21 8 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XXIIl. 3. 



much affected, but much less despised; for it hath not 

 only an honour in itself, but an influence also into busi 

 ness and government. The poet saith, Nee vultu destrue 

 verba tuo : a man may destroy the force of his words 

 with his countenance : so may he of his deeds, saith 

 Cicero, recommending to his brother affability and easy 

 access; Nil interest habere ostium apertum, vultum clausum; 

 it is nothing won to admit men with an open door, and 

 to receive them with a shut and reserved countenance. 

 So we see Atticus, before the first interview between 

 Csesar and Cicero, the war depending, did seriously 

 advise Cicero touching the composing and ordering of 

 his countenance and gesture. And if the government of 

 the countenance be of such effect, much more is that 

 of the speech, and other carriage appertaining to con 

 versation ; the true model whereof seemeth to me well ex 

 pressed by Livy, thought not meant for this purpose : Ne 

 aut arrogans vtdear, aut obnoxtus; quorum alter um est 

 alienee liber tatis obliti, alterum suce : the sum of behaviour 

 is to retain a man s own dignity, without intruding upon 

 the liberty of others. On the other side, if behaviour 

 and outward carriage be intended too much, first it may 

 pass into affectation, and then Quid deformius quam 

 scenam in vitam transferre, to act a man s life? But 

 although it proceed not to that extreme, yet it consumeth 

 time, and employeth the mind too much. And therefore 

 as we use to advise young students from company 

 keeping, by saying, Amid fur es temporis: so certainly the 

 intending of the discretion of behaviour is a great thief 

 of meditation. Again, such as are accomplished in that 

 form of urbanity please themselves in it, and seldom 

 aspire to higher virtue ; whereas those that have defect in 

 it do seek comeliness by reputation ; for where reputation 



