OF CEREMONIES AND RESPECTS 127 



the proverb is true, * That light gains make heavy purses ' ; 

 for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now 

 and then. So it is true that small matters win great com- 

 mendation, because they are continually in use and in 

 note ; whereas the occasion of any great virtue cometh 

 but on festivals. Therefore it doth much add to a man's 

 reputation, and is (as Queen Isabella said) ' like perpetual 

 letters commendatory/ to have good forms. To attain 

 them it almost sufficeth not to despise them ; for so shall 

 a man observe them in others ; and let him trust himself 

 with the rest. For if he labour too much to express them, 

 he shall lose their grace ; which is to be natural and 

 unaffected. Some men's behaviour is like a verse, wherein 

 every syllable is measured ; how can a man comprehend 

 great matters, that breaketh his mind too much to small 

 observations ? Not to use ceremonies at all, is to teach 

 others not to use them again ; and so diminisheth respect 

 to himself; especially they be not to be omitted to 

 strangers and formal natures ; but the dwelling upon them, 

 and exalting them above the moon, is not only tedious, but 

 doth diminish the faith and credit of him that speaks. 

 And certainly there is a kind of conveying of effectual and 

 imprinting passages amongst compliments, which is of 

 singular use, if a man can hit upon it. 



Amongst a man's peers a man shall be sure of familiarity ; 

 and therefore it is good a little to keep state. Amongst 

 a man's inferiors one shall be sure of reverence ; and 

 therefore it is good a little to be familiar. He that is 

 too much in anything, so that he giveth another occasion 

 of satiety, maketh himself cheap. To apply one's self to 

 others is good ; so it be with demonstration that a man 

 doth it upon regard, and not upon facility. It is a good 

 precept generally in seconding another, yet to add some- 

 what of one's own : as if you will grant his opinion, let it 

 be with some distinction ; if you will follow his motion, 

 let it be with condition ; if you allow his counsel, let it be 

 with alleging further reason. Men had need beware how 

 they be too perfect in compliments ; for be they never so 

 sufficient otherwise, their enviers will be sure to give them 



