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also consider how he may most commodiously and prudently 

 i. show, 2. express, 3. wind and fashion himself. I. As 

 for show, we see nothing more frequent in life than for the 

 less capable man to make the greater figure. It is, therefore, 

 no small excellence of prudence, by means of a certain act and 

 grace, to represent one's best side to others, by setting out our 

 own virtues, merits, and fortunes to advantage, which may be 

 done without arrogance or rendering one's self disagreeable ; 

 and on the other side artificially concealing our vices, defects, 

 misfortunes, and disgraces, dwelling upon the former, and turn- 

 ing them as it were to the light, but palliating the latter, or 

 effacing them by a well-adapted construction or interpretation, 

 etc. Hence Tacitus says of Mucianus, the most prudent man 

 of his time and the most indefatigable in business, that " he had 

 an art of showing the fair side of whatever he spoke or acted." * 

 And certainly it requires some art to prevent this conduct from 

 becoming fulsome and despicable; yet ostentation, though to 

 the first degree of vanity, is a fault in ethics rather than in 

 politics. For as it is usually said of calumny, that if laid on 

 boldly some of it will stick, so it may be said of ostentation, 

 unless perfectly monstrous and ridiculous, " Paint yourself 

 strongly, and some of it will last." Doubtless it will dwell with 

 the crowd, though the wiser sort smile at it ; so that the reputa- 

 tion procured with the number will abundantly reward the 

 contempt of a few. But if this ostentation be managed with 

 decency and discretion, it may greatly contribute 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 insisted 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 pro- 

 voked 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 them- 

 selves punished 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 



