OF DISCOURSE 83 



And generally, men ought to find the difference between 

 saltness and bitterness. Certainly, he that hath a satirical 

 vein, as he maketh others afraid of his wit, so he had need 

 be afraid of others' memory. 



He that questioneth much, shall learn much, and con- 

 tent much ; but especially if he apply his questions to the 

 skill of the persons whom he asketh; for he shall give 

 them occasion to please themselves in speaking, and him- 

 self shall continually gather knowledge. But let his 

 questions not be troublesome ; for that is fit for a poser. 

 And let him be sure to leave other men their turns to 

 speak. Nay, if there be any that would reign and take 

 up all the time, let him find means to take them off, and 

 to bring others on ; as musicians use to do with those 

 that dance too long galliards. If you dissemble some- 

 times your knowledge of that you are thought to know, 

 you shall be thought another time to know that you 

 know not. 



Speech of a man's self ought to be seldom, and well 

 chosen. I knew one was wont to say in scorn, ' He must 

 needs be a wise man, he speaks so much of himself : and 

 there is but one case wherein a man may commend himself 

 with good grace ; and that is in commending virtue in 

 another ; especially if it be such a virtue whereunto 

 himself pretendeth. Speech of touch towards others should 

 be sparingly used; for discourse ought to be as a field, 

 without coming home to any man. I knew two noble- 

 men, of the west part of England, whereof the one was 

 given to scoff, but kept ever royal cheer in his house ; the 

 other would ask of those that had been at the other's 

 table, 'Tell truly, was there never a flout or dry blow 

 given ? ' To which the guest would answer, < Such and 

 such a thing passed/ The lord would say, 'I thought he 

 would mar a good dinner.' Discretion of speech is more 

 than eloquence ; and to speak agreeably to him with whom 

 we deal, is more than to speak in good words or in good 

 order. A good continued speech, without a good speech 

 of interlocution, shews slowness ; and a good reply or 

 second speech, without a good settled speech, sheweth 



