LIFE AND DEATH. 371 



crates, Seneca. And, certainly, as old men are for the 

 most part talkative, so talkative men do often grow very 

 old : for it shows a light contemplation, and such as do not 

 much strain the spirits, or vex them but subtile and acute, 

 and eager inquisition shortens life, for it tiyeth the spirits, 

 and wasteth it. 



And as touching the motion of the spirits, by the affec 

 tions of the mind, thus much. Now we will add certain 

 other general observations touching the spirits, beside the 

 former, which fall not into the precedent distribution. 



92. Especial care must be taken that the spirits be not 

 too often resolved ; for attenuation goeth before resolution, 

 and the spirit once attenuated doth not very easily retire, or 

 is condensed. Now resolution is caused by over great la 

 bours, over vehement affections of the mind, over great 

 sweats, over great evacuation, hot baths, and an untem- 

 perate and unseasonable use of Venus ; also by over great 

 cares and carpings, and anxious expectations ; lastly, by 

 malignant diseases, and intolerable pains and torments of 

 the body ; all which, as much as may be (which our vulgar 

 physicians also advise), must be avoided. 



93. The spirits are delighted both with wonted things 

 and with new. Now it maketh wonderfully to the con 

 servation of the spirits in vigour, that we neither use wonted 

 things to a satiety and glutting ; nor new things, before a 

 quick and strong appetite. And, therefore, both customs 

 are to be broken off with judgment and care, before they 

 breed a fulness ; and the appetite after new things to be res 

 trained for a time until it grow more sharp and jocund; 

 and, moreover, the life, as much as may be, so to be ordered, 

 that it may have many renovations, and the spirits, by per 

 petual conversing in the same actions, may not wax dull. 

 For though it were no ill saying of Seneca s, The fool doth 

 ever begin to live ; yet this folly, and many more such, are 

 good for long life. 



94. It is to be observed touching the spirits (though the 

 contrary used to be done), that when men perceive their 

 spirits to be in good, placid, and healthful state (that which 

 will be seen by the tranquillity of their mind, and cheerful 

 disposition), that they cherish them, and not change them ; 

 but when, in a turbulent and untoward state (which will 

 also appear by their sadness, lumpishness, and other in 

 disposition of their mind), that then they straight over 

 whelm them, and alter them. Now the spirits are con 

 tained in the same state, by a restraining of the affections, 



