L I B. VI 1 1. Of the Advancement of Learning. -2 j.9 



THE EXP LTC ATI ON. 



IN all troubled and difagreeing Families, there ever arlfeth up fome 

 fervant, or gentle friend, powerful with both fides ^ which may 

 moderate,and compound the differences of the Family^ to whom,iti 

 that refpeft. the whole Houfe, and the Mafter himfelf are engag'd 

 and beholding. This Servant, if he aim only, at his own ends, che- 

 rifties and aggravates the Divifions of a Family 3 but if he be fincere- 

 ly faithful, and upright, certainly he deferves much ; (b, as to be 

 reckoned as one of the brethren j or at leaft, to receive a Fiducia- 

 ry Adminiftration of the Inheritance. 



THE PARABLE. 



III. If a wife man contefls with a Fool^ whether he prov,xxi«, 

 be in anger ^ or in jeH, there is no qniet, 



THE EXPLICATION^. 



WE are often admoniftit to avoid unequal commerce 5 in this 

 fence, tiot to contend vpith our Betters : but it is a no le(s 

 profitable inftruftion, which Solomon here (ets down, Islot to under" 

 ta^e a rvorthlefs perfon ^ for fuch a bufinefi is ufually concluded upon 

 terms of difad vantage 3 for to overcome is no vidtory, but to be 

 conquer'd a foul difgrace ; and it is all one in the heat of this engage- 

 ment, whether we deal by way of jefting , or by way of dildairj 

 and (corn ; for howfoever we change Copy, we are embafed and 

 made the lighter thereby 5 nor (hall we handfbmely come off with 

 credit. But the worft inconvenience of all is, when the Perfon with 

 whom vve contend (as Solomon fpeaks) hath fomewhat of the Fool in 

 him ; that is, if he be witlefe and wilful, have fome heartjuo brain. 



THE PARABLE. 



IV. Lend not an Ear to all words that areffol^en^ left Eauj.viu 

 perchance thou hear eft thyfervant curfe thee, 



THE EXPLICATlOk. 



IT is a matter almofl: beyond belief, what difturbance is created 

 by unprofitable curiofitj; about thofe things which concern our 

 perlbnal intereft ; that is, when we make a too fcrupulous enquiry 

 after (uch fecrets ■, which once difclofed and found out, do but caufe 

 moleftationof mind, and nothing conduce to the advancing of ouf 



1 1 defigns. 



