2^6 Of the. Advancement of Learning, L i b . VIlI^ 



or at times when others are moft envied, or if words which refpeda 

 mans otpm Fraijc, feem to fall from him in a carelefs paflage, as intend- 

 ing fomething elfe, without dwelling too long upon them, or being 

 tooferious, ov'ii^amsLnCograce hiff/felf, as with equal freedom, he 

 forbears not to tax and jeft at himfelf ; or in {um,if he do this not of his 

 own accord, but as urg'dand provokt by the infolenciesand contu- 

 melies of others , it doth greatly add to a mans Reputation. Andjure- 

 1)1 not a few (more folid than windy natures, and therefore want the 

 Art of bearing up fayl in the height of the winds :,) fuffer for their mo- 

 deration, not without fome prejudice, and difadvantage to their repu- 

 tation and merit. But for thefe Flourifhes and enhancements of vertue, 

 howfoever fbme of weak judgement, and perchance too (everely Mo- 

 ral, may difalloW, no man will deny this, but that we fhould endea- 

 vour at leaft, that vertue thorowcareleft negligence be not difvalued, 

 and imbafed under the juft price. Thir diminHtion of the value, and 

 abating the price in eftiraating Virtue, is wont to fall out three vvayes. 

 FJrjl when a man offers and obtrudjeshimfelf and fervice in matters of 

 imployraent not call'd nor fent for , fuch prompt offices as thele are re- 

 puted well rewarded, if they be not refufed. Secondly when a man in 

 tbebeginningandfirft on-fet ofanimployment,toomuch abufeth his 

 own forces and abilities, when that which (hould have been performed 

 by degrees, he lavifbeth out all at once ; which in matters well mana- 

 ged, wins early grace and commendation, but in the end induceth 

 latiety. Thirdly when a man is too fuddenly fenfible, and too incon- 

 fiderately tranfported with the fruit of his vertue, in commendation, 

 applaufe, honour, favour confer'd upon him •-, and is too much afFeft- 

 ed and delighted therewith : of this point there is a wife Avilb. Se- 

 TPare lelf fou feem unacquainted with great matters^ that are thus pleas' d 

 ipitbfmall^ as if they were great'. . • , 



§ But the covering of Defects is of no lefs ir^portance than a wife and. 

 dexterous orientation afvertues. DefeHs are conceal'd andfecreted by a. 

 ihree-fold induliry, and as it were under three coverts. Caution, Co- 

 lour, and Confidence. Caution is.thatj when we do wifely avoid to be 

 put upon thole things for which we are not proper ; whereas contra- 

 riwife bold and unftaid fpirits will eafily engage themlelves without 

 judgement, inmatters wherein they are not feen, and fbpublilhand 

 - proclaim all their imperfedions. Colour is when we do warily and 

 wifely prepare and make way, to have a favourable and commodious 

 conftruQiion made of our faults and wants 3 as proceeding from a bet- 

 ter caufe, or intended for fome other purpofe than is generally con- 

 ceiv'd : for of the Covert of Faults the Poet faith well, 



Qy. . S£pe latet vitiuntp-oximitate Boni- 



Wherefore if we perceive a DefeB in our fclves, our endeavour muft 

 be to borrow and put on the r^r/<>« and Colour of the next bordering 

 Vertue,. wherewith it may be (badowed and fecreted. For inftance, 

 he that is Dull, muft pretend Gravity j he that is a Coward, Jllildnef, 

 and fo the reft. And it will advantage, to frame fome probable caufe, 

 and to give it out and fpread it abroad, that induced us to diflemble 



our 



