266 Of the Advancement of Learning. L i b. Vlil. 



and conceit^ or is baajied in fpeech, hut hath not taken deep root. For 

 the one upon occafion prefented, wherein it may be exercis'd, is ia- 

 ftantly quickned, prepared, and dilated, fo as it feems greater than 

 it felf : but the other which before occafion was quick and aftive,no\v 

 occafion is given, becomes amaz'd and confiifed, that even he who 

 prefumed the pofleffion thereof, begins to call into doubt whether 

 the preconceptions of fuch wifdom were not meer Dreams, and emp- 

 ty fpeculations. 



THE PARABLE. 



pror.sxvii. XXXIIL He that patfeth his friend aloud^ rijing 

 early, it fhaU he to him no hetter than a carfe, 



THE EXP LJCATION. 



Moderate and feafonable Praifes, and utter d upon occafion, much 

 conduce both to mens Fame and Fortunes 5 but immoderate, Jire- 

 porous, and unjeafonablj pour'd out, proft nothing, nay rather from the 

 fence of this Far able they do much prejudice. Forfirft, they manifeftly 

 betray themfelves to proceed either from too extreme AffeBion, or 

 from a too ftudied AffeBation, to' the end that him whom they have 

 thus praifed, they may by falfe acclamations demerit rather to them- 

 felvesj than by Juft attributes adorn his perfbn. Secondly, fparing 

 and modeft Praijes, commonly invite fuch as are prefentto add fome- 

 thing of their owil tp the commendations 5 Contrary wife profufe and 

 immodeft Praifes, invite thehearets to detra<3: and take away fbme- 

 thing. Thirdly, ("which is f he'principal point) too much magnifying a 

 man ftirs up envy towards him , feeiftgall immoderate Praifes leemto 

 be a Reproach to dtliers, who merit no iels, 



THE PARABLE. 



ptov.xxvi: XXXIV* . As Faces fhine in waters , fo nuns hearts 

 are manifesto the ipife. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



THe Parable dijiinguijlieth befweeu the Hearts of wife men and of 0- 

 ther Men-) comparing thofcto waters or glajfes, which receive and 

 reprefent the forms and Images of things j whereas the other are lil{eto 

 Earth, or rudejione, wherein nothing is refeBed. And the more apt- 

 ly is the mind of a wife-man compar'd to a GlaJ? or Mirror 5 becaufe 

 in a Glajs' his own Image may be feen together with the Images of o. 

 thers; which the eyes cannot do of themfelves without a G/4/r. Now 

 if the mind of a wife man be Co capable, as to obferve and compre- 

 hend fuch an infinite diverfity of Natures and Cuftoms, it remains 



tg 



