194 OP THE ADVANCEMENT OP 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 

 eam rex magnus, et vallavit eam, instruxitque muni- 

 tiones per gjorum, et perfecta est obsidio ; inventusque 

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

 sapientiam suam ; et nullus deinceps recordatus est 

 hominis ilUus pauperis.' Here the corruption of states 

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

 they have use of it. 



' MolUs 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. 



