Candour
             interprets
             every
             thing
             favourably
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             intention
             ,
             at
             least
             the
             inadvertency
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             wait
             ,
             till
             one
             be
             a
             setting
             Sun.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             Maxime
             of
             Prudence
             to
             leave
             things
             ,
             before
             they
             leave
             us
             .
             It
             is
             the
             part
             of
             a
             wise
             man
             to
             make
             a
             triumph
             of
             his
             own
             defeat
             ,
             in
             imitation
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             which
             ,
             though
             still
             glorious
             in
             light
             ,
             is
             accustomed
             to
             retire
             into
             a
             Cloud
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             not
             be
             seen
             to
             decline
             ;
             and
             by
             that
             means
             leave
             it
             in
             doubt
             ,
             whether
             he
             be
             set
             ,
             or
             not
             .
             He
             ought
             to
             draw
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             accidents
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             not
             pine
             away
             with
             fretting
             .
             Let
             him
             not
             stay
             till
             fortune
             turn
             her
             back
             upon
             him
             ,
             lest
             she
             should
             bury
             him
             alive
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             affliction
             that
             it
             would
             give
             
             him
             ;
             and
             dead
             in
             respect
             of
             his
             Reputation
             .
             A
             good
             Horseman
             gives
             his
             Horse
             sometimes
             the
             Reins
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             keep
             him
             from
             rearing
             up
             ,
             and
             himself
             from
             derision
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             chance
             to
             fall
             in
             the
             middle
             of
             the
             carriere
             .
             A
             beauty
             ought
             to
             prevent
             her
             glass
             by
             breaking
             it
             ,
             before
             it
             come
             to
             shew
             her
             that
             her
             charms
             are
             fading
             .
             
               See
               the
               Maxime
            
             38.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXI
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             Friends
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             Friends
             ,
             is
             a
             second
             being
             .
             Every
             Friend
             is
             good
             to
             his
             Friend
             .
             Amongst
             Friends
             all
             things
             are
             pleasant
             .
             A
             man
             can
             be
             worth
             no
             more
             than
             what
             others
             are
             pleased
             to
             value
             him
             at
             .
             To
             encline
             them
             then
             to
             that
             ,
             we
             must
             seize
             their
             mouth
             by
             their
             heart
             .
             There
             is
             no
             better
             charm
             than
             good
             Offices
             .
             The
             best
             way
             to
             have
             Friends
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             Friends
             .
             All
             the
             good
             we
             have
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             depends
             on
             others
             .
             We
             are
             to
             live
             with
             our
             Friends
             or
             Enemies
             .
             Every
             day
             we
             ought
             to
             gain
             one
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             make
             him
             not
             our
             confident
             ,
             render
             him
             at
             least
             well
             affected
             .
             For
             some
             of
             these
             will
             become
             intimates
             when
             they
             are
             thoroughly
             known
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXII
             .
          
           
             To
             gain
             the
             Heart
             .
          
           
             The
             chief
             and
             sovereign
             cause
             of
             all
             things
             disdains
             not
             to
             prevent
             and
             dispose
             it
             ,
             when
             he
             hath
             a
             mind
             to
             work
             the
             greatest
             works
             .
             By
             affection
             men
             enter
             into
             esteem
             .
             Some
             trust
             so
             much
             to
             their
             merit
             ,
             that
             they
             take
             no
             care
             to
             make
             themselves
             be
             beloved
             .
             But
             the
             wise
             man
             knoweth
             well
             ,
             that
             merit
             hath
             a
             great
             compass
             to
             fetch
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             not
             assisted
             by
             favour
             .
             Good
             will
             facilitates
             all
             things
             .
             It
             supposes
             not
             always
             that
             there
             is
             wisedom
             ,
             discretion
             ,
             goodness
             ,
             and
             capacity
             in
             the
             object
             ;
             but
             it
             gives
             them
             .
             It
             never
             sees
             faults
             ,
             because
             it
             avoids
             seeing
             of
             them
             .
             Commonly
             it
             springs
             from
             a
             material
             Correspondence
             ,
             as
             being
             of
             the
             same
             Nation
             ,
             Countrey
             ,
             Profession
             or
             Family
             .
             There
             is
             another
             kind
             of
             affection
             more
             formal
             and
             elevated
             :
             for
             it
             is
             founded
             on
             obligations
             ,
             reputation
             or
             merit
             .
             The
             difficulty
             is
             in
             gaining
             it
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             preserve
             it
             .
             By
             our
             care
             we
             may
             acquire
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             make
             good
             use
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXIII
             .
          
           
             In
             Prosperity
             to
             prepare
             for
             Adversity
             .
          
           
             Summer
             is
             the
             time
             when
             we
             can
             most
             commodiously
             make
             provisions
             for
             Winter
             .
             In
             prosperity
             men
             have
             many
             Friends
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             at
             a
             cheap
             rate
             .
             It
             is
             good
             to
             lay
             up
             somewhat
             for
             bad
             weather
             .
             For
             there
             is
             want
             of
             every
             thing
             in
             adversity
             .
             Thou
             'lt
             doe
             well
             not
             to
             neglect
             thy
             Friends
             ,
             a
             day
             may
             come
             when
             thou
             wilt
             think
             thy self
             happy
             to
             have
             some
             ,
             whom
             thou
             carest
             not
             for
             at
             present
             .
             Clownish
             people
             never
             have
             Friends
             ,
             neither
             in
             prosperity
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             no
             body
             ;
             nor
             in
             adversity
             ,
             because
             then
             no
             body
             knows
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXIV
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             stand
             in
             competition
             .
          
           
             Every
             pretension
             that
             is
             contested
             ,
             ruines
             the
             credit
             .
             Competition
             never
             fails
             to
             blacken
             that
             it
             may
             darken
             .
             It
             is
             a
             rare
             thing
             to
             play
             fair
             play
             .
             Emulation
             discovers
             faults
             ,
             which
             civility
             concealed
             before
             .
             Many
             have
             lived
             in
             great
             esteem
             so
             long
             as
             they
             had
             no
             Competitours
             .
             
             The
             heat
             of
             contradiction
             animates
             or
             raises
             to
             life
             infamies
             which
             were
             dead
             :
             it
             digs
             up
             again
             the
             filth
             ,
             which
             time
             had
             almost
             consumed
             .
             Competition
             begins
             with
             a
             manifesto
             of
             invectives
             ,
             calling
             to
             its
             assistence
             all
             that
             it
             can
             ,
             and
             ought
             not
             .
             And
             though
             sometimes
             ,
             nay
             ,
             most
             times
             reproaches
             be
             arms
             of
             no
             great
             value
             ,
             yet
             it
             makes
             use
             of
             them
             for
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             a
             base
             revenge
             :
             and
             it
             runs
             upon
             that
             so
             impetuously
             ,
             that
             it
             covers
             the
             faults
             of
             the
             Rival
             with
             the
             dust
             of
             Oblivion
             .
             Good
             will
             hath
             always
             been
             peaceable
             ,
             and
             Reputation
             indulgent
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXV
             .
          
           
             To
             comply
             with
             the
             humours
             of
             those
             with
             whom
             one
             is
             to
             live
             .
          
           
             Men
             are
             very
             well
             accustomed
             to
             look
             on
             ugly
             faces
             :
             they
             may
             then
             accustome
             themselves
             to
             bad
             humours
             .
             There
             are
             some
             churlish
             Spirits
             ,
             with
             whom
             ,
             nor
             without
             whom
             ,
             one
             cannot
             live
             .
             It
             is
             Prudence
             then
             to
             be
             accustomed
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             ugliness
             ,
             if
             one
             would
             not
             be
             surprized
             ,
             nor
             frighted
             on
             some
             occasions
             .
             At
             first
             they
             terrify
             ,
             but
             by
             little
             and
             little
             we
             grow
             acquainted
             with
             them
             ,
             reflexion
             preventing
             what
             is
             rude
             in
             them
             ,
             
             or
             at
             least
             helping
             us
             to
             bear
             with
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             deal
             always
             with
             men
             who
             are
             carefull
             of
             their
             duty
             .
          
           
             One
             may
             both
             engage
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             engage
             them
             .
             Their
             duty
             is
             their
             best
             surety
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             one
             is
             at
             variance
             with
             them
             .
             For
             they
             always
             act
             like
             themselves
             :
             and
             besides
             ,
             it
             is
             better
             to
             fight
             with
             honest
             men
             ,
             than
             to
             triumph
             over
             the
             naughty
             .
             There
             is
             no
             safety
             in
             dealing
             with
             wicked
             men
             ,
             because
             they
             never
             stand
             to
             what
             is
             just
             and
             reasonable
             .
             And
             therefore
             there
             is
             no
             true
             Friendship
             ever
             to
             be
             found
             amongst
             them
             .
             How
             great
             soever
             their
             affection
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             ,
             it
             is
             always
             of
             base
             allay
             ,
             because
             it
             has
             not
             any
             principle
             of
             honour
             .
             Avoid
             always
             the
             man
             that
             hath
             none
             ;
             for
             honour
             is
             the
             throne
             of
             honesty
             .
             Whoever
             esteems
             not
             honour
             ,
             esteems
             not
             vertue
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXVII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             speak
             of
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             To
             praise
             ones
             self
             is
             vanity
             ;
             to
             blame
             ,
             meanness
             .
             And
             what
             is
             a
             defect
             of
             wisedom
             
             in
             him
             that
             speaks
             ,
             is
             a
             trouble
             to
             those
             that
             hear
             him
             .
             If
             that
             be
             to
             be
             shunned
             in
             familiar
             or
             domestick
             conversation
             ,
             it
             is
             more
             to
             be
             avoided
             in
             publick
             ,
             when
             one
             speaks
             and
             holds
             some
             great
             post
             ,
             for
             then
             the
             least
             folly
             passes
             for
             down-right
             simplicity
             .
             It
             is
             the
             same
             errour
             in
             Prudence
             to
             speak
             of
             those
             who
             are
             present
             .
             For
             there
             is
             danger
             of
             splitting
             upon
             one
             of
             two
             rocks
             ,
             either
             of
             flattery
             or
             censure
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             affect
             the
             name
             of
             being
             obliging
             .
          
           
             There
             needs
             no
             more
             but
             that
             ,
             to
             become
             plausible
             .
             Civility
             is
             a
             chief
             part
             of
             the
             knowledge
             how
             to
             live
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             charm
             that
             attracts
             the
             love
             of
             all
             men
             :
             whereas
             Clownishness
             makes
             one
             hated
             and
             despised
             .
             For
             if
             incivility
             proceed
             from
             pride
             ,
             it
             deserves
             to
             be
             hated
             ;
             if
             from
             brutishness
             ,
             it
             is
             contemptible
             .
             Too
             much
             does
             better
             in
             civility
             ,
             than
             too
             little
             .
             But
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             alike
             to
             all
             ;
             for
             then
             it
             would
             degenerate
             into
             injustice
             .
             It
             is
             even
             a
             duty
             ,
             and
             in
             use
             amongst
             Enemies
             ,
             which
             shews
             the
             power
             of
             it
             .
             Whoever
             honours
             is
             honoured
             .
             Gallantry
             and
             Civility
             have
             that
             advantage
             ,
             
             that
             all
             the
             glory
             of
             them
             rests
             upon
             their
             Authours
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             affect
             to
             be
             Churlish
             .
          
           
             We
             ought
             never
             to
             provoke
             aversion
             ,
             it
             comes
             fast
             enough
             without
             being
             sought
             after
             .
             There
             are
             a
             great
             many
             people
             who
             hate
             at
             a
             venture
             ,
             and
             know
             neither
             how
             nor
             why
             .
             Hatred
             is
             readier
             than
             good
             will.
             Humour
             is
             more
             enclined
             to
             hurt
             ,
             than
             to
             doe
             service
             .
             Some
             affect
             to
             be
             at
             odds
             with
             every
             body
             ,
             either
             through
             a
             spirit
             of
             contradiction
             ,
             or
             because
             they
             are
             out
             of
             humour
             .
             When
             once
             hatred
             has
             got
             possession
             of
             their
             heart
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             hard
             to
             root
             it
             out
             again
             ,
             as
             to
             undeceive
             them
             .
             Men
             of
             wit
             are
             feared
             ;
             backbiters
             are
             hated
             ;
             the
             presumptuous
             are
             despised
             ;
             scoffers
             are
             abhorred
             ;
             and
             the
             singular
             are
             forsaken
             of
             all
             men
             .
             To
             be
             esteemed
             then
             ,
             we
             must
             esteem
             .
             He
             that
             would
             make
             his
             Fortune
             ,
             sets
             a
             value
             upon
             every
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXX
             .
          
           
             To
             comply
             with
             the
             Times
             .
          
           
             Knowledge
             it self
             ought
             to
             be
             according
             to
             the
             mode
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             no
             small
             piece
             of
             wit
             to
             counterfeit
             the
             ignorant
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             no
             knowledge
             .
             The
             relish
             and
             language
             change
             according
             to
             times
             .
             We
             must
             not
             speak
             in
             the
             old
             fashion
             ;
             the
             relish
             must
             take
             with
             the
             new
             .
             The
             relish
             of
             good
             heads
             serves
             for
             a
             rule
             to
             others
             in
             every
             profession
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             we
             are
             to
             conform
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             endeavour
             to
             improve
             our selves
             .
             Let
             a
             prudent
             man
             accommodate
             himself
             to
             the
             present
             ,
             whether
             as
             to
             body
             ,
             or
             mind
             ,
             though
             the
             past
             may
             even
             seem
             better
             unto
             him
             .
             In
             manners
             onely
             that
             rule
             is
             not
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             seeing
             vertue
             is
             at
             all
             times
             to
             be
             practised
             .
             It
             is
             not
             known
             now
             a-days
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             to
             speak
             truth
             ,
             to
             keep
             ones
             word
             .
             If
             any
             doe
             so
             ,
             they
             pass
             for
             old-fashioned
             people
             .
             So
             that
             no
             body
             imitates
             them
             ,
             though
             all
             love
             them
             .
             Unhappy
             age
             ,
             wherein
             vertue
             passes
             for
             a
             stranger
             ,
             and
             vice
             for
             a
             current
             mode
             !
             Let
             a
             wise
             man
             then
             live
             as
             he
             can
             ,
             if
             he
             cannot
             as
             he
             would
             .
             Let
             him
             be
             content
             with
             what
             lot
             hath
             given
             
             him
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             better
             than
             what
             it
             hath
             denied
             him
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             make
             much
             of
             nothing
             .
          
           
             As
             there
             are
             some
             that
             perplex
             themselves
             about
             nothing
             ,
             so
             there
             are
             others
             who
             puzle
             themselves
             about
             every
             thing
             .
             They
             speak
             always
             like
             Ministers
             of
             State.
             They
             take
             all
             things
             either
             literally
             or
             mystically
             .
             Few
             of
             those
             things
             that
             occasion
             trouble
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             minded
             :
             else
             we
             shall
             torment
             our selves
             much
             in
             vain
             .
             It
             's
             to
             act
             the
             clean
             contrary
             way
             ,
             to
             lay
             that
             to
             heart
             ,
             which
             we
             should
             throw
             behind
             our
             backs
             .
             Many
             things
             that
             were
             of
             some
             consequence
             ,
             have
             signified
             nothing
             at
             all
             ,
             because
             men
             troubled
             not
             themselves
             about
             them
             ;
             and
             others
             which
             signified
             nothing
             ,
             have
             become
             matters
             of
             importance
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             value
             that
             was
             put
             upon
             them
             .
             In
             the
             beginning
             ,
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             master
             all
             ;
             but
             not
             so
             afterwards
             .
             Most
             commonly
             the
             remedy
             increases
             the
             evil
             .
             It
             is
             not
             then
             the
             worst
             rule
             of
             living
             ,
             to
             let
             things
             go
             as
             they
             come
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXXII
             .
          
           
             Authority
             in
             Words
             and
             Actions
             .
          
           
             That
             quality
             takes
             place
             every
             where
             ,
             it
             presently
             commands
             respect
             .
             It
             shews
             it self
             over
             all
             ,
             in
             the
             Conversation
             ,
             in
             Harangues
             ,
             in
             the
             carriage
             ,
             in
             the
             look
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             meen
             .
             To
             take
             hearts
             is
             a
             great
             conquest
             .
             That
             is
             not
             attained
             to
             by
             a
             foolish
             bravery
             ,
             nor
             by
             an
             imperious
             way
             of
             speaking
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             certain
             Ascendant
             that
             springs
             from
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             Genius
             ,
             and
             is
             supported
             by
             an
             extraordinary
             merit
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Man
             without
             Affectation
             .
          
           
             The
             more
             there
             is
             of
             perfection
             ,
             the
             less
             there
             is
             of
             affectation
             .
             For
             it
             is
             that
             commonly
             which
             spoils
             the
             finest
             things
             .
             Affectation
             is
             as
             insupportable
             to
             others
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             painfull
             to
             him
             that
             uses
             it
             ,
             who
             lives
             in
             a
             continual
             martyrdom
             of
             constraint
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             be
             punctual
             in
             all
             things
             .
             The
             most
             eminent
             qualities
             lose
             their
             value
             ,
             if
             affectation
             be
             discovered
             in
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             attributed
             rather
             
             to
             an
             artificious
             constraint
             ,
             than
             to
             the
             true
             character
             of
             the
             person
             .
             And
             what
             is
             natural
             ,
             hath
             always
             been
             more
             agreeable
             than
             what
             is
             artificial
             .
             A
             man
             is
             looked
             upon
             to
             be
             a
             stranger
             to
             all
             that
             he
             affects
             .
             The
             better
             one
             does
             a
             thing
             ,
             the
             more
             he
             ought
             to
             hide
             the
             care
             he
             takes
             in
             doing
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             all
             may
             take
             it
             to
             be
             natural
             .
             But
             in
             avoiding
             of
             affectation
             ,
             have
             a
             special
             care
             you
             fall
             not
             into
             it
             ,
             by
             affecting
             not
             to
             be
             affected
             .
             An
             accomplished
             man
             ought
             never
             to
             give
             the
             least
             sign
             that
             he
             is
             perswaded
             of
             his
             own
             merit
             :
             the
             less
             he
             appears
             solicitous
             to
             make
             it
             known
             ,
             the
             more
             all
             will
             mind
             it
             .
             He
             is
             doubly
             excellent
             ,
             who
             confines
             all
             his
             perfections
             within
             himself
             ,
             without
             bragging
             of
             any
             ;
             he
             arrives
             at
             the
             height
             of
             plausibility
             ,
             by
             a
             way
             not
             much
             frequented
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXIV
             .
          
           
             How
             to
             be
             Regrated
             .
          
           
             Few
             have
             that
             happiness
             ,
             and
             yet
             it
             is
             an
             extraordinary
             one
             to
             be
             regrated
             by
             good
             men
             .
             Commonly
             people
             are
             indifferent
             as
             to
             those
             who
             have
             finished
             their
             time
             .
             There
             are
             divers
             means
             of
             meriting
             the
             honour
             to
             be
             regrated
             .
             Visibly
             eminent
             
             qualities
             in
             discharging
             ones
             office
             is
             a
             very
             sure
             one
             ;
             and
             to
             please
             all
             people
             is
             one
             effectual
             .
             Eminence
             begets
             dependance
             ;
             so
             soon
             as
             it
             appears
             that
             the
             office
             stood
             in
             need
             of
             the
             man
             that
             discharges
             it
             ;
             and
             not
             the
             man
             of
             the
             office
             .
             Some
             doe
             honour
             to
             their
             places
             ,
             and
             others
             are
             honoured
             for
             them
             .
             It
             is
             not
             an
             advantage
             to
             seem
             good
             ,
             because
             one
             hath
             a
             bad
             successour
             .
             For
             that
             is
             not
             to
             be
             truly
             regrated
             ,
             but
             onely
             to
             be
             less
             hated
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             book
             of
             Accounts
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             a
             sign
             of
             a
             bad
             Reputation
             ,
             to
             take
             pleasure
             in
             blasting
             the
             Reputation
             of
             another
             .
             Some
             are
             willing
             to
             wash
             out
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             cover
             their
             stains
             ,
             by
             exposing
             those
             of
             others
             .
             They
             ease
             the
             sense
             of
             their
             own
             defects
             ,
             by
             considering
             that
             others
             have
             faults
             also
             :
             which
             is
             the
             consolation
             of
             fools
             .
             These
             have
             always
             a
             stinking
             breath
             ,
             their
             mouth
             being
             the
             sink
             of
             civil
             uncleanness
             .
             The
             more
             one
             digs
             into
             such
             matters
             ,
             the
             more
             he
             bemires
             and
             defiles
             himself
             .
             There
             is
             no
             man
             but
             hath
             some
             original
             failing
             ,
             whether
             to
             the
             right
             or
             to
             the
             left
             .
             The
             faults
             of
             those
             who
             are
             not
             much
             known
             ,
             are
             
             unknown
             .
             Let
             a
             prudent
             man
             take
             good
             heed
             that
             he
             be
             not
             a
             register
             of
             Calumnies
             .
             That
             's
             the
             way
             to
             set
             up
             for
             a
             very
             unpleasant
             pattern
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             without
             a
             Soul
             ,
             though
             one
             be
             alive
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             commit
             a
             folly
             makes
             not
             a
             fool
             ;
             but
             not
             to
             know
             how
             to
             hide
             it
             ,
             does
             .
          
           
             If
             one
             ought
             to
             hide
             his
             passions
             ,
             much
             more
             he
             ought
             his
             faults
             .
             All
             men
             fail
             ,
             but
             with
             this
             difference
             ,
             that
             men
             of
             sense
             palliate
             the
             faults
             committed
             ,
             and
             fools
             shew
             those
             they
             are
             about
             to
             commit
             .
             Reputation
             consists
             more
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             acting
             ,
             than
             in
             what
             is
             done
             .
             If
             thou
             be
             not
             Chast
             ,
             saith
             the
             Proverb
             ,
             be
             cautious
             at
             least
             .
             The
             faults
             of
             great
             men
             are
             the
             more
             remarkable
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             the
             eclipses
             of
             great
             luminaries
             .
             How
             great
             soever
             thy
             Friendship
             be
             ,
             never
             trust
             it
             with
             thy
             failings
             .
             Nay
             ,
             hide
             them
             even
             from
             thy self
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             .
             At
             least
             thou
             mayst
             make
             use
             of
             that
             other
             rule
             of
             living
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             know
             how
             to
             forget
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXXVII
             .
          
           
             
               The
               secret
               charm
               ,
               or
               the
               unexpressible
            
             somewhat
             ;
             
               which
               the
               French
               call
            
             Le
             Je-ne-sai-quoi
             .
             
               And
               the
               Spaniards
            
             El
             despejo
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             life
             of
             great
             qualities
             ,
             the
             breath
             of
             words
             ,
             the
             soul
             of
             actions
             ,
             and
             the
             lustre
             of
             all
             beauties
             .
             Other
             perfections
             are
             the
             ornament
             of
             nature
             ;
             the
             unexpressible
             somewhat
             ,
             that
             of
             perfections
             .
             It
             is
             observable
             even
             in
             the
             way
             of
             reasoning
             .
             It
             holds
             much
             more
             of
             privilege
             than
             of
             study
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             even
             above
             all
             discipline
             .
             It
             is
             not
             limited
             to
             facility
             ,
             but
             reaches
             the
             finest
             Gallantry
             .
             It
             supposes
             a
             free
             and
             unstinted
             mind
             ,
             and
             to
             that
             unstintedness
             it
             adds
             the
             last
             strokes
             of
             perfection
             .
             Without
             it
             all
             beauty
             is
             dead
             ,
             all
             gracefulness
             ungracefull
             .
             It
             hath
             the
             pre-eminence
             over
             valour
             ,
             discretion
             ,
             prudence
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             majesty
             it self
             .
             It
             is
             a
             politick
             high
             way
             wherein
             affairs
             are
             soon
             dispatched
             ;
             and
             ,
             in
             fine
             ,
             the
             art
             of
             coming
             off
             gallantly
             when
             one
             is
             hampered
             .
          
           
             
               Here
               it
               will
               not
               be
               amiss
               for
               a
               Commentary
               ,
               to
               give
               the
               translation
               of
               the
               whole
               thirteenth
               Chapter
               of
               the
            
             Heroe
             ,
             
               where
               he
               gives
               a
               notion
               a
               little
               more
            
             
             
               distinct
               of
               what
               he
               calls
               the
            
             Despejo
             .
          
           
             The
             unexpressible
             somewhat
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             is
             the
             soul
             of
             all
             qualities
             ,
             the
             life
             of
             all
             perfections
             ,
             the
             vigour
             of
             actions
             ,
             the
             gracefulness
             of
             language
             ,
             and
             the
             charm
             of
             all
             that
             takes
             .
             It
             agreeably
             amuses
             the
             conceit
             and
             imagination
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             inexplicable
             .
             It
             is
             something
             that
             enhaunces
             the
             lustre
             of
             all
             beauties
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             metaphysical
             and
             formal
             beauty
             .
             Other
             perfections
             adorn
             nature
             ,
             but
             the
             somewhat
             adorns
             the
             ornaments
             themselves
             .
             So
             that
             it
             is
             the
             perfection
             even
             of
             perfection
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             a
             transcendent
             beauty
             ,
             and
             universal
             gracefulness
             .
             It
             consists
             in
             a
             certain
             taking
             air
             ,
             in
             an
             agreeableness
             that
             hath
             no
             name
             ,
             but
             which
             is
             seen
             in
             speaking
             ,
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             acting
             ,
             and
             in
             reasoning
             .
             What
             is
             most
             lovely
             in
             it
             comes
             from
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             depends
             on
             reflexion
             .
             For
             it
             hath
             never
             been
             subjected
             to
             any
             imperious
             precept
             ,
             but
             always
             to
             the
             best
             of
             every
             kind
             .
             It
             is
             called
             a
             charm
             ,
             because
             it
             inchants
             hearts
             ;
             a
             fine
             air
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             imperceptible
             ;
             a
             brisk
             air
             ,
             because
             of
             its
             activity
             ;
             a
             taking
             air
             ,
             because
             of
             its
             politeness
             ;
             jollity
             and
             good
             humour
             ,
             for
             its
             facility
             and
             complaisance
             .
             For
             the
             desire
             and
             yet
             impossibility
             of
             defining
             it
             ,
             have
             got
             it
             all
             these
             names
             .
             It
             's
             to
             doe
             it
             wrong
             ,
             to
             confound
             
             it
             with
             facility
             ;
             for
             that
             comes
             but
             at
             a
             great
             distance
             after
             it
             .
             It
             advances
             as
             far
             as
             the
             finest
             Gallantry
             .
             Though
             it
             suppose
             an
             entire
             disengagedness
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             devoted
             to
             perfection
             .
             Actions
             have
             their
             Midwife
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             obliged
             to
             this
             unexpressible
             somewhat
             when
             they
             are
             well
             delivered
             .
             Without
             it
             they
             are
             still-born
             ,
             without
             it
             the
             best
             things
             are
             unsavoury
             .
             Nay
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             the
             accessory
             neither
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             is
             sometime
             the
             principal
             .
             It
             serves
             not
             onely
             for
             ornament
             ,
             but
             also
             for
             support
             and
             direction
             in
             affairs
             .
             For
             as
             it
             is
             the
             soul
             of
             beauty
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             the
             spirit
             of
             Prudence
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             the
             principle
             of
             gracefulness
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             the
             life
             of
             valour
             .
             In
             a
             Captain
             ,
             it
             goes
             hand
             in
             hand
             with
             bravery
             ;
             and
             in
             a
             King
             with
             Prudence
             .
             In
             the
             shock
             of
             a
             battle
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             less
             conspicuous
             in
             its
             assured
             and
             undaunted
             air
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             skill
             of
             handling
             arms
             ,
             and
             in
             resolution
             .
             It
             renders
             a
             General
             master
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             then
             of
             all
             others
             .
             It
             is
             as
             impetuous
             on
             Horseback
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             majestick
             under
             the
             Canopy
             .
             In
             the
             Pulpit
             it
             gives
             a
             grace
             to
             words
             .
             By
             its
             golden
             thread
             ,
             Henry
             IV.
             The
             Theseus
             of
             France
             dextrously
             guided
             his
             way
             through
             the
             Labyrinth
             of
             so
             many
             obstacles
             and
             affairs
             .
          
           
             
               For
               a
               gloss
               to
               this
               description
               of
               the
            
             
             Despejo
             ,
             
               which
               is
               very
               metaphysical
               what
               Father
            
             Bonhours
             
               says
               in
               the
               fifth
               Conference
               of
            
             Aristus
             and
             Eugenius
             ,
             
               may
               serve
            
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             far
             easier
             to
             perceive
             it
             ,
             than
             to
             know
             it
             ,
             saith
             Aristus
             .
             It
             would
             be
             no
             longer
             
               I
               know
               not
               what
            
             ,
             if
             one
             knew
             what
             it
             were
             ;
             its
             nature
             is
             to
             be
             incomprehensible
             and
             inexplicable
             .
             
               And
               a
               page
               after
            
             .
             To
             take
             it
             right
             ,
             it
             is
             neither
             beauty
             ,
             nor
             good
             meen
             ,
             nor
             good
             grace
             ,
             nor
             briskness
             of
             humour
             ,
             nor
             sparkling
             wit
             ,
             seeing
             we
             dayly
             see
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             all
             these
             qualities
             ,
             and
             yet
             want
             that
             which
             pleases
             :
             and
             others
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             who
             please
             much
             ,
             without
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             agreeable
             ,
             except
             this
             unaccountable
             luck
             .
             So
             that
             the
             certainest
             thing
             that
             can
             be
             said
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             that
             the
             greatest
             merit
             signifies
             nothing
             without
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             needeth
             no
             more
             but
             it self
             to
             work
             a
             very
             great
             effect
             .
             It
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             to
             be
             handsome
             ,
             witty
             ,
             blithe
             ,
             &c.
             if
             the
             unexpressible
             somewhat
             be
             wanting
             ,
             all
             these
             fair
             qualities
             are
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             dead
             :
             but
             also
             what
             imperfections
             soever
             one
             may
             have
             in
             body
             or
             mind
             ,
             with
             that
             sole
             advantage
             he
             is
             sure
             to
             please
             .
             This
             somewhat
             sets
             all
             to
             rights
             .
             From
             thence
             it
             follows
             ,
             says
             Eugenius
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             an
             agreeableness
             which
             animates
             beauty
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             natural
             perfections
             ,
             which
             corrects
             
             ugliness
             and
             other
             natural
             defects
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             a
             charm
             and
             an
             air
             that
             insinuates
             into
             all
             actions
             and
             words
             ;
             that
             enters
             into
             the
             gate
             ,
             laughing
             ,
             tone
             of
             the
             voice
             ,
             and
             into
             the
             least
             gesture
             of
             the
             person
             that
             pleases
             .
             
               And
               four
               or
               five
               pages
               after
               .
            
             He
             saith
             that
             the
             Spaniards
             have
             also
             their
             
               No
               so
               que
            
             ,
             which
             they
             bring
             in
             at
             every
             turn
             ,
             besides
             their
             Donayre
             ,
             their
             Brio
             ,
             and
             their
             Despejo
             ,
             which
             Gracian
             calls
             ,
             
               Alma
               de
               toda
               prenda
               ,
               realce
               de
               los
               mesmos
               realces
               ,
               perfeccion
               de
               la
               misma
               perfeccion
               ,
            
             and
             which
             according
             to
             the
             same
             Authour
             ,
             is
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             our
             thoughts
             and
             words
             .
             
               Lisongea
               la
               intelligencia
               ,
               y
               estrana
               la
               explicacion
               .
            
             This
             I
             mention
             here
             ,
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             the
             Despejo
             ,
             is
             an
             
               I
               know
               not
               what
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             no
             name
             :
             and
             that
             all
             those
             that
             are
             given
             to
             it
             ,
             are
             pretty
             words
             ,
             which
             the
             learned
             have
             invented
             to
             flatter
             their
             ignorance
             .
             
               These
               are
               the
               terms
               of
               Father
            
             Bonhours
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             high
             Courage
             .
          
           
             Is
             one
             of
             the
             principal
             conditions
             required
             in
             a
             Heroe
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             such
             a
             courage
             spurs
             him
             on
             to
             all
             that
             is
             great
             ,
             refines
             his
             discerning
             ,
             raises
             his
             heart
             ,
             elevates
             
             his
             thoughts
             and
             actions
             ,
             and
             disposes
             him
             to
             majesty
             .
             It
             makes
             its
             way
             through
             ,
             wherever
             it
             is
             :
             and
             when
             hard
             luck
             is
             cross
             to
             it
             ,
             it
             essays
             all
             ways
             to
             come
             off
             with
             honour
             .
             The
             more
             it
             is
             confined
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             possibility
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             labours
             its
             enlargement
             .
             Magnanimity
             ,
             Generosity
             ,
             and
             all
             Heroick
             Qualities
             ,
             own
             it
             for
             their
             original
             .
          
           
             The
             strong
             head
             ,
             saith
             Gracian
             ,
             chap.
             4.
             of
             his
             Heroe
             ,
             is
             for
             Philosophers
             ;
             the
             good
             Tongue
             for
             Oratours
             ;
             the
             Breast
             for
             Wrestlers
             ,
             the
             Arms
             for
             Souldiers
             ,
             the
             Feet
             for
             Runners
             ,
             the
             Shoulders
             for
             Porters
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             Heart
             for
             Kings
             .
             The
             Heart
             of
             Alexander
             was
             an
             Arch-heart
             ,
             seeing
             a
             whole
             world
             lodged
             easily
             in
             a
             corner
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             six
             more
             could
             have
             found
             room
             therein
             .
             That
             of
             
               Julius
               Caesar
            
             was
             very
             great
             ;
             seeing
             it
             found
             no
             mean
             betwixt
             all
             and
             nothing
             .
             The
             heart
             is
             the
             stomach
             of
             Fortune
             .
             It
             digests
             alike
             her
             favours
             and
             disgraces
             .
             A
             great
             stomach
             is
             not
             loaded
             with
             much
             food
             .
             A
             Giant
             is
             starved
             with
             that
             which
             surfeits
             a
             Dwarf
             .
          
           
             That
             Prodigy
             of
             Valour
             ,
             Charles
             ,
             Dauphin
             of
             France
             ,
             and
             afterward
             King
             ,
             the
             seventh
             of
             that
             name
             ,
             being
             informed
             that
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             King
             of
             England
             his
             Competitour
             ,
             had
             got
             him
             declared
             in
             
             Parliament
             incapable
             of
             succeeding
             ,
             answered
             boldly
             ,
             That
             he
             appealed
             from
             it
             .
             And
             when
             he
             was
             asked
             with
             admiration
             ,
             To
             whom
             ?
             To
             my
             Courage
             ,
             and
             the
             point
             of
             my
             Sword
             ,
             Replyed
             he
             .
             The
             effect
             followed
             it
             .
             
               Charles
               Emanuel
            
             ,
             the
             Achilles
             of
             Savoy
             ,
             defeated
             four
             hundred
             Cuirassiers
             ,
             having
             but
             four
             men
             to
             stand
             by
             him
             :
             and
             perceiving
             that
             all
             were
             surprized
             at
             it
             ,
             he
             said
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             greatest
             dangers
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             company
             so
             good
             as
             a
             great
             heart
             .
             The
             sufficiency
             of
             the
             heart
             supplies
             what
             is
             otherwise
             wanting
             .
             The
             King
             of
             Arabia
             shewing
             his
             Courtiers
             a
             Damask
             Cutlass
             that
             had
             been
             presented
             to
             him
             ,
             it
             was
             the
             opinion
             of
             them
             all
             ,
             that
             the
             onely
             fault
             they
             found
             in
             it
             ,
             was
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             too
             short
             .
             But
             the
             Kings
             Son
             said
             ,
             That
             there
             was
             no
             Weapon
             too
             short
             for
             a
             brave
             Cavalier
             ,
             seeing
             there
             needed
             no
             more
             but
             to
             advance
             one
             step
             ,
             to
             make
             it
             long
             enough
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXIX
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             Complain
             .
          
           
             Complaints
             always
             ruine
             Credit
             .
             They
             rather
             excite
             a
             passion
             to
             offend
             us
             ,
             than
             compassion
             to
             comfort
             us
             .
             They
             make
             way
             for
             those
             that
             hear
             them
             ,
             to
             doe
             the
             
             same
             to
             us
             ,
             that
             those
             have
             done
             ,
             of
             whom
             we
             complain
             ,
             and
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             injury
             done
             by
             the
             first
             ,
             serves
             the
             second
             for
             an
             excuse
             .
             Some
             by
             complaining
             of
             past
             offences
             ,
             give
             occasion
             for
             future
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             the
             remedy
             and
             consolation
             which
             they
             pretend
             ,
             they
             give
             pleasure
             to
             others
             ,
             and
             even
             attract
             their
             contempt
             .
             It
             's
             far
             better
             policy
             to
             publish
             the
             obligations
             that
             one
             hath
             to
             people
             ,
             thereby
             to
             stir
             up
             others
             to
             oblige
             also
             .
             To
             speak
             often
             of
             favours
             received
             from
             Persons
             absent
             ,
             is
             to
             court
             the
             like
             from
             those
             who
             are
             present
             ;
             it
             is
             a
             selling
             the
             credit
             of
             the
             one
             to
             the
             other
             .
             Thus
             a
             prudent
             man
             ought
             never
             to
             publish
             disgraces
             and
             failings
             ,
             but
             always
             favours
             and
             honours
             .
             And
             this
             serves
             to
             preserve
             the
             esteem
             of
             Friends
             ,
             and
             to
             contain
             Enemies
             in
             their
             duty
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXX
             .
          
           
             To
             doe
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             appear
             .
          
           
             Things
             go
             not
             for
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             but
             for
             what
             they
             appear
             to
             be
             .
             To
             know
             how
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             how
             to
             shew
             it
             ,
             is
             a
             double
             knowledge
             .
             What
             is
             not
             seen
             ,
             is
             as
             if
             it
             had
             no
             being
             .
             Reason
             it self
             loses
             its
             Authority
             ,
             when
             it
             appears
             
             not
             to
             be
             so
             .
             There
             are
             more
             mistaken
             men
             ,
             than
             knowing
             men
             .
             Deceit
             carries
             it
             cleverly
             ,
             in
             regard
             that
             things
             are
             onely
             considered
             by
             the
             outside
             .
             Many
             things
             appear
             quite
             different
             from
             what
             they
             are
             .
             A
             good
             out-side
             is
             the
             best
             recommendation
             of
             internal
             perfection
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXI
             .
          
           
             The
             procedure
             of
             a
             gallant
             Man.
             
          
           
             Souls
             have
             their
             gallantry
             and
             gentility
             ,
             from
             which
             arises
             a
             great
             heart
             .
             That
             is
             a
             perfection
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             because
             it
             supposes
             a
             stock
             of
             generosity
             .
             Its
             first
             care
             is
             to
             speak
             well
             of
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             still
             to
             serve
             them
             better
             .
             In
             occasions
             of
             revenge
             it
             appears
             most
             conspicuously
             .
             It
             neglects
             not
             these
             occasions
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             onely
             to
             make
             a
             good
             use
             of
             them
             ,
             by
             preferring
             the
             glory
             of
             pardoning
             ,
             before
             the
             pleasure
             of
             a
             victorious
             revenge
             .
             That
             is
             even
             a
             politick
             procedure
             ,
             seeing
             the
             quaintest
             reason
             of
             state
             never
             affects
             these
             advantages
             ,
             because
             it
             affects
             nothing
             :
             and
             when
             right
             obtains
             them
             ,
             modesty
             dissembles
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXII
             .
          
           
             To
             advise
             and
             revise
             .
          
           
             To
             revise
             is
             the
             surest
             way
             ,
             especially
             when
             the
             advantage
             is
             certain
             :
             It
             is
             always
             good
             to
             take
             time
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             for
             granting
             a
             thing
             ,
             or
             for
             better
             deliberating
             .
             New
             thoughts
             come
             into
             ones
             mind
             ,
             which
             confirm
             and
             fortify
             resolution
             .
             If
             the
             matter
             be
             to
             give
             ,
             the
             gift
             is
             more
             esteemed
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             discerning
             of
             him
             that
             gives
             it
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             pleasure
             of
             not
             having
             expected
             it
             .
             What
             hath
             been
             desired
             ,
             hath
             always
             been
             most
             esteemed
             .
             If
             it
             be
             a
             thing
             to
             be
             refused
             ,
             time
             facilitates
             the
             manner
             of
             it
             ,
             by
             letting
             the
             No
             ripen
             ,
             untill
             the
             season
             be
             come
             .
             Besides
             ,
             most
             commonly
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             first
             heat
             of
             desire
             is
             over
             ,
             the
             rigour
             of
             a
             denial
             is
             taken
             with
             indifference
             .
             They
             who
             demand
             with
             speed
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             heard
             at
             leisure
             .
             That
             's
             the
             true
             way
             to
             avoid
             being
             surprized
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXIII
             .
          
           
             Rather
             to
             be
             a
             Fool
             with
             all
             Men
             ,
             than
             Wise
             all
             alone
             .
          
           
             For
             if
             all
             be
             such
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             to
             be
             lost
             ,
             cry
             Politicians
             :
             whereas
             if
             Wisedom
             be
             singular
             ,
             it
             will
             pass
             for
             folly
             .
             Custome
             then
             is
             to
             be
             followed
             .
             Sometimes
             to
             know
             nothing
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             seem
             so
             ,
             is
             the
             greatest
             knowledge
             .
             We
             must
             of
             necessity
             live
             with
             others
             ,
             and
             the
             ignorant
             are
             most
             numerous
             .
             To
             live
             alone
             ,
             one
             must
             hold
             much
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             altogether
             of
             that
             of
             Beasts
             .
             But
             for
             qualifying
             the
             Aphorism
             ,
             I
             would
             say
             ,
             
               Rather
               Wise
               with
               others
               ,
               than
               a
               Fool
               without
               Company
               .
            
             Some
             affect
             to
             be
             singular
             in
             
             Chimera's
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             a
             double
             portion
             of
             the
             things
             that
             are
             necessary
             for
             life
             .
          
           
             Is
             to
             live
             doubly
             .
             We
             must
             not
             restrict
             our selves
             to
             one
             thing
             onely
             ,
             even
             though
             it
             be
             excellent
             .
             All
             things
             ought
             to
             be
             double
             ,
             and
             especially
             that
             which
             is
             usefull
             and
             delightfull
             .
             The
             Moon
             
             that
             changes
             so
             often
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             variable
             as
             the
             will
             of
             man
             ,
             so
             fickle
             is
             that
             same
             will.
             We
             ought
             therefore
             to
             put
             a
             barriere
             to
             our
             inconstancy
             .
             Take
             it
             then
             for
             a
             chief
             rule
             of
             the
             art
             of
             living
             ,
             to
             have
             in
             a
             double
             portion
             all
             that
             serves
             for
             convenience
             .
             As
             Nature
             hath
             given
             us
             pairs
             of
             the
             Members
             which
             are
             most
             necessary
             and
             most
             exposed
             to
             danger
             ,
             so
             ought
             Art
             to
             double
             the
             things
             ,
             whereon
             the
             happiness
             of
             life
             depends
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             have
             a
             spirit
             of
             Contradiction
             .
          
           
             For
             that
             's
             the
             way
             to
             become
             ridiculous
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             insupportable
             .
             Wisedom
             will
             never
             fail
             to
             conspire
             against
             that
             Spirit
             .
             It
             's
             to
             be
             ingenious
             to
             find
             difficulties
             in
             all
             things
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             foolish
             to
             be
             an
             Opiniatour
             .
             Such
             men
             turn
             the
             sweetest
             conversation
             into
             a
             skirmish
             ,
             and
             are
             by
             consequent
             greater
             Enemies
             to
             their
             Friends
             ,
             than
             to
             those
             that
             frequent
             not
             their
             company
             .
             The
             more
             savoury
             the
             piece
             of
             fish
             is
             that
             we
             put
             into
             our
             mouth
             ,
             the
             more
             we
             find
             the
             bone
             that
             gets
             betwixt
             our
             teeth
             .
             Contradiction
             hath
             the
             same
             effect
             in
             pleasant
             Conversation
             .
             They
             are
             Fools
             and
             fantastical
             
             ones
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             satisfied
             to
             be
             Beasts
             ,
             unless
             they
             be
             wild
             Beasts
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             take
             things
             aright
             ,
             and
             presently
             to
             nick
             the
             point
             .
          
           
             Many
             fetch
             a
             tedious
             compass
             of
             words
             ,
             without
             ever
             coming
             to
             the
             knot
             of
             the
             business
             :
             they
             make
             a
             thousand
             turnings
             and
             windings
             ,
             that
             tire
             themselves
             and
             others
             ,
             without
             ever
             arriving
             at
             the
             point
             of
             importance
             .
             And
             that
             proceeds
             from
             the
             confusion
             of
             their
             understanding
             ,
             which
             cannot
             clear
             it self
             .
             They
             lose
             time
             and
             patience
             in
             what
             ought
             to
             be
             let
             alone
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             have
             no
             more
             to
             bestow
             upon
             what
             they
             have
             omitted
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXVII
             .
          
           
             The
             Wise
             Man
             is
             sufficient
             for
             himself
             .
          
           
             A
             Grecian
             Sage
             was
             to
             himself
             in
             stead
             of
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             all
             that
             he
             had
             was
             always
             with
             him
             .
             If
             it
             be
             true
             ,
             that
             an
             universal
             Friend
             is
             sufficient
             to
             render
             one
             as
             contented
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             possessed
             Rome
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Universe
             :
             be
             thine
             own
             Friend
             ,
             and
             thou
             mayst
             live
             all
             alone
             .
             
             What
             more
             can
             be
             wanting
             to
             thee
             ,
             if
             thou
             hast
             no
             sweeter
             conversation
             ,
             nor
             greater
             pleasure
             than
             with
             thy self
             ?
             thou
             wilt
             onely
             depend
             upon
             thy self
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             a
             sovereign
             bliss
             to
             be
             like
             the
             Sovereign
             Being
             .
             He
             that
             can
             so
             live
             all
             alone
             ,
             will
             hold
             nothing
             of
             the
             Beast
             ,
             but
             much
             of
             the
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             all
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Art
             to
             let
             things
             go
             as
             they
             can
             go
             ,
             especially
             when
             the
             Sea
             is
             tempestuous
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             Tempests
             and
             Hurricanes
             in
             the
             life
             of
             man.
             It
             is
             Prudence
             to
             put
             into
             a
             Haven
             ,
             to
             let
             them
             blow
             over
             .
             Most
             commonly
             the
             Remedies
             increase
             the
             Evil.
             When
             the
             Sea
             of
             humours
             is
             in
             agitation
             ,
             let
             Nature
             work
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             the
             Sea
             of
             Manners
             ,
             leave
             it
             to
             Morality
             .
             There
             is
             as
             much
             skill
             required
             in
             a
             Physician
             ,
             in
             not
             prescribing
             ,
             as
             in
             prescribing
             :
             and
             sometimes
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             Art
             consists
             in
             applying
             no
             Remedy
             .
             The
             way
             then
             to
             calm
             popular
             gusts
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             quiet
             .
             Then
             to
             yield
             to
             the
             times
             ,
             will
             get
             the
             victory
             afterwards
             .
             A
             Well
             will
             be
             troubled
             if
             it
             be
             in
             the
             least
             stirred
             ,
             and
             its
             water
             becomes
             clear
             again
             ,
             by
             ceasing
             to
             dabble
             in
             it
             .
             There
             is
             no
             
             better
             remedy
             for
             some
             disorders
             ,
             than
             to
             let
             them
             alone
             .
             For
             at
             long
             run
             they
             stop
             of
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             unlucky
             days
             .
          
           
             For
             there
             are
             some
             ,
             wherein
             nothing
             will
             succeed
             .
             It
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             to
             change
             the
             Game
             ,
             the
             luck
             will
             still
             be
             the
             same
             .
             At
             the
             second
             bout
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             take
             heed
             ,
             if
             luck
             be
             for
             us
             or
             against
             us
             .
             Understanding
             hath
             its
             days
             .
             For
             no
             man
             was
             ever
             alike
             able
             at
             all
             hours
             .
             There
             is
             good
             luck
             in
             reasoning
             truly
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             in
             writing
             a
             Letter
             well
             .
             All
             perfections
             have
             their
             season
             ,
             and
             beauty
             is
             not
             always
             in
             its
             quarter
             .
             Discretion
             sometimes
             belies
             it self
             ,
             now
             in
             ceding
             ,
             and
             by
             and
             by
             in
             exceeding
             .
             In
             fine
             ,
             to
             succeed
             well
             ,
             one
             must
             have
             his
             day
             .
             As
             all
             things
             succeed
             ill
             to
             some
             ,
             so
             every
             thing
             prospers
             with
             others
             ,
             and
             that
             too
             with
             less
             pains
             and
             care
             :
             and
             some
             find
             their
             business
             ready
             done
             to
             their
             hand
             .
             Wit
             hath
             its
             days
             ;
             Genius
             its
             Character
             ;
             and
             all
             things
             their
             star
             .
             When
             it
             is
             your
             day
             ,
             you
             are
             not
             to
             lose
             a
             minute
             .
             But
             a
             prudent
             man
             ought
             not
             positively
             to
             pronounce
             ,
             that
             one
             day
             is
             happy
             ,
             because
             
             of
             his
             good
             success
             ;
             nor
             that
             another
             is
             unlucky
             ,
             because
             of
             his
             bad
             ;
             the
             one
             being
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             but
             the
             effect
             of
             chance
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             of
             mistimeing
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXL
             .
          
           
             To
             hit
             at
             first
             upon
             the
             best
             of
             every
             thing
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             best
             mark
             of
             a
             good
             discerning
             .
             The
             Bee
             goes
             immediately
             to
             the
             sweet
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             have
             whereof
             to
             make
             honey
             ;
             and
             the
             Waspe
             to
             the
             bitter
             ,
             to
             suck
             in
             poison
             .
             It
             is
             so
             in
             discernings
             ;
             the
             one
             sticks
             to
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             to
             the
             worst
             .
             In
             all
             things
             there
             is
             somewhat
             that
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             especially
             in
             a
             book
             ,
             which
             commonly
             is
             made
             with
             study
             .
             Some
             are
             of
             so
             aukward
             a
             mind
             ,
             that
             amongst
             a
             thousand
             perfections
             ,
             they
             'll
             hit
             upon
             the
             onely
             fault
             that
             is
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             and
             speak
             of
             nothing
             else
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             onely
             cut
             out
             for
             common
             sewers
             of
             the
             filth
             of
             the
             will
             and
             wit
             of
             others
             :
             and
             for
             keeping
             a
             Register
             of
             all
             the
             faults
             which
             they
             see
             .
             That
             is
             rather
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             bad
             discerning
             ,
             than
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             subtilty
             .
             They
             spend
             their
             life
             ill
             ,
             because
             they
             onely
             feed
             on
             naughty
             things
             .
             Happier
             are
             they
             ,
             who
             amongst
             a
             thousand
             faults
             at
             
             first
             discover
             a
             perfection
             that
             happened
             to
             be
             there
             by
             chance
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             listen
             to
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             worth
             little
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             one self
             ,
             if
             one
             content
             not
             others
             .
             Commonly
             self-esteem
             is
             punished
             by
             universal
             contempt
             .
             He
             that
             pays
             himself
             ,
             remains
             a
             debtor
             to
             all
             others
             .
             It
             is
             misbecoming
             for
             one
             to
             speak
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             hear
             himself
             .
             If
             it
             be
             folly
             to
             speak
             to
             ones
             self
             ,
             it
             is
             doubly
             so
             to
             listen
             to
             himself
             before
             others
             .
             It
             is
             a
             fault
             in
             great
             men
             to
             speak
             with
             an
             imperious
             tone
             :
             and
             that
             which
             stuns
             those
             who
             hear
             them
             ;
             at
             every
             word
             they
             say
             ,
             their
             ears
             importunately
             beg
             applause
             or
             flattery
             .
             The
             presumptuous
             speak
             also
             by
             echo
             :
             and
             since
             the
             conversation
             moves
             upon
             the
             stilts
             of
             Pride
             ,
             every
             word
             comes
             guarded
             with
             this
             impertinent
             exclamation
             :
             
               Rarely
               well
               said
               !
               Ah
               that
               's
               a
               sweet
               saying
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXLII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             espouse
             a
             bad
             party
             in
             spight
             to
             an
             Adversary
             ,
             who
             hath
             taken
             the
             better
             .
          
           
             He
             that
             does
             it
             ,
             is
             half
             overcome
             ,
             and
             at
             length
             will
             be
             constrained
             wholly
             to
             yield
             .
             That
             is
             never
             a
             good
             way
             to
             be
             revenged
             .
             If
             thine
             Adversary
             hath
             had
             the
             skill
             to
             take
             the
             better
             ,
             take
             good
             heed
             not
             to
             commit
             the
             folly
             of
             opposing
             him
             ,
             by
             espousing
             the
             worse
             .
             Obstinacy
             in
             actions
             engages
             so
             much
             the
             more
             than
             that
             in
             words
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             far
             more
             risque
             in
             doing
             ,
             than
             in
             saying
             .
             It
             is
             the
             custome
             of
             the
             head
             strong
             to
             regard
             neither
             truth
             in
             contradicting
             ;
             nor
             profit
             in
             disputing
             .
             A
             wise
             man
             hath
             always
             reason
             on
             his
             side
             ,
             and
             never
             falls
             into
             passion
             .
             He
             either
             prevents
             or
             retreats
             .
             So
             that
             if
             his
             Rival
             be
             a
             Fool
             ,
             his
             folly
             makes
             him
             change
             his
             course
             ,
             and
             go
             to
             the
             other
             extreme
             :
             whereby
             the
             condition
             of
             his
             Adversary
             becomes
             worse
             .
             The
             onely
             means
             then
             to
             make
             him
             forsake
             the
             good
             party
             ,
             is
             to
             strike
             in
             with
             it
             ,
             seeing
             that
             will
             move
             him
             to
             embrace
             the
             bad
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXLIII
             .
          
           
             To
             take
             heed
             not
             to
             run
             into
             Paradoxes
             ,
             by
             shunning
             to
             be
             vulgar
             .
          
           
             Both
             extremes
             equally
             discredit
             .
             Every
             project
             that
             thwarts
             gravity
             ,
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             folly
             .
             A
             Paradox
             is
             a
             certain
             plausible
             Cheat
             ,
             that
             at
             sirst
             surprizes
             by
             its
             novelty
             and
             its
             edge
             ;
             but
             afterwards
             loses
             its
             vogue
             ,
             when
             the
             falsity
             of
             it
             is
             once
             known
             in
             practice
             .
             It
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             quacking
             ,
             which
             in
             matter
             of
             Politicks
             ,
             is
             the
             ruine
             of
             States
             .
             They
             who
             cannot
             attain
             to
             Heroism
             ,
             or
             who
             have
             not
             the
             courage
             to
             advance
             towards
             it
             by
             the
             way
             of
             vertue
             ,
             run
             into
             the
             Paradox
             ;
             which
             makes
             them
             to
             be
             admired
             by
             fools
             ,
             but
             serves
             to
             manifest
             the
             Prudence
             of
             others
             .
             The
             Paradox
             is
             a
             proof
             of
             an
             ill-tempered
             mind
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             most
             opposite
             to
             Prudence
             .
             And
             if
             sometimes
             it
             be
             not
             founded
             on
             what
             is
             false
             ,
             it
             is
             founded
             at
             least
             on
             what
             is
             uncertain
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             prejudice
             of
             affairs
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXLIV
             .
          
           
             Vnder
             the
             veil
             of
             another
             man's
             interest
             ,
             to
             find
             ones
             own
             .
          
           
             Is
             a
             most
             proper
             strategeme
             for
             obtaining
             what
             one
             intends
             .
             The
             Confessours
             themselves
             teach
             this
             pious
             Craft
             as
             to
             what
             concerns
             salvation
             .
             It
             is
             a
             most
             important
             dissimulation
             ,
             seeing
             the
             profit
             that
             is
             pretended
             ,
             serves
             as
             a
             bait
             to
             attract
             the
             will.
             It
             seems
             to
             another
             that
             his
             interest
             goes
             first
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             onely
             to
             make
             way
             for
             thy
             pretension
             .
             One
             must
             never
             enter
             hap
             hazard
             ,
             but
             especially
             where
             there
             is
             danger
             at
             the
             bottom
             .
             And
             when
             one
             hath
             to
             doe
             with
             those
             ,
             whose
             first
             word
             is
             always
             No
             ,
             he
             must
             not
             shew
             them
             what
             he
             aims
             at
             ,
             lest
             they
             may
             see
             Reasons
             for
             not
             condescending
             to
             it
             :
             and
             chiefly
             if
             he
             foresee
             that
             they
             have
             an
             aversion
             thereto
             .
             This
             advice
             is
             for
             those
             that
             can
             turn
             their
             wits
             to
             any
             thing
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             quintessence
             of
             subtilty
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             shew
             the
             sore
             place
             .
          
           
             For
             every
             one
             will
             have
             a
             hit
             at
             it
             .
             
             Have
             a
             care
             also
             not
             to
             complain
             of
             it
             ,
             seeing
             malice
             always
             attacks
             on
             the
             weaker
             side
             .
             )
             Resentment
             serves
             onely
             to
             divert
             it
             .
             Nothing
             pleases
             malice
             better
             than
             to
             put
             one
             off
             of
             the
             hinges
             .
             It
             le
             ts
             fall
             tart
             words
             ,
             and
             sets
             all
             Engines
             at
             work
             ,
             untill
             it
             hath
             found
             out
             the
             quick
             .
             A
             man
             of
             parts
             then
             ought
             never
             to
             discover
             his
             evil
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             personal
             or
             hereditary
             :
             seeing
             Fortune
             her self
             takes
             pleasure
             sometimes
             to
             wound
             in
             that
             place
             ,
             where
             she
             knows
             the
             pain
             will
             be
             sharper
             .
             It
             mortifies
             always
             to
             the
             quick
             :
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             one
             must
             never
             let
             it
             be
             known
             either
             what
             mortifies
             ,
             or
             what
             quickens
             ;
             that
             he
             may
             make
             the
             one
             to
             cease
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             continue
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLVI
             .
          
           
             To
             look
             into
             the
             inside
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             commonly
             found
             that
             things
             are
             far
             different
             from
             what
             they
             appear
             to
             be
             ;
             and
             ignorance
             that
             onely
             looked
             on
             the
             bark
             ,
             is
             undeceived
             so
             soon
             as
             it
             goes
             in
             .
             The
             lie
             is
             always
             the
             first
             in
             every
             thing
             ,
             it
             draws
             in
             Fools
             by
             a
             vulgar
             
               They
               say
            
             ,
             which
             runs
             from
             mouth
             to
             mouth
             ;
             truth
             arrives
             always
             last
             ,
             and
             very
             late
             ,
             because
             
             it
             hath
             a
             lame
             Guide
             ,
             which
             is
             time
             .
             The
             Wise
             keep
             for
             it
             always
             one
             half
             of
             that
             faculty
             which
             nature
             hath
             purposely
             made
             double
             .
             Deceit
             is
             wholly
             superficial
             :
             and
             those
             who
             are
             so
             themselves
             ,
             are
             presently
             catched
             .
             Discerning
             retires
             inward
             ,
             that
             so
             it
             may
             be
             the
             more
             esteemed
             by
             the
             wise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLVII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             inaccessible
             .
          
           
             Let
             a
             man
             be
             never
             so
             perfect
             ,
             he
             sometimes
             stands
             in
             need
             of
             Council
             .
             He
             that
             will
             take
             none
             is
             an
             incurable
             fool
             .
             The
             most
             intelligent
             man
             ought
             to
             make
             room
             for
             good
             advice
             .
             Sovereignty
             it self
             ought
             not
             to
             exclude
             docility
             .
             Some
             men
             are
             incurable
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             inaccessible
             .
             They
             precipitate
             themselves
             ,
             because
             no
             body
             dares
             come
             near
             them
             to
             hinder
             them
             from
             it
             .
             A
             door
             must
             then
             be
             left
             open
             to
             Friendship
             ,
             and
             by
             it
             relief
             will
             enter
             .
             A
             Friend
             ought
             to
             have
             full
             liberty
             to
             speak
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             to
             reprove
             .
             The
             Opinion
             that
             is
             conceived
             of
             his
             Fidelity
             and
             Prudence
             ought
             to
             give
             him
             that
             Authority
             .
             But
             withall
             ,
             that
             familiarity
             is
             not
             to
             be
             common
             to
             all
             .
             It
             is
             enough
             to
             have
             one
             secret
             confident
             ,
             
             whose
             correction
             is
             valued
             ,
             and
             who
             is
             to
             be
             made
             use
             of
             as
             a
             looking-glass
             for
             undeceiving
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             the
             Art
             of
             Conversing
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             means
             whereby
             a
             man
             shews
             his
             own
             value
             .
             Of
             all
             humane
             actions
             there
             is
             none
             that
             requires
             greater
             circumspection
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             the
             most
             usual
             exercise
             of
             life
             .
             There
             is
             much
             Reputation
             to
             be
             gained
             or
             lost
             in
             it
             .
             If
             judgement
             be
             necessary
             for
             writing
             a
             letter
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             premeditated
             conversation
             by
             paper
             :
             far
             more
             it
             is
             required
             in
             ordinary
             conversation
             ,
             which
             brings
             the
             merit
             of
             people
             under
             a
             sudden
             Test
             .
             The
             Masters
             of
             the
             Art
             feel
             the
             pulse
             of
             the
             Wit
             by
             the
             Tongue
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             saying
             of
             a
             Sage
             ,
             
               Speak
               ,
               if
               thou
               would'st
               have
               me
               to
               know
               thee
               .
            
             Some
             maintain
             ,
             that
             the
             true
             Art
             of
             conversing
             ,
             is
             to
             doe
             it
             without
             Art
             :
             and
             that
             conversation
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             betwixt
             good
             Friends
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             as
             easie
             as
             ones
             cloaths
             .
             For
             when
             it
             is
             a
             conference
             of
             Ceremony
             and
             Respect
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             performed
             with
             more
             reserve
             ,
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             one
             hath
             much
             of
             the
             skill
             of
             living
             .
             The
             way
             to
             succeed
             well
             in
             that
             ,
             
             is
             to
             follow
             the
             character
             of
             those
             mens
             wit
             ,
             who
             are
             as
             the
             judges
             of
             conversation
             .
             Take
             heed
             not
             to
             be
             vain
             in
             censuring
             of
             words
             ,
             which
             will
             make
             thee
             pass
             for
             a
             Grammarian
             ;
             nor
             in
             controlling
             and
             chopping
             reasons
             ,
             for
             then
             all
             will
             avoid
             thee
             .
             To
             speak
             to
             the
             purpose
             is
             more
             necessary
             than
             to
             speak
             eloquently
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXLIX
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             cast
             the
             blame
             and
             misfortunes
             upon
             others
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             thing
             of
             great
             use
             amongst
             those
             who
             govern
             ,
             to
             have
             Bucklers
             against
             hatred
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             men
             upon
             whom
             the
             censure
             ,
             and
             publick
             grievances
             may
             light
             :
             and
             that
             is
             not
             the
             effect
             of
             inability
             ,
             as
             malice
             imagines
             ;
             but
             of
             an
             industry
             elevated
             above
             the
             understanding
             of
             the
             people
             .
             Every
             thing
             cannot
             succeed
             ,
             nor
             all
             men
             be
             contented
             .
             There
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             that
             case
             then
             a
             strong
             head
             ,
             that
             may
             serve
             as
             a
             But
             to
             all
             the
             shot
             ,
             and
             bear
             the
             reproaches
             of
             all
             faults
             and
             miscarriages
             ,
             at
             the
             cost
             of
             his
             own
             Ambition
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CL.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             put
             a
             value
             upon
             what
             one
             doeth
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             that
             things
             are
             good
             in
             themselves
             ,
             because
             all
             men
             see
             not
             to
             the
             bottom
             ,
             nor
             are
             able
             to
             discern
             .
             Most
             part
             follow
             the
             multitude
             ,
             and
             stop
             not
             but
             where
             the
             greatest
             concourse
             is
             .
             It
             's
             a
             great
             point
             to
             be
             able
             to
             set
             an
             esteem
             upon
             ones
             Commodity
             ,
             either
             by
             praising
             it
             ;
             (
             for
             praise
             is
             the
             spur
             to
             desire
             )
             or
             by
             giving
             it
             a
             pretty
             name
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             good
             way
             to
             exalt
             :
             but
             all
             this
             must
             be
             done
             without
             affectation
             .
             Not
             to
             write
             but
             for
             able
             men
             ,
             is
             an
             universal
             hook
             ,
             because
             every
             one
             thinks
             himself
             to
             be
             so
             ;
             and
             for
             those
             who
             are
             not
             ,
             privation
             will
             serve
             as
             a
             spur
             to
             desire
             .
             Ones
             projects
             must
             never
             be
             called
             common
             ,
             nor
             easie
             ,
             for
             that
             's
             the
             way
             to
             make
             them
             be
             thought
             trivial
             .
             All
             men
             are
             pleased
             with
             singularities
             ,
             as
             being
             most
             desirable
             both
             to
             the
             humour
             and
             mind
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLI
             .
          
           
             To
             think
             to
             day
             what
             may
             happen
             to
             morrow
             ,
             and
             a
             long
             time
             after
             .
          
           
             The
             greatest
             fore-sight
             ,
             is
             to
             have
             hours
             for
             it
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             fortuitous
             for
             those
             who
             forecast
             ;
             nor
             any
             dangerous
             case
             for
             such
             as
             expect
             it
             .
             We
             must
             not
             put
             off
             the
             thoughts
             of
             danger
             till
             we
             be
             sinking
             ;
             we
             must
             be
             before-hand
             ,
             and
             by
             mature
             consideration
             prevent
             the
             worst
             that
             might
             happen
             .
             The
             Pillow
             is
             a
             dumb
             Sibylle
             .
             To
             sleep
             upon
             a
             thing
             that
             is
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             to
             be
             awaked
             by
             a
             thing
             already
             done
             .
             Some
             doe
             first
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             think
             :
             which
             is
             rather
             to
             look
             for
             excuses
             than
             expedients
             .
             Others
             neither
             think
             before
             nor
             after
             .
             A
             man's
             whole
             life
             should
             be
             employed
             in
             thinking
             that
             he
             may
             not
             mistake
             his
             way
             .
             Reflexion
             and
             fore-sight
             give
             us
             the
             advantage
             of
             anticipating
             life
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLII.
             
          
           
             Never
             to
             keep
             company
             that
             may
             eclipse
             ones
             lustre
             .
          
           
             What
             excells
             in
             perfection
             ,
             excells
             in
             
             esteem
             .
             The
             most
             accomplished
             will
             always
             have
             the
             first
             rank
             .
             If
             his
             Companion
             have
             any
             part
             in
             the
             praise
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             but
             his
             leavings
             .
             The
             Moon
             shines
             ,
             whilst
             she
             is
             alone
             amongst
             the
             stars
             :
             but
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             Sun
             begins
             to
             appear
             ,
             she
             either
             shines
             no
             more
             ,
             or
             disappears
             .
             Never
             approach
             him
             that
             may
             eclipse
             thee
             ,
             but
             him
             that
             may
             set
             off
             thy
             lustre
             .
             In
             this
             manner
             
             Martial's
             cunning
             Fabulla
             found
             the
             way
             of
             appearing
             beautifull
             ,
             by
             the
             ugliness
             or
             agedness
             of
             her
             Companions
             .
             One
             must
             never
             run
             the
             risque
             of
             being
             incommoded
             side-ways
             ,
             nor
             doe
             honour
             to
             others
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             ones
             own
             Reputation
             .
             It
             is
             good
             to
             frequent
             the
             society
             of
             eminent
             persons
             for
             shaping
             ones
             self
             :
             but
             when
             one
             is
             completed
             ,
             to
             strike
             in
             with
             those
             of
             inferiour
             size
             .
             To
             model
             thy self
             ,
             chuse
             the
             most
             complete
             ;
             and
             when
             thou
             art
             fashioned
             ,
             frequent
             the
             inferiour
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLIII
             .
          
           
             To
             shun
             being
             obliged
             to
             fill
             the
             place
             of
             a
             great
             Man.
             
          
           
             If
             one
             engage
             in
             that
             ,
             he
             ought
             to
             be
             sure
             to
             exceed
             him
             .
             For
             to
             equal
             a
             Predecessour
             ,
             one
             must
             have
             double
             his
             
             worth
             .
             As
             it
             requires
             Prudence
             and
             skill
             in
             him
             that
             succeeds
             ,
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             may
             be
             regrated
             :
             so
             likewise
             does
             it
             Art
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             be
             eclipsed
             by
             him
             that
             went
             before
             him
             .
             It
             is
             very
             difficult
             to
             fill
             up
             a
             great
             vacancy
             ,
             seeing
             commonly
             the
             first
             appears
             the
             best
             :
             and
             by
             consequent
             equality
             is
             not
             enough
             ,
             because
             the
             former
             is
             in
             possession
             .
             It
             is
             therefore
             necessary
             to
             surpass
             him
             ,
             to
             dispossess
             him
             of
             the
             advantage
             he
             hath
             of
             being
             most
             esteemed
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLIV.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             easie
             neither
             to
             believe
             ,
             nor
             to
             love
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             an
             argument
             of
             maturity
             of
             judgment
             ,
             to
             be
             hard
             to
             believe
             .
             Nothing
             is
             more
             common
             than
             to
             lie
             ,
             to
             believe
             then
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             extraordinary
             .
             He
             who
             is
             apt
             to
             move
             ,
             finds
             himself
             often
             put
             out
             of
             countenance
             .
             But
             special
             care
             is
             to
             be
             had
             not
             to
             seem
             to
             doubt
             the
             credit
             of
             another
             :
             for
             that
             passes
             from
             incivility
             to
             an
             offence
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             to
             reckon
             him
             either
             a
             deceiver
             ,
             or
             deceived
             :
             nor
             is
             all
             the
             hurt
             there
             neither
             .
             For
             ,
             besides
             that
             ,
             not
             to
             believe
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             liar
             ,
             the
             liar
             being
             subject
             to
             
             two
             misfortunes
             ,
             not
             to
             believe
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             believed
             .
             A
             suspension
             of
             judgment
             in
             him
             that
             hears
             ,
             is
             laudable
             :
             but
             he
             that
             speaks
             may
             refer
             to
             his
             Authour
             .
             It
             is
             also
             a
             kind
             of
             imprudence
             to
             be
             easie
             to
             love
             .
             For
             if
             one
             lie
             in
             speech
             ,
             one
             may
             also
             lie
             in
             fact
             :
             and
             that
             cheat
             is
             more
             pernicious
             than
             the
             other
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLV
             .
          
           
             The
             Art
             of
             restraining
             Passions
             .
          
           
             Let
             a
             prudent
             reflexion
             prevent
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             ,
             the
             usual
             transports
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             That
             will
             be
             no
             difficult
             thing
             to
             a
             prudent
             man.
             The
             first
             step
             to
             moderation
             ,
             is
             to
             perceive
             that
             we
             are
             falling
             into
             passion
             .
             By
             that
             means
             we
             enter
             the
             lists
             with
             a
             full
             power
             over
             our selves
             ,
             and
             may
             examine
             how
             far
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             give
             way
             to
             our
             resentment
             .
             With
             that
             swaying
             reflexion
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             angry
             ,
             and
             put
             a
             stop
             to
             it
             as
             we
             please
             .
             Strive
             to
             know
             where
             and
             when
             it
             is
             fit
             to
             stop
             .
             For
             it
             is
             the
             hardest
             thing
             in
             running
             to
             stop
             upon
             the
             spot
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             mark
             of
             judgment
             to
             stand
             firm
             and
             undisturbed
             amidst
             the
             Sallies
             of
             passion
             .
             Every
             excess
             of
             passion
             degenerates
             from
             reason
             .
             But
             with
             this
             magisterial
             
             circumspection
             ,
             Reason
             will
             never
             be
             disordered
             ,
             nor
             transgress
             the
             bounds
             of
             its
             duty
             .
             To
             be
             able
             to
             devour
             a
             passion
             ,
             we
             must
             always
             hold
             the
             reins
             fast
             .
             He
             who
             governs
             himself
             in
             this
             manner
             ,
             will
             be
             reckoned
             the
             wisest
             man
             ;
             as
             the
             foolishest
             if
             he
             do
             otherwise
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLVI
             .
          
           
             Friends
             by
             Election
             .
          
           
             Friends
             ought
             to
             abide
             the
             test
             of
             discretion
             ,
             and
             the
             trial
             of
             fortune
             .
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             that
             they
             have
             had
             the
             suffrage
             of
             the
             will
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             also
             that
             of
             the
             understanding
             .
             Though
             that
             be
             the
             most
             important
             point
             of
             life
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             least
             care
             taken
             about
             it
             .
             Some
             make
             their
             Friends
             by
             the
             intervention
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             most
             part
             by
             chance
             .
             We
             judge
             of
             men
             by
             the
             Friends
             he
             hath
             .
             A
             knowing
             man
             never
             chose
             ignorants
             .
             But
             though
             a
             man
             may
             please
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             therefore
             say
             that
             he
             is
             an
             intimate
             Friend
             .
             For
             that
             may
             proceed
             rather
             from
             the
             pleasantness
             of
             his
             humour
             and
             ways
             ,
             than
             from
             any
             assurance
             that
             one
             hath
             of
             his
             capacity
             .
             There
             are
             lawfull
             Friendships
             ,
             and
             bastard
             Friendships
             .
             These
             are
             for
             pleasure
             ;
             but
             the
             others
             for
             more
             
             security
             in
             acting
             .
             There
             are
             few
             friends
             of
             the
             person
             ,
             but
             many
             of
             the
             fortune
             .
             The
             good
             wit
             of
             a
             Friend
             is
             better
             than
             all
             the
             good
             will
             of
             others
             .
             Take
             thy
             Friends
             then
             by
             choice
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             lot
             .
             A
             prudent
             Friend
             eases
             many
             troubles
             :
             whereas
             one
             who
             is
             not
             so
             ,
             multiplies
             and
             encreases
             them
             .
             If
             thou
             would'st
             not
             lose
             thy
             Friends
             ,
             never
             wish
             them
             a
             great
             Fortune
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLVII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             mistaken
             in
             People
             .
          
           
             That
             is
             the
             worst
             ,
             and
             yet
             most
             ordinary
             mistake
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             be
             deceived
             in
             the
             Price
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             Commodity
             :
             And
             there
             is
             nothing
             that
             one
             ought
             more
             narrowly
             to
             look
             into
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             difference
             betwixt
             knowing
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             knowing
             of
             persons
             :
             and
             it
             is
             quaint
             Philosophy
             ,
             to
             discern
             the
             minds
             and
             humours
             of
             men
             .
             It
             is
             as
             necessary
             to
             study
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             study
             Books
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             use
             Friends
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             a
             thing
             that
             requires
             great
             skill
             .
             
             Some
             are
             good
             to
             be
             made
             use
             of
             at
             a
             distance
             ;
             and
             others
             to
             be
             near
             us
             .
             One
             that
             hath
             not
             been
             fit
             for
             Conversation
             ,
             may
             be
             good
             for
             Correspondence
             .
             Distance
             effaces
             some
             certain
             defects
             ,
             which
             presence
             rendered
             unsupportable
             .
             In
             Friends
             we
             are
             not
             onely
             to
             look
             for
             pleasure
             ,
             but
             for
             profit
             also
             .
             A
             Friend
             ought
             to
             have
             the
             three
             qualities
             of
             a
             Being
             ,
             or
             as
             the
             Schools
             say
             of
             an
             Ens
             :
             Unity
             ,
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             Truth
             :
             in
             respect
             that
             a
             Friend
             stands
             in
             stead
             of
             all
             things
             .
             There
             are
             but
             very
             few
             that
             can
             be
             given
             for
             good
             :
             and
             by
             not
             knowing
             how
             to
             chuse
             them
             ,
             the
             number
             becomes
             less
             .
             To
             know
             how
             to
             preserve
             them
             ,
             is
             more
             than
             to
             have
             been
             able
             to
             make
             them
             .
             Look
             out
             for
             such
             as
             may
             continue
             long
             :
             and
             though
             in
             the
             beginning
             they
             may
             be
             new
             ,
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             content
             thee
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             become
             old
             .
             To
             take
             things
             aright
             ,
             those
             are
             the
             best
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             acquired
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             eat
             a
             bushel
             of
             Salt
             with
             them
             .
             There
             is
             no
             such
             horrid
             a
             Desart
             ,
             as
             to
             live
             without
             Friends
             .
             Friendship
             multiplies
             blessings
             ,
             and
             divides
             crosses
             .
             It
             is
             the
             onely
             remedy
             against
             bad
             Fortune
             .
             It
             is
             the
             vent
             by
             which
             the
             Soul
             discharges
             it self
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLIX.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             bear
             with
             Fools
             .
          
           
             Wise
             Men
             have
             always
             been
             bad-sufferers
             .
             Impatience
             grows
             with
             knowledge
             .
             A
             vast
             reach
             is
             hard
             to
             be
             contented
             .
             In
             the
             judgment
             of
             Epictetus
             ,
             the
             best
             Maxime
             of
             life
             is
             to
             Suffer
             .
             He
             hath
             placed
             one
             half
             of
             Wisedom
             in
             that
             .
             If
             all
             impertinences
             are
             to
             be
             born
             with
             ,
             without
             doubt
             there
             is
             need
             of
             much
             patience
             .
             Sometimes
             we
             suffer
             most
             from
             those
             on
             whom
             we
             depend
             most
             ;
             and
             that
             serves
             to
             exercise
             us
             to
             patience
             .
             From
             suffering
             ,
             springs
             that
             inestimable
             peace
             ,
             which
             makes
             the
             happiness
             of
             this
             world
             .
             Let
             him
             that
             finds
             not
             himself
             in
             a
             humour
             to
             suffer
             ,
             withdraw
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             able
             to
             bear
             with
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLX
             .
          
           
             To
             speak
             sparingly
             to
             our
             Competitours
             for
             Caution
             sake
             ,
             and
             to
             others
             for
             Civility
             .
          
           
             One
             hath
             always
             time
             to
             let
             slip
             his
             words
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             retain
             them
             .
             We
             ought
             to
             speak
             as
             men
             do
             in
             their
             last
             Wills
             ,
             seeing
             the
             fewer
             the
             words
             are
             ,
             
             the
             less
             will
             be
             the
             Law
             suits
             .
             We
             are
             to
             accustome
             our selves
             to
             that
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             no
             importance
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             fail
             in
             it
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             important
             .
             Silence
             holds
             much
             of
             Divinity
             .
             Whosoever
             is
             ready
             to
             speak
             ,
             is
             always
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             being
             cast
             and
             Convicted
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXI
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             the
             failings
             wherein
             one
             takes
             pleasure
             .
          
           
             The
             most
             accomplished
             man
             hath
             always
             some
             ,
             whereof
             he
             is
             either
             the
             Husband
             or
             Gallant
             .
             They
             are
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             wit
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             greater
             ,
             and
             more
             remarkable
             are
             they
             :
             not
             but
             that
             he
             who
             has
             them
             ,
             knows
             them
             ;
             but
             because
             he
             loves
             them
             .
             To
             be
             passionate
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             passionate
             for
             vices
             ,
             are
             two
             evils
             .
             These
             faults
             are
             the
             blemishes
             of
             perfection
             .
             They
             as
             much
             offend
             those
             who
             see
             them
             as
             they
             please
             those
             who
             have
             them
             .
             Here
             is
             the
             fair
             occasion
             for
             one
             to
             overcome
             himself
             ,
             and
             to
             put
             the
             cap-stone
             upon
             his
             other
             perfections
             .
             Every
             one
             levels
             at
             that
             work
             ,
             and
             in
             stead
             of
             praising
             all
             that
             is
             to
             be
             admired
             ,
             stop
             short
             to
             Censure
             a
             fault
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             they
             say
             ,
             disfigures
             all
             the
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXII
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             triumph
             over
             Jealousie
             and
             Envy
             .
          
           
             Though
             it
             be
             Prudence
             to
             slight
             Envy
             ,
             yet
             that
             contempt
             is
             a
             small
             matter
             now
             a-days
             :
             Gallantry
             works
             a
             far
             better
             effect
             .
             He
             cannot
             be
             sufficiently
             praised
             ,
             who
             speaks
             well
             of
             him
             ,
             that
             speaks
             ill
             .
             There
             is
             not
             any
             revenge
             more
             Heroick
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             torments
             Envy
             ,
             by
             doing
             good
             .
             Every
             good
             success
             is
             a
             strapado
             for
             the
             envious
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             Corrival
             is
             a
             Hell
             to
             him
             .
             To
             make
             ones
             happiness
             to
             be
             a
             poison
             to
             his
             Enviers
             ,
             is
             held
             to
             be
             the
             most
             rigorous
             punishment
             that
             they
             can
             endure
             .
             Enviers
             die
             as
             often
             as
             they
             hear
             the
             praises
             of
             the
             Envied
             revive
             .
             Both
             contend
             for
             immortality
             ,
             but
             the
             one
             to
             live
             always
             in
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             always
             in
             misery
             .
             The
             Trumpet
             of
             Fame
             ,
             which
             sounds
             to
             immortalize
             the
             one
             ,
             pronounces
             death
             to
             the
             other
             ,
             by
             condemning
             him
             to
             the
             punishment
             of
             expecting
             in
             vain
             that
             the
             cause
             of
             his
             pains
             should
             cease
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXIII
             .
          
           
             One
             must
             never
             lose
             the
             favour
             of
             him
             that
             is
             happy
             ,
             to
             take
             compassion
             on
             a
             Wretch
             .
          
           
             Commonly
             that
             which
             makes
             the
             happiness
             of
             some
             ,
             makes
             the
             misery
             of
             others
             :
             and
             you
             may
             see
             one
             that
             could
             not
             be
             happy
             ,
             if
             many
             others
             were
             not
             miserable
             .
             It
             is
             the
             property
             of
             wretches
             to
             gain
             peoples
             good
             will.
             For
             all
             take
             pleasure
             to
             gratifie
             with
             an
             unprofitable
             favour
             ,
             those
             who
             are
             persecuted
             by
             Fortune
             .
             Nay
             it
             hath
             sometimes
             happened
             that
             a
             man
             hated
             of
             all
             the
             world
             in
             his
             prosperity
             ,
             hath
             been
             pitied
             by
             all
             people
             in
             his
             misfortune
             ;
             the
             fall
             having
             changed
             into
             compassion
             the
             desire
             of
             revenge
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             of
             wit
             then
             take
             heed
             of
             the
             turns
             of
             Fortune
             .
             There
             are
             some
             that
             never
             associate
             but
             with
             the
             unfortunate
             .
             He
             ,
             whom
             they
             shunned
             yesterday
             because
             of
             his
             prosperity
             ,
             has
             them
             for
             Companions
             to
             day
             ,
             because
             of
             his
             adversity
             .
             That
             Conduct
             is
             sometimes
             the
             mark
             of
             a
             good
             nature
             ,
             but
             never
             of
             a
             good
             wit.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             let
             fly
             some
             shot
             in
             the
             Air.
             
          
           
             Is
             the
             way
             to
             know
             how
             that
             which
             is
             intended
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             will
             be
             received
             ,
             especially
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             matters
             ,
             the
             issue
             and
             approbation
             whereof
             is
             doubtfull
             .
             By
             that
             means
             we
             are
             sure
             to
             hit
             our
             mark
             ,
             and
             always
             at
             liberty
             to
             retreat
             or
             advance
             .
             Thus
             we
             pump
             out
             mens
             minds
             ,
             and
             know
             where
             it
             is
             best
             to
             set
             our
             foot
             .
             That
             prevention
             is
             most
             necessary
             ,
             for
             asking
             pertinently
             ,
             placing
             Friendship
             aright
             ,
             and
             for
             governing
             well
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXV
             .
          
           
             To
             wage
             War
             fairly
             .
          
           
             A
             brave
             man
             may
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             be
             induced
             to
             make
             War
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             make
             it
             otherwise
             than
             he
             ought
             .
             All
             men
             ought
             to
             act
             according
             to
             what
             they
             themselves
             are
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             what
             others
             are
             .
             Gallantry
             is
             most
             plausible
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             used
             towards
             an
             Enemy
             .
             We
             are
             not
             onely
             to
             overcome
             by
             force
             ,
             but
             also
             by
             the
             manner
             .
             To
             Conquer
             basely
             is
             not
             to
             overcome
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             Conquered
             rather
             .
             
             Generosity
             hath
             always
             had
             the
             advantage
             .
             A
             worthy
             man
             never
             makes
             use
             of
             forbidden
             Weapons
             .
             To
             employ
             the
             wrack
             of
             an
             old
             Friendship
             ,
             in
             framing
             a
             new
             hatred
             ,
             is
             to
             use
             such
             arms
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             lawfull
             to
             take
             the
             advantage
             of
             a
             trust
             and
             confidence
             in
             revenge
             .
             Whatever
             looks
             like
             treachery
             infects
             the
             good
             name
             .
             The
             least
             atome
             of
             baseness
             is
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             generosity
             of
             great
             Souls
             .
             A
             brave
             man
             ought
             to
             make
             it
             his
             glory
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             that
             if
             gallantry
             ,
             generosity
             and
             fidelity
             ,
             were
             lost
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             they
             might
             be
             found
             in
             his
             heart
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             distinguish
             betwixt
             the
             man
             of
             Words
             ,
             and
             the
             man
             of
             Deeds
             .
          
           
             This
             distinction
             is
             as
             absolutely
             necessary
             as
             that
             of
             the
             friend
             of
             the
             person
             ,
             and
             the
             friend
             of
             the
             employment
             .
             For
             they
             are
             very
             different
             friends
             .
             He
             is
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             who
             doing
             no
             bad
             Deeds
             ,
             gives
             no
             good
             Words
             :
             And
             he
             again
             more
             ,
             who
             giving
             no
             bad
             Words
             ,
             does
             no
             good
             Deeds
             .
             Now
             a-days
             men
             feed
             not
             upon
             words
             ,
             seeing
             they
             are
             but
             wind
             ;
             nor
             do
             they
             live
             on
             Civilities
             ,
             these
             being
             onely
             a
             formal
             juggle
             .
             To
             
             go
             a
             birding
             with
             a
             light
             ,
             is
             the
             true
             way
             to
             dazle
             the
             birds
             eyes
             .
             The
             vain
             and
             fools
             are
             content
             with
             wind
             .
             Words
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             pledges
             of
             actions
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             have
             their
             value
             .
             Trees
             that
             bear
             no
             fruit
             ,
             and
             have
             onely
             leaves
             ,
             have
             commonly
             no
             heart
             .
             It
             is
             necessary
             to
             know
             them
             all
             ;
             the
             one
             ,
             to
             make
             profit
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             to
             stand
             under
             their
             shade
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             help
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             In
             troublesome
             encounters
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             better
             company
             than
             a
             great
             heart
             :
             and
             if
             this
             come
             to
             fail
             ,
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             assisted
             by
             the
             parts
             that
             are
             about
             it
             .
             Crosses
             are
             not
             so
             great
             for
             those
             who
             can
             tell
             how
             to
             assist
             themselves
             .
             Yield
             not
             to
             Fortune
             .
             For
             she
             'll
             become
             insupportable
             to
             thee
             .
             Some
             give
             themselves
             so
             little
             help
             in
             their
             troubles
             ,
             that
             they
             increase
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             bear
             them
             with
             courage
             .
             He
             that
             understands
             himself
             well
             ,
             finds
             in
             reslexion
             relief
             to
             his
             weakness
             .
             A
             man
             of
             judgment
             comes
             off
             in
             all
             things
             advantageously
             ,
             were
             it
             even
             to
             come
             down
             from
             the
             stars
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXVIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             Monstrous
             .
          
           
             All
             the
             Hair-brained
             ,
             Vain
             ,
             Opinionative
             ,
             Capricious
             ,
             Self-conceited
             ,
             Extravagant
             ,
             Fawners
             ,
             Buffoons
             ,
             News-mongers
             ,
             Authours
             of
             Paradoxes
             ,
             Phanaticks
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             all
             sorts
             of
             irregular
             persons
             :
             all
             these
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             are
             so
             many
             Monsters
             of
             impertinence
             .
             The
             ugliness
             of
             the
             Soul
             is
             always
             more
             monstrous
             ,
             than
             the
             deformity
             of
             body
             ,
             seeing
             it
             more
             dishonours
             the
             beauty
             of
             its
             original
             .
             But
             who
             shall
             correct
             so
             great
             and
             general
             a
             disorder
             ?
             where
             reason
             is
             wanting
             ,
             direction
             has
             nothing
             to
             doe
             :
             inasmuch
             as
             that
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             cause
             of
             a
             serious
             reflexion
             upon
             that
             which
             gives
             occasion
             to
             publick
             laughter
             ,
             makes
             men
             fall
             into
             the
             vanity
             of
             believing
             ,
             they
             are
             admired
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             take
             more
             heed
             not
             to
             miss
             once
             ,
             than
             to
             hit
             an
             hundred
             times
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             Sun
             shines
             no
             body
             minds
             him
             ;
             but
             when
             he
             is
             eclipsed
             ,
             all
             consider
             him
             .
             The
             vulgar
             will
             keep
             no
             account
             
             of
             your
             hits
             ,
             but
             of
             your
             misses
             .
             The
             bad
             are
             more
             known
             by
             murmurings
             ,
             than
             the
             good
             by
             applauses
             :
             and
             many
             have
             not
             been
             known
             untill
             they
             fell
             .
             All
             good
             successes
             put
             together
             are
             not
             enough
             to
             obliterate
             one
             bad
             one
             .
             Undeceive
             thy self
             then
             ,
             and
             take
             it
             for
             a
             certain
             truth
             ,
             that
             Envy
             will
             observe
             all
             thy
             faults
             ,
             but
             not
             one
             of
             thy
             good
             actions
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXX
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             sparing
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             the
             way
             to
             succeed
             in
             matters
             of
             importance
             .
             One
             must
             not
             at
             every
             turn
             employ
             all
             his
             Capacity
             ,
             nor
             shew
             all
             his
             strength
             .
             One
             must
             be
             sparing
             even
             in
             knowledge
             :
             for
             that
             serves
             to
             double
             the
             value
             of
             it
             .
             There
             is
             a
             necessity
             of
             having
             always
             something
             to
             trust
             to
             ,
             when
             the
             question
             is
             how
             to
             get
             out
             of
             the
             mire
             .
             The
             relief
             is
             more
             considerable
             than
             the
             fight
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             always
             accompanied
             with
             the
             reputation
             of
             valour
             .
             Prudence
             keeps
             always
             to
             the
             surer
             side
             .
             And
             in
             that
             sense
             the
             ingenious
             Paradox
             is
             true
             :
             
               That
               the
               half
               is
               more
               than
               the
               whole
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXI.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             abuse
             Favour
             .
          
           
             Great
             Friends
             are
             for
             great
             occasions
             .
             Much
             favour
             is
             not
             to
             be
             employed
             in
             matters
             of
             small
             importance
             :
             that
             's
             scattering
             of
             it
             .
             The
             sheet
             Anchor
             is
             always
             reserved
             for
             the
             last
             extremity
             .
             If
             we
             squander
             away
             the
             much
             for
             the
             little
             ,
             what
             will
             remain
             for
             the
             next
             need
             ?
             There
             is
             nothing
             now
             a-days
             better
             than
             Protectours
             ,
             nor
             more
             precious
             than
             favour
             .
             It
             does
             and
             undoes
             ,
             even
             so
             far
             as
             to
             give
             wit
             ,
             and
             take
             it
             .
             Fortune
             hath
             always
             been
             as
             much
             a
             Step-mother
             to
             the
             Wise
             ,
             as
             Nature
             and
             Fame
             have
             been
             favourable
             unto
             them
             .
             It
             's
             better
             to
             know
             how
             to
             preserve
             our
             Friends
             ,
             than
             our
             Estates
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             engage
             with
             him
             that
             hath
             nothing
             to
             lose
             .
          
           
             To
             doe
             otherwise
             ,
             is
             to
             fight
             at
             a
             disadvantage
             .
             For
             the
             other
             enters
             the
             lists
             unconcernedly
             .
             Seeing
             he
             hath
             lost
             all
             shame
             ,
             he
             hath
             no
             more
             to
             lose
             ,
             nor
             to
             
             husband
             ;
             and
             so
             he
             runs
             hand
             over
             head
             into
             all
             extravagances
             .
             Reputation
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             inestimable
             value
             ,
             ought
             never
             to
             be
             exposed
             to
             so
             great
             risques
             .
             Having
             cost
             a
             great
             many
             years
             in
             purchasing
             ,
             it
             comes
             to
             be
             lost
             in
             a
             moment
             .
             A
             small
             breeze
             of
             wind
             is
             enough
             to
             freeze
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             sweat
             .
             A
             Prudent
             Man
             is
             withheld
             by
             the
             consideration
             that
             he
             hath
             much
             to
             lose
             .
             When
             he
             thinks
             of
             his
             Reputation
             ,
             he
             presently
             considers
             the
             danger
             of
             losing
             it
             .
             And
             by
             means
             of
             that
             reflexion
             he
             proceeds
             with
             so
             great
             reserve
             ,
             that
             Prudence
             has
             time
             to
             retire
             in
             time
             ,
             and
             to
             secure
             his
             Credit
             .
             One
             can
             never
             be
             able
             to
             recover
             by
             a
             Victory
             what
             he
             hath
             already
             lost
             in
             exposing
             himself
             to
             lose
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             Glass
             in
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             much
             less
             in
             Friendship
             .
          
           
             Some
             are
             easie
             to
             break
             ,
             and
             thereby
             discover
             their
             insolidity
             .
             They
             fill
             themselves
             with
             discontent
             ,
             and
             others
             with
             distate
             .
             They
             shew
             themselves
             to
             be
             tenderer
             than
             the
             Eyes
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             touched
             neither
             in
             jest
             nor
             earnest
             .
             Motes
             even
             offend
             them
             ;
             (
             for
             
             they
             have
             no
             need
             of
             Apparitions
             .
             )
             They
             who
             keep
             them
             company
             ,
             ought
             to
             put
             an
             extreme
             constraint
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             and
             study
             to
             observe
             all
             their
             nicities
             .
             There
             is
             no
             stirring
             before
             them
             ,
             for
             the
             least
             gesture
             disturbs
             them
             .
             Commonly
             they
             are
             a
             self-abounding
             kind
             of
             people
             ,
             slaves
             to
             their
             humour
             ,
             and
             Idolatours
             of
             their
             silly
             point
             of
             honour
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             would
             turn
             the
             world
             topsie-turvey
             .
             He
             that
             truly
             loves
             ,
             is
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             a
             Diamond
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             lastingness
             ,
             and
             its
             being
             hard
             to
             break
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXIV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             live
             too
             fast
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             distribute
             time
             ,
             is
             to
             know
             how
             to
             enjoy
             life
             .
             To
             many
             there
             is
             much
             of
             life
             remaining
             ,
             but
             they
             want
             the
             felicity
             of
             it
             .
             They
             lavish
             away
             pleasures
             :
             (
             for
             they
             enjoy
             them
             not
             ,
             )
             and
             when
             they
             are
             gone
             on
             a
             great
             way
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             willing
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             ,
             to
             come
             back
             again
             .
             These
             are
             the
             Postillions
             of
             life
             ,
             who
             to
             the
             swift
             motion
             of
             time
             ,
             add
             the
             rapidity
             of
             their
             own
             minds
             .
             They
             would
             devour
             in
             one
             day
             what
             hardly
             they
             could
             be
             able
             to
             digest
             in
             all
             their
             life
             time
             .
             They
             live
             in
             pleasures
             
             as
             men
             that
             would
             taste
             of
             them
             all
             before
             hand
             .
             They
             eat
             up
             future
             years
             ,
             and
             seeing
             they
             doe
             all
             things
             in
             haste
             ,
             they
             have
             soon
             done
             with
             all
             .
             The
             desire
             of
             knowledge
             it self
             ought
             to
             be
             moderated
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             know
             things
             imperfectly
             .
             There
             are
             more
             days
             than
             prosperities
             .
             Make
             haste
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             at
             leisure
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             have
             affairs
             done
             than
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             the
             contentment
             which
             lasts
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             preferred
             before
             that
             which
             ends
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXV
             .
          
           
             The
             substantial
             Man.
             
          
           
             He
             that
             is
             so
             ,
             is
             not
             satisfied
             with
             those
             who
             are
             not
             so
             .
             Unhappy
             is
             that
             eminence
             that
             hath
             nothing
             substantial
             in
             it
             .
             All
             who
             appear
             to
             be
             men
             ,
             are
             not
             all
             so
             .
             There
             are
             some
             artificial
             men
             ,
             that
             conceive
             Chimera's
             ,
             and
             are
             brought
             to
             bed
             of
             mistakes
             .
             There
             are
             others
             that
             resemble
             them
             ,
             and
             set
             a
             value
             upon
             them
             ,
             being
             better
             satisfied
             with
             the
             uncertainty
             that
             a
             false
             shew
             promises
             ,
             because
             the
             much
             is
             there
             ;
             than
             with
             the
             certainty
             that
             offers
             truth
             ,
             because
             that
             appears
             little
             :
             but
             at
             long
             run
             their
             Caprices
             come
             to
             an
             unlucky
             end
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             they
             
             have
             no
             solid
             foundation
             .
             Nothing
             but
             truth
             can
             give
             a
             true
             Reputation
             ;
             and
             nothing
             but
             substance
             turns
             to
             account
             .
             One
             cheat
             stands
             in
             need
             of
             a
             great
             many
             others
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             the
             whole
             building
             is
             but
             imaginary
             :
             and
             seeing
             it
             is
             founded
             in
             the
             air
             ,
             it
             must
             of
             necessity
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             .
             An
             ill
             conceived
             design
             never
             comes
             to
             maturity
             .
             The
             much
             which
             it
             promises
             ,
             is
             enough
             to
             render
             it
             suspected
             :
             just
             so
             as
             the
             argument
             which
             proves
             too
             much
             ,
             proves
             nothing
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             ,
             or
             to
             hearken
             to
             those
             who
             know
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             living
             without
             understanding
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             had
             ,
             either
             by
             nature
             ,
             or
             at
             second
             hand
             .
             Yet
             there
             are
             some
             ,
             who
             are
             ignorant
             that
             they
             know
             nothing
             ;
             and
             others
             ,
             who
             think
             they
             know
             ,
             though
             they
             know
             nothing
             at
             all
             .
             The
             faults
             that
             proceed
             from
             the
             want
             of
             wit
             ,
             are
             incurable
             .
             For
             as
             ignorants
             know
             not
             themselves
             ,
             so
             they
             take
             no
             care
             to
             search
             for
             that
             they
             want
             .
             Some
             would
             be
             wise
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             think
             themselves
             so
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             the
             Oracles
             of
             Wisedom
             be
             so
             rare
             ,
             yet
             they
             have
             nothing
             to
             doe
             ,
             seeing
             no
             body
             consults
             them
             .
             It
             is
             
             neither
             a
             diminution
             of
             Grandeur
             ,
             nor
             a
             sign
             of
             incapacity
             to
             take
             Counsel
             :
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             one
             puts
             himself
             in
             the
             state
             of
             a
             knowing
             man
             by
             advising
             well
             .
             Debate
             with
             thy
             Reason
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayst
             not
             be
             beaten
             by
             ill
             fortune
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             avoid
             too
             much
             familiarity
             in
             Conversation
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             neither
             pertinent
             to
             practise
             it
             ,
             nor
             to
             suffer
             it
             .
             He
             that
             familiarizes
             himself
             ,
             presently
             loses
             the
             Superiority
             that
             his
             serious
             air
             gave
             him
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             his
             Credit
             .
             The
             stars
             retain
             their
             splendour
             ,
             because
             they
             mingle
             not
             with
             us
             .
             By
             Divinizing
             ,
             one
             gets
             Respect
             ,
             by
             Humanizing
             ,
             Contempt
             .
             The
             more
             common
             humane
             things
             are
             ,
             the
             less
             they
             are
             esteemed
             .
             For
             communication
             discovers
             imperfections
             ,
             that
             reservedness
             concealed
             .
             We
             must
             not
             be
             too
             familiar
             with
             any
             body
             ;
             )
             not
             with
             Superiours
             ,
             because
             of
             danger
             ;
             nor
             with
             inferiours
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             Indecency
             :
             and
             far
             less
             with
             mean
             people
             whom
             ignorance
             renders
             insolent
             ,
             inasmuch
             that
             being
             unsensible
             of
             the
             honour
             that
             is
             done
             them
             ,
             they
             presume
             it
             is
             their
             due
             .
             Facility
             is
             a
             branch
             of
             a
             low
             mind
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             believe
             the
             Heart
             ,
             and
             especially
             if
             it
             be
             a
             presaging
             Heart
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             never
             to
             be
             contradicted
             :
             for
             it
             is
             accustomed
             to
             prognosticate
             what
             most
             concern
             us
             .
             It
             is
             a
             Domestick
             Oracle
             .
             Many
             have
             perished
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             too
             diffident
             of
             themselves
             .
             But
             to
             what
             end
             should
             one
             distrust
             himself
             ,
             if
             he
             look
             not
             out
             for
             the
             remedy
             ?
             Some
             have
             a
             heart
             that
             tells
             them
             every
             thing
             :
             a
             certain
             mark
             of
             a
             rich
             stock
             .
             For
             that
             heart
             always
             prevents
             them
             ,
             and
             rings
             the
             allarum
             Bell
             upon
             the
             approach
             of
             evils
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             fly
             to
             the
             remedy
             .
             It
             is
             not
             the
             part
             of
             a
             wise
             man
             to
             go
             out
             and
             receive
             evils
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             before-hand
             with
             them
             and
             disperse
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             reserved
             in
             speaking
             ,
             is
             the
             Seal
             of
             the
             Capacity
             .
          
           
             A
             Heart
             without
             secrecy
             is
             an
             open
             letter
             .
             Where
             there
             is
             depth
             ,
             the
             secrets
             are
             deep
             .
             For
             there
             must
             be
             much
             room
             and
             large
             spaces
             ,
             where
             all
             that
             is
             thrown
             
             in
             may
             be
             easily
             kept
             .
             Reservation
             proceeds
             from
             the
             great
             command
             that
             one
             hath
             over
             himself
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             a
             real
             triumph
             .
             We
             pay
             tribute
             to
             as
             many
             as
             we
             discover
             our selves
             to
             .
             The
             security
             of
             Prudence
             consists
             in
             internal
             moderation
             .
             The
             snares
             that
             are
             laid
             for
             discretion
             ,
             are
             to
             contradict
             ,
             to
             draw
             out
             an
             explanation
             ;
             and
             to
             glance
             biting
             words
             ,
             to
             set
             one
             in
             a
             flame
             .
             Then
             it
             is
             that
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ought
             to
             keep
             the
             closer
             !
             Things
             that
             are
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             told
             ;
             nor
             are
             those
             that
             are
             fit
             to
             be
             told
             ,
             good
             to
             be
             done
             .
             )
             
               See
               the
               Maxime
            
             279.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             take
             the
             design
             of
             an
             Enemy
             for
             the
             rule
             of
             our
             Measures
             .
          
           
             A
             Blockhead
             will
             never
             doe
             what
             a
             man
             of
             Wit
             thinks
             he
             should
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             not
             able
             to
             discern
             what
             is
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
             And
             if
             he
             be
             a
             prudent
             man
             ,
             less
             still
             ;
             because
             he
             may
             go
             contrary
             to
             an
             advice
             that
             has
             been
             blow'd
             upon
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             even
             prevented
             by
             his
             adversary
             .
             Matters
             ought
             to
             be
             examined
             on
             both
             sides
             ,
             and
             prepared
             for
             pro
             and
             con
             :
             so
             that
             one
             may
             be
             ready
             for
             the
             yea
             and
             the
             no.
             Judgments
             are
             different
             .
             Indifference
             
             ought
             always
             to
             be
             attentive
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             for
             what
             shall
             happen
             ,
             as
             for
             what
             may
             happen
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             tell
             a
             lie
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             to
             speak
             all
             the
             truth
             neither
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             requires
             more
             circumspection
             than
             truth
             .
             For
             to
             tell
             it
             ,
             is
             to
             draw
             the
             hearts
             bloud
             .
             There
             needs
             as
             much
             skill
             to
             know
             when
             to
             tell
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             know
             when
             to
             conceal
             it
             .
             By
             on
             single
             lie
             ,
             a
             man
             loses
             all
             his
             good
             name
             .
             Deceit
             goes
             for
             false
             Coin
             ,
             and
             the
             Deceiver
             for
             a
             Coiner
             ,
             which
             is
             worse
             still
             .
             All
             truths
             cannot
             be
             told
             :
             some
             ,
             because
             they
             concern
             my self
             ;
             and
             others
             ,
             because
             they
             concern
             a
             third
             person
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXII
             .
          
           
             A
             grain
             of
             boldness
             is
             worth
             a
             pound
             weight
             of
             skill
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             good
             not
             to
             conceive
             such
             a
             high
             notion
             of
             people
             ,
             as
             to
             become
             bashfull
             in
             their
             presence
             .
             Let
             never
             the
             imagination
             debase
             the
             heart
             .
             Some
             appear
             to
             be
             men
             of
             importance
             ,
             till
             others
             treat
             with
             them
             ;
             but
             communication
             soon
             undeceives
             
             the
             Credulous
             .
             No
             body
             goes
             beyond
             the
             narrow
             bounds
             of
             man.
             Every
             one
             hath
             his
             if
             ,
             some
             as
             to
             their
             Wit
             ;
             and
             others
             as
             to
             their
             Genius
             .
             Dignity
             gives
             an
             apparent
             Authority
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             rare
             ,
             when
             the
             personal
             qualities
             answer
             it
             .
             For
             fortune
             is
             wont
             to
             clog
             the
             Superiority
             of
             the
             employment
             ,
             by
             the
             inferiority
             of
             merits
             .
             Imagination
             is
             always
             upon
             the
             wing
             ,
             and
             represents
             things
             greater
             than
             they
             are
             :
             It
             conceives
             not
             onely
             what
             there
             is
             ,
             but
             what
             there
             may
             be
             also
             :
             Reason
             having
             been
             undeceived
             by
             so
             many
             experiences
             ,
             ought
             to
             undeceive
             it
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             it
             neither
             becomes
             ignorance
             to
             be
             bold
             ,
             nor
             capacity
             to
             be
             bashfull
             .
             And
             if
             Confidence
             be
             usefull
             to
             them
             who
             have
             but
             a
             small
             stock
             ,
             upon
             stronger
             reason
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             usefull
             to
             those
             who
             have
             a
             great
             deal
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             Head-strong
             .
          
           
             All
             Fools
             are
             Opiniatours
             ,
             and
             all
             Opiniatours
             are
             Fools
             .
             The
             more
             Erroneous
             their
             Opinions
             are
             ,
             the
             more
             they
             hug
             them
             .
             It
             is
             civil
             to
             yield
             ,
             even
             in
             those
             things
             wherein
             we
             have
             greatest
             reason
             and
             certainty
             :
             for
             then
             all
             know
             ,
             who
             
             had
             reason
             on
             their
             side
             :
             and
             besides
             the
             reason
             ,
             Gallantry
             is
             also
             discovered
             in
             the
             procedure
             .
             There
             is
             more
             esteem
             lost
             ,
             by
             a
             wilfull
             resistence
             ,
             then
             there
             is
             got
             by
             carrying
             it
             by
             open
             force
             .
             For
             that
             is
             not
             so
             much
             a
             defending
             of
             truth
             ,
             as
             a
             demonstration
             of
             Clownishness
             .
             There
             are
             knotty
             heads
             very
             difficult
             to
             be
             cleft
             ,
             and
             which
             always
             run
             upon
             some
             incurable
             extremity
             :
             and
             when
             once
             whimsey
             joins
             to
             their
             head-strongness
             ,
             they
             contract
             an
             indissoluble
             league
             with
             extravagance
             .
             Inflexibility
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             the
             will
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             the
             judgment
             :
             though
             there
             be
             excepted
             cases
             too
             ,
             wherein
             one
             is
             not
             to
             suffer
             himself
             to
             be
             gained
             ,
             nor
             doubly
             overcome
             ;
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             reason
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             execution
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXIV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             Ceremonious
             .
          
           
             The
             affectation
             of
             being
             so
             was
             heretofore
             censured
             as
             a
             piece
             of
             vitious
             singularity
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             a
             King
             too
             .
             Punctiliousness
             is
             tiresome
             .
             There
             are
             whole
             Nations
             sick
             of
             that
             Nicety
             .
             The
             robe
             of
             silliness
             is
             wrought
             with
             small
             stitch
             .
             These
             Idolatours
             of
             the
             point
             of
             honour
             give
             a
             demonstration
             ,
             that
             their
             honour
             
             is
             founded
             on
             a
             small
             matter
             ,
             seeing
             they
             fansie
             every
             thing
             may
             wound
             it
             .
             It
             is
             good
             so
             to
             carry
             ,
             as
             to
             gain
             Respect
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             ridiculous
             to
             pass
             for
             a
             great
             Master
             of
             Compliments
             .
             It
             is
             very
             true
             ,
             that
             a
             Man
             without
             Ceremony
             hath
             need
             of
             a
             great
             Merit
             in
             place
             of
             it
             .
             Courtesie
             ought
             neither
             to
             be
             affected
             nor
             slighted
             .
             He
             shall
             never
             gain
             the
             esteem
             of
             an
             able
             man
             ,
             who
             sticks
             too
             much
             upon
             Formalities
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXV
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             expose
             ones
             Credit
             to
             the
             risque
             of
             one
             single
             interview
             .
          
           
             For
             if
             one
             come
             not
             well
             of
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             irreparable
             loss
             .
             To
             fail
             once
             happens
             often
             ,
             and
             especially
             the
             first
             time
             .
             One
             is
             not
             always
             in
             the
             kue
             ;
             whence
             cometh
             the
             Proverb
             :
             
               It
               is
               not
               my
               day
            
             .
             One
             must
             therefore
             endeavour
             ;
             that
             if
             he
             hath
             failed
             the
             first
             time
             ,
             the
             second
             may
             make
             amends
             for
             all
             :
             or
             that
             the
             first
             may
             vouch
             for
             the
             second
             ,
             that
             succeeded
             not
             .
             One
             ought
             always
             to
             have
             his
             recourse
             to
             better
             ,
             and
             to
             appeal
             from
             much
             to
             more
             .
             Affairs
             depend
             on
             certain
             fortuitous
             cases
             ,
             and
             on
             many
             too
             :
             and
             by
             consequence
             good
             success
             is
             a
             rare
             good
             fortune
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             discern
             faults
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             in
             fashion
             .
          
           
             Though
             Vice
             be
             cloathed
             in
             cloth
             of
             gold
             ,
             yet
             a
             good
             man
             will
             still
             know
             it
             .
             It
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             for
             it
             to
             be
             apparelled
             in
             gold
             ,
             it
             can
             never
             so
             well
             disguise
             it self
             but
             that
             it
             will
             be
             perceived
             to
             be
             of
             iron
             .
             It
             would
             cloak
             it self
             with
             the
             nobility
             of
             its
             Adherents
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             never
             stript
             of
             its
             baseness
             ,
             nor
             the
             misery
             of
             its
             slavery
             .
             Vices
             may
             very
             well
             be
             exalted
             ,
             but
             not
             exalt
             .
             Some
             observe
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             Heroe
             hath
             had
             such
             a
             Vice
             ,
             but
             they
             consider
             not
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             that
             Vice
             which
             made
             him
             a
             Heroe
             .
             The
             example
             of
             great
             men
             is
             so
             good
             an
             Oratour
             ,
             that
             it
             persuades
             one
             to
             infamous
             matters
             .
             Sometimes
             flattery
             hath
             affected
             even
             bodily
             defects
             ,
             without
             observing
             ,
             that
             though
             they
             be
             born
             with
             in
             great
             men
             ,
             they
             are
             insupportable
             in
             the
             mean.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXVII
             .
          
           
             To
             act
             all
             that
             is
             agreeable
             to
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             's
             odious
             by
             others
             .
          
           
             The
             one
             conciliates
             good
             will
             ,
             and
             the
             
             other
             banishes
             hatred
             .
             There
             is
             more
             pleasure
             in
             doing
             good
             ,
             than
             in
             receiving
             it
             .
             It
             's
             in
             that
             ,
             that
             generous
             Souls
             place
             their
             felicity
             .
             It
             seldome
             happens
             that
             one
             vexes
             another
             without
             being
             troubled
             himself
             ,
             either
             through
             compassion
             or
             retaliation
             .
             Superiour
             causes
             never
             operate
             ,
             without
             reaping
             praise
             or
             reward
             .
             Let
             the
             good
             come
             immediately
             from
             thee
             ;
             and
             the
             evil
             by
             another
             .
             Take
             some
             body
             ,
             upon
             whom
             the
             blows
             of
             discontent
             may
             fall
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             the
             hatred
             and
             the
             murmurings
             .
             The
             anger
             of
             the
             Rabble
             is
             like
             that
             of
             Dogs
             ;
             not
             knowing
             the
             cause
             of
             its
             evil
             ,
             it
             falls
             upon
             the
             Instrument
             .
             So
             that
             the
             instrument
             bears
             the
             punishment
             of
             the
             evil
             whereof
             it
             is
             not
             the
             principal
             cause
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             bring
             always
             into
             company
             something
             to
             be
             praised
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             a
             means
             to
             make
             one
             esteemed
             a
             man
             of
             good
             discerning
             ,
             and
             upon
             whose
             judgment
             one
             may
             be
             assured
             of
             the
             goodness
             of
             things
             .
             He
             that
             hath
             known
             the
             perfection
             before
             ,
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             esteem
             it
             afterwards
             .
             He
             furnishes
             matter
             to
             conversation
             
             and
             imitation
             ,
             by
             unfolding
             plausible
             knowledges
             .
             It
             is
             a
             politick
             way
             of
             selling
             Courtesie
             to
             those
             that
             are
             present
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             same
             perfections
             .
             Others
             on
             the
             contrary
             bring
             always
             with
             them
             something
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             and
             flatter
             the
             present
             ,
             by
             despising
             the
             absent
             .
             This
             succeeds
             with
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             in
             the
             company
             of
             those
             who
             onely
             look
             on
             the
             outside
             :
             seeing
             such
             observe
             not
             the
             cunning
             of
             speaking
             ill
             of
             some
             in
             presence
             of
             others
             .
             Some
             think
             it
             a
             piece
             of
             Policy
             to
             esteem
             more
             the
             ordinary
             perfections
             of
             to
             day
             ,
             than
             the
             wonders
             of
             yesterday
             .
             A
             Prudent
             Man
             then
             is
             to
             have
             a
             care
             of
             all
             these
             Artifices
             ,
             (
             whereby
             these
             blades
             endeavour
             to
             attain
             to
             their
             ends
             )
             that
             he
             may
             not
             be
             discouraged
             by
             the
             exaggeration
             of
             the
             one
             ,
             nor
             puffed
             up
             by
             the
             flattery
             of
             the
             others
             .
             Let
             him
             know
             ,
             that
             both
             proceed
             the
             same
             way
             with
             both
             parties
             ,
             and
             onely
             give
             them
             the
             alternative
             ,
             by
             adjusting
             their
             sentiments
             to
             the
             place
             where
             they
             are
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CLXXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             use
             of
             the
             needs
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             If
             privation
             come
             the
             length
             of
             desire
             ,
             
             it
             is
             the
             most
             efficacious
             constraint
             .
             Philosophers
             have
             said
             ,
             that
             privation
             was
             nothing
             ,
             and
             the
             Politicians
             say
             ,
             that
             it
             's
             all
             in
             all
             .
             And
             without
             doubt
             these
             have
             best
             understood
             it
             .
             There
             are
             some
             who
             to
             obtain
             their
             ends
             ,
             make
             their
             way
             by
             the
             desire
             of
             others
             .
             They
             lay
             hold
             of
             occasion
             ,
             and
             stir
             up
             the
             desire
             by
             the
             difficulty
             of
             obtaining
             .
             They
             promise
             themselves
             more
             from
             the
             heat
             of
             passion
             ,
             than
             from
             the
             lukewarmness
             of
             possession
             .
             Insomuch
             that
             the
             desire
             enflames
             the
             more
             as
             the
             resistence
             grows
             greater
             .
             The
             true
             secret
             of
             attaining
             to
             ones
             ends
             is
             ,
             to
             keep
             people
             always
             in
             dependence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXC
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             satisfied
             in
             all
             conditions
             .
          
           
             Even
             they
             who
             are
             useless
             ,
             have
             the
             consolation
             that
             they
             are
             eternal
             .
             There
             is
             no
             trouble
             but
             hath
             its
             satisfaction
             .
             
               Luck
               for
               the
               fools
               ,
               and
               chance
               for
               the
               ugly
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Proverb
             .
             To
             live
             long
             ,
             there
             needs
             no
             more
             but
             to
             be
             of
             little
             worth
             .
             The
             crackt
             pot
             seldom
             breaks
             ,
             it
             lasts
             commonly
             till
             people
             be
             weary
             of
             using
             it
             .
             It
             would
             seem
             that
             fortune
             envies
             men
             of
             importance
             ,
             seeing
             it
             joins
             duration
             with
             incapacity
             in
             some
             ,
             and
             short
             
             life
             to
             much
             merit
             in
             others
             .
             All
             they
             who
             by
             right
             ought
             to
             live
             ,
             always
             fail
             in
             good
             fortune
             :
             and
             such
             as
             are
             good
             for
             nothing
             ,
             you
             'll
             find
             to
             be
             eternal
             ,
             whether
             because
             they
             appear
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             or
             because
             in
             effect
             they
             are
             so
             .
             It
             seems
             that
             destiny
             and
             death
             are
             agreed
             to
             forget
             the
             unfortunate
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCI.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             gull'd
             with
             excessive
             Courtesie
             .
          
           
             For
             it
             's
             a
             kind
             of
             Cheat.
             There
             are
             some
             who
             stand
             not
             in
             need
             of
             the
             herbs
             of
             Thessaly
             to
             bewitch
             with
             ,
             for
             they
             charm
             fools
             and
             vain
             people
             merely
             with
             a
             low
             Bow.
             They
             make
             a
             Traffick
             of
             Honour
             ,
             and
             pay
             for
             it
             with
             the
             wind
             of
             some
             fair
             words
             .
             He
             that
             promises
             all
             promises
             nothing
             ,
             and
             promises
             are
             so
             many
             slippery
             steps
             for
             fools
             .
             True
             Courtesie
             is
             a
             debt
             ,
             that
             which
             is
             affected
             and
             uncommon
             ,
             is
             a
             Cheat.
             It
             is
             not
             a
             civility
             ,
             but
             a
             dependance
             .
             They
             make
             not
             the
             Bow
             to
             the
             Person
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             Fortune
             .
             Their
             flattery
             is
             not
             an
             acknowledgment
             of
             merit
             ,
             but
             a
             bait
             to
             the
             profit
             ,
             which
             they
             hope
             for
             .
             
               See
               the
               Maxime
            
             118.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXCII
             .
          
           
             The
             peaceable
             man
             is
             the
             long
             lived
             man.
             
          
           
             Live
             ,
             and
             let
             live
             .
             Peacefull
             men
             not
             onely
             live
             but
             reign
             .
             We
             must
             hear
             and
             see
             ,
             but
             withal
             ,
             hold
             our
             peace
             .
             The
             day
             spent
             without
             contention
             ,
             makes
             us
             spend
             the
             night
             in
             sleep
             .
             To
             live
             much
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             with
             pleasure
             ,
             is
             the
             life
             of
             two
             :
             and
             it
             is
             the
             fruit
             of
             internal
             peace
             .
             That
             man
             hath
             all
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             at
             all
             care
             for
             what
             concerns
             him
             not
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             impertinent
             ,
             than
             to
             lay
             to
             heart
             that
             which
             touches
             us
             not
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             be
             affected
             with
             that
             which
             concerns
             us
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCIII
             .
          
           
             Watch
             strictly
             over
             him
             that
             engages
             in
             thy
             interests
             ,
             to
             come
             off
             with
             his
             own
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             better
             preservative
             against
             Cunning
             ,
             than
             Caution
             .
             A
             word
             to
             the
             wise
             .
             Some
             doe
             their
             own
             business
             by
             seeming
             to
             doe
             another
             man's
             .
             So
             that
             if
             one
             have
             not
             the
             key
             of
             intentions
             ,
             he
             is
             forced
             at
             every
             turn
             to
             burn
             his
             own
             fingers
             ,
             to
             save
             other
             men's
             goods
             from
             the
             fire
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXCIV
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             a
             modest
             Opinion
             of
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             affairs
             ,
             especially
             when
             he
             does
             but
             begin
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             All
             People
             have
             high
             Conceits
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             especially
             they
             who
             signify
             least
             .
             Every
             one
             fansies
             to
             himself
             a
             brave
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             imagines
             himself
             to
             be
             a
             Prodigy
             .
             Hope
             engages
             rashly
             ,
             and
             then
             experience
             seconds
             it
             in
             nothing
             .
             Reality
             is
             the
             executioner
             of
             a
             vain
             imagination
             by
             undeceiving
             it
             .
             Prudence
             then
             ought
             to
             correct
             such
             extravagances
             :
             and
             though
             it
             be
             allowable
             to
             desire
             the
             best
             ,
             yet
             we
             ought
             always
             to
             expect
             the
             worst
             ,
             that
             so
             we
             may
             take
             all
             that
             happens
             patiently
             .
             It
             is
             dexterity
             to
             take
             ones
             aim
             a
             little
             higher
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             hit
             the
             juster
             ,
             but
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             shoot
             so
             high
             ,
             as
             to
             fail
             at
             the
             first
             shot
             .
             That
             reformation
             of
             imagination
             is
             necessary
             ,
             for
             vanity
             without
             experiences
             makes
             men
             onely
             to
             dote
             .
             A
             good
             understanding
             is
             the
             most
             universal
             remedy
             against
             all
             impertinences
             .
             Let
             every
             one
             know
             the
             sphere
             of
             his
             own
             activity
             ,
             and
             condition
             .
             That
             will
             teach
             a
             man
             to
             square
             the
             opinion
             of
             himself
             according
             to
             reality
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CXCV.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             judge
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             man
             but
             may
             be
             another's
             Master
             in
             some
             thing
             .
             He
             that
             exceeds
             ,
             finds
             always
             some
             body
             that
             exceeds
             him
             .
             To
             know
             how
             to
             pick
             out
             the
             best
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             is
             a
             usefull
             knowledge
             .
             The
             Wise
             Man
             esteems
             all
             men
             ,
             because
             he
             knows
             what
             's
             good
             in
             every
             one
             ,
             and
             what
             things
             cost
             in
             doing
             of
             them
             well
             .
             The
             Fool
             despises
             all
             ,
             in
             respect
             that
             he
             is
             ignorant
             of
             what
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             always
             chuses
             the
             worst
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCVI.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             ones
             Planet
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             man
             so
             miserable
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             hath
             his
             Planet
             :
             and
             if
             he
             be
             unfortunate
             ,
             it
             is
             because
             he
             knoweth
             it
             not
             .
             Some
             have
             access
             to
             Princes
             ,
             and
             great
             Men
             ,
             and
             know
             neither
             how
             ,
             nor
             why
             ;
             unless
             it
             be
             that
             their
             luck
             hath
             made
             way
             for
             them
             .
             So
             that
             they
             need
             onely
             a
             little
             industry
             to
             preserve
             favour
             .
             There
             are
             others
             born
             as
             it
             were
             to
             please
             the
             Wise
             .
             One
             man
             hath
             been
             more
             acceptable
             
             in
             one
             Countrey
             than
             another
             ,
             and
             better
             received
             in
             this
             City
             than
             in
             that
             .
             One
             man
             happens
             also
             to
             be
             more
             fortunate
             in
             one
             employment
             ,
             than
             in
             all
             others
             ,
             though
             he
             be
             neither
             more
             nor
             less
             capable
             of
             all
             .
             Destiny
             makes
             and
             unmakes
             how
             and
             when
             it
             pleases
             .
             Every
             one
             then
             ought
             to
             labour
             to
             know
             his
             Destiny
             ,
             and
             to
             try
             his
             Minerva
             ;
             on
             which
             depends
             all
             the
             loss
             and
             all
             the
             gain
             .
             Let
             him
             know
             how
             to
             comply
             with
             his
             fate
             ,
             and
             take
             good
             heed
             he
             attempt
             not
             to
             change
             it
             .
             For
             that
             would
             be
             to
             forsake
             the
             North-star
             in
             his
             course
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCVII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             be
             hampered
             with
             Fools
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             perplexity
             not
             to
             know
             them
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             for
             him
             that
             knows
             them
             not
             to
             rid
             his
             hands
             of
             them
             .
             It
             is
             dangerous
             to
             keep
             them
             Company
             ,
             and
             pernicious
             to
             admit
             them
             to
             our
             Confidence
             .
             For
             though
             their
             own
             timerousness
             ,
             and
             the
             Eye
             of
             another
             may
             for
             some
             time
             keep
             them
             in
             awe
             ,
             yet
             their
             extravagance
             will
             break
             out
             at
             long-run
             ,
             seeing
             they
             have
             onely
             deferred
             the
             shewing
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             doe
             it
             with
             more
             solemnity
             .
             It
             is
             very
             difficult
             for
             him
             that
             cannot
             
             keep
             his
             own
             Credit
             ,
             to
             maintain
             another
             Man's
             .
             Besides
             ,
             Fools
             are
             extremely
             unhappy
             .
             For
             misery
             is
             fastened
             to
             impertinence
             ,
             as
             the
             skin
             to
             the
             bone
             .
             They
             have
             onely
             one
             thing
             that
             is
             not
             so
             very
             bad
             .
             And
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Wisedom
             of
             others
             signifies
             nothing
             to
             them
             ,
             so
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             they
             are
             very
             usefull
             to
             the
             Wise
             ,
             whom
             they
             instruct
             and
             caution
             at
             their
             own
             proper
             cost
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCVIII.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             transplant
             ones
             self
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             ,
             who
             ,
             to
             set
             off
             their
             own
             value
             ,
             are
             obliged
             to
             change
             Countries
             ,
             especially
             if
             they
             aspire
             to
             great
             places
             .
             Ones
             Countrey
             is
             the
             Step-mother
             to
             eminent
             Qualities
             .
             Envy
             reigns
             there
             as
             in
             its
             Native
             Land.
             Men
             remember
             better
             the
             imperfections
             that
             one
             had
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             than
             the
             merit
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             advanced
             to
             grandeur
             .
             A
             Pin
             hath
             been
             esteemed
             a
             thing
             of
             value
             ,
             when
             carried
             from
             one
             world
             into
             another
             :
             and
             sometimes
             a
             glass
             brought
             from
             a-far
             ,
             hath
             made
             a
             Diamond
             to
             be
             undervalued
             .
             Every
             thing
             that
             is
             foreign
             ,
             is
             esteemed
             ,
             whether
             because
             it
             comes
             from
             a
             far
             Countrey
             ;
             or
             because
             it
             is
             found
             to
             be
             complete
             ,
             
             and
             in
             its
             perfection
             .
             We
             have
             seen
             men
             who
             have
             been
             the
             refuse
             of
             a
             little
             Canton
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             being
             equally
             reverenced
             by
             their
             Countrey-men
             and
             Strangers
             ;
             by
             the
             one
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             far
             off
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             others
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             come
             from
             a-far
             .
             He
             will
             never
             have
             great
             veneration
             for
             a
             Statue
             ,
             who
             hath
             seen
             it
             the
             stump
             of
             a
             Tree
             in
             a
             Garden
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CXCIX
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             a
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             not
             an
             intrieguing
             Man.
             
          
           
             The
             shortest
             way
             to
             attain
             to
             Reputation
             ,
             is
             the
             way
             of
             merit
             .
             If
             industry
             be
             founded
             on
             merit
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             true
             way
             of
             obtaining
             it
             .
             Integrity
             alone
             is
             not
             sufficient
             ;
             and
             the
             onely
             Intrieguer
             deserves
             it
             not
             :
             inasmuch
             that
             matters
             are
             then
             so
             defective
             ,
             that
             they
             infect
             the
             Reputation
             .
             It
             is
             then
             requisite
             both
             to
             have
             merit
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             how
             to
             bring
             ones
             self
             into
             play
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CC.
             
          
           
             To
             have
             always
             something
             still
             to
             desire
             ,
             that
             one
             may
             not
             be
             unhappy
             in
             his
             happiness
             .
          
           
             The
             body
             breaths
             ,
             and
             the
             mind
             aspires
             .
             If
             one
             enjoyed
             all
             things
             ,
             he
             would
             be
             disgusted
             with
             every
             thing
             .
             Nay
             ,
             it
             is
             even
             necessary
             for
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             the
             understanding
             ,
             that
             there
             remain
             always
             something
             to
             be
             known
             ,
             for
             feeding
             Curiosity
             .
             Hope
             gives
             life
             ,
             and
             the
             glut
             of
             pleasure
             makes
             the
             life
             a
             burthen
             .
             In
             matter
             of
             reward
             ,
             it
             is
             prudent
             not
             to
             give
             it
             all
             at
             once
             .
             When
             there
             is
             no
             more
             to
             be
             desired
             ,
             every
             thing
             is
             to
             be
             feared
             :
             and
             that
             is
             an
             unhappy
             felicity
             .
             Fear
             beginneth
             where
             desire
             endeth
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCI.
             
          
           
             All
             who
             appear
             Fools
             ,
             are
             so
             ,
             and
             one
             half
             also
             of
             those
             who
             appear
             not
             to
             be
             .
          
           
             Folly
             hath
             taken
             possession
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             if
             there
             be
             the
             least
             wisedom
             in
             it
             ,
             it
             is
             more
             folly
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             wisedom
             from
             above
             .
             But
             the
             greatest
             Fool
             is
             he
             that
             thinks
             himself
             wise
             ,
             and
             
             accuses
             all
             others
             of
             folly
             .
             To
             be
             wise
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             sufficient
             to
             seem
             so
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             to
             seem
             so
             to
             ones
             self
             .
             He
             is
             so
             ,
             that
             thinks
             not
             himself
             to
             be
             so
             :
             and
             he
             who
             perceives
             not
             ,
             that
             others
             see
             ,
             sees
             not
             himself
             .
             Though
             the
             world
             be
             so
             full
             of
             Fools
             and
             Blockheads
             ,
             yet
             no
             body
             believes
             himself
             to
             be
             one
             ,
             nor
             so
             much
             as
             suspects
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCII.
             
          
           
             Sayings
             and
             Actions
             render
             a
             Man
             accomplished
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             speak
             well
             ,
             and
             act
             well
             .
             The
             one
             shews
             a
             good
             head
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             a
             good
             heart
             :
             and
             both
             spring
             from
             a
             superiority
             of
             mind
             .
             (
             Words
             are
             the
             shadow
             of
             actions
             .
             Saying
             is
             the
             Female
             ,
             and
             doing
             the
             Male.
             It
             is
             better
             to
             be
             the
             subject
             of
             a
             Panegyrick
             ,
             than
             the
             Panegyrist
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             receive
             praises
             ,
             than
             to
             give
             them
             .
             To
             say
             is
             easie
             ;
             but
             to
             doe
             ,
             difficult
             .
             Brave
             actions
             are
             the
             substance
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             good
             sayings
             the
             ornament
             of
             it
             .
             The
             excellence
             of
             actions
             is
             permanent
             ,
             that
             of
             words
             transient
             .
             )
             Actions
             are
             the
             fruit
             of
             reslexions
             .
             Some
             are
             wise
             ,
             others
             valiant
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCIII
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             the
             Excellencies
             of
             ones
             Age.
             
          
           
             They
             are
             not
             very
             numerous
             .
             There
             is
             but
             one
             Phoenix
             in
             the
             world
             .
             Hardly
             is
             there
             to
             be
             found
             in
             an
             age
             a
             great
             General
             ,
             a
             perfect
             Oratour
             ,
             a
             Sage
             .
             And
             an
             excellent
             King
             is
             to
             be
             lookt
             for
             in
             many
             ages
             .
             Mediocrities
             are
             common
             ,
             both
             for
             number
             ,
             and
             for
             esteem
             :
             but
             Excellencies
             are
             every
             way
             rare
             ,
             because
             they
             require
             an
             accomplished
             perfection
             :
             and
             the
             higher
             the
             form
             ,
             the
             harder
             it
             is
             to
             get
             to
             be
             Captain
             of
             it
             .
             Many
             have
             usurped
             the
             Sirname
             of
             Great
             from
             Caesar
             and
             Alexander
             ,
             but
             all
             in
             vain
             .
             For
             without
             the
             actions
             ,
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             people
             is
             but
             a
             little
             air
             .
             There
             have
             been
             but
             few
             
             Seneca's
             ,
             and
             Fame
             hath
             celebrated
             but
             one
             Apelles
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCIV.
             
          
           
             What
             is
             easie
             ought
             to
             be
             set
             about
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             difficult
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             difficult
             as
             if
             it
             were
             easie
             .
          
           
             The
             one
             for
             fear
             of
             slackening
             through
             too
             much
             confidence
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             for
             
             fear
             of
             losing
             courage
             through
             too
             much
             apprehensiveness
             .
             The
             way
             to
             fail
             in
             doing
             of
             a
             thing
             ,
             is
             to
             reckon
             it
             already
             done
             :
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             diligence
             surmounts
             impossibility
             .
             As
             to
             great
             enterptizes
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             stand
             reasoning
             ,
             it
             is
             enough
             that
             we
             embrace
             them
             when
             they
             present
             ,
             lest
             the
             consideration
             of
             their
             difficulty
             make
             us
             abandon
             the
             attempt
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             use
             of
             Contempt
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             secret
             for
             obtaining
             the
             things
             which
             one
             desires
             ,
             is
             to
             undervalue
             them
             .
             Commonly
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             found
             when
             they
             are
             sought
             :
             whereas
             they
             offer
             themselves
             ,
             when
             one
             cares
             not
             for
             them
             .
             As
             the
             things
             of
             this
             World
             are
             the
             shadow
             of
             those
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             so
             have
             they
             that
             property
             of
             a
             shadow
             ,
             that
             they
             fly
             from
             him
             that
             follows
             them
             ,
             and
             pursue
             him
             who
             flies
             from
             them
             .
             Contempt
             also
             is
             the
             most
             politick
             revenge
             .
             It
             's
             the
             general
             Maxime
             of
             the
             wise
             ,
             never
             to
             defend
             themselves
             with
             the
             Pen
             ,
             because
             it
             leaves
             tracts
             ,
             that
             turn
             more
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             than
             to
             their
             humiliation
             .
             Besides
             that
             ,
             that
             
             kind
             of
             defence
             gives
             more
             honour
             to
             envy
             ,
             than
             mortification
             to
             insolence
             .
             It
             's
             cunning
             in
             inconsiderable
             persons
             to
             vie
             with
             great
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             get
             themselves
             Credit
             by
             an
             indirect
             way
             ,
             when
             they
             cannot
             have
             it
             by
             right
             .
             (
             Many
             men
             had
             never
             been
             known
             ,
             if
             excellent
             Adversaries
             had
             not
             taken
             notice
             of
             them
             .
             )
             There
             is
             no
             higher
             revenge
             ,
             than
             Oblivion
             .
             For
             it
             is
             the
             burying
             of
             these
             men
             under
             the
             dust
             of
             their
             own
             nullity
             .
             Rash
             blades
             imagine
             to
             purchase
             to
             themselves
             an
             eternal
             fame
             ,
             by
             setting
             fire
             to
             the
             Wonders
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             ages
             .
             The
             art
             of
             repressing
             Calumny
             ,
             is
             ,
             not
             to
             mind
             it
             .
             To
             answer
             it
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             doe
             prejudice
             to
             ones
             self
             .
             To
             be
             offended
             thereat
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             discredit
             ones
             self
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             envy
             ground
             of
             satisfaction
             .
             For
             there
             needs
             no
             more
             but
             that
             shadow
             of
             defect
             ,
             if
             not
             for
             obscuring
             a
             perfect
             beauty
             entirely
             ,
             at
             least
             for
             depriving
             it
             of
             its
             liveliest
             lustre
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCVI.
             
          
           
             We
             must
             know
             that
             the
             vulgar
             humour
             is
             every
             where
             .
          
           
             Even
             at
             Corinth
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             most
             accomplished
             Family
             .
             Every
             one
             hath
             the
             
             experience
             of
             it
             in
             his
             own
             house
             .
             There
             is
             not
             onely
             a
             vulgar
             ,
             but
             a
             doubly
             vulgar
             humour
             ,
             which
             is
             worse
             .
             This
             hath
             the
             same
             properties
             with
             the
             Rabble
             ,
             just
             so
             as
             the
             pieces
             of
             a
             broken
             Looking-glass
             have
             all
             the
             same
             transparency
             :
             but
             it
             is
             far
             more
             dangerous
             .
             It
             speaks
             foolishly
             ,
             and
             censures
             impertinently
             .
             It
             is
             the
             great
             Disciple
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             the
             Godfather
             of
             silliness
             ,
             and
             the
             near
             Cosin
             of
             quacking
             .
             (
             We
             must
             not
             mind
             what
             it
             says
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             what
             it
             thinks
             .
             It
             is
             convenient
             to
             know
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             get
             rid
             of
             it
             ,
             so
             that
             we
             be
             neither
             it's
             companion
             nor
             object
             .
             For
             all
             silliness
             is
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Rabble
             ,
             and
             the
             vulgar
             is
             onely
             made
             up
             of
             Fools
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCVII.
             
          
           
             To
             use
             Retention
             .
          
           
             We
             ought
             to
             mind
             what
             we
             doe
             ,
             especially
             on
             unexpected
             occasions
             .
             The
             eruptions
             of
             Passions
             are
             so
             many
             slippery
             places
             that
             make
             Prudence
             to
             slide
             .
             There
             lies
             the
             danger
             of
             being
             undone
             .
             A
             man
             engages
             farther
             in
             a
             minute
             of
             rage
             or
             pleasure
             ,
             than
             in
             many
             hours
             of
             indifference
             .
             Sometimes
             a
             little
             pelting
             fret
             costs
             a
             repentance
             ,
             that
             lasts
             as
             long
             
             as
             life
             .
             Other
             men's
             Malice
             lays
             ambushes
             for
             Prudence
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             discover
             footing
             .
             It
             makes
             use
             of
             that
             kind
             of
             rack
             ,
             for
             extorting
             the
             most
             hidden
             secret
             of
             the
             heart
             .
             Retention
             then
             must
             raise
             the
             counter-battery
             ,
             and
             particularly
             on
             hot
             occasions
             .
             There
             needeth
             much
             reflexion
             to
             keep
             a
             Passion
             in
             order
             .
             He
             is
             a
             wise
             man
             that
             leads
             it
             by
             the
             Bridle
             .
             Who
             knows
             there
             is
             danger
             ,
             counts
             his
             steps
             .
             A
             word
             seems
             as
             offensive
             to
             him
             that
             catches
             at
             it
             ,
             and
             weighs
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             appears
             of
             little
             consequence
             to
             him
             that
             spake
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCVIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             die
             the
             death
             of
             a
             Fool.
             
          
           
             Wise
             Men
             die
             commonly
             poor
             in
             Wisedom
             :
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             Fools
             die
             rich
             in
             Council
             .
             To
             die
             like
             a
             Fool
             ,
             is
             to
             die
             of
             too
             much
             Logick
             .
             Some
             die
             ,
             because
             they
             feel
             ,
             and
             others
             live
             because
             they
             feel
             not
             .
             So
             that
             the
             one
             are
             Fools
             ,
             because
             they
             die
             not
             of
             feeling
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             because
             they
             die
             of
             it
             .
             That
             man
             is
             a
             fool
             ,
             who
             dies
             of
             too
             much
             understanding
             .
             So
             that
             some
             die
             to
             be
             
               Vnderstanding
               Men
            
             ,
             and
             other
             's
             live
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             understood
             .
             But
             though
             many
             die
             like
             Fools
             ,
             yet
             very
             few
             Fools
             die
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCIX.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             imitate
             the
             folly
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             Is
             an
             effect
             of
             rare
             wisedome
             ;
             for
             whatever
             is
             introduced
             by
             example
             and
             custome
             ,
             is
             of
             great
             force
             .
             Some
             who
             have
             guarded
             against
             particular
             ignorance
             ,
             have
             not
             been
             able
             to
             avoid
             the
             general
             .
             It
             's
             a
             common
             saying
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             is
             content
             with
             his
             own
             condition
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             the
             best
             :
             nor
             dissatisfied
             with
             his
             wit
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             the
             worst
             .
             Every
             one
             envies
             the
             happiness
             of
             another
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             not
             content
             with
             his
             own
             .
             Modern
             men
             praise
             ancient
             things
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             here
             ,
             things
             that
             are
             there
             .
             All
             that
             's
             past
             seems
             best
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             's
             remote
             is
             most
             esteemed
             .
             He
             is
             as
             great
             a
             Fool
             that
             laughs
             at
             all
             things
             ,
             as
             he
             that
             vexes
             at
             every
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCX
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             use
             of
             truth
             .
          
           
             Truth
             is
             dangerous
             ,
             but
             yet
             a
             good
             man
             cannot
             forbear
             to
             speak
             it
             .
             And
             in
             that
             there
             is
             need
             of
             art
             .
             The
             skilfull
             Physicians
             of
             the
             Soul
             have
             essayed
             all
             
             means
             to
             sweeten
             it
             .
             For
             when
             it
             touches
             to
             the
             quick
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             quintessence
             of
             bitterness
             .
             Discretion
             in
             that
             particular
             unfolds
             all
             its
             address
             :
             with
             the
             same
             truth
             it
             flatters
             one
             ,
             and
             kills
             another
             .
             We
             ought
             to
             speak
             to
             those
             that
             are
             present
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             the
             absent
             or
             dead
             .
             To
             the
             understanding
             ,
             a
             sign
             is
             enough
             :
             and
             if
             that
             be
             not
             sufficient
             ,
             the
             best
             expedient
             is
             to
             hold
             ones
             peace
             .
             Princes
             are
             not
             cured
             by
             bitter
             Medicines
             .
             It
             requires
             art
             to
             guild
             their
             Pill
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             third
             Critick
             of
             the
             third
             part
             of
             the
             Authours
             Criticon
             ,
             he
             saith
             ,
             That
             after
             many
             consultations
             about
             the
             means
             of
             recalling
             Truth
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             from
             whence
             men
             had
             banished
             it
             ,
             to
             put
             falshood
             in
             its
             place
             ,
             it
             was
             resolved
             to
             make
             it
             up
             in
             a
             great
             quantity
             of
             Sugar
             ,
             for
             qualifying
             the
             bitterness
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             doe
             it
             over
             with
             the
             Powder
             of
             Amber
             ,
             to
             take
             from
             it
             its
             strong
             and
             unpleasant
             smell
             .
             After
             that
             it
             should
             be
             given
             to
             men
             to
             drink
             in
             a
             Golden
             Cup
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             a
             Glass
             ,
             least
             it
             might
             be
             seen
             through
             it
             :
             telling
             them
             that
             it
             was
             an
             excellent
             liquour
             ,
             brought
             from
             a-far
             ,
             and
             more
             precious
             than
             Chocolate
             ,
             Coffee
             or
             Sarbet
             .
             
               Then
               he
               adds
            
             .
             They
             began
             with
             Princes
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             in
             imitation
             of
             them
             all
             men
             might
             drink
             of
             it
             .
             But
             
             seeing
             they
             have
             a
             very
             delicate
             smelling
             ,
             they
             smelt
             the
             bitterness
             of
             that
             drink
             at
             a
             Leagues
             distance
             ,
             which
             began
             to
             turn
             their
             stomach
             ,
             and
             force
             them
             to
             vomit
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             in
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             in
             the
             Dialogue
             entituled
             ,
             
               El
               Buen
               entendedor
            
             ,
             he
             brings
             in
             a
             Doctour
             ,
             saying
             ;
             to
             speak
             truth
             now
             a-days
             ,
             is
             called
             brutishness
             and
             folly
             .
             And
             he
             makes
             answer
             .
             And
             therefore
             no
             body
             will
             speak
             it
             to
             those
             who
             are
             not
             accustomed
             to
             hear
             it
             .
             There
             remain
             onely
             now
             some
             scraps
             of
             it
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             nor
             do
             these
             neither
             appear
             ,
             but
             with
             mystery
             ,
             ceremony
             ,
             and
             circumspection
             .
             With
             Princes
             ,
             (
             replies
             the
             Doctour
             )
             men
             always
             fetch
             a
             compass
             .
             It
             concerns
             them
             then
             to
             take
             good
             heed
             to
             that
             ,
             (
             answers
             Gracian
             )
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             losing
             or
             gaining
             of
             all
             lies
             thereby
             at
             stake
             .
             (
             Verity
             ,
             adds
             the
             Doctour
             ,
             is
             a
             Maid
             no
             less
             modest
             than
             beautifull
             :
             and
             that
             's
             the
             reason
             why
             she
             goes
             always
             veiled
             .
             But
             Princes
             then
             ,
             (
             replyed
             
               Gracian
               ,
            
             )
             ought
             gallantly
             to
             uncover
             her
             .
             )
             It
             concerns
             them
             much
             to
             be
             good
             Diviners
             ,
             and
             sharp-sighted
             Linxes
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             dive
             in
             truth
             ,
             and
             discern
             falshood
             .
             The
             more
             every
             one
             studies
             to
             mutter
             onely
             the
             truth
             to
             them
             between
             their
             teeth
             ,
             the
             more
             they
             give
             it
             them
             ready
             chewed
             ,
             and
             easie
             to
             be
             digested
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             it
             
             may
             doe
             them
             the
             more
             good
             .
             At
             present
             undeception
             is
             politick
             ,
             it
             goes
             commonly
             betwixt
             two
             lights
             ,
             either
             that
             it
             may
             get
             out
             of
             the
             darkness
             of
             flattery
             ,
             if
             it
             meet
             a
             Fop
             ;
             or
             that
             it
             may
             advance
             to
             the
             light
             of
             truth
             ,
             if
             it
             meet
             with
             a
             Man
             of
             wit.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXI.
             
          
           
             In
             Heaven
             all
             is
             pleasure
             ;
             in
             Hell
             all
             pain
             .
             The
             world
             being
             in
             the
             middle
             ,
             has
             a
             share
             of
             both
             .
          
           
             We
             are
             betwixt
             two
             extremes
             ,
             and
             so
             we
             participate
             of
             both
             .
             There
             is
             an
             alternative
             of
             destiny
             ,
             neither
             can
             all
             be
             happiness
             ,
             nor
             all
             unhappiness
             .
             This
             world
             is
             a
             cypher
             ,
             all
             alone
             it
             is
             of
             no
             value
             ,
             joined
             to
             Heaven
             it
             is
             worth
             a
             great
             deal
             .
             It
             is
             wisedome
             to
             be
             indifferent
             as
             to
             all
             its
             changes
             ,
             for
             Novelty
             moves
             not
             the
             wise
             .
             Our
             life
             is
             acted
             like
             a
             Play.
             The
             Catastrophy
             is
             in
             the
             last
             Act.
             The
             chief
             part
             then
             is
             ,
             to
             end
             it
             well
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXII.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             discover
             the
             mystery
             of
             ones
             Art.
             
          
           
             Great
             Masters
             use
             this
             Cunning
             ,
             even
             
             when
             they
             teach
             their
             Trade
             .
             One
             must
             always
             preserve
             a
             Superiority
             ,
             and
             continue
             to
             be
             Master
             .
             There
             is
             need
             of
             Art
             in
             communicating
             ones
             Art
             ,
             the
             source
             of
             teaching
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             giving
             must
             never
             be
             drained
             .
             That
             's
             the
             means
             of
             preserving
             Reputation
             and
             Authority
             .
             To
             have
             always
             somewhat
             that
             may
             feed
             admiration
             ,
             by
             advancing
             things
             still
             to
             greater
             perfection
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             precept
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             pleasing
             and
             teaching
             .
             In
             all
             sorts
             of
             Professions
             ,
             and
             particularly
             in
             the
             most
             sublime
             employments
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             lavish
             of
             ones
             self
             ,
             hath
             been
             a
             great
             rule
             for
             living
             and
             prevailing
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXIII.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             contradict
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             excellent
             stratagem
             ,
             when
             one
             can
             doe
             it
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             engaged
             ,
             but
             to
             engage
             .
             It
             is
             the
             onely
             Rack
             that
             can
             extort
             Passions
             .
             Slowness
             in
             believing
             is
             a
             Vomitive
             that
             brings
             up
             secrets
             ,
             and
             a
             Key
             that
             can
             open
             the
             best
             lockt
             heart
             .
             To
             sound
             both
             the
             will
             and
             judgment
             ,
             requires
             great
             dexterity
             .
             A
             slie
             contempt
             of
             some
             mysterious
             words
             of
             another's
             ,
             hunts
             out
             the
             most
             impenetrable
             secrets
             ,
             and
             pleasantly
             wheadles
             them
             to
             the
             point
             of
             the
             Tongue
             ,
             
             that
             they
             may
             so
             be
             caught
             in
             the
             toils
             of
             artifice
             .
             )
             The
             reservedness
             of
             him
             who
             stands
             upon
             his
             guard
             ,
             makes
             his
             spy
             draw
             off
             to
             a
             distence
             :
             and
             so
             he
             discovers
             the
             thought
             of
             another
             ,
             which
             otherwise
             was
             impenetrable
             .
             An
             affected
             Doubt
             is
             a
             false
             Key
             of
             a
             cunning
             contrivance
             ,
             whereby
             Curiosity
             unlocks
             all
             that
             it
             hath
             a
             mind
             to
             know
             .
             )
             In
             matter
             of
             learning
             it
             is
             a
             cunning
             fetch
             in
             the
             Schollar
             to
             contradict
             his
             Master
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             it
             lays
             an
             obligation
             upon
             him
             ,
             to
             labour
             to
             explain
             the
             truth
             with
             greater
             perspicuity
             and
             solidity
             .
             )
             So
             that
             moderate
             contradiction
             gives
             him
             that
             teaches
             occasion
             to
             teach
             thoroughly
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXIV.
             
          
           
             Of
             one
             Folly
             not
             to
             make
             two
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             more
             ordinary
             than
             after
             one
             hath
             committed
             one
             piece
             of
             foppery
             ,
             to
             doe
             three
             or
             four
             more
             in
             making
             amends
             for
             it
             .
             One
             impertinence
             is
             excused
             by
             another
             greater
             .
             Foppishness
             is
             of
             the
             race
             of
             Lying
             ,
             or
             this
             of
             the
             race
             of
             that
             :
             to
             make
             good
             one
             ,
             there
             is
             need
             of
             a
             great
             many
             others
             .
             The
             defence
             of
             a
             bad
             Cause
             ,
             hath
             always
             been
             worse
             than
             the
             Cause
             it self
             .
             Not
             to
             know
             how
             to
             
             cover
             the
             evil
             ,
             is
             a
             greater
             evil
             than
             the
             evil
             it self
             .
             The
             revenue
             of
             imperfections
             is
             ,
             to
             let
             out
             a
             great
             many
             others
             to
             Rent
             .
             The
             wisest
             man
             may
             very
             well
             fail
             once
             ,
             but
             not
             twice
             ;
             transiently
             ,
             and
             by
             inadvertency
             ,
             but
             not
             deliberately
             .
             
               See
               the
               Maxime
            
             261.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXV
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             an
             eye
             over
             him
             that
             looks
             one
             way
             ,
             and
             rows
             another
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             the
             stratagem
             of
             a
             man
             of
             business
             to
             amuse
             the
             will
             that
             he
             may
             attack
             it
             .
             For
             so
             soon
             as
             it
             is
             convinced
             it
             is
             over-come
             .
             He
             dissembles
             his
             intention
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             attain
             to
             it
             :
             he
             puts
             himself
             in
             the
             second
             rank
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             be
             the
             first
             in
             execution
             .
             He
             makes
             sure
             of
             his
             blow
             through
             the
             inadventency
             of
             his
             Adversary
             .
             Let
             not
             then
             thy
             attention
             sleep
             ,
             since
             the
             intention
             of
             thine
             adversary
             is
             so
             vigilant
             .
             And
             if
             the
             intention
             be
             the
             second
             in
             dissimulation
             ,
             the
             discerning
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             first
             in
             knowledge
             .
             It
             is
             an
             act
             of
             circumspection
             to
             find
             out
             the
             artifice
             that
             one
             makes
             use
             of
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             the
             aims
             he
             takes
             for
             hitting
             the
             ends
             of
             his
             intentions
             .
             Seeing
             he
             proposes
             one
             thing
             ,
             and
             pretends
             another
             ,
             and
             
             that
             he
             turns
             and
             winds
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             slily
             reach
             his
             ends
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             look
             well
             about
             us
             what
             we
             grant
             to
             such
             an
             one
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             it
             will
             not
             even
             be
             amiss
             to
             let
             him
             know
             that
             we
             have
             discovered
             his
             designs
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             speak
             clearly
             .
          
           
             That
             shews
             not
             onely
             a
             disengagedness
             ,
             but
             also
             a
             vivacity
             of
             wit.
             Some
             conceive
             well
             ,
             and
             bring
             forth
             ill
             .
             For
             without
             light
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             thoughts
             and
             expressions
             ,
             cannot
             come
             into
             the
             World.
             There
             are
             some
             ,
             much
             like
             to
             those
             pots
             ,
             which
             hold
             much
             ,
             and
             let
             little
             out
             :
             On
             the
             contraray
             ,
             others
             say
             more
             than
             they
             know
             .
             What
             resolution
             is
             in
             the
             will
             ,
             expression
             is
             in
             the
             understanding
             .
             They
             are
             too
             great
             perfections
             .
             Clear
             Wits
             are
             plausible
             ;
             confused
             heads
             have
             been
             admired
             ,
             because
             not
             understood
             .
             Sometime
             obscurity
             is
             gracefull
             ,
             to
             distinguish
             one
             from
             the
             Rabble
             .
             But
             how
             can
             others
             judge
             of
             what
             they
             hear
             ,
             if
             those
             who
             speak
             ,
             conceive
             not
             themselves
             what
             they
             say
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXVII
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             neither
             love
             ,
             nor
             hate
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             Live
             to
             day
             with
             thy
             Friends
             ,
             as
             with
             those
             who
             to
             morrow
             may
             be
             thy
             worst
             Enemies
             .
             )
             Seeing
             that
             is
             found
             by
             experience
             ,
             it
             is
             very
             reasonable
             to
             be
             upon
             ones
             guard
             .
             Have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             give
             Arms
             to
             the
             deserters
             of
             Friendship
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             they
             'll
             fight
             with
             them
             more
             cruelly
             against
             thy self
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             thine
             Enemies
             ,
             leave
             always
             a
             door
             open
             to
             reconciliation
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             that
             of
             Gallantry
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             surest
             .
             Sometimes
             former
             revenge
             hath
             been
             the
             cause
             of
             future
             repentance
             ,
             and
             the
             pleasure
             of
             doing
             evil
             ,
             turns
             into
             the
             displeasure
             of
             having
             done
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             doe
             nothing
             whimsically
             ,
             but
             every
             thing
             with
             circumspection
             .
          
           
             Every
             whimsey
             is
             an
             imposthume
             .
             It
             is
             the
             eldest
             son
             of
             passion
             ,
             that
             does
             all
             things
             the
             backward
             way
             .
             There
             are
             some
             who
             turn
             every
             thing
             into
             a
             kind
             of
             skirmishing
             .
             They
             are
             Ruffians
             in
             
             Conversation
             ;
             and
             would
             make
             a
             triumph
             of
             every
             thing
             they
             doe
             .
             They
             know
             not
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             peacefull
             .
             In
             commanding
             and
             governing
             they
             are
             pernitious
             ,
             because
             they
             turn
             Government
             into
             a
             league
             offensive
             ,
             and
             form
             a
             party
             of
             Enemies
             of
             those
             whom
             they
             ought
             to
             look
             upon
             as
             Children
             .
             They
             'll
             have
             all
             things
             go
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             and
             carry
             every
             thing
             as
             the
             result
             of
             their
             Conduct
             .
             But
             so
             soon
             as
             men
             discover
             their
             paradoxical
             humour
             ,
             they
             stand
             upon
             their
             guard
             against
             them
             ;
             their
             
             Chimera's
             are
             flung
             back
             to
             them
             again
             :
             and
             by
             consequent
             they
             are
             so
             far
             from
             gaining
             their
             point
             ,
             that
             they
             heap
             up
             to
             themselves
             vexations
             ,
             every
             one
             lending
             a
             hand
             to
             their
             mortification
             .
             These
             silly
             people
             have
             a
             crackt
             brain
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             also
             an
             unsound
             heart
             .
             The
             way
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             such
             Monsters
             ,
             is
             to
             flie
             to
             the
             Antipodes
             ,
             the
             barbarity
             whereof
             will
             be
             more
             supportable
             than
             the
             fierce
             and
             haughty
             humour
             of
             these
             men
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXIX.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             pass
             for
             a
             Crafty
             Man.
             
          
           
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             living
             now
             adays
             without
             using
             it
             .
             But
             it
             is
             better
             to
             
             chuse
             to
             be
             prudent
             than
             cunning
             .
             An
             open
             humour
             is
             agreeable
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             many
             love
             not
             to
             have
             it
             .
             Sincerity
             ought
             not
             to
             degenerate
             into
             simplicity
             ,
             nor
             Wisedom
             into
             Artifice
             .
             Better
             it
             is
             to
             be
             respected
             as
             Wise
             ,
             than
             feared
             as
             Crafty
             .
             Sincere
             People
             are
             loved
             ,
             but
             deceived
             .
             It
             is
             the
             greatest
             cunning
             to
             hide
             that
             which
             passes
             for
             cheating
             .
             Candour
             flourished
             in
             the
             golden
             Age
             ,
             Malice
             has
             its
             turn
             in
             this
             age
             of
             Iron
             .
             The
             reputation
             of
             knowing
             what
             one
             hath
             to
             doe
             ,
             is
             honourable
             ,
             and
             procures
             confidence
             ;
             but
             that
             of
             being
             artificious
             ,
             is
             sophistical
             ,
             and
             begets
             distrust
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXX
             .
          
           
             To
             cover
             our selves
             with
             the
             Foxe's
             skin
             ,
             when
             we
             cannot
             doe
             it
             with
             the
             Lyon's
             .
          
           
             [
             To
             yield
             to
             the
             times
             ,
             is
             to
             exceed
             .
             He
             that
             compasses
             his
             design
             ,
             never
             loses
             his
             Reputation
             .
             ]
             Art
             ought
             to
             supply
             strength
             .
             If
             we
             cannot
             proceed
             in
             the
             King's
             high-way
             of
             open
             force
             ,
             we
             must
             take
             the
             by-path
             of
             Artifice
             .
             Wiles
             are
             far
             more
             expeditious
             than
             strength
             .
             The
             wise
             have
             oftener
             got
             the
             better
             of
             the
             brave
             ,
             than
             the
             brave
             of
             the
             wise
             .
             When
             an
             enterprize
             fails
             ,
             the
             door
             is
             open
             to
             contempt
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             ready
             to
             engage
             ,
             nor
             to
             engage
             another
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             men
             cut
             out
             for
             blundering
             ,
             and
             making
             others
             stumble
             against
             decency
             .
             They
             are
             always
             at
             the
             point
             of
             doing
             some
             foppery
             .
             They
             are
             very
             apt
             to
             jostle
             rudely
             ,
             but
             they
             unhappily
             break
             to
             pieces
             .
             They
             don't
             come
             off
             for
             an
             hundred
             quarrels
             a
             day
             .
             Their
             humour
             being
             cross-grained
             ,
             they
             contradict
             all
             men
             in
             all
             things
             .
             Having
             their
             judgment
             set
             the
             wrong
             way
             ,
             they
             disapprove
             every
             thing
             .
             It
             belongs
             onely
             to
             these
             great
             free-booters
             of
             prudence
             to
             doe
             nothing
             right
             ,
             and
             to
             censure
             every
             thing
             as
             wrong
             .
             What
             Monsters
             are
             there
             in
             the
             large
             Countrey
             of
             impertinence
             !
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXII
             .
          
           
             A
             reserved
             man
             is
             apparently
             a
             prudent
             man.
             
          
           
             The
             Tongue
             is
             a
             wild
             Beast
             ,
             very
             hard
             to
             be
             chained
             again
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             is
             let
             loose
             .
             It
             is
             the
             pulse
             ,
             whereby
             the
             wise
             
             know
             the
             disposition
             of
             the
             Soul.
             By
             that
             ,
             intelligent
             men
             feel
             the
             motion
             of
             the
             heart
             .
             The
             mischief
             is
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             most
             discreet
             ,
             is
             the
             least
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             avoids
             fretting
             and
             engaging
             ,
             and
             thereby
             shews
             how
             much
             he
             is
             master
             of
             himself
             .
             He
             acts
             with
             circumspection
             .
             He
             is
             a
             Janus
             in
             counterpoising
             ,
             and
             an
             Argus
             in
             discerning
             .
             Momus
             might
             have
             said
             with
             better
             reason
             ,
             that
             the
             hands
             wanted
             eyes
             ,
             than
             that
             the
             heart
             needed
             a
             little
             window
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXIII.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             singular
             ,
             neither
             through
             affectation
             ,
             nor
             inadvertency
             .
          
           
             Some
             make
             themselves
             remarkable
             by
             their
             singularity
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             by
             foolish
             actions
             ,
             which
             are
             rather
             faults
             than
             differences
             :
             and
             as
             some
             are
             known
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             by
             some
             deformity
             in
             the
             face
             ;
             so
             are
             these
             by
             I
             know
             not
             what
             excess
             ,
             that
             appears
             in
             their
             countenance
             .
             To
             be
             singular
             is
             good
             for
             nothing
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             to
             make
             one
             pass
             for
             an
             original
             impertinent
             :
             which
             alternately
             provokes
             the
             scorn
             of
             some
             ,
             and
             the
             bad
             humour
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Maxime
               being
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Chapter
            
             
             
               of
               the
               Author
               's
            
             Discreet
             ,
             entituled
             ,
             La
             Figureria
             ,
             
               I
               have
               thought
               it
               pertinent
               to
               insert
               an
               extract
               of
               it
               here
               as
               a
               Commentary
               .
            
          
           
             There
             are
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             many
             people
             ,
             that
             serve
             as
             an
             object
             to
             be
             laughed
             at
             by
             others
             ,
             and
             those
             are
             purposely
             so
             ,
             who
             to
             distinguish
             themselves
             from
             other
             men
             ,
             affect
             an
             extravagant
             singularity
             ,
             which
             they
             observe
             in
             all
             their
             actions
             .
             You
             shall
             see
             a
             man
             that
             would
             give
             any
             thing
             he
             could
             speak
             from
             his
             poll
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             not
             speak
             by
             the
             mouth
             ,
             as
             others
             doe
             .
             But
             since
             that
             's
             impossible
             ,
             they
             transform
             their
             voice
             ,
             affect
             a
             little
             accent
             ,
             invent
             idiomes
             ,
             and
             lisp
             it
             sweetingly
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             rare
             in
             every
             thing
             .
             They
             torture
             their
             palate
             ,
             in
             depriving
             it
             of
             all
             that
             naturally
             it
             loves
             .
             Seeing
             it
             is
             common
             to
             them
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             and
             other
             Animals
             ,
             they
             would
             change
             it
             by
             an
             excess
             of
             singularity
             ,
             which
             is
             rather
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             affectation
             ,
             than
             the
             elevation
             of
             their
             grandeur
             .
             Sometimes
             they
             'll
             be
             pleased
             to
             drink
             dregs
             ,
             and
             say
             it's
             Nectar
             .
             They
             leave
             the
             generous
             King
             of
             Liquours
             for
             Waters
             ,
             which
             are
             onely
             pretious
             in
             their
             fancies
             ;
             they
             smell
             of
             Physick
             ,
             and
             they
             call
             them
             Ambrosia
             .
             Every
             day
             they
             invent
             Novelties
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             always
             improve
             in
             singularity
             ;
             and
             the
             truth
             is
             ,
             
             they
             succeed
             in
             it
             ,
             since
             no
             body
             else
             finds
             either
             the
             goodness
             or
             relish
             in
             the
             Ragoes
             ,
             which
             they
             so
             magnify
             .
             So
             that
             they
             remain
             all
             alone
             in
             their
             extravagancy
             ,
             or
             as
             others
             call
             it
             ,
             impertinence
             .
             
               And
               some
               lives
               after
            
             .
             In
             Heroick
             actions
             ,
             singularity
             is
             becoming
             ,
             and
             nothing
             gains
             more
             veneration
             to
             great
             employments
             .
             Grandeur
             consists
             in
             the
             sublimity
             of
             wit
             ,
             and
             in
             elevated
             thoughts
             .
             There
             is
             no
             nobility
             like
             to
             that
             of
             the
             Heart
             .
             For
             it
             never
             stops
             to
             Artifice
             .
             Virtue
             is
             the
             Character
             of
             Heroism
             .
             Difference
             is
             becoming
             there
             :
             Princes
             ought
             to
             live
             with
             so
             great
             lustre
             and
             splendour
             ,
             by
             means
             of
             their
             good
             qualities
             ,
             and
             virtues
             ,
             that
             ,
             if
             the
             Stars
             descended
             from
             their
             Celestial
             Sphere
             ,
             to
             come
             and
             dwell
             with
             us
             ,
             they
             should
             not
             be
             more
             luminous
             than
             they
             .
             There
             are
             others
             who
             are
             not
             men
             ;
             they
             affect
             to
             distinguish
             themselves
             by
             modes
             ,
             and
             to
             singularize
             themselves
             by
             an
             extraordinary
             air
             .
             They
             abhor
             all
             that
             is
             in
             practice
             .
             They
             shew
             an
             antipathy
             against
             custome
             .
             They
             affect
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             to
             revive
             old
             fashions
             .
             Others
             in
             Spain
             wear
             the
             French
             habit
             ,
             and
             in
             France
             the
             Spanish
             .
             Nay
             ,
             there
             are
             some
             that
             go
             into
             the
             Countrey
             with
             a
             Gorget
             ,
             and
             to
             court
             with
             a
             Band
             ,
             playing
             so
             the
             Puppits
             ,
             as
             
             if
             Derision
             needed
             a
             Ragoe
             .
             Men
             ought
             never
             to
             give
             occasion
             of
             laughter
             to
             People
             of
             sense
             ;
             nay
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             as
             to
             Children
             ;
             and
             nevertheless
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             who
             seem
             to
             place
             their
             whole
             study
             and
             care
             in
             making
             themselves
             ridiculous
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             talked
             of
             by
             others
             .
             They
             'd
             think
             the
             day
             ill
             spent
             ,
             if
             they
             signalized
             it
             not
             by
             some
             ridiculous
             singularity
             .
             But
             how
             could
             the
             mirth
             of
             some
             be
             entertained
             without
             the
             extravagance
             of
             others
             ?
             Some
             Vices
             serve
             as
             matter
             for
             others
             .
             And
             thus
             Foppishness
             is
             the
             food
             of
             Calumny
             .
             But
             if
             frivolous
             singularity
             in
             the
             bark
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             in
             the
             outside
             ,
             be
             a
             subject
             of
             laughter
             ,
             what
             will
             the
             internal
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             that
             of
             the
             mind
             be
             ?
             There
             are
             some
             men
             ,
             in
             whom
             ,
             one
             would
             say
             ,
             that
             Nature
             had
             placed
             all
             things
             ,
             Wit
             ,
             Judgement
             and
             all
             ,
             the
             wrong
             way
             .
             They
             affect
             to
             appear
             so
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             conforming
             to
             Custome
             .
             Unintelligible
             in
             their
             Reasoning
             ,
             depraved
             in
             their
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             irregular
             in
             all
             .
             For
             the
             greatest
             singularity
             ,
             without
             doubt
             ,
             is
             that
             of
             the
             Understanding
             .
             Others
             cloath
             their
             capriciousness
             with
             a
             vain
             Pride
             ,
             lined
             with
             foppishness
             and
             folly
             .
             With
             that
             they
             affect
             in
             all
             things
             and
             all
             places
             ,
             a
             starched
             gravity
             .
             They
             would
             seem
             to
             doe
             
             honour
             with
             a
             look
             ,
             and
             favour
             with
             a
             word
             of
             their
             mouth
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXIV.
             
          
           
             Never
             to
             take
             things
             against
             the
             hair
             ,
             though
             they
             come
             that
             way
             .
          
           
             Every
             thing
             hath
             a
             right
             side
             and
             a
             wrong
             :
             The
             best
             thing
             hurts
             ,
             if
             we
             take
             it
             the
             wrong
             way
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             the
             most
             unfitting
             fits
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             taken
             by
             the
             handle
             .
             Many
             things
             have
             given
             trouble
             that
             would
             have
             been
             pleasant
             ,
             if
             one
             had
             known
             the
             good
             of
             them
             .
             In
             all
             things
             there
             is
             good
             and
             bad
             .
             The
             skill
             lies
             in
             knowing
             how
             to
             find
             out
             the
             good
             .
             One
             and
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             hath
             its
             good
             day
             ,
             and
             its
             bad
             .
             Examine
             it
             on
             the
             fairest
             side
             .
             We
             must
             not
             give
             the
             contrary
             reines
             to
             good
             and
             evil
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             some
             take
             pleasure
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             others
             in
             nothing
             .
             A
             good
             expedient
             against
             the
             reverse
             of
             fortune
             ,
             and
             for
             living
             in
             any
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             any
             employment
             that
             happens
             to
             men
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXV.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             ones
             prevailing
             fault
             .
          
           
             Every
             one
             hath
             one
             ,
             that
             makes
             a
             counterpoise
             to
             his
             predominant
             perfection
             .
             And
             if
             it
             be
             backt
             by
             inclination
             ,
             it
             rules
             like
             a
             Tyrant
             .
             Let
             one
             begin
             to
             to
             make
             War
             against
             it
             then
             ,
             by
             declaring
             it
             :
             and
             let
             that
             be
             by
             a
             manifesto
             .
             For
             if
             it
             be
             known
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             overcome
             ;
             and
             especially
             if
             he
             that
             hath
             it
             ,
             judge
             it
             to
             be
             as
             great
             ,
             as
             it
             appears
             to
             others
             .
             To
             be
             master
             of
             ones
             self
             ,
             there
             is
             need
             of
             reflecting
             upon
             ones
             self
             .
             If
             once
             that
             root
             of
             imperfections
             be
             pluckt
             out
             ,
             we
             'll
             soon
             be
             able
             to
             master
             the
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXVI
             .
          
           
             Attention
             to
             engage
             .
          
           
             Most
             part
             of
             men
             neither
             speak
             nor
             act
             according
             to
             what
             themselves
             are
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             impression
             of
             others
             .
             There
             is
             no
             body
             ,
             but
             is
             more
             than
             sufficient
             for
             persuading
             evil
             ,
             because
             evil
             is
             most
             easily
             believed
             ,
             even
             sometimes
             when
             it
             is
             incredible
             .
             The
             best
             thing
             we
             can
             pretend
             to
             ,
             depends
             on
             the
             fancy
             
             of
             others
             .
             Some
             are
             satisfied
             to
             have
             reason
             on
             their
             side
             :
             but
             that
             is
             not
             enough
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             it
             needs
             to
             be
             pursued
             .
             Sometime
             the
             care
             of
             engaging
             costs
             but
             very
             little
             ,
             and
             is
             worth
             a
             great
             deal
             .
             With
             words
             we
             purchase
             good
             deeds
             .
             In
             this
             great
             Inn
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             utencil
             so
             small
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             may
             happen
             to
             be
             usefull
             once
             in
             a
             year
             :
             and
             ,
             for
             all
             it
             is
             of
             so
             little
             worth
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             very
             inconvenient
             to
             be
             without
             it
             .
             Every
             one
             speaks
             of
             the
             object
             according
             to
             his
             passion
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXVII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             man
             of
             the
             first
             impression
             .
          
           
             Some
             espouse
             the
             first
             information
             ,
             so
             that
             all
             others
             are
             but
             Concubines
             .
             And
             as
             falshood
             goes
             always
             first
             ,
             so
             truth
             finds
             no
             place
             after
             .
             Neither
             the
             mind
             ,
             nor
             the
             will
             ,
             ought
             ever
             to
             be
             filled
             neither
             with
             the
             first
             proposition
             ,
             nor
             the
             first
             object
             :
             which
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             poor
             stock
             .
             Some
             resemble
             a
             new
             pot
             that
             retains
             always
             the
             smell
             of
             the
             first
             liquour
             good
             or
             bad
             ,
             that
             hath
             been
             put
             into
             it
             .
             When
             that
             weakness
             comes
             to
             be
             known
             it
             is
             pernicious
             ,
             because
             it
             gives
             advantage
             to
             the
             artifices
             of
             malice
             .
             They
             who
             
             have
             bad
             intentions
             ,
             hasten
             to
             give
             their
             tincture
             to
             credulity
             .
             A
             void
             space
             must
             be
             left
             then
             for
             revision
             .
             Let
             Alexander
             keep
             the
             other
             ear
             for
             the
             adverse
             party
             .
             Let
             a
             door
             be
             open
             for
             a
             second
             and
             third
             information
             .
             It
             's
             a
             sign
             of
             incapacity
             to
             stick
             to
             the
             first
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             a
             fault
             that
             borders
             upon
             head-strongness
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             neither
             the
             report
             ,
             nor
             reputation
             of
             being
             a
             bad
             Tongue
             .
          
           
             For
             that
             's
             to
             be
             reckoned
             a
             general
             scourge
             .
             Be
             not
             ingenious
             at
             the
             cost
             of
             another
             :
             which
             is
             more
             odious
             than
             painfull
             .
             All
             men
             revenge
             themselves
             of
             an
             evil
             Speaker
             ,
             by
             speaking
             evil
             of
             him
             :
             and
             seeing
             he
             is
             alone
             ,
             he
             'll
             be
             sooner
             overcome
             than
             the
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             numerous
             ,
             can
             be
             convicted
             .
             Evil
             ought
             never
             to
             be
             the
             subject
             of
             contentment
             nor
             commentary
             .
             A
             detractor
             is
             eternally
             hated
             ,
             and
             if
             sometimes
             great
             men
             converse
             with
             him
             ,
             it
             is
             more
             out
             os
             pleasure
             to
             hear
             his
             Satyres
             ,
             than
             for
             any
             esteem
             they
             have
             of
             him
             .
             He
             that
             speaks
             ill
             ,
             causes
             always
             more
             to
             be
             said
             of
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             divide
             ones
             life
             ,
             like
             a
             man
             of
             Parts
             .
          
           
             Not
             according
             as
             occasions
             present
             ,
             but
             by
             foresight
             and
             choice
             .
             A
             life
             that
             hath
             no
             intermission
             ,
             is
             painfull
             ,
             like
             a
             long
             way
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Inn.
             Variety
             well
             understood
             makes
             it
             happy
             .
             The
             first
             period
             ought
             to
             be
             spent
             in
             speaking
             with
             the
             dead
             .
             We
             are
             born
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             our selves
             :
             and
             it
             is
             by
             Books
             that
             we
             truly
             learn
             that
             ,
             and
             become
             complete
             men
             .
             The
             second
             station
             is
             to
             be
             allotted
             for
             the
             living
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             we
             ought
             to
             see
             what
             is
             best
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             keep
             a
             register
             of
             it
             .
             [
             All
             is
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             one
             place
             .
             The
             universal
             Father
             hath
             distributed
             his
             gifts
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             it
             hath
             pleased
             him
             to
             give
             a
             largess
             to
             the
             most
             miserable
             Countrey
             .
             The
             third
             pause
             ought
             to
             be
             all
             for
             our selves
             .
             ]
             The
             chief
             happiness
             is
             to
             Philosophize
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Maxime
               is
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               last
               Chapter
               of
               his
            
             Discreet
             ,
             
               an
               abstract
               whereof
               it
               is
               fit
               to
               subjoin
               as
               a
               Commentary
               to
               it
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             measures
             his
             life
             ,
             as
             one
             that
             hath
             little
             and
             much
             to
             
             live
             .
             A
             life
             without
             rests
             is
             a
             long
             way
             without
             Inns.
             Nature
             hath
             proportioned
             the
             life
             of
             man
             according
             to
             the
             course
             of
             the
             Sun
             ;
             and
             the
             four
             ages
             of
             life
             according
             to
             the
             four
             seasons
             of
             the
             year
             .
             The
             Spring
             of
             man
             begins
             in
             his
             Infancy
             .
             The
             flowers
             of
             it
             are
             tender
             ,
             and
             the
             hopes
             frail
             .
             It
             is
             followed
             by
             the
             hot
             and
             excessive
             Summer
             of
             Youth
             ,
             every
             way
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             boyling
             bloud
             ,
             and
             the
             frequent
             eruptions
             of
             passions
             .
             The
             Autumn
             of
             Manly
             Age
             comes
             next
             ,
             crowned
             with
             the
             ripe
             fruits
             of
             mind
             and
             will
             :
             and
             then
             at
             length
             the
             Winter
             of
             old
             Age
             ,
             wherein
             the
             leaves
             of
             vigour
             fall
             ;
             when
             the
             rivulets
             of
             the
             veins
             freeze
             ;
             Snow
             covers
             the
             Head
             ,
             when
             the
             Hair
             and
             Teeth
             are
             gone
             ;
             and
             when
             life
             trembles
             at
             the
             approaches
             of
             death
             .
             
               And
               a
               page
               after
            
             .
             It
             was
             a
             piece
             of
             celebrated
             wit
             in
             that
             gallant
             Person
             ,
             who
             divided
             the
             Comedy
             into
             three
             days
             ,
             and
             the
             voyage
             of
             life
             into
             three
             stations
             .
             The
             first
             he
             employed
             in
             speaking
             with
             the
             dead
             ;
             the
             second
             in
             conversing
             with
             the
             living
             ;
             and
             the
             third
             in
             entertaining
             ones
             self
             .
             Let
             us
             explain
             the
             riddle
             .
             I
             say
             ,
             he
             gave
             the
             first
             term
             of
             life
             to
             Books
             .
             He
             read
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             was
             rather
             a
             pleasure
             than
             a
             toil
             .
             For
             if
             one
             be
             the
             more
             a
             man
             ,
             the
             more
             
             he
             knows
             ,
             the
             noblest
             employment
             will
             be
             to
             learn.
             He
             devoured
             Books
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             food
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             delights
             of
             the
             mind
             .
             It
             's
             great
             happiness
             to
             meet
             with
             the
             best
             on
             every
             subject
             .
             He
             learn't
             the
             two
             universal
             Languages
             ,
             Latine
             and
             Spanish
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             a-days
             the
             Keys
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             the
             five
             particular
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             the
             Greek
             ,
             the
             Italian
             ,
             the
             French
             ,
             the
             English
             ,
             and
             the
             Dutch
             ;
             that
             he
             might
             make
             his
             profit
             of
             all
             the
             good
             that
             is
             celebrated
             in
             them
             .
             After
             that
             ,
             he
             bequeathed
             himself
             to
             that
             Grand-mother
             of
             life
             ,
             the
             Wife
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             the
             Daughter
             of
             Experience
             ,
             plausible
             History
             ,
             I
             mean
             that
             which
             delights
             and
             instructs
             most
             .
             He
             began
             with
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             and
             ended
             with
             the
             Modern
             ,
             though
             others
             take
             the
             contrary
             course
             ,
             chusing
             his
             Authours
             ,
             and
             distinguishing
             the
             Times
             ,
             the
             Dates
             ,
             Centuries
             ,
             and
             Ages
             ;
             searching
             into
             the
             causes
             of
             the
             growth
             ,
             fall
             ,
             and
             revolution
             of
             Monarchies
             ,
             and
             Re-publicks
             ;
             the
             number
             ,
             order
             ,
             and
             qualities
             of
             their
             Princes
             ,
             their
             Actions
             in
             Peace
             and
             War.
             He
             walked
             in
             the
             delicious
             Gardens
             of
             Poetry
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             exercise
             himself
             as
             to
             play
             there
             .
             Yet
             he
             was
             not
             so
             ignorant
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             knew
             how
             to
             make
             a
             verse
             ;
             nor
             so
             unadvised
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             two
             .
             Amongst
             
             all
             the
             Poets
             he
             gave
             his
             heart
             to
             sententious
             Horace
             ,
             and
             his
             hand
             to
             subtile
             Martial
             :
             which
             was
             to
             give
             him
             the
             Laurel
             .
             To
             Poesie
             he
             joined
             savoury
             Humanity
             .
             Then
             he
             proceeded
             to
             Philosophy
             ,
             and
             beginning
             with
             Natural
             ,
             he
             acquired
             the
             structure
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             of
             the
             marvellous
             being
             of
             Man
             ,
             of
             the
             properties
             of
             Animals
             ,
             and
             Plants
             ,
             and
             in
             fine
             ,
             of
             the
             qualities
             of
             pretious
             Stones
             .
             But
             he
             took
             more
             pleasure
             in
             Moral
             Philosophy
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             food
             of
             real
             men
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             gives
             life
             to
             Prudence
             :
             and
             he
             studied
             it
             in
             the
             Books
             of
             the
             Wise
             and
             Philosophers
             ,
             who
             have
             compiled
             it
             to
             us
             in
             Sentences
             ,
             Apophthegms
             ,
             Emblems
             and
             Apologues
             .
             He
             knew
             both
             Cosmographies
             ,
             the
             material
             and
             formal
             ,
             measuring
             the
             Earth
             and
             the
             Sea
             ;
             distinguishing
             the
             Elevations
             and
             Climates
             ,
             the
             four
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             in
             them
             ,
             Provinces
             and
             Nations
             :
             that
             he
             might
             not
             be
             one
             of
             those
             Ignorants
             and
             half
             Beasts
             ,
             who
             have
             never
             known
             what
             it
             is
             they
             tread
             upon
             .
             Of
             Astrology
             he
             knew
             as
             much
             as
             Wisedom
             suffers
             to
             be
             known
             ,
             &c.
             
             In
             fine
             ,
             he
             crowned
             his
             Studies
             by
             a
             long
             and
             serious
             application
             to
             the
             reading
             of
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             most
             usefull
             ,
             universal
             and
             pleasant
             study
             for
             men
             of
             judgment
             .
             So
             that
             Moral
             
             Philosophy
             rendred
             him
             Prudent
             ;
             Natural
             ,
             Knowing
             ;
             History
             ,
             Discreet
             ;
             Poetry
             ,
             Ingenious
             ;
             Rhetorick
             ,
             Eloquent
             ;
             Humanity
             ,
             Polite
             ;
             Cosmography
             ,
             Intelligent
             ;
             and
             the
             study
             of
             Holy
             Scripture
             ,
             Pious
             and
             Devote
             .
          
           
             He
             employed
             the
             second
             part
             of
             his
             life
             in
             Travelling
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             second
             happiness
             of
             a
             man
             that
             's
             curious
             ,
             and
             capable
             of
             making
             good
             use
             of
             it
             .
             He
             sought
             and
             found
             all
             that
             was
             best
             in
             the
             world
             .
             For
             when
             we
             see
             not
             things
             ,
             we
             enjoy
             them
             not
             fully
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             to
             be
             said
             betwixt
             what
             one
             imagines
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             sees
             .
             He
             takes
             more
             pleasure
             in
             objects
             who
             sees
             them
             but
             once
             ,
             than
             he
             that
             sees
             them
             often
             .
             The
             first
             time
             one
             is
             contented
             ,
             at
             all
             others
             he
             is
             tired
             .
             The
             first
             day
             ,
             a
             pretty
             thing
             is
             the
             pleasure
             of
             him
             who
             is
             the
             master
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             after
             that
             ,
             it
             affects
             him
             no
             more
             than
             that
             of
             a
             stranger
             .
             He
             saw
             the
             Courts
             of
             greatest
             Princes
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             the
             Prodigies
             of
             Nature
             and
             Art
             in
             Picture
             ,
             Sculpture
             ,
             Tapestry
             ,
             Jewels
             ,
             &c.
             
             He
             conversed
             with
             the
             excellentest
             men
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             either
             in
             learning
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             whereby
             he
             had
             the
             means
             of
             observing
             ,
             censuring
             ,
             confronting
             ,
             and
             putting
             the
             just
             value
             upon
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             He
             spent
             the
             third
             part
             of
             so
             fine
             a
             
             life
             in
             meditating
             upon
             the
             much
             which
             he
             had
             read
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             which
             he
             had
             seen
             .
             All
             that
             enters
             by
             the
             door
             of
             the
             senses
             into
             this
             Haven
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             is
             unloaded
             at
             the
             Custom-house
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             where
             every
             thing
             is
             Registred
             .
             There
             it
             is
             that
             things
             are
             weighed
             ,
             judged
             ,
             examined
             ,
             and
             the
             quintessences
             of
             truths
             drawn
             .
             Ripe
             age
             is
             designed
             for
             contemplation
             .
             For
             the
             more
             strength
             the
             Body
             loses
             ,
             the
             more
             the
             Soul
             acquires
             .
             The
             balance
             of
             the
             superiour
             part
             rises
             as
             much
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             the
             inferiour
             falls
             .
             At
             that
             time
             men
             judge
             of
             things
             in
             a
             far
             different
             manner
             .
             Maturity
             of
             age
             seasons
             Reason
             ,
             and
             tempers
             the
             Passions
             .
             From
             seeing
             ,
             one
             becomes
             intelligent
             ;
             from
             contemplating
             wise
             .
             The
             Crown
             of
             a
             Prudent
             Man
             is
             to
             be
             a
             Philosopher
             ,
             by
             drawing
             from
             all
             things
             ,
             in
             imitation
             of
             the
             laborious
             Bee
             ,
             either
             the
             honey
             of
             pleasant
             profit
             ,
             or
             the
             wax
             that
             may
             serve
             to
             make
             a
             Torch
             to
             undeceive
             him
             .
             Philosophy
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             meditation
             on
             death
             .
             It
             is
             good
             to
             think
             on
             it
             many
             times
             before
             ,
             that
             one
             may
             succeed
             in
             it
             at
             the
             last
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXX
             .
          
           
             To
             open
             ones
             Eyes
             when
             it
             is
             time
             .
          
           
             All
             who
             see
             ,
             have
             not
             their
             Eyes
             open
             ;
             nor
             do
             all
             that
             look
             see
             .
             To
             reflect
             too
             late
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             remedy
             ,
             but
             a
             vexation
             .
             Some
             begin
             to
             see
             when
             there
             is
             no
             more
             to
             be
             seen
             .
             They
             have
             undone
             their
             houses
             ,
             and
             squandered
             away
             their
             fortunes
             ,
             before
             they
             made
             any
             thing
             of
             themselves
             .
             It
             's
             hard
             to
             give
             understanding
             to
             him
             that
             has
             no
             mind
             to
             have
             it
             ;
             and
             harder
             still
             to
             give
             the
             will
             to
             him
             that
             has
             no
             understanding
             .
             They
             who
             are
             about
             them
             ,
             play
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             with
             blind
             men
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             a
             diversion
             for
             all
             the
             company
             .
             And
             seeing
             they
             are
             deaf
             to
             hear
             ,
             they
             never
             open
             their
             Eyes
             to
             see
             .
             Nevertheless
             there
             are
             some
             who
             foment
             that
             insensibility
             ,
             because
             their
             well-being
             consists
             in
             procuring
             others
             to
             be
             nothing
             .
             Unhappy
             the
             Horse
             ,
             whose
             Master
             has
             no
             Eyes
             !
             He
             will
             hardly
             ever
             be
             fat
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXI
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             shew
             things
             before
             they
             be
             finished
             .
          
           
             All
             beginnings
             are
             defective
             ,
             and
             the
             imagination
             is
             always
             prejudiced
             .
             The
             remembring
             to
             have
             seen
             a
             thing
             imperfect
             ,
             takes
             from
             one
             the
             liberty
             of
             thinking
             it
             pretty
             when
             it
             is
             finished
             .
             To
             have
             a
             full
             view
             at
             once
             of
             a
             great
             object
             ,
             is
             a
             hindrance
             to
             judge
             of
             every
             part
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             also
             a
             pleasure
             that
             fills
             the
             whole
             imagination
             .
             A
             thing
             is
             nothing
             ,
             till
             it
             be
             all
             :
             and
             when
             a
             thing
             begins
             to
             be
             ,
             it
             is
             farther
             from
             being
             any
             thing
             .
             To
             see
             the
             most
             exquisite
             Dishes
             drest
             ,
             provokes
             more
             disgust
             than
             Appetite
             .
             Let
             every
             skilfull
             Master
             then
             ,
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             let
             his
             works
             be
             seen
             in
             embrio
             .
             Let
             him
             learn
             of
             Nature
             not
             to
             expose
             them
             ,
             till
             they
             be
             in
             a
             condition
             of
             appearing
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXII
             .
          
           
             To
             understand
             the
             Commerce
             of
             life
             a
             little
             .
          
           
             All
             must
             not
             be
             Theory
             ,
             let
             there
             be
             some
             Practice
             also
             .
             The
             wisest
             are
             easily
             deceived
             .
             For
             though
             they
             understand
             the
             extraordinary
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             ignorant
             
             of
             the
             ordinary
             way
             of
             living
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             most
             necessary
             .
             The
             contemplation
             of
             high
             things
             ,
             suffers
             them
             not
             to
             think
             of
             those
             which
             are
             common
             :
             and
             seeing
             they
             are
             ignorant
             of
             what
             they
             ought
             first
             to
             know
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             of
             what
             every
             one
             doth
             ,
             they
             are
             lookt
             upon
             with
             wonder
             ,
             or
             esteemed
             ignorant
             by
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             who
             consider
             onely
             the
             surface
             .
             Let
             a
             wise
             man
             then
             take
             care
             to
             know
             as
             much
             of
             the
             Commerce
             of
             life
             ,
             as
             may
             serve
             to
             keep
             him
             from
             being
             the
             fop
             ,
             or
             laughing
             stock
             of
             others
             .
             Let
             him
             be
             a
             man
             of
             management
             .
             For
             though
             that
             be
             not
             the
             highest
             point
             of
             life
             ,
             it
             is
             nevertheless
             the
             most
             usefull
             .
             What
             is
             knowledge
             good
             for
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             put
             into
             practice
             ?
             To
             know
             how
             to
             live
             ,
             is
             now
             a
             days
             the
             true
             knowledge
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXIII
             .
          
           
             To
             find
             out
             the
             palate
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             Else
             you
             'll
             displease
             ,
             instead
             of
             pleasing
             .
             Some
             for
             want
             of
             understanding
             the
             tempers
             of
             people
             ,
             vex
             when
             they
             thought
             to
             oblige
             .
             There
             are
             actions
             that
             are
             flattery
             for
             some
             ,
             and
             an
             offence
             for
             others
             :
             and
             many
             times
             that
             which
             was
             believed
             to
             be
             a
             good
             Office
             ,
             hath
             
             proved
             a
             disservice
             .
             It
             hath
             sometimes
             cost
             more
             to
             doe
             a
             displeasure
             ,
             than
             to
             doe
             a
             pleasure
             .
             How
             can
             we
             please
             other
             men
             ,
             if
             we
             know
             not
             their
             humour
             ?
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             some
             have
             censured
             ,
             thinking
             they
             praised
             :
             a
             punishment
             which
             they
             well
             deserved
             .
             Others
             think
             to
             divert
             by
             their
             Eloquence
             ,
             and
             cloy
             the
             mindby
             their
             babling
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXIV
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             engage
             ones
             Reputation
             without
             good
             assurances
             of
             the
             honour
             and
             integrity
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             To
             follow
             the
             way
             of
             silence
             ,
             is
             the
             way
             to
             profit
             :
             but
             to
             lose
             ,
             facility
             will
             doe
             the
             work
             .
             As
             to
             the
             concerns
             of
             Honour
             ,
             it
             is
             good
             always
             to
             make
             one
             in
             company
             :
             so
             that
             ones
             own
             Reputation
             be
             obliged
             to
             take
             care
             of
             the
             Reputation
             of
             another
             .
             One
             must
             never
             be
             surety
             :
             but
             if
             that
             sometimes
             happen
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             done
             so
             discreetly
             ,
             that
             Prudence
             may
             yield
             to
             Circumspection
             .
             Let
             the
             risque
             be
             common
             ,
             and
             the
             Cause
             reciprocal
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             he
             who
             is
             the
             Accomplice
             ,
             may
             not
             set
             up
             for
             an
             Evidence
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             ask
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             nothing
             easier
             for
             some
             ,
             nor
             more
             difficult
             for
             others
             .
             Some
             there
             are
             ,
             who
             cannot
             refuse
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             there
             's
             no
             need
             of
             a
             hook
             to
             draw
             from
             them
             what
             one
             would
             have
             .
             There
             are
             others
             again
             ,
             whose
             first
             word
             is
             always
             no
             :
             with
             those
             there
             is
             need
             of
             cunning
             .
             But
             of
             whomsoever
             we
             have
             any
             thing
             to
             ask
             ,
             we
             ought
             to
             nick
             our
             time
             ;
             as
             ,
             for
             instance
             ,
             at
             the
             conclusion
             of
             a
             good
             Meal
             ,
             or
             of
             some
             other
             refreshment
             ,
             that
             hath
             put
             them
             in
             a
             good
             humour
             :
             in
             case
             the
             Prudence
             of
             him
             that
             is
             addressed
             to
             ,
             prevent
             not
             the
             Artifice
             of
             him
             who
             desires
             .
             Days
             of
             rejoycing
             are
             the
             days
             of
             favour
             ,
             because
             the
             joy
             within
             spreads
             it self
             abroad
             .
             We
             are
             not
             to
             present
             our selves
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             another
             denied
             ,
             seeing
             then
             the
             fear
             of
             saying
             no
             ,
             is
             surmounted
             .
             When
             there
             is
             melancholly
             within
             doors
             ,
             nothing
             is
             to
             be
             done
             .
             To
             oblige
             before
             hand
             ,
             is
             a
             bill
             of
             Exchange
             ,
             when
             the
             Correspondent
             is
             a
             civil
             man.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             that
             a
             favour
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             been
             afterwards
             but
             a
             reward
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             the
             art
             of
             greatest
             Politicians
             .
             Favours
             ,
             which
             go
             before
             Merits
             ,
             are
             the
             touch-stone
             of
             Gentlemen
             .
             An
             anticipated
             favour
             hath
             two
             perfections
             :
             one
             is
             ,
             the
             promptitude
             ,
             which
             obliges
             the
             receiver
             to
             greater
             gratitude
             :
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             because
             the
             same
             gift
             ,
             which
             coming
             later
             would
             be
             a
             debt
             ,
             by
             anticipation
             is
             a
             pure
             favour
             .
             A
             cunning
             way
             of
             transforming
             obligations
             ,
             since
             he
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             deserved
             to
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             is
             obliged
             to
             a
             thankfull
             acknowledgment
             .
             I
             speak
             of
             men
             of
             honour
             .
             For
             ,
             as
             to
             others
             ,
             it
             would
             rather
             be
             a
             curb
             than
             a
             spur
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             an
             honourary
             before
             hand
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXVII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             be
             privy
             to
             the
             secrets
             of
             Superiours
             .
          
           
             You
             may
             think
             to
             share
             in
             the
             Plums
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             onely
             in
             the
             Stones
             .
             To
             have
             been
             confidents
             ,
             hath
             been
             the
             undoing
             
             of
             many
             .
             It
             is
             with
             confidents
             ,
             as
             with
             the
             crust
             of
             bread
             ,
             that
             is
             used
             instead
             of
             a
             spoon
             ,
             which
             runs
             the
             risque
             of
             being
             swallowed
             down
             with
             the
             broth
             .
             Confidence
             is
             not
             the
             favour
             ,
             but
             the
             impost
             of
             the
             Prince
             .
             Many
             break
             their
             Looking-glass
             ,
             because
             it
             shews
             them
             their
             ugliness
             .
             A
             Prince
             cannot
             abide
             to
             see
             the
             man
             ,
             who
             may
             have
             seen
             him
             :
             and
             the
             witness
             of
             an
             ill
             act
             ,
             is
             always
             ill
             lookt
             upon
             .
             One
             ought
             never
             to
             be
             too
             much
             obliged
             to
             any
             body
             ,
             and
             far
             less
             to
             great
             men
             .
             Services
             rendred
             ,
             stand
             better
             with
             them
             than
             favours
             received
             .
             But
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             the
             confidences
             of
             Friendship
             are
             dangerous
             .
             He
             that
             hath
             entrusted
             his
             secret
             to
             another
             ,
             hath
             made
             himself
             his
             slave
             :
             and
             in
             Sovereigns
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             violence
             that
             cannot
             last
             long
             .
             For
             they
             are
             impatient
             to
             redeem
             their
             lost
             liberty
             :
             and
             for
             succeeding
             in
             that
             ,
             they
             'll
             overturn
             every
             thing
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             reason
             it self
             .
             It
             's
             a
             Maxime
             for
             secrets
             ,
             
               Neither
               to
               hear
               them
               ,
               nor
               tell
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             the
             piece
             that
             we
             want
             .
          
           
             Several
             men
             would
             be
             great
             ,
             if
             they
             wanted
             not
             a
             somewhat
             ,
             without
             which
             
             they
             never
             attain
             to
             the
             height
             of
             perfection
             .
             It
             's
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             some
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             worth
             much
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             supply
             a
             little
             defect
             .
             To
             some
             ,
             seriousness
             is
             wanting
             ,
             for
             fault
             of
             which
             great
             qualities
             have
             no
             lustre
             in
             them
             .
             To
             others
             ,
             sweetness
             of
             carriage
             :
             a
             defect
             ,
             which
             those
             that
             frequent
             their
             company
             ,
             soon
             discover
             ,
             and
             especially
             in
             dignified
             persons
             .
             In
             some
             more
             briskness
             is
             desired
             ;
             and
             in
             others
             more
             reservedness
             .
             It
             were
             easie
             to
             supply
             all
             these
             defects
             ,
             if
             one
             minded
             them
             .
             For
             reflexion
             may
             turn
             Custome
             into
             a
             second
             Nature
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXXXIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too-quaint
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             better
             to
             be
             reserved
             .
             To
             know
             more
             than
             is
             needfull
             ,
             is
             to
             blunt
             the
             edge
             of
             wit
             ,
             seeing
             subtilties
             ,
             commonly
             ,
             are
             easily
             crackt
             .
             Truth
             well
             authorized
             is
             surer
             .
             It
             is
             good
             to
             have
             understanding
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             flux
             at
             the
             mouth
             .
             Too
             much
             reasoning
             looks
             like
             jangling
             .
             A
             solid
             judgment
             that
             reasons
             no
             more
             than
             what
             is
             fit
             ,
             is
             much
             better
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXL
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             play
             the
             Ignorant
             .
          
           
             The
             ablest
             man
             sometimes
             acts
             this
             part
             :
             and
             there
             are
             occasions
             ,
             when
             the
             best
             knowledge
             is
             to
             pretend
             not
             to
             know
             .
             One
             must
             not
             be
             ignorant
             ,
             but
             onely
             pretend
             to
             be
             so
             .
             It
             signifies
             little
             to
             be
             knowing
             with
             Fops
             ,
             and
             Prudent
             with
             Fools
             .
             We
             are
             to
             speak
             to
             every
             man
             according
             to
             his
             Character
             .
             He
             is
             not
             the
             ignorant
             who
             pretends
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             is
             catch'd
             by
             such
             .
             Not
             he
             that
             counterfeits
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             really
             is
             so
             .
             The
             onely
             way
             to
             be
             beloved
             ,
             is
             to
             put
             on
             the
             skin
             of
             the
             silliest
             of
             Animals
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLI.
             
          
           
             To
             suffer
             raissery
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             use
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             one
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             Gallantry
             ;
             the
             other
             a
             sort
             of
             Engagement
             .
             He
             that
             is
             off
             of
             the
             hinges
             when
             people
             are
             rejoycing
             ,
             has
             much
             ,
             and
             shews
             still
             more
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             a
             Beast
             .
             Jocoseness
             is
             diverting
             .
             He
             that
             can
             suffer
             it
             ,
             passes
             for
             a
             man
             of
             great
             stock
             :
             whereas
             he
             that
             is
             netled
             at
             it
             ,
             provokes
             others
             to
             nettle
             
             him
             the
             more
             .
             The
             best
             way
             is
             to
             let
             it
             pass
             without
             making
             too
             much
             on
             't
             .
             The
             greatest
             truths
             have
             always
             come
             from
             raillery
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             that
             demands
             more
             circumspection
             nor
             skill
             .
             Before
             one
             begin
             ,
             he
             ought
             to
             know
             the
             reach
             of
             him
             ,
             with
             whom
             he
             intends
             to
             make
             himself
             merry
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLII.
             
          
           
             To
             pursue
             ones
             point
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             onely
             good
             for
             beginning
             ,
             who
             never
             bring
             any
             thing
             to
             an
             end
             .
             They
             invent
             ,
             but
             they
             prosecute
             not
             ,
             so
             inconstant
             is
             their
             mind
             .
             They
             never
             acquire
             Reputation
             ,
             because
             they
             never
             proceed
             to
             a
             period
             .
             These
             always
             end
             by
             stopping
             short
             .
             In
             others
             ,
             that
             comes
             from
             impatience
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             Spaniards
             ,
             as
             patience
             is
             the
             vertue
             of
             the
             Flemings
             .
             These
             see
             the
             end
             of
             affairs
             ,
             and
             affairs
             see
             the
             end
             of
             those
             .
             They
             sweat
             till
             they
             have
             overcome
             the
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             then
             rest
             content
             that
             they
             have
             weathered
             it
             .
             They
             know
             not
             how
             to
             make
             the
             best
             of
             their
             victory
             .
             They
             shew
             that
             they
             can
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             will
             not
             .
             But
             after
             all
             ,
             it
             is
             still
             a
             fault
             either
             of
             inability
             ,
             or
             levity
             .
             If
             the
             design
             be
             good
             ,
             
             why
             should
             it
             not
             be
             accomplished
             ?
             if
             it
             be
             bad
             ,
             why
             begun
             ?
             let
             a
             man
             of
             parts
             then
             ,
             kill
             his
             game
             ,
             and
             let
             him
             not
             stop
             at
             starting
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             a
             Dove
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             Let
             the
             cunning
             of
             the
             Serpent
             go
             in
             course
             with
             the
             simplicity
             of
             the
             Dove
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             easier
             than
             to
             deceive
             a
             good
             man.
             He
             that
             neverlies
             ,
             easily
             believes
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             never
             deceives
             ,
             confides
             much
             .
             To
             be
             deceived
             is
             not
             always
             a
             sign
             of
             brutishness
             :
             For
             goodness
             is
             sometimes
             the
             cause
             of
             it
             .
             There
             are
             two
             sorts
             of
             people
             that
             well
             knew
             how
             to
             prevent
             a
             mischief
             ,
             the
             one
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             learnt
             what
             it
             is
             at
             their
             own
             cost
             ;
             and
             the
             others
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             learnt
             it
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             others
             .
             Prudence
             ought
             then
             to
             be
             as
             carefull
             to
             caution
             it self
             ,
             as
             cunning
             is
             to
             cheat
             .
             Have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             be
             so
             good
             a
             man
             ,
             that
             others
             may
             take
             occasion
             from
             it
             of
             being
             bad
             .
             Be
             a
             composition
             of
             the
             Dove
             and
             Serpent
             ;
             not
             a
             Monster
             ,
             but
             a
             Prodigy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLIV
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             oblige
             .
          
           
             Some
             so
             well
             metamorphose
             favours
             ,
             that
             it
             seems
             they
             doe
             them
             ,
             even
             when
             they
             receive
             them
             .
             There
             are
             men
             of
             such
             parts
             ,
             that
             they
             oblige
             by
             asking
             ,
             because
             they
             transform
             their
             own
             interest
             into
             anothers
             honour
             .
             )
             They
             so
             adjust
             matters
             ,
             that
             one
             would
             say
             ,
             others
             discharged
             their
             duty
             ,
             when
             they
             grant
             them
             what
             they
             ask
             ,
             so
             dextrous
             they
             are
             in
             inverting
             the
             order
             of
             obligations
             by
             a
             singular
             knack
             of
             Policy
             .
             At
             least
             they
             make
             it
             doubtfull
             who
             it
             is
             that
             obliges
             .
             They
             buy
             the
             best
             thing
             with
             praises
             :
             and
             when
             they
             insinuate
             a
             desire
             to
             have
             it
             ,
             it
             is
             thought
             an
             honour
             to
             bestow
             it
             .
             For
             they
             ingage
             Civility
             by
             making
             that
             a
             debt
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             cause
             of
             their
             thankfulness
             .
             Thus
             they
             change
             the
             obligation
             from
             passive
             to
             active
             ,
             being
             better
             Politicians
             than
             Grammarians
             .
             That
             ,
             in
             reality
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             dexterity
             :
             but
             it
             would
             be
             a
             greater
             still
             to
             see
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             baulk
             such
             a
             foolish
             bargain
             ,
             by
             giving
             them
             back
             their
             Civilities
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             re-taking
             his
             own
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLV
             .
          
           
             To
             reason
             sometimes
             quite
             contrary
             to
             the
             mobile
             .
          
           
             That
             shews
             a
             high
             mind
             .
             A
             great
             Genius
             ought
             not
             to
             esteem
             those
             who
             never
             contradict
             him
             .
             For
             that
             's
             no
             mark
             of
             their
             affection
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             of
             their
             love
             to
             themselves
             .
             Let
             him
             have
             a
             care
             of
             being
             the
             fop
             to
             flattery
             by
             answering
             it
             any
             otherwise
             ,
             than
             with
             the
             contempt
             which
             it
             deserves
             .
             Let
             him
             even
             take
             it
             for
             an
             honour
             to
             be
             censured
             by
             some
             people
             ,
             and
             particularly
             by
             those
             ,
             who
             speak
             ill
             of
             all
             good
             men
             .
             Let
             it
             vex
             him
             ,
             if
             his
             actions
             please
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             seeing
             that
             's
             a
             sign
             that
             they
             are
             not
             such
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             :
             what
             is
             perfect
             being
             observed
             but
             of
             a
             very
             few
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLVI
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             those
             who
             demand
             none
             .
          
           
             To
             give
             even
             too
             much
             to
             those
             who
             demand
             it
             ,
             is
             a
             blameable
             action
             .
             To
             make
             an
             excuse
             before
             it
             be
             time
             ,
             is
             to
             
             accuse
             ones
             self
             .
             To
             be
             let
             bloud
             ,
             when
             one
             is
             in
             health
             ,
             is
             a
             signal
             for
             a
             sickness
             to
             come
             .
             An
             anticipated
             excuse
             awakens
             a
             discontent
             that
             slept
             .
             A
             Prudent
             Man
             ought
             not
             to
             seem
             sensible
             of
             another's
             suspicion
             ,
             because
             that
             is
             to
             court
             his
             resentment
             .
             He
             ought
             onely
             endeavour
             to
             cure
             that
             suspicion
             by
             a
             sincere
             and
             civil
             deportment
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLVII.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             a
             little
             more
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             a
             little
             less
             .
          
           
             Others
             on
             the
             contrary
             say
             ,
             that
             honest
             leisure
             is
             better
             than
             much
             business
             .
             Nothing
             is
             ours
             ,
             but
             time
             ,
             which
             even
             they
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             fixt
             habitation
             enjoy
             .
             It
             is
             an
             equal
             misfortune
             to
             employ
             the
             pretious
             time
             of
             life
             in
             mechanical
             exercises
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             hurry
             of
             great
             affairs
             .
             One
             is
             not
             to
             load
             himself
             neither
             with
             business
             ,
             nor
             envy
             .
             That
             's
             to
             live
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             choak't
             in
             a
             Croud
             .
             Some
             extend
             this
             precept
             even
             to
             Sciences
             .
             But
             not
             to
             know
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             live
             .
             
               See
               Maxime
            
             4.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLVIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             put
             off
             to
             the
             last
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             men
             of
             a
             last
             impression
             ,
             (
             for
             impertinence
             runs
             always
             upon
             extremes
             .
             )
             They
             have
             a
             mind
             and
             a
             will
             of
             wax
             .
             The
             last
             applies
             the
             Seal
             ,
             and
             effaces
             all
             the
             others
             .
             These
             men
             are
             never
             gained
             ,
             because
             with
             the
             same
             facility
             they
             are
             lost
             .
             Every
             body
             gives
             them
             a
             tincture
             .
             They
             are
             the
             worst
             confidents
             in
             the
             world
             .
             They
             are
             Children
             as
             long
             as
             they
             live
             :
             and
             as
             such
             ,
             they
             onely
             flote
             in
             the
             ebb
             and
             flood
             of
             their
             opinions
             and
             passions
             ,
             always
             lame
             both
             in
             will
             and
             judgment
             ,
             because
             they
             toss
             themselves
             now
             to
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             by
             and
             by
             again
             to
             the
             other
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXLIX
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             begin
             to
             live
             ,
             where
             we
             should
             leave
             off
             .
          
           
             Some
             take
             their
             ease
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             and
             leave
             the
             pains
             to
             the
             latter
             end
             .
             What
             is
             substantial
             ought
             to
             go
             first
             ,
             and
             the
             accessory
             after
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             place
             for
             that
             .
             Others
             would
             triumph
             ,
             before
             
             they
             fight
             .
             Some
             again
             begin
             their
             knowledge
             by
             what
             least
             concerns
             them
             ,
             delaying
             the
             study
             of
             things
             that
             might
             prove
             usefull
             and
             honourable
             unto
             them
             ,
             till
             life
             is
             like
             to
             fail
             .
             Hardly
             hath
             such
             a
             man
             begun
             to
             make
             his
             fortune
             ,
             but
             he
             is
             gone
             ,
             or
             going
             .
             The
             method
             is
             equally
             necessary
             both
             for
             knowing
             and
             living
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCL
             .
          
           
             When
             must
             one
             reason
             the
             contrary
             way
             .
          
           
             When
             men
             speak
             to
             us
             with
             a
             design
             to
             surprize
             us
             .
             With
             some
             people
             every
             thing
             ought
             to
             be
             taken
             in
             a
             contrary
             sense
             .
             The
             yea
             is
             the
             no
             ,
             and
             the
             no
             the
             yea
             .
             To
             undervalue
             a
             thing
             is
             a
             sign
             one
             esteems
             it
             :
             seeing
             he
             that
             would
             have
             it
             for
             himself
             ,
             depretiates
             it
             to
             others
             .
             To
             praise
             is
             not
             always
             to
             speak
             good
             :
             for
             some
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             praise
             the
             good
             ,
             affect
             to
             commend
             the
             bad
             .
             He
             that
             thinks
             no
             body
             bad
             ,
             will
             think
             no
             man
             good
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLI
             .
          
           
             We
             are
             to
             use
             Humane
             means
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             none
             Divine
             ;
             and
             Divine
             means
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             none
             Humane
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             precept
             of
             a
             great
             Master
             ,
             and
             needs
             no
             Commentary
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLII
             .
          
           
             Not
             altogether
             for
             thy self
             ,
             nor
             altogether
             for
             others
             neither
             .
          
           
             Both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             is
             an
             insupportable
             Tyranny
             .
             To
             be
             altogether
             for
             ones
             self
             ,
             infers
             necessarily
             ,
             that
             one
             would
             have
             all
             to
             himself
             .
             These
             men
             cannot
             part
             with
             an
             ace
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             's
             convenient
             for
             them
             .
             They
             oblige
             little
             ,
             they
             trust
             to
             their
             Fortune
             ,
             but
             commonly
             that
             support
             fails
             them
             .
             It
             is
             good
             sometimes
             to
             forsake
             our selves
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             others
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             others
             may
             doe
             so
             for
             us
             .
             Whoever
             is
             in
             publick
             place
             ,
             is
             by
             duty
             a
             publick
             Servant
             .
             Otherwise
             it
             will
             be
             said
             to
             him
             ,
             what
             the
             old
             Woman
             said
             once
             to
             Adrian
             the
             Emperour
             :
             
               Renounce
               then
               thy
               place
               ,
               as
               thou
               dost
               thy
               duty
               .
            
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             others
             are
             altogether
             
             for
             others
             .
             For
             folly
             runs
             always
             to
             excess
             ,
             and
             is
             very
             unlucky
             in
             that
             particular
             .
             They
             have
             not
             a
             day
             ,
             nor
             so
             much
             as
             an
             hour
             for
             themselves
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             so
             little
             their
             own
             men
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             one
             who
             was
             called
             
               Every
               bodies
               man.
            
             They
             are
             not
             themselves
             even
             in
             the
             understanding
             .
             For
             they
             know
             for
             all
             ,
             and
             are
             ignorant
             for
             themselves
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             of
             sense
             consider
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             he
             who
             is
             courted
             ,
             but
             an
             interest
             that
             is
             in
             him
             ,
             or
             depends
             upon
             him
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLIII
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             too
             intelligible
             .
          
           
             Most
             part
             do
             not
             esteem
             what
             they
             conceive
             ,
             but
             admire
             what
             they
             understand
             not
             .
             Things
             must
             cost
             somewhat
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             valued
             .
             One
             will
             pass
             for
             an
             able
             man
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             not
             understood
             .
             He
             is
             to
             appear
             always
             more
             prudent
             ,
             and
             intelligent
             than
             is
             needfull
             ,
             with
             him
             to
             whom
             he
             speaks
             ;
             but
             with
             proportion
             rather
             than
             excess
             .
             And
             though
             good
             sense
             be
             of
             great
             weight
             amongst
             knowing
             men
             ,
             yet
             sublimity
             is
             necessary
             to
             please
             the
             most
             part
             .
             We
             must
             take
             from
             them
             the
             means
             of
             censuring
             ,
             by
             busying
             their
             minds
             in
             conceiving
             .
             Many
             
             praise
             that
             which
             they
             can
             give
             no
             reason
             for
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             asked
             them
             :
             because
             they
             reverence
             as
             a
             mystery
             all
             that
             is
             hard
             to
             be
             comprehended
             ,
             and
             extoll
             it
             ,
             by
             reason
             they
             hear
             it
             extolled
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLIV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             slight
             the
             evil
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             little
             .
          
           
             For
             an
             evil
             never
             comes
             all
             alone
             .
             Evils
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             blessings
             hang
             together
             as
             by
             links
             .
             Happiness
             and
             misery
             attend
             those
             commonly
             who
             have
             most
             of
             either
             :
             and
             thence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             all
             avoid
             the
             unhappy
             ,
             and
             court
             the
             fortunate
             .
             Doves
             themselves
             ,
             for
             all
             their
             simplicity
             ,
             rest
             on
             the
             fairest
             Pidgeon
             House
             .
             Every
             thing
             goes
             wrong
             with
             the
             unfortunate
             man
             ,
             he
             is
             wanting
             to
             himself
             ,
             in
             losing
             the
             favourable
             gale
             .
             Misfortune
             ,
             when
             asleep
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             be
             awakened
             .
             A
             slippery
             step
             is
             no
             great
             matter
             ,
             and
             yet
             it
             hath
             occasioned
             a
             fatal
             fall
             ,
             from
             which
             one
             could
             not
             tell
             how
             to
             recover
             .
             For
             as
             no
             good
             is
             perfect
             ,
             so
             is
             there
             no
             evil
             neither
             at
             its
             highest
             pitch
             .
             That
             which
             proceeds
             from
             Heaven
             above
             ,
             requires
             patience
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             arises
             from
             the
             world
             below
             ,
             Prudence
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLV.
             
          
           
             To
             doe
             small
             kindnesses
             at
             a
             time
             ,
             but
             often
             .
          
           
             Engagement
             should
             never
             exceed
             Ability
             .
             Whoever
             gives
             much
             ,
             does
             not
             give
             but
             sell
             .
             Gratitude
             is
             not
             to
             be
             overloaded
             ▪
             For
             he
             that
             finds
             himself
             in
             an
             impossibility
             to
             make
             satisfaction
             ,
             will
             break
             off
             the
             Correspondence
             .
             The
             way
             to
             lose
             many
             Friends
             ,
             is
             excessively
             to
             oblige
             them
             .
             Being
             unable
             to
             re-pay
             ,
             they
             withdraw
             ,
             and
             from
             being
             obliged
             ,
             turn
             Enemies
             .
             A
             statue
             would
             be
             willing
             never
             to
             see
             its
             maker
             ,
             nor
             the
             obliged
             his
             benefactour
             .
             The
             best
             method
             in
             giving
             ,
             is
             to
             order
             things
             so
             ,
             that
             it
             cost
             but
             little
             ,
             and
             that
             that
             little
             be
             earnestly
             desired
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             it
             may
             be
             the
             more
             esteemed
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLVI.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             always
             in
             a
             readiness
             to
             ward
             the
             blows
             of
             Clowns
             ,
             Opiniatours
             ,
             proud
             Persons
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             other
             Impertinents
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             a
             great
             many
             such
             to
             be
             met
             with
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             Prudence
             never
             to
             come
             to
             a
             brush
             with
             them
             :
             Let
             a
             wise
             man
             dayly
             look
             in
             the
             glass
             of
             reflexion
             ,
             that
             
             he
             may
             see
             the
             need
             he
             hath
             of
             arming
             himself
             with
             resolution
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             means
             he
             will
             disappoint
             all
             the
             jirks
             of
             folly
             .
             If
             he
             think
             seriously
             on
             that
             ,
             he
             'll
             never
             expose
             himself
             to
             the
             ordinary
             risques
             that
             men
             run
             into
             ,
             by
             engaging
             with
             Fools
             .
             A
             man
             armed
             with
             Prudence
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             baffled
             by
             impertinence
             .
             The
             Navigation
             of
             civil
             life
             is
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             full
             of
             Rocks
             ,
             on
             which
             Reputation
             splits
             .
             The
             surest
             way
             is
             to
             turn
             aside
             ,
             taking
             lessons
             of
             cunning
             from
             Vlysses
             .
             Here
             an
             artificious
             defeat
             does
             great
             service
             .
             But
             above
             all
             ,
             save
             thy self
             by
             thy
             wit.
             For
             that
             's
             the
             shortest
             way
             of
             making
             the
             best
             of
             a
             bad
             bargain
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLVII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             come
             to
             a
             Rupture
             .
          
           
             For
             Reputation
             by
             so
             doing
             comes
             always
             off
             shattered
             .
             Any
             man
             is
             sufficient
             to
             be
             an
             Enemy
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             Friend
             .
             Few
             are
             in
             a
             condition
             of
             doing
             good
             ,
             but
             all
             almost
             can
             doe
             mischief
             .
             The
             Eagle
             is
             not
             secure
             in
             the
             armes
             of
             Jupiter
             himself
             ,
             if
             it
             offend
             the
             Beetle
             .
             Secret
             Enemies
             that
             lie
             upon
             the
             watch
             ,
             blow
             the
             fire
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             the
             War
             declared
             .
             
             Friends
             that
             quarrel
             ,
             become
             the
             worst
             Enemies
             .
             They
             reckon
             their
             own
             choice
             amongst
             other
             mens
             faults
             .
             Spectatours
             of
             the
             rupture
             speak
             severally
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             they
             think
             ,
             and
             think
             what
             they
             desire
             .
             They
             condemn
             both
             parties
             either
             for
             want
             of
             foresight
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             or
             of
             patience
             in
             the
             end
             ,
             but
             always
             of
             Prudence
             .
             If
             the
             rupture
             be
             inevitable
             ,
             it
             ought
             at
             least
             to
             be
             excusable
             .
             An
             indifference
             would
             doe
             better
             than
             a
             violent
             declaration
             .
             On
             this
             occasion
             ,
             a
             handsome
             retreat
             is
             honourable
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLVIII.
             
          
           
             To
             look
             out
             for
             one
             that
             may
             help
             to
             carry
             the
             burthen
             of
             adversity
             .
          
           
             Be
             never
             alone
             ,
             especially
             in
             dangers
             .
             Else
             thou
             wilt
             charge
             thy self
             with
             all
             the
             hatred
             .
             Some
             think
             to
             raise
             themselves
             by
             taking
             upon
             them
             the
             whole
             oversight
             of
             businesses
             ,
             and
             they
             attract
             to
             themselves
             all
             the
             envy
             :
             whereas
             with
             a
             companion
             one
             secures
             himself
             against
             the
             evil
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             bears
             but
             part
             of
             it
             .
             Neither
             fortune
             nor
             the
             whimsey
             of
             the
             people
             can
             play
             so
             easily
             upon
             two
             .
             The
             skilfull
             Physician
             ,
             who
             hath
             not
             succeeded
             in
             the
             cure
             of
             his
             Patient
             ,
             never
             fails
             to
             
             take
             the
             assistence
             of
             another
             ,
             who
             under
             the
             name
             of
             consultation
             ,
             helps
             him
             to
             bear
             up
             the
             Pall.
             Divide
             then
             the
             office
             and
             trouble
             of
             it
             :
             for
             it
             is
             intolerable
             to
             suffer
             alone
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLIX
             .
          
           
             To
             prevent
             offences
             ,
             and
             turn
             them
             into
             favours
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             more
             dexterity
             in
             shunning
             ,
             than
             in
             revenging
             them
             .
             It
             is
             great
             address
             to
             make
             a
             confident
             of
             him
             ,
             who
             might
             have
             been
             an
             Adversary
             ;
             and
             to
             transform
             those
             into
             butteresses
             of
             Reputation
             ,
             who
             threatned
             to
             ruine
             the
             same
             .
             It
             is
             of
             great
             use
             to
             know
             how
             to
             oblige
             .
             To
             prevent
             an
             injury
             by
             a
             favour
             ,
             is
             to
             intercept
             its
             course
             :
             and
             it
             is
             great
             skill
             in
             living
             ,
             to
             change
             that
             which
             was
             like
             to
             cause
             nothing
             but
             discontent
             into
             pleasure
             .
             Place
             then
             thy
             confidence
             in
             malevolence
             it self
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLX
             .
          
           
             Thou
             shalt
             never
             be
             wholly
             at
             the
             devotion
             of
             any
             one
             ,
             nor
             any
             one
             at
             thine
             .
          
           
             Neither
             is
             bloud
             ,
             friendship
             ,
             nor
             the
             strictest
             obligation
             sufficient
             for
             that
             .
             For
             
             it
             must
             be
             another-guess
             interest
             that
             can
             oblige
             one
             to
             abandon
             his
             heart
             and
             will.
             The
             greatest
             union
             admits
             of
             exception
             ,
             and
             without
             prejudice
             too
             to
             the
             laws
             of
             most
             intimate
             Friendship
             .
             The
             Friend
             always
             reserves
             some
             secret
             ,
             and
             the
             Son
             conceals
             somewhat
             even
             from
             the
             Father
             .
             Some
             things
             are
             made
             mysteries
             to
             some
             ,
             and
             yet
             communicated
             to
             others
             ;
             and
             contrariwise
             :
             so
             that
             a
             man
             resigns
             or
             refuses
             himself
             wholly
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             distinction
             he
             makes
             of
             those
             of
             his
             Correspondence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXI
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             continue
             a
             Foppery
             .
          
           
             Some
             make
             an
             engagement
             of
             their
             mistakes
             :
             when
             they
             have
             once
             begun
             to
             fail
             ,
             they
             think
             they
             are
             concerned
             in
             honour
             to
             continue
             .
             Their
             heart
             accuses
             their
             fault
             ,
             and
             their
             mouth
             defends
             it
             .
             Whence
             it
             happens
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             have
             been
             taxed
             for
             inadvertency
             ,
             when
             they
             began
             the
             foppery
             ,
             they
             pass
             for
             fools
             ,
             when
             they
             continue
             it
             .
             An
             imprudent
             proneness
             ,
             and
             a
             rash
             resolution
             ,
             impose
             no
             obligation
             .
             Thus
             ,
             some
             continue
             their
             first
             foolery
             ,
             and
             make
             their
             
             silliness
             the
             more
             remarkable
             ,
             by
             a
             vanity
             in
             appearing
             constant
             impertinents
             .
             
               See
               the
               Maxime
            
             214.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXII
             .
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             forget
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             a
             happiness
             rather
             than
             an
             art
             .
             Those
             things
             are
             best
             remembred
             which
             ought
             most
             to
             be
             forgotten
             .
             The
             memory
             hath
             not
             onely
             the
             incivility
             to
             fail
             one
             in
             time
             of
             need
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             impertinence
             ,
             to
             be
             unseasonably
             officious
             .
             In
             all
             that
             's
             like
             to
             be
             troublesome
             ,
             it
             is
             prodigal
             ;
             and
             barren
             in
             every
             thing
             that
             might
             give
             pleasure
             .
             Sometimes
             the
             remedy
             of
             the
             evil
             consists
             in
             forgetting
             it
             ,
             and
             we
             forget
             the
             remedy
             .
             Memory
             then
             must
             be
             accustomed
             to
             take
             another
             course
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             it
             that
             can
             give
             us
             either
             a
             Paradise
             or
             a
             Hell.
             I
             except
             those
             who
             live
             contentedly
             .
             For
             in
             their
             state
             of
             Innocence
             they
             enjoy
             the
             felicity
             of
             Idiots
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXIII
             .
          
           
             Many
             things
             that
             serve
             for
             pleasure
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             peculiar
             .
          
           
             One
             enjoys
             more
             of
             what
             is
             another's
             ,
             than
             of
             what
             belongs
             to
             himself
             .
             The
             first
             day
             is
             for
             the
             Master
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             for
             Strangers
             .
             One
             doubly
             enjoys
             what
             belongs
             to
             others
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             not
             onely
             without
             fear
             of
             loss
             ,
             but
             also
             with
             the
             pleasure
             of
             Novelty
             .
             Privation
             makes
             every
             thing
             better
             .
             The
             water
             of
             another
             man
             's
             Well
             is
             as
             delicious
             as
             Nectar
             .
             Besides
             that
             possession
             lessens
             the
             pleasure
             of
             enjoyment
             ,
             it
             augments
             the
             trouble
             ,
             whether
             in
             lending
             ,
             or
             in
             not
             lending
             .
             It
             serves
             onely
             to
             preserve
             things
             for
             another
             :
             and
             over
             and
             above
             ,
             the
             number
             of
             the
             discontented
             is
             always
             greater
             ,
             than
             of
             the
             thankfull
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             at
             no
             time
             careless
             .
          
           
             Lot
             takes
             pleasure
             in
             surprize
             .
             It
             will
             let
             slip
             a
             thousand
             occasions
             to
             take
             its
             men
             one
             day
             napping
             .
             Wit
             ,
             Prudence
             and
             Courage
             ought
             to
             be
             upon
             the
             guard
             ,
             
             and
             in
             like
             manner
             beauty
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             day
             of
             its
             confidence
             ,
             will
             be
             that
             of
             the
             loss
             of
             its
             credit
             .
             The
             
               Who
               thought
               on
               't
            
             is
             the
             trip
             that
             turns
             up
             the
             heels
             .
             Besides
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             ordinary
             trick
             of
             others
             malice
             to
             lay
             a
             snare
             for
             good
             qualities
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             more
             rigorously
             sifted
             .
             The
             days
             of
             ostentation
             are
             well
             known
             ,
             and
             cunning
             pretends
             not
             to
             mind
             it
             :
             but
             it
             chuses
             the
             day
             when
             one
             least
             expects
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             tryal
             of
             what
             one
             is
             able
             to
             doe
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXV.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             engage
             ones
             Dependents
             .
          
           
             A
             pat
             engagement
             hath
             put
             a
             great
             many
             men
             in
             credit
             ,
             just
             as
             a
             ship
             wreck
             makes
             good
             swimmers
             .
             By
             that
             ,
             many
             have
             displayed
             their
             industry
             and
             ability
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             lain
             buried
             in
             their
             retirement
             ,
             if
             occasion
             had
             not
             presented
             .
             Difficulties
             and
             dangers
             are
             the
             causes
             and
             spurs
             of
             Reputation
             .
             A
             great
             courage
             ,
             in
             the
             occasions
             of
             honour
             ,
             does
             as
             much
             service
             as
             a
             thousand
             others
             .
             Queen
             Isabelle
             of
             Castile
             ,
             knew
             eminently
             that
             lesson
             of
             engaging
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             others
             :
             and
             the
             great
             Captain
             Gonsalvo
             owed
             all
             his
             Reputation
             to
             that
             politick
             
             Address
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             cause
             also
             ,
             that
             many
             others
             became
             great
             men
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXVI.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             too
             good
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             naught
             .
          
           
             He
             is
             so
             ,
             who
             is
             never
             angry
             .
             Insensible
             men
             are
             scarcely
             men
             .
             That
             quality
             proceeds
             not
             always
             from
             indolency
             ,
             but
             often
             from
             incapacity
             .
             To
             resent
             when
             it
             is
             proper
             ,
             is
             the
             action
             of
             a
             complete
             man.
             Birds
             at
             first
             sight
             scorn
             your
             carved
             figures
             .
             To
             mingle
             the
             sharp
             with
             the
             sweet
             ,
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             good
             relish
             .
             Sweetness
             alone
             is
             onely
             for
             Children
             and
             Idiots
             .
             It
             's
             a
             great
             misfortune
             to
             fall
             into
             that
             insensibility
             ,
             by
             being
             too
             good
             natured
             .
          
           
             That
             man
             ,
             
               says
               he
               ,
               in
               the
               seventh
               Critick
               of
               the
               third
               part
               of
               his
               Criticon
               ,
            
             is
             one
             of
             those
             who
             are
             called
             insensible
             ;
             of
             those
             people
             ,
             whom
             nothing
             can
             alter
             ,
             and
             who
             are
             not
             concerned
             at
             any
             thing
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             as
             at
             the
             greatest
             reverse
             of
             fortune
             ,
             nor
             the
             imperfection
             of
             their
             own
             nature
             ,
             nor
             yet
             the
             home-thrusts
             of
             malice
             .
             The
             whole
             world
             may
             conspire
             against
             them
             ,
             it
             's
             all
             one
             to
             them
             ;
             it
             will
             neither
             spoil
             their
             Appetite
             ,
             nor
             break
             their
             sleep
             .
             And
             that
             they
             call
             indolence
             ,
             nay
             ,
             great
             courage
             too
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXVII
             .
          
           
             Silken
             words
             .
          
           
             Arrows
             pierce
             the
             body
             ,
             and
             bad
             words
             the
             soul
             .
             A
             good
             humour
             makes
             a
             good
             tongue
             .
             It
             's
             a
             great
             art
             in
             life
             to
             know
             how
             to
             sell
             air
             .
             Words
             answer
             almost
             every
             thing
             ,
             and
             nothing
             is
             impossible
             for
             them
             .
             Men
             negotiate
             in
             the
             air
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             air
             :
             and
             a
             strong
             breath
             lasts
             long
             .
             The
             mouth
             must
             always
             be
             full
             of
             sugar
             to
             sweeten
             the
             words
             .
             For
             Enemies
             themselves
             can
             then
             relish
             them
             .
             The
             onely
             way
             to
             be
             amiable
             is
             to
             be
             affable
             .
             
               See
               the
               end
               of
               the
               Commentary
               of
               the
               Maxime
            
             14.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Wise
             Man
             ought
             to
             doe
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             what
             the
             Fool
             does
             in
             the
             end
             .
          
           
             Both
             doe
             the
             same
             thing
             :
             the
             difference
             is
             that
             the
             one
             does
             it
             in
             season
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             out
             of
             season
             .
             He
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             beginning
             has
             his
             mind
             wrong
             set
             ,
             continues
             to
             be
             so
             in
             all
             the
             rest
             .
             He
             draws
             with
             his
             foot
             what
             he
             should
             carry
             on
             his
             head
             ;
             he
             makes
             his
             right
             hand
             his
             left
             :
             so
             that
             he
             is
             left-handed
             in
             all
             his
             Conduct
             .
             After
             all
             ,
             it
             always
             happens
             ,
             that
             they
             doe
             by
             force
             what
             they
             might
             
             have
             done
             of
             their
             own
             accord
             :
             whereas
             the
             wise
             man
             sees
             what
             is
             to
             be
             done
             timely
             and
             at
             leisure
             ,
             and
             puts
             it
             in
             execution
             with
             pleasure
             and
             Reputation
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             best
             of
             ones
             being
             new
             .
          
           
             So
             long
             as
             it
             lasts
             ,
             one
             will
             be
             esteemed
             .
             It
             generally
             takes
             because
             of
             variety
             ,
             which
             pleases
             the
             palate
             .
             An
             ordinary
             thing
             ,
             but
             spick
             and
             span
             new
             ,
             is
             more
             valued
             ,
             than
             a
             rarity
             that
             is
             seen
             often
             .
             Excellences
             wear
             out
             and
             soon
             grow
             old
             .
             That
             glory
             of
             Novelty
             will
             not
             last
             long
             ,
             it
             's
             but
             a
             nine
             days
             wonder
             .
             Make
             use
             then
             of
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             Esteem
             ,
             by
             gaining
             speedily
             all
             that
             thou
             can'st
             pretend
             to
             from
             a
             transient
             complaisance
             .
             For
             if
             once
             the
             fresh
             gloss
             be
             gone
             ,
             the
             passion
             will
             cool
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             pleased
             as
             being
             new
             ,
             will
             cloy
             as
             being
             common
             .
             Every
             thing
             hath
             had
             its
             time
             ,
             and
             then
             been
             slighted
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXX.
             
          
           
             Not
             to
             condemn
             singly
             what
             pleaseth
             many
             .
          
           
             For
             there
             must
             be
             some
             good
             in
             it
             ,
             when
             
             so
             many
             are
             content
             with
             it
             :
             and
             though
             it
             be
             not
             told
             what
             it
             is
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             known
             and
             enjoyed
             .
             Singularity
             is
             always
             odious
             ,
             and
             when
             ill
             grounded
             ,
             ridiculous
             .
             It
             disgraces
             rather
             the
             person
             than
             the
             object
             .
             So
             that
             one
             will
             be
             left
             alone
             with
             his
             whimsical
             palate
             .
             Let
             him
             that
             is
             not
             able
             to
             discern
             the
             good
             conceal
             the
             weakness
             of
             his
             judgment
             ,
             and
             not
             meddle
             in
             condemning
             at
             random
             .
             For
             a
             bad
             discerning
             springs
             from
             ignorance
             .
             What
             all
             men
             say
             ,
             is
             ,
             or
             would
             be
             so
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXI.
             
          
           
             Let
             him
             that
             knows
             but
             little
             in
             his
             profession
             ,
             stick
             to
             what
             he
             knows
             best
             .
          
           
             For
             if
             he
             be
             not
             reckoned
             quaint
             ,
             at
             least
             he
             'll
             be
             reckoned
             solid
             .
             He
             that
             knows
             ,
             may
             engage
             ,
             and
             doe
             at
             his
             pleasure
             :
             but
             to
             know
             little
             ,
             and
             to
             run
             a
             risque
             ,
             is
             a
             voluntary
             precipice
             .
             Hold
             always
             to
             the
             surer
             side
             .
             What
             is
             authorized
             cannot
             fail
             .
             For
             a
             weak
             knowledge
             a
             beaten
             path
             :
             and
             besides
             ,
             security
             is
             better
             than
             singularity
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             the
             knowing
             ,
             but
             also
             for
             the
             ignorant
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXII
             .
          
           
             To
             sell
             things
             as
             Courtesie
             thinks
             fit
             to
             value
             them
             .
          
           
             That
             's
             the
             way
             to
             oblige
             the
             more
             .
             The
             selfish
             demand
             of
             the
             interested
             man
             will
             never
             equal
             the
             good
             grace
             of
             a
             generous
             obliged
             heart
             in
             giving
             .
             Courtesie
             does
             not
             give
             ,
             but
             engage
             ;
             and
             the
             gallant
             way
             of
             it
             renders
             the
             obligation
             the
             greater
             .
             Nothing
             costs
             an
             honest
             man
             dearer
             ,
             than
             what
             is
             frankly
             given
             him
             .
             It
             is
             to
             sell
             it
             to
             him
             twice
             ,
             and
             at
             two
             different
             rates
             ,
             the
             one
             at
             the
             worth
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             at
             the
             value
             of
             the
             Generosity
             .
             It
             's
             true
             ,
             however
             ,
             that
             Gallantry
             is
             not
             a
             Commodity
             for
             the
             use
             of
             sneaking
             beggarly
             fellows
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             not
             what
             it
             is
             to
             live
             like
             men
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXIII
             .
          
           
             Thoroughly
             to
             know
             the
             temper
             of
             those
             with
             whom
             we
             have
             to
             doe
             .
          
           
             The
             effect
             is
             soon
             known
             ,
             when
             once
             the
             cause
             is
             known
             .
             It
             is
             known
             first
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             then
             its
             motive
             .
             The
             melancholy
             
             person
             always
             ,
             presages
             misfortunes
             ,
             and
             the
             back-biter
             faults
             .
             The
             worst
             runs
             always
             in
             their
             heads
             ;
             and
             as
             they
             see
             not
             the
             present
             good
             ,
             so
             they
             denounce
             future
             evils
             that
             may
             or
             may
             not
             happen
             .
             A
             man
             prepossessed
             with
             passion
             ,
             speaks
             always
             in
             a
             style
             different
             to
             what
             things
             are
             .
             Passion
             and
             not
             reason
             speaks
             in
             him
             ;
             every
             one
             judges
             according
             to
             his
             caprice
             or
             humour
             ,
             and
             no
             body
             according
             to
             truth
             .
             Learn
             then
             to
             unmask
             a
             counterfeit
             shew
             ,
             and
             to
             spell
             out
             the
             characters
             of
             the
             heart
             .
             Study
             with
             thy self
             to
             know
             him
             that
             always
             laughs
             without
             reason
             ;
             and
             him
             that
             never
             laughs
             but
             when
             he
             should
             .
             Distrust
             an
             asker
             of
             many
             questions
             as
             an
             impertinent
             ,
             or
             a
             spy
             .
             Seldom
             expect
             good
             from
             those
             who
             have
             any
             natural
             deformity
             in
             body
             .
             For
             it
             is
             usual
             with
             them
             to
             be
             revenged
             of
             Nature
             in
             doing
             her
             as
             little
             honour
             as
             she
             hath
             done
             to
             them
             .
             Commonly
             silliness
             bears
             proportion
             to
             beauty
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXIV
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             the
             gift
             of
             pleasing
             .
          
           
             Civility
             is
             a
             strong
             political
             magick
             .
             It
             is
             a
             gentile
             hook
             ,
             to
             be
             used
             rather
             for
             attracting
             
             hearts
             ,
             than
             drawing
             in
             of
             profit
             ;
             or
             rather
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             for
             all
             things
             .
             Merit
             will
             not
             doe
             the
             work
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             seconded
             by
             agreeableness
             ,
             on
             which
             depends
             all
             the
             plausibility
             of
             actions
             .
             This
             agreeableness
             is
             the
             most
             efficacious
             instrument
             of
             Sovereignty
             .
             There
             is
             a
             luck
             in
             't
             to
             put
             others
             into
             appetite
             :
             yet
             Artifice
             contributes
             to
             that
             also
             .
             In
             all
             things
             where
             there
             is
             much
             of
             Nature
             ,
             Art
             always
             succeeds
             best
             .
             From
             thence
             springs
             that
             unaccountable
             somewhat
             ,
             which
             gains
             universal
             favour
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXV
             .
          
           
             To
             conform
             to
             common
             Custome
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             common
             Folly.
             
          
           
             Be
             not
             always
             starched
             in
             thy
             gravity
             ,
             it
             's
             part
             of
             Gallantry
             to
             dispence
             with
             a
             little
             decorum
             for
             gaining
             the
             common
             good
             will.
             Sometimes
             we
             may
             doe
             as
             others
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             still
             without
             indecency
             .
             He
             that
             is
             taken
             for
             a
             fool
             in
             publick
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             reckoned
             a
             Wise
             Man
             in
             private
             .
             There
             is
             more
             lost
             in
             one
             day
             of
             liberty
             ,
             than
             gained
             by
             a
             long
             course
             of
             seriousness
             .
             But
             one
             must
             not
             always
             be
             for
             exception
             neither
             .
             To
             be
             singular
             is
             to
             condemn
             others
             .
             And
             it
             's
             
             worse
             still
             to
             affect
             sanctified
             looks
             .
             That
             's
             to
             be
             left
             to
             the
             Women
             .
             Nay
             ,
             sometimes
             your
             Godly
             render
             themselves
             ridiculous
             .
             It
             is
             the
             best
             of
             a
             man
             to
             appear
             like
             a
             man.
             A
             Woman
             may
             with
             gracefullness
             affect
             a
             manly
             air
             ,
             but
             a
             Man
             cannot
             without
             disparagement
             take
             upon
             him
             that
             of
             a
             Woman
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXVI
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             able
             to
             retrieve
             ones
             Genius
             by
             Nature
             and
             by
             Art.
             
          
           
             Man
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             changes
             his
             temper
             once
             in
             seven
             years
             .
             In
             a
             good
             time
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             for
             the
             better
             .
             In
             the
             first
             seven
             years
             reason
             comes
             to
             him
             .
             Let
             him
             so
             order
             things
             ,
             that
             at
             every
             change
             he
             may
             acquire
             some
             new
             perfection
             .
             He
             ought
             to
             observe
             that
             natural
             revolution
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             second
             it
             ,
             and
             advance
             still
             farther
             and
             farther
             in
             the
             sequel
             .
             Thus
             many
             have
             changed
             their
             Conduct
             ,
             as
             well
             in
             their
             condition
             ,
             as
             employment
             .
             And
             sometimes
             it
             is
             not
             perceived
             ,
             till
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             alteration
             be
             observed
             .
             At
             twenty
             years
             of
             age
             a
             Peacock
             ;
             at
             thirty
             a
             Lion
             ;
             at
             fourty
             a
             Camel
             ;
             at
             fifty
             a
             Serpent
             ;
             at
             sixty
             a
             Dog
             ;
             at
             seventy
             an
             Ape
             ;
             at
             fourscore
             nothing
             at
             all
             .
          
           
           
             
               This
               Allegory
               is
               explained
               in
               the
               discourse
            
             56
             
               of
               the
               Authour
               's
            
             Agudeza
             ,
             
               in
               these
               terms
            
             .
          
           
             Man
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             dignity
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             thinking
             that
             he
             ought
             to
             be
             immortal
             ,
             ask't
             Jupiter
             ,
             how
             long
             he
             was
             to
             live
             ,
             Jupiter
             made
             answer
             ,
             That
             when
             he
             resolved
             to
             create
             all
             Animals
             ,
             and
             then
             man
             ,
             he
             had
             proposed
             to
             allow
             every
             one
             of
             them
             thirty
             years
             of
             life
             .
             Man
             was
             surprized
             to
             hear
             that
             so
             wonderfull
             a
             piece
             of
             Workmanship
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             ,
             had
             been
             made
             to
             last
             so
             short
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             life
             must
             pass
             like
             a
             slower
             .
             He
             thought
             it
             strange
             ,
             that
             being
             scarcely
             come
             out
             of
             his
             Mother's
             Womb
             ,
             he
             was
             to
             enter
             into
             that
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             without
             enjoying
             the
             pleasant
             state
             ,
             wherein
             he
             was
             created
             .
             I
             beseech
             thee
             then
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             O
             Jupiter
             ,
             (
             if
             it
             be
             so
             that
             my
             desire
             be
             not
             contrary
             to
             thy
             Decrees
             )
             that
             since
             all
             the
             Animals
             unworthy
             of
             thy
             favours
             ,
             have
             refused
             twenty
             years
             of
             the
             term
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             thou
             hast
             given
             them
             ,
             being
             ignorant
             of
             the
             good
             thou
             didst
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             destitute
             of
             reason
             :
             it
             would
             please
             thee
             to
             grant
             them
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             live
             them
             in
             their
             stead
             ,
             and
             that
             thou
             mayst
             be
             better
             served
             by
             me
             .
             Jupiter
             finding
             the
             desire
             reasonable
             ,
             allowed
             it
             :
             so
             that
             having
             lived
             his
             own
             thirty
             years
             ,
             he
             should
             
             begin
             to
             live
             ,
             first
             ,
             the
             twenty
             years
             ,
             that
             the
             Ass
             yielded
             ,
             on
             condition
             that
             he
             should
             perform
             all
             its
             duties
             ,
             in
             labouring
             ,
             carting
             ,
             drawing
             ,
             and
             carrying
             to
             the
             House
             all
             that
             was
             necessary
             for
             Husbandry
             .
             That
             from
             fifty
             to
             seventy
             years
             of
             age
             he
             should
             live
             the
             twenty
             years
             of
             the
             Dog
             ,
             barking
             ,
             and
             growling
             ,
             as
             having
             many
             troubles
             ,
             and
             no
             pleasure
             in
             any
             thing
             .
             And
             that
             at
             length
             from
             seventy
             to
             ninety
             he
             should
             accomplish
             the
             years
             of
             the
             Ape
             ,
             in
             imitating
             the
             defects
             of
             Nature
             .
             So
             we
             see
             that
             they
             who
             come
             to
             that
             age
             ,
             are
             accustomed
             ,
             as
             old
             as
             they
             are
             ,
             to
             affect
             to
             seem
             young
             ,
             to
             dress
             and
             spruce
             up
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             use
             the
             exercises
             of
             Youth
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             what
             they
             are
             not
             ;
             as
             also
             to
             play
             with
             Children
             ,
             as
             Apes
             doe
             .
          
           
             He
             says
             the
             very
             same
             thing
             almost
             in
             the
             last
             Chapter
             of
             his
             Discreet
             .
             Thirty
             years
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             were
             given
             to
             man
             for
             enjoyment
             and
             rejoycing
             ;
             twenty
             were
             lent
             him
             upon
             his
             word
             ,
             for
             labouring
             ;
             twenty
             more
             of
             the
             Dog
             for
             barking
             ;
             and
             the
             last
             twenty
             to
             play
             and
             fool
             with
             little
             Children
             ,
             like
             Apes
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXVII
             .
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             true
             Ostentation
             .
          
           
             That
             Talent
             gives
             luster
             to
             all
             others
             ,
             every
             thing
             hath
             its
             time
             ,
             and
             that
             time
             is
             to
             be
             watched
             .
             For
             every
             day
             is
             not
             a
             day
             of
             triumph
             .
             There
             are
             some
             men
             of
             a
             particular
             Character
             ,
             in
             whom
             little
             appears
             to
             be
             much
             ,
             and
             the
             much
             makes
             them
             admired
             .
             When
             excellence
             concurs
             with
             stallage
             ,
             it
             passes
             for
             a
             Prodigy
             .
             There
             are
             ostentative
             Nations
             ,
             and
             the
             Spanish
             with
             the
             first
             .
             The
             shew
             stands
             in
             stead
             of
             much
             ,
             and
             particularly
             ,
             if
             reality
             vouch
             for
             it
             .
             Heaven
             ,
             which
             gives
             perfection
             ,
             bespeaks
             ostentation
             ;
             for
             without
             it
             all
             perfection
             would
             be
             under
             constraint
             .
             Art
             must
             goe
             along
             with
             Ostentation
             .
             The
             excellentest
             things
             depend
             on
             circumstances
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             are
             not
             always
             in
             season
             .
             Whenever
             Ostentation
             comes
             unseasonably
             ,
             it
             succeeds
             ill
             .
             Nothing
             admits
             less
             of
             affectation
             ,
             and
             that
             's
             the
             rock
             that
             Ostentation
             always
             splits
             upon
             ,
             because
             it
             borders
             near
             upon
             vanity
             ,
             and
             vanity
             is
             very
             subject
             to
             contempt
             .
             It
             hath
             need
             of
             great
             moderation
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             not
             be
             offensive
             .
             For
             the
             too
             much
             of
             it
             hath
             
             already
             discredited
             it
             amongst
             men
             of
             parts
             .
             Sometimes
             it
             consists
             in
             a
             dumb
             Eloquence
             ,
             and
             in
             shewing
             perfection
             without
             design
             .
             For
             a
             wise
             dissimulation
             makes
             a
             plausible
             Parade
             ;
             the
             same
             privation
             exciting
             curiosity
             the
             more
             .
             It
             s
             greatest
             art
             is
             ,
             not
             to
             shew
             all
             its
             perfection
             at
             once
             ,
             but
             by
             degrees
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             one
             were
             a-painting
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             discover
             it
             the
             more
             .
             A
             lovely
             pattern
             ought
             to
             oblige
             men
             to
             shew
             somewhat
             still
             more
             lovely
             ,
             and
             the
             applause
             given
             to
             the
             first
             piece
             ,
             makes
             the
             Spectatours
             impatient
             to
             see
             the
             rest
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Maxime
               is
               taken
               from
               the
               Authour's
               Apologue
               ,
               entituled
               ,
            
             Hombre
             de
             Ostentation
             ,
             
               the
               Abstract
               whereof
               shall
               serve
               for
               a
               Commentary
               .
            
          
           
             What
             is
             not
             seen
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             is
             as
             if
             it
             were
             not
             in
             being
             .
             All
             knowledge
             is
             nothing
             ,
             if
             others
             are
             ignorant
             of
             that
             thou
             knowest
             ,
             said
             a
             great
             Satyrist
             .
          
           
             
               Scire
               tuum
               nihil
               est
               ,
               nisi
               te
               scire
               hoc
               sciat
               alter
               .
            
             
               Pers
               .
            
          
           
             Things
             go
             not
             for
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             but
             for
             what
             they
             appear
             to
             be
             .
             There
             are
             many
             more
             fops
             than
             men
             of
             wit.
             Those
             are
             satisfied
             with
             appearance
             ;
             and
             though
             these
             stick
             to
             the
             substance
             ,
             yet
             deceit
             
             prevails
             ,
             and
             makes
             all
             things
             to
             be
             valued
             according
             to
             the
             outside
             .
             
               And
               a
               page
               after
            
             .
             Know
             ,
             said
             the
             Ambassadours
             of
             the
             other
             Birds
             ,
             to
             the
             Peacock
             ,
             that
             all
             our
             Re-publick
             is
             offended
             at
             thy
             insupportable
             Pride
             .
             For
             it
             is
             an
             odious
             piece
             of
             singularity
             in
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             alone
             must
             spread
             thy
             vain
             tail
             before
             the
             Sun
             ,
             which
             no
             other
             Bird
             dares
             to
             doe
             ,
             though
             there
             be
             many
             that
             have
             better
             right
             to
             doe
             it
             than
             thou
             hast
             .
             And
             therefore
             thou
             art
             commanded
             by
             an
             irrevocable
             sentence
             ,
             to
             abstain
             for
             the
             future
             from
             signalizing
             thy self
             ,
             &c.
             
             To
             which
             the
             Peacock
             made
             answer
             :
             Why
             do
             you
             condemn
             in
             me
             the
             Ostentation
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Beauty
             ?
             Heaven
             that
             hath
             bestowed
             this
             upon
             me
             ,
             hath
             in
             like
             manner
             complemented
             me
             with
             the
             other
             .
             What
             would
             reality
             signifie
             to
             me
             without
             shew
             ?
             Politicians
             now
             a-days
             moot
             nothing
             else
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             greatest
             Wisedom
             consists
             in
             making
             it
             appear
             .
             To
             know
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             how
             to
             set
             it
             off
             ,
             is
             doubly
             to
             know
             .
             For
             my
             own
             part
             ,
             I
             would
             say
             of
             Ostentation
             ,
             what
             others
             say
             of
             good
             fortune
             ,
             that
             an
             ounce
             of
             Ostentation
             is
             better
             than
             pounds
             of
             capacity
             without
             it
             .
             What
             signifies
             it
             ,
             though
             a
             thing
             be
             excellent
             ,
             if
             it
             appear
             not
             ?
             
               And
               two
               pages
               after
            
             .
             It
             is
             a
             politick
             Probleme
             ,
             
             whether
             or
             not
             reality
             be
             better
             than
             appearance
             .
             There
             are
             things
             great
             in
             themselves
             ,
             which
             appear
             not
             ,
             and
             others
             that
             are
             inconsiderable
             ,
             which
             appear
             much
             .
             So
             great
             effect
             produces
             the
             having
             or
             wanting
             Ostentation
             .
             There
             are
             men
             in
             whom
             the
             little
             makes
             a
             great
             shew
             ,
             and
             whose
             much
             is
             a
             subject
             of
             admiration
             .
             These
             are
             men
             of
             Parade
             ;
             for
             when
             excellence
             and
             appearance
             concur
             ,
             they
             form
             a
             Prodigy
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             we
             have
             seen
             eminent
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             not
             appeared
             to
             be
             one
             half
             of
             what
             they
             were
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             the
             dexterity
             of
             Ostentation
             .
             It
             is
             not
             long
             since
             ,
             that
             a
             great
             Man
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             field
             drove
             all
             before
             him
             ,
             being
             called
             to
             a
             Council
             of
             War
             ,
             was
             afraid
             of
             every
             body
             .
             He
             ,
             that
             was
             so
             proper
             for
             action
             ,
             was
             not
             at
             all
             for
             speaking
             .
             Ostentation
             gives
             a
             true
             lustre
             to
             Heroick
             Qualities
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             a
             second
             being
             to
             all
             things
             :
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             if
             reality
             vouch
             for
             it
             .
             For
             without
             merit
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             a
             vulgar
             cheat
             :
             it
             serves
             onely
             to
             manifest
             defects
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             to
             beget
             contempt
             instead
             of
             applause
             .
             Some
             make
             a
             great
             bustle
             to
             get
             out
             and
             appear
             upon
             the
             Theatre
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             they
             doe
             is
             to
             publish
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             which
             retirement
             civily
             concealed
             .
             But
             that
             is
             not
             to
             make
             Ostentation
             
             of
             Talents
             ,
             but
             foppishly
             to
             declare
             ones
             faults
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXVIII
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             things
             to
             avoid
             being
             remarkable
             .
          
           
             By
             being
             so
             too
             much
             ,
             perfections
             themselves
             will
             be
             defects
             .
             This
             comes
             of
             singularity
             ,
             and
             singularity
             hath
             always
             been
             censured
             ,
             .
             Whoever
             affects
             to
             be
             singular
             ,
             must
             live
             by
             himself
             .
             Politeness
             it self
             is
             ridiculous
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             excessive
             ;
             it
             offends
             ,
             when
             it
             glares
             too
             much
             to
             the
             Eye
             .
             Upon
             much
             stronger
             reason
             ought
             extravagant
             singularities
             to
             be
             nauseous
             .
             Nevertheless
             some
             would
             be
             known
             even
             by
             their
             vices
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             that
             they
             seek
             out
             Novelty
             in
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             glory
             in
             having
             so
             bad
             a
             Reputation
             .
             Nay
             ,
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             ability
             it self
             ,
             the
             
               too
               much
            
             degenerates
             into
             quacking
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXIX
             .
          
           
             To
             suffer
             Contradiction
             without
             Gain-saying
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             to
             be
             distinguished
             when
             Contradiction
             proceeds
             from
             Cunning
             or
             Clownishness
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             always
             an
             Opinionativeness
             ,
             
             sometimes
             it
             is
             Artifice
             .
             Take
             heed
             then
             not
             to
             engage
             into
             the
             one
             ,
             nor
             to
             stumble
             into
             the
             other
             .
             There
             is
             no
             pains
             better
             bestowed
             than
             in
             spying
             :
             nor
             no
             better
             counter-battery
             against
             those
             ,
             who
             would
             pick
             the
             lock
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             than
             to
             put
             the
             key
             of
             reserve
             in
             the
             inside
             .
             See
             the
             Maxime
             179.
             
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXX
             .
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             good
             stuff
             .
          
           
             Honesty
             and
             integrity
             are
             gone
             :
             obligations
             are
             forgotten
             .
             There
             are
             but
             few
             good
             Correspondences
             .
             The
             best
             service
             has
             the
             worst
             reward
             .
             This
             is
             the
             guise
             of
             the
             World
             now
             a
             days
             .
             There
             are
             whole
             Nations
             enclined
             to
             evil
             .
             Of
             the
             one
             ,
             the
             treachery
             is
             always
             to
             be
             feared
             ;
             of
             others
             the
             inconstancy
             ;
             and
             of
             some
             the
             cheating
             .
             Make
             use
             then
             of
             the
             bad
             Correspondence
             of
             others
             ,
             not
             as
             an
             example
             to
             be
             imitated
             ;
             but
             as
             a
             warning
             to
             be
             upon
             thy
             guard
             .
             Integrity
             runs
             a
             risque
             of
             being
             warped
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             a
             dishonest
             procedure
             ;
             but
             a
             good
             man
             never
             forgets
             what
             he
             himself
             is
             ,
             because
             of
             what
             others
             are
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXI
             .
          
           
             The
             approbation
             of
             knowing
             Men.
             
          
           
             An
             indifferent
             yea
             of
             a
             great
             man
             is
             more
             to
             be
             valued
             than
             the
             applause
             of
             a
             multitude
             .
             When
             there
             is
             a
             bone
             in
             the
             wind-pipe
             ,
             to
             snuffle
             is
             not
             to
             breath
             .
             The
             wise
             speak
             with
             judgment
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             their
             approbation
             gives
             complete
             satisfaction
             .
             Prudent
             Antigonus
             placed
             his
             whole
             Renown
             in
             the
             single
             testimony
             of
             Zeno.
             And
             Plato
             called
             Aristotle
             his
             whole
             School
             .
             Some
             mind
             onely
             the
             filling
             of
             their
             Bellies
             ,
             without
             minding
             that
             the
             Commons
             are
             but
             ordinary
             .
             Sovereigns
             themselves
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             good
             Writers
             ,
             whose
             Pens
             are
             more
             to
             be
             feared
             by
             them
             ,
             than
             a
             Picture
             to
             the
             life
             ,
             by
             the
             ugly
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXII
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             absence
             an
             expedient
             ,
             for
             being
             respected
             ,
             or
             esteemed
             .
          
           
             If
             presence
             lessen
             Reputation
             ,
             absence
             encreases
             it
             .
             He
             who
             being
             absent
             is
             taken
             for
             a
             Lion
             ,
             appears
             but
             a
             Mouse
             ,
             when
             present
             .
             Perfections
             lose
             their
             lustre
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             lookt
             upon
             at
             too
             near
             
             distance
             :
             because
             men
             look
             more
             upon
             the
             back
             of
             the
             outside
             ,
             than
             the
             substance
             and
             inside
             of
             the
             mind
             .
             Imagination
             goes
             much
             farther
             than
             the
             sight
             :
             and
             the
             mistake
             that
             commonly
             enters
             by
             the
             Ears
             ,
             goes
             out
             by
             the
             Eyes
             .
             He
             that
             rests
             in
             the
             centre
             of
             the
             good
             Opinion
             ,
             that
             People
             have
             of
             him
             ,
             preserves
             his
             Reputation
             .
             The
             Phoenix
             it self
             makes
             use
             of
             retirement
             and
             desire
             ,
             to
             make
             it self
             to
             be
             the
             more
             esteemed
             and
             regrated
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Man
             of
             good
             invention
             .
          
           
             Invention
             marks
             a
             fruitfulness
             of
             wit.
             But
             where
             is
             it
             to
             be
             found
             without
             a
             grain
             of
             folly
             ?
             Invention
             is
             the
             share
             of
             quick
             wits
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             choice
             that
             of
             solid
             judgments
             .
             The
             former
             is
             rarer
             ,
             and
             more
             esteemed
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             many
             have
             succeeded
             in
             chusing
             well
             ,
             and
             very
             few
             in
             inventing
             well
             ,
             and
             in
             having
             the
             precedency
             of
             excellence
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             that
             of
             time
             .
             Novelty
             is
             insinuant
             ,
             and
             if
             it
             be
             happy
             ,
             it
             sets
             a
             double
             value
             upon
             what
             is
             good
             .
             In
             matters
             that
             concern
             judgment
             ,
             it
             is
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             it
             runs
             upon
             Paradoxes
             ;
             in
             knacks
             of
             subtilty
             it
             is
             laudable
             :
             and
             if
             Novelty
             and
             invention
             
             jump
             well
             together
             ,
             they
             are
             plaufible
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXIV
             .
          
           
             Meddle
             not
             in
             other
             mens
             business
             ,
             and
             thine
             own
             will
             go
             well
             .
          
           
             Esteem
             thy self
             ,
             if
             thou
             wouldst
             be
             esteemed
             .
             Be
             rather
             covetous
             than
             prodigal
             of
             thy self
             .
             Make
             thy self
             to
             be
             desired
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             be
             well
             received
             .
             Never
             come
             till
             thou
             be
             called
             ,
             and
             never
             go
             till
             thou
             be
             sent
             .
             He
             that
             engages
             of
             his
             own
             head
             ,
             incurs
             all
             the
             hatred
             ,
             if
             he
             succeed
             not
             ;
             and
             though
             he
             succeed
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             liked
             the
             better
             for
             it
             .
             A
             man
             that
             is
             too
             intrigueing
             ,
             is
             the
             But
             of
             contempt
             :
             and
             as
             he
             introduces
             himself
             without
             shame
             ,
             he
             is
             repulsed
             with
             confusion
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXV
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             lose
             ones
             self
             with
             another
             .
          
           
             Know
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             is
             in
             the
             mire
             ,
             calls
             thee
             not
             ,
             but
             to
             comfort
             himself
             at
             thy
             cost
             ,
             when
             thou
             art
             bemired
             with
             him
             .
             The
             unfortunate
             look
             out
             for
             some
             body
             ,
             to
             help
             them
             to
             bear
             their
             affliction
             .
             He
             who
             in
             prosperity
             turned
             his
             back
             ,
             will
             in
             adversity
             stretch
             forth
             his
             hand
             .
             Consider
             
             well
             that
             thou
             mayst
             not
             be
             drowned
             ,
             by
             endeavouring
             to
             help
             those
             who
             are
             a-drowning
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXVI
             .
          
           
             Suffer
             not
             thy self
             to
             be
             obliged
             ,
             nor
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             People
             .
          
           
             For
             that
             would
             be
             to
             become
             a
             common
             slave
             .
             Some
             are
             born
             to
             be
             more
             happy
             than
             others
             ;
             the
             first
             for
             doing
             of
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             for
             receiving
             it
             .
             Liberty
             is
             more
             pretious
             than
             all
             gifts
             :
             and
             to
             receive
             ,
             is
             to
             lose
             it
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             keep
             others
             in
             dependance
             ,
             than
             to
             depend
             upon
             one
             alone
             .
             The
             onely
             advantage
             of
             Sovereignty
             is
             ,
             that
             it
             can
             doe
             more
             good
             .
             Above
             all
             ,
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             reckon
             any
             obligation
             as
             a
             favour
             .
             Be
             persuaded
             ,
             that
             men
             most
             commonly
             seek
             to
             oblige
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             engage
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXVII
             .
          
           
             Never
             to
             act
             in
             passion
             .
          
           
             Otherwise
             ,
             all
             will
             be
             spoil'd
             .
             Let
             him
             that
             is
             not
             himself
             ,
             have
             a
             care
             not
             to
             doe
             any
             thing
             by
             himself
             .
             For
             passion
             always
             banishes
             reason
             .
             Let
             him
             then
             
             substitute
             a
             prudent
             Mediatour
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             so
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             without
             passion
             .
             Standers-by
             judge
             better
             than
             the
             Gamesters
             ,
             because
             they
             fall
             not
             into
             passion
             .
             When
             one
             finds
             himself
             moved
             ,
             retentiveness
             should
             beat
             the
             retreat
             ,
             lest
             the
             choler
             may
             be
             more
             heated
             .
             For
             then
             every
             thing
             would
             be
             done
             violently
             ,
             and
             by
             some
             minutes
             of
             fury
             ,
             one
             would
             prepare
             to
             himself
             a
             subject
             of
             long
             repentance
             ,
             and
             great
             repining
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXVIII
             .
          
           
             To
             live
             according
             to
             occasion
             .
          
           
             Whether
             it
             be
             action
             ,
             or
             discourse
             ,
             all
             ought
             to
             be
             squared
             according
             to
             the
             time
             .
             We
             must
             resolve
             ;
             when
             we
             can
             ,
             for
             Time
             and
             Tide
             stays
             for
             no
             man.
             Regulate
             not
             thy
             life
             by
             general
             Maximes
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             in
             favour
             of
             Vertue
             .
             Prescribe
             no
             positive
             laws
             to
             thy
             will
             :
             for
             thou
             wilt
             be
             forced
             next
             day
             to
             drink
             of
             the
             same
             water
             which
             thou
             despisest
             to
             day
             .
             Some
             mens
             impertinence
             is
             so
             whimsical
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             have
             all
             the
             circumstances
             of
             a
             project
             quadrate
             to
             their
             madness
             ,
             instead
             of
             accommodating
             themselves
             to
             circumstances
             .
             But
             a
             Wise
             Man
             knoweth
             that
             to
             conform
             to
             the
             
             times
             ,
             is
             the
             North
             Star
             of
             Prudence
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCLXXXIX
             .
          
           
             What
             most
             discredits
             a
             Man
             ,
             is
             to
             shew
             that
             he
             is
             man.
             
          
           
             He
             is
             no
             longer
             reckoned
             Divine
             ,
             so
             soon
             as
             he
             is
             known
             to
             have
             much
             in
             him
             of
             man.
             Levity
             is
             the
             greatest
             counterpoise
             of
             Reputation
             .
             As
             a
             grave
             man
             passes
             for
             more
             than
             man
             ,
             so
             a
             light
             shittlecock
             is
             hardly
             reckoned
             a
             man.
             No
             vice
             discredits
             so
             much
             as
             levity
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             it
             is
             diametrically
             opposed
             to
             gravity
             .
             A
             light
             man
             cannot
             be
             substantial
             ,
             and
             especially
             if
             he
             be
             old
             ,
             seeing
             his
             age
             requires
             more
             Prudence
             .
             And
             though
             this
             fault
             be
             very
             common
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             strangely
             derived
             in
             every
             particular
             person
             that
             has
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXC.
             
          
           
             It
             's
             a
             happiness
             to
             join
             esteem
             with
             affection
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             respected
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             need
             to
             be
             too
             much
             beloved
             .
             Love
             is
             bolder
             than
             hatred
             .
             (
             Affection
             and
             veneration
             seldom
             agree
             together
             .
             And
             though
             it
             is
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             too
             much
             feared
             ,
             yet
             neither
             
             is
             it
             good
             to
             be
             too
             much
             beloved
             .
             Love
             begets
             familiarity
             ,
             and
             as
             fast
             as
             this
             comes
             in
             ,
             esteem
             goes
             out
             .
             It
             is
             better
             to
             be
             loved
             with
             respect
             ,
             than
             with
             tenderness
             .
             That
             is
             the
             love
             which
             great
             men
             require
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCI.
             
          
           
             To
             know
             how
             to
             make
             an
             essay
             .
          
           
             Let
             the
             address
             of
             a
             Judicious
             man
             counterbalance
             the
             reservedness
             of
             a
             cunning
             man.
             A
             great
             judgment
             is
             required
             to
             measure
             the
             capacity
             of
             another
             .
             It
             's
             far
             better
             to
             know
             the
             character
             of
             minds
             ,
             than
             the
             virtue
             of
             herbs
             and
             stones
             .
             That
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             secrets
             of
             life
             .
             Metals
             are
             known
             by
             their
             sound
             ,
             and
             Men
             by
             their
             talk
             .
             Integrity
             is
             known
             by
             words
             ,
             but
             much
             more
             ●y
             deeds
             .
             In
             this
             ,
             much
             penetration
             ,
             circumspection
             and
             caution
             is
             required
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCII
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             above
             ,
             and
             not
             below
             ones
             Employment
             .
          
           
             How
             great
             soever
             the
             station
             be
             ,
             he
             who
             holds
             it
             ,
             should
             shew
             himself
             still
             to
             
             be
             greater
             .
             A
             man
             that
             hath
             wherewith
             ,
             is
             still
             growing
             ,
             and
             signalizes
             himself
             more
             and
             more
             in
             his
             employments
             :
             whereas
             he
             that
             hath
             a
             narrow
             heart
             ,
             is
             soon
             at
             a
             stand
             ,
             and
             is
             at
             length
             reduced
             to
             an
             inability
             of
             performing
             his
             obligations
             ,
             and
             maintaining
             his
             Reputation
             .
             Augustus
             made
             it
             his
             honour
             to
             be
             a
             greater
             Man
             than
             Prince
             .
             A
             great
             heart
             ,
             and
             a
             reasonable
             confidence
             in
             ones
             self
             are
             of
             great
             use
             here
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCIII
             .
          
           
             Of
             Maturity
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             conspicuous
             in
             the
             garb
             ,
             but
             much
             more
             in
             the
             manners
             .
             Material
             gravity
             makes
             Gold
             pretious
             ,
             and
             Moral
             the
             Man.
             That
             gravity
             is
             the
             ornament
             of
             Qualities
             ,
             through
             the
             veneration
             that
             it
             attracts
             to
             them
             .
             The
             outside
             of
             Man
             is
             the
             frontispiece
             of
             the
             Soul.
             Maturity
             is
             not
             a
             dull
             look
             ,
             nor
             an
             affectation
             of
             demure
             gestures
             ,
             as
             Dunces
             say
             ;
             but
             a
             well
             weighed
             Authority
             .
             It
             speaks
             by
             sentences
             ,
             and
             acts
             always
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
             It
             supposes
             a
             complete
             man
             ,
             that
             's
             to
             say
             ,
             who
             is
             as
             much
             a
             great
             person
             ,
             as
             a
             mature
             man.
             So
             soon
             as
             a
             man
             ceases
             to
             be
             a
             Child
             ,
             he
             begins
             to
             be
             grave
             ,
             and
             to
             shew
             his
             value
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCIV.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             moderate
             in
             ones
             Opinions
             .
          
           
             All
             judge
             according
             to
             their
             interests
             ,
             and
             abound
             in
             their
             own
             sense
             .
             Most
             men
             make
             reason
             give
             way
             to
             passion
             .
             Let
             two
             be
             of
             a
             contradictory
             Opinion
             ,
             yet
             each
             presumes
             to
             have
             reason
             on
             his
             side
             .
             But
             reason
             that
             hath
             always
             been
             faithfull
             ,
             hath
             never
             had
             two
             faces
             .
             A
             Wise
             Man
             is
             to
             reflect
             upon
             so
             nice
             a
             point
             :
             and
             thereby
             ,
             his
             doubting
             will
             correct
             the
             head-strongness
             of
             others
             .
             Let
             him
             sometimes
             go
             to
             his
             adversaries
             side
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             examine
             what
             he
             grounds
             upon
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             hinder
             him
             from
             condemning
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             easily
             arrogating
             to
             himself
             the
             victory
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCV.
             
          
           
             To
             be
             ,
             and
             not
             seem
             to
             be
             a
             man
             of
             business
             .
          
           
             Those
             who
             have
             least
             to
             doe
             ,
             would
             appear
             to
             be
             loaded
             with
             affairs
             .
             They
             make
             a
             mystery
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             the
             greatest
             silliness
             imaginable
             .
             These
             are
             Cameleons
             of
             applause
             ,
             but
             are
             heartily
             laughed
             at
             by
             every
             body
             .
             
             Vanity
             is
             insupportable
             every
             where
             ,
             but
             here
             it
             is
             flouted
             at
             .
             These
             little
             Pismires
             of
             honour
             go
             a-begging
             the
             glory
             of
             great
             exploits
             .
             Shew
             as
             little
             as
             thou
             canst
             thy
             most
             eminent
             qualities
             .
             Rest
             satisfied
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             leave
             it
             to
             others
             to
             talk
             of
             it
             .
             Give
             thy
             good
             actions
             ,
             but
             sell
             them
             not
             .
             Golden
             Pens
             must
             never
             be
             hired
             to
             write
             upon
             dirt
             ;
             which
             is
             an
             Eye-sore
             to
             all
             men
             of
             sense
             .
             Strive
             rather
             to
             be
             a
             Heroe
             ,
             than
             to
             shew
             it
             .
          
           
             Those
             ,
             (
             says
             he
             in
             the
             Chapter
             of
             his
             Discreet
             ,
             entituled
             Hazasleria
             )
             pretend
             to
             most
             business
             ,
             who
             have
             least
             ,
             because
             they
             go
             a-hunting
             after
             occasions
             ,
             and
             magnifie
             them
             .
             They
             set
             a
             great
             value
             upon
             things
             that
             are
             worth
             less
             than
             nothing
             .
             They
             make
             a
             mystery
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             and
             the
             smallest
             matter
             is
             to
             them
             a
             Prodigy
             .
             All
             their
             affairs
             are
             the
             prime
             transactions
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             actions
             exploits
             .
             Their
             whole
             life
             is
             a
             train
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             to
             be
             published
             by
             the
             Trumpet
             of
             Fame
             .
             They
             have
             nothing
             that
             's
             common
             ,
             every
             thing
             is
             singular
             in
             them
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             Valour
             ,
             Knowledge
             ,
             or
             Fortune
             .
             All
             vanity
             is
             justly
             reckoned
             foppish
             ,
             but
             bragging
             is
             intolerable
             .
             Wise
             Men
             make
             it
             more
             their
             honour
             to
             be
             great
             ,
             than
             to
             appear
             so
             .
             But
             these
             men
             rest
             satisfied
             with
             the
             bare
             appearance
             .
             
             To
             love
             to
             appear
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             a
             mark
             of
             sublimity
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             on
             the
             contrary
             it
             is
             a
             demonstration
             of
             a
             low
             mind
             ,
             since
             the
             least
             thing
             appears
             as
             much
             to
             them
             as
             the
             greatest
             .
             Pride
             is
             offensive
             every
             where
             ,
             but
             chiefly
             here
             .
             They
             meet
             with
             contempt
             where
             they
             look
             for
             esteem
             .
             When
             they
             fansie
             to
             themselves
             that
             they
             will
             be
             admired
             ,
             they
             find
             themselves
             exposed
             to
             the
             derision
             of
             all
             men
             .
             Their
             vanity
             proceeds
             not
             at
             all
             from
             the
             greatness
             of
             Soul
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             lowness
             of
             Heart
             ,
             seeing
             they
             aspire
             not
             to
             true
             honour
             ,
             but
             onely
             to
             shews
             ;
             not
             to
             real
             exploits
             ,
             but
             to
             brag
             of
             them
             ,
             without
             doing
             them
             .
             There
             are
             others
             ,
             who
             would
             seem
             to
             be
             mighty
             Ministers
             ,
             great
             men
             for
             magnifying
             objects
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             business
             small
             as
             to
             them
             ,
             of
             Atomes
             they
             make
             a
             great
             dust
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             little
             a
             great
             noise
             .
             They
             give
             themselves
             out
             for
             men
             overwhelmed
             in
             business
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             ,
             desirous
             of
             repose
             and
             leisure
             .
             They
             speak
             onely
             by
             mystery
             ,
             their
             least
             gesture
             is
             a
             subject
             of
             Divination
             .
             They
             make
             great
             exclamations
             ,
             and
             then
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             the
             more
             surprize
             ,
             stop
             short
             ,
             like
             to
             the
             Machines
             of
             
               Gianello
               della
               Torre
            
             ,
             of
             as
             great
             noise
             ,
             and
             as
             little
             profit
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             difference
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             contrariety
             
             betwixt
             great
             Doers
             ,
             and
             great
             Talkers
             .
             For
             the
             more
             brave
             actions
             the
             former
             doe
             ,
             the
             less
             they
             affect
             to
             speak
             of
             them
             .
             They
             are
             satisfied
             to
             doe
             ,
             and
             leave
             it
             to
             others
             to
             tell
             what
             they
             have
             done
             ;
             and
             though
             others
             should
             be
             silent
             ,
             yet
             the
             things
             themselves
             would
             sufficiently
             speak
             .
             The
             second
             sell
             at
             a
             dear
             rate
             ,
             what
             others
             give
             gratis
             .
             They
             publish
             it
             with
             sound
             of
             Trumpet
             :
             and
             for
             want
             of
             Pens
             enough
             amongst
             those
             of
             Fame
             ,
             they
             hire
             golden
             Pens
             ,
             (
             that
             's
             to
             say
             mercenary
             Pens
             )
             to
             make
             them
             write
             dirty
             Characters
             .
             
               And
               then
               he
               concludes
               in
               these
               terms
               .
            
             The
             Pens
             of
             Fame
             are
             not
             of
             Gold
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             neither
             to
             be
             sold
             nor
             hired
             :
             but
             they
             have
             a
             better
             sound
             than
             the
             finest
             Silver
             ;
             they
             are
             of
             no
             value
             ;
             but
             they
             bestow
             it
             upon
             merit
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             may
             be
             added
             what
             Diogenes
             said
             one
             day
             to
             a
             young
             bragadocio
             ,
             who
             alledged
             to
             him
             the
             multitude
             of
             his
             business
             :
             
               That
               it
               became
               him
               well
               to
               ape
               the
               Woman
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCVI.
             
          
           
             The
             man
             of
             value
             ,
             and
             majestick
             qualities
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             qualities
             make
             the
             great
             men
             .
             One
             of
             these
             alone
             is
             equivalent
             
             to
             all
             the
             indifferent
             put
             together
             .
             Heretofore
             a
             man
             made
             it
             his
             honour
             to
             have
             nothing
             but
             what
             was
             great
             in
             his
             house
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             most
             common
             utensils
             .
             By
             much
             stronger
             reason
             ought
             a
             great
             man
             to
             endeavour
             that
             all
             the
             qualities
             of
             his
             mind
             be
             great
             .
             As
             every
             thing
             is
             immense
             and
             infinite
             in
             God
             ,
             so
             ought
             all
             things
             to
             be
             great
             and
             majestick
             in
             a
             Heroe
             .
             So
             that
             all
             his
             actions
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             words
             should
             be
             cloathed
             with
             a
             transcendent
             majesty
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCVII.
             
          
           
             To
             doe
             all
             things
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             witnesses
             .
          
           
             That
             is
             a
             man
             worthy
             of
             consideration
             ,
             who
             considers
             that
             men
             behold
             him
             ,
             or
             will
             behold
             him
             .
             He
             knows
             that
             the
             walls
             hear
             ,
             and
             that
             wicked
             actions
             would
             rather
             burst
             than
             not
             get
             out
             .
             Even
             then
             when
             he
             is
             alone
             ,
             he
             acts
             as
             if
             he
             were
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             because
             he
             knows
             that
             all
             things
             will
             be
             known
             .
             He
             looks
             upon
             these
             as
             present
             witnesses
             ,
             who
             by
             their
             discovery
             will
             be
             so
             afterwards
             .
             That
             man
             was
             not
             afraid
             that
             his
             Neighbours
             should
             keep
             a
             Register
             of
             all
             he
             did
             in
             his
             house
             ,
             who
             desired
             that
             all
             men
             might
             see
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             ready
             Wit
             ,
             the
             profound
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             the
             quaint
             Discerning
             .
          
           
             These
             three
             things
             make
             a
             Prodigy
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             greatest
             gift
             of
             Divine
             bounty
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             advantage
             to
             conceive
             well
             ,
             a
             greater
             to
             reason
             well
             ,
             and
             above
             all
             to
             have
             a
             good
             understanding
             .
             Wit
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             in
             the
             back-bone
             ,
             which
             would
             render
             it
             more
             painfull
             than
             sharp
             .
             To
             think
             well
             is
             the
             fruit
             of
             being
             rational
             .
             At
             twenty
             years
             of
             age
             the
             Will
             reigns
             ;
             at
             thirty
             the
             Wit
             ;
             at
             fourty
             ,
             the
             Judgment
             .
             There
             are
             Wits
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Lynx
             ,
             of
             themselves
             send
             forth
             light
             ,
             and
             are
             most
             intelligent
             ,
             when
             the
             obscurity
             is
             greatest
             .
             There
             are
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             extemporary
             ,
             and
             hit
             always
             upon
             that
             which
             is
             pattest
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
             They
             are
             always
             ready
             furnished
             ,
             and
             with
             what
             is
             good
             too
             .
             A
             most
             happy
             fecundity
             .
             But
             a
             discerning
             judgment
             seasons
             the
             whole
             life
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MAXIME
             CCXCIX
             .
          
           
             To
             leave
             with
             an
             Appetite
             .
          
           
             Men
             are
             to
             be
             left
             with
             the
             Nectar
             upon
             their
             lips
             .
             Desire
             is
             the
             standard
             of
             esteem
             .
             Even
             in
             bodily
             thirst
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             skilfull
             management
             to
             provoke
             it
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             satisfie
             it
             wholly
             .
             The
             good
             is
             doubly
             good
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             but
             little
             of
             it
             .
             The
             abatement
             is
             great
             at
             the
             second
             bout
             .
             Too
             full
             an
             enjoyment
             is
             dangerous
             .
             For
             it
             causes
             the
             highest
             perfection
             to
             be
             despised
             .
             The
             onely
             rule
             to
             please
             is
             to
             find
             an
             appetite
             left
             with
             a
             desire
             .
             If
             it
             be
             to
             be
             provoked
             ,
             let
             it
             rather
             be
             by
             the
             impatience
             of
             longing
             ,
             than
             the
             glut
             of
             enjoyment
             .
             A
             felicity
             that
             costs
             pains
             ,
             gives
             double
             contentment
             .
          
        
         
           
             MAXIME
             CCC
             .
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             be
             Holy.
             
          
           
             That
             is
             to
             say
             all
             at
             once
             .
             Vertue
             is
             the
             chain
             of
             all
             perfections
             ,
             and
             the
             centre
             of
             all
             felicity
             .
             It
             renders
             a
             man
             prudent
             ,
             attentive
             ,
             circumspect
             ,
             wise
             ,
             valiant
             ,
             reserved
             ,
             sincere
             ,
             fortunate
             ,
             plausible
             ,
             true
             ,
             and
             a
             Heroe
             in
             all
             things
             .
             Three
             things
             
             make
             him
             happy
             ,
             Health
             ,
             Wisedom
             ,
             and
             Holiness
             .
             Vertue
             is
             the
             Sun
             of
             the
             Microcosme
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             is
             its
             Hemisphere
             .
             It
             is
             so
             lovely
             ,
             that
             it
             gains
             the
             favour
             both
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             .
             Nothing
             but
             it
             is
             amiable
             ,
             and
             nothing
             hatefull
             but
             Vice.
             Vertue
             is
             a
             thing
             in
             good
             earnest
             ,
             every
             thing
             else
             is
             but
             mockery
             .
             Capacity
             and
             Grandure
             are
             to
             be
             measured
             by
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             fortune
             .
             Vertue
             stands
             in
             need
             of
             nothing
             but
             it self
             .
             It
             renders
             man
             amiable
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             and
             memorable
             after
             death
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Principibus
                 placuisse
                 viris
                 non
                 ultima
                 laus
                 est
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Non
                 cuivis
                 homini
                 contingit
                 adire
                 Corinthum
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Hor.
             Ep.
             17.
             lib.
             1.
             
             Epist
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             Books
             Sold
             by
          
           Abel
           Swalle
           ,
           
             at
             the
          
           Unicorn
           ,
           
             at
             the
          
           West-end
           
             of
             St.
          
           Paul
           
             '
             s.
          
           
        
         
           A
           Companion
           to
           the
           Temple
           ,
           or
           a
           Help
           to
           Devotion
           ,
           in
           the
           Use
           of
           the
           Common
           Prayer
           :
           divided
           into
           four
           Parts
           .
           Part
           1.
           
           Of
           Morning
           and
           Evening
           Prayer
           .
           Part
           2.
           
           Of
           the
           Litany
           ,
           with
           the
           Occasional
           Prayers
           and
           Thanksgivings
           .
           Part
           3.
           
           Of
           the
           Communion-office
           ,
           with
           the
           Offices
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           and
           Catechism
           ,
           and
           Confirmation
           .
           Part
           4.
           
           Of
           the
           Occasional-Offices
           ,
           viz.
           Matrimony
           ,
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Sick
           ,
           &c.
           the
           whole
           being
           carefully
           corrected
           ,
           and
           now
           put
           in
           one
           Volume
           ,
           by
           
             Tho.
             Comber
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Folio
           .
        
         
           Forty
           Sermons
           ,
           whereof
           Twenty
           one
           are
           now
           first
           published
           ;
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           them
           Preached
           before
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           on
           Solemn
           Occasions
           ;
           by
           
             Rich.
             Allestree
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           with
           an
           Account
           of
           the
           Authour's
           Life
           ,
           in
           Folio
           .
        
         
           The
           Works
           of
           Mr.
           
             Abraham
             Cowley
          
           ,
           consisting
           of
           those
           which
           were
           formerly
           printed
           ,
           and
           those
           designed
           for
           the
           Press
           ,
           and
           now
           published
           out
           of
           the
           Authour
           's
           Original
           Papers
           .
           The
           Eighth
           Edition
           :
           Folio
           .
        
         
         
           The
           second
           Part
           of
           the
           Works
           of
           Mr.
           
             Abraham
             Cowley
          
           ;
           being
           what
           was
           written
           in
           his
           younger
           years
           ,
           and
           now
           reprinted
           together
           :
           The
           fifth
           Edition
           .
        
         
           The
           Case
           of
           Resistance
           of
           the
           Supreme
           Powers
           ,
           Stated
           and
           Resolved
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           .
           By
           
             William
             Sherlock
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           in
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           A
           Vindication
           of
           the
           Rights
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           :
           being
           an
           Answer
           to
           the
           First
           Part
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Reconciler
           ,
           by
           
             William
             Sherlock
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           and
           Master
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           in
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           
             Pet.
             Dan.
             Nuetii
             de
             interpretatione
             Libri
          
           2.
           
             duo
             quarum
             prior
             est
             ,
             de
             optimo
             Genere
             interpretandi
             :
             alter
             de
             claris
             interpret
             .
             &c.
          
           in
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           The
           Case
           of
           Compelling
           Men
           to
           the
           Holy
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           considered
           ,
           and
           Authority
           Vindicated
           in
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           Rules
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Common
           and
           Popular
           Objections
           against
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           Authour
           of
           the
           Charge
           of
           Scandal
           ,
           omitted
           in
           the
           late
           Collection
           ,
        
         
           
             L.
             Coelii
             Lactantii
             Firmiani
             Opera
             quae
             extant
             ,
             ad
             fidem
             M
             SS
             .
             recognita
             &
             Commentariis
             illustrata
             .
          
           Tho.
           Spark
           ,
           
             A.
             M.
          
           Oxonii
           
             è
             Theatro
          
           Sheldoniano
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           Preached
           before
           the
           King
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             Novemb.
          
           23.
           1684.
           by
           
             Gilb.
             Ironside
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Warden
           of
           Wadham
           College
           in
           
             Oxon
             ,
             &c.
          
           
        
         
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           St.
           
             Margarets
             Westminster
          
           ,
           May
           the
           29th
           .
           1685.
           before
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ;
           by
           
             William
             Sherlock
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Master
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           his
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           
             Elenchus
             Motuum
             nuperorum
             in
             Anglia
          
           ,
           or
           a
           short
           Historical
           Account
           of
           the
           Rise
           and
           Progress
           of
           the
           late
           Troubles
           in
           England
           :
           In
           two
           Parts
           .
           Written
           in
           Latine
           by
           Dr.
           
             George
             Bates
          
           ,
           Principal
           Physician
           to
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           ,
           and
           King
           Charles
           the
           Second
           .
        
         
           
             Motus
             Compositi
          
           ,
           or
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Composing
           the
           Affairs
           of
           England
           ,
           by
           the
           Restauration
           of
           King
           Charles
           the
           Second
           ,
           and
           the
           Punishment
           of
           the
           Regicides
           and
           other
           Principal
           Occurrents
           ,
           to
           the
           year
           1669.
           
           Written
           in
           Latine
           by
           
             Tho.
             Skinner
          
           ,
           M.
           D.
           Made
           English
           :
           To
           which
           is
           added
           a
           Preface
           ,
           by
           a
           Person
           of
           Quality
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           on
           the
           Work
           ,
           several
           choice
           Original
           Papers
           ;
           an
           Account
           of
           which
           is
           given
           in
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Preface
           .
        
         
           Some
           Discourses
           lately
           published
           against
           the
           Papists
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           about
           the
           Charge
           of
           Novelty
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           —
           About
           Tradition
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           a
           Guide
           in
           Matters
           of
           Faith
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Invocation
           of
           Saints
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           maintained
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           Auricular
           Confession
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           against
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           against
           Purgatory
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Object
           of
           Religious
           Worship
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Adoration
           of
           the
           Host
           ,
           Quarto
           .