194 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



engagement as, whether a man turn the matter to jest, 

 or turn it to heat, or howsoever he change copy, he can 

 no ways quit himself well of it. 



* Qui delicate a pueritia nutrit servum suum, postea 

 sentiet eum contumacem. Here is signified, that if 

 a man begin too high a pitch in his favours, it doth 

 commonly end in unkindness and unthankfulness. 



Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo ? coram regibus 

 stabit, nee erit inter ignobiles. Here is observed, that 

 of all virtues for rising to honour, quickness of despatch 

 is the best ; for superiors many times love not to have 

 those they employ too deep or too sufficient, but ready 

 and diligent. 



Vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole, cum 

 adolescente secundo qui consurgit pro eo. Here is ex 

 pressed that which was noted by Sylla first, and after 

 him by Tiberius ; * Plures adorant solem orientem quam 

 occidentem vel meridianum. 



* Si spiritus potestatem habentis ascendent super te, 

 locum tuum ne dimiseris ; quia curatio faciet cessare 

 peccata maxima. Here caution is given, that upon 

 displeasure, retiring is of all courses the unfittest ; for 

 a man leaveth things at worst, and depriveth himself 

 of means to make them better. 



* Erat civitas parva, et pauci in ea viri : venit contra 

 earn rex magnus, et vallavit earn, instruxitque muni- 

 tiones per gyrum, et perfecta est obsidio ; inventusque 

 est in ea vir pauper et sapiens, et liberavit earn per 

 sapientiam suam ; et nullus deinceps recordatus est 

 hominis illius pauperis. Here the corruption of states 

 is set forth, that esteem not virtue or merit longer than 

 they have use of it. 



Mollis responsio frangit iram. Here is noted that 

 silence or rough answer exasperateth ; but an answer 

 present and temperate pacifieth. 



* Iter pigrorum quasi sepes spinarum. Here is lively 

 represented how laborious sloth proveth in the end: 

 for when things are deferred till the last instant, and 

 nothing prepared beforehand, every step findeth a brier 

 or impediment, which catcheth or stoppeth. 



I 



