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tribute to raise a man s reputation, as particularly if it carry 

 the appearance of native candor and ingenuity, or be used at 

 times surrounded with dangers, as among the military men 

 in time of war. Or again, if our own praises are let fall as 

 it were by accident, and be not too seriously or largely in 

 sisted on, or if any one, in praising himself, at the same time 

 mixes it with censure and ridicule, or lastly, if he does it 

 not spontaneously, but is provoked to it by the insolence 

 and reproach of others. And there are many who, being 

 by nature solid, and consequently wanting in this art of 

 spreading canvas to their own honor, find themselves pun 

 ished for their modesty, with some diminution of their 

 dignity. 



But however persons of weak judgment or too rigid 

 morals may disallow this ostentation of virtue, no one will 

 deny that we should endeavor to keep virtue from being 

 undervalued through our neglect, and less esteemed than it 

 deserves. This diminution in the esteem of virtue happens 

 three ways; viz., 1. &quot;When a person presents and thrusts 

 himself and his service into a business unasked; for such 

 services are thought sufficiently rewarded by accepting 

 them. 2. When a man at the beginning of a business 

 overexerts himself, and performs that all at once which 

 should have been done gradually; though this, indeed, 

 gains early commendation where affairs succeed; but in the 

 end it produces satiety. 3. When a man is too quick and 

 light in receiving the fruit of his virtue in praise, applause, 

 and favor and pleases himself therewith; against which 

 there is this prudent admonition, &quot;Beware lest thou seem 

 unaccustomed to great things, if such small ones delight 

 thee.&quot; 



A diligent concealment of defects is no less important 

 than a prudent and artful manifestation of virtues. De 

 fects are principally concealed and covered under three 

 cloaks; viz., 1. Caution, 2. Pretext, and 3. Assurance. 1. 

 We call that caution, when a man prudently keeps from 

 meddling in matters to which he is unequal; while, on the 



