152 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle 



friends, but to strangers. Also he hath an excellent memory 

 concerning the general actions of and in the world. But cer- 

 tainly they that remember their own wit least, have the most 

 of it ; for there is an old saying, and surely true, that the best 

 wits have the worst memory, I mean wit-memory ; for great 

 memories are standing ponds that are made with rain ; so 

 that memory is nothing but the showers of other men's wits ; 

 and those brains are muddy that have not running springs 

 of their own, that issue out still fresh and new. Indeed, it's 

 against nature for natural wits to remember ; for it is impossible 

 that the brain should retain and create ; and we see in nature, 

 death makes way for life ; for if there were no death there 

 would be no new life or lives. 



But say I were so witless I could repeat some of my works, 

 I do think it would seem self-conceitedness to mention them ; 

 but since that report, I have spoken more of them than other- 

 wise I should have done, though truly I condemn myself ; 

 for it is an indiscretion, although I was forced to that indiscre- 

 tion, and I repent it both for the disfiguring of my works, by 

 pulling out a piece here and a piece there, according as my 

 memory could catch hold ; also for troubling, or rather vexing 

 the hearers with such discourses as they delight not in. 



Besides, it hath been a long and true observation, that 

 every one had rather speak than listen to what another says ; 

 insomuch as for the most part all mankind run from company 

 to company, not to learn, but to talk, and like bells their 

 tongues as the clappers keep a jangling noise all at once, with- 

 out method or distinction. 



But I hope my indiscretion in speaking of my works to my 

 hearers is not beyond a pardon, for I have not spoke of them, 

 nor parts in them, much nor often, nor to many, but to some 

 particularly, as those I thought did understand poetry, or 

 natural philosophy, or moral philosophy, though I fear not 

 always according as their capacities lay. For I have observed, 

 some understand commonwealths, customs, laws, or the like ; 

 others, the distinguishments of passions, and understand 

 nothing of law ; others, divinity, that understand nothing 

 of temporal government, and so the like of many several 

 studies ; and some may have a rational capacity to most 

 sciences, yet conceive nothing of natural philosophy, as of 

 the first matter, or innated matter, or motions, or figures, or 



