THE SECOND BOOK. 171 



not a few solid natures, that want this ventosity and cannot 

 sail in the height of the winds, are not without some prejudice 

 and disadvantage by their moderation. 



(31) But for these flourishes and enhancements of virtue 

 as they are not perchance unnecessary, so it is at least neces 

 sary that virtue be not disvalued and embased under the -just 

 price, which is done in three manners by offering and ob 

 truding a man s self, wherein men think he is rewarded when 

 he is accepted ; by doing too much, which will not give that 

 which is well done leave to settle, and in the end induceth 

 satiety ; and by finding too soon the fruit of a man s virtue in 

 commendation applause, honour, favour; wherein if a man be 

 pleased with a little, let him hear what is truly said Cave ne 

 vnsuetus rebus majoribus videwris, si hcec te res parva sicuti magna 



4.J 32 l? ut , the coverin g of defects is of no less importance 

 than the valuing of good parts; which maybe done likewise 

 m three manners by caution, by colour, and by confidence. 

 Caution is when men do ingeniously and discreetly avoid to be 

 put into those things for which they are not proper ; whereas 

 contrariwise bold and unquiet spirits will thrust themselves 

 into matters without difference, and so publish and proclaim 

 all their wants. Colour is when men make a way for them 

 selves to have a construction made of their faults or wants as 

 proceeding from a better cause or intended for some other 

 purpose. For of the one it is well said, 



&quot; Ssepe latet vttium proximitate boni,&quot; 



and therefore whatsoever want a man hath, he must see that 

 he pretend the virtue that shadoweth it ; as if he be dull he 

 must affect gravity; if a coward, mildness; and so the rest. 

 1. or the second, a man must frame some probable cause why he 

 should not do his best, and why he should dissemble his 

 abilities ; and for that purpose must use to dissemble those 

 abilities which are notorious in him, to give colour that his 

 true wants are but industries and dissimulations. For con 

 fidence, it is the last but the surest remedy-namely to 

 depress and seem to despise Avhatsoever a man cannot attain 

 observing the good principle of the merchants, who endeavour 

 to raise the price of their own commodities, and to beat down 

 the price of others But there is a confidence that passeth this 

 other, which is to face out a man s own defects, in seemin- to 

 conceive that he is best in those things wherein he is faiHng; 

 and, to help that again, to seem on the other side that he hath 



