THE SECOND BOOK 341 



that habit : for there be many precepts of the wise order- 

 ing the exercises of the mind, as there is of ordering 

 the exercises of the body ; whereof we will recite a few. 



The first shall be, that we beware we take not at 

 the first either too high a strain or too weak : for if 

 too high, in a diffident nature you discourage ; in a con- 

 fident nature you breed an opinion of facility, and so a 

 sloth; and in all natures you breed a further expectation 

 than can hold out, and so an insatisfaction on the end : 

 if too weak of the other side, you may not look to 

 perform and overcome any great task. 



Another precept is, to practise all things chiefly at two 

 several times, the one when the mind is best disposed, 

 the other when it is worst disposed ; that by the one 

 you may gain a great step, by the other you may work 

 out the knots and stonds of the mind, and make the 

 middle times the more easy and pleasant. 



Another precept is, that which Aristotle mentioneth by 

 the way, which is to bear ever towards the contrary 

 extreme of that whereunto we are by nature inclined : 

 like unto the rowing against the stream, or making a 

 wand straight by bending him contrary to his natural 

 crookedness. 



Another precept is, that the mind is brought to any 

 thing better, and with more sweetness and happiness, if 

 that whereunto you pretend be not first in the intention, 

 but tanquam aliud agendo^ because of the natural hatred of 

 the mind against necessity and constraint. Many other 

 axioms there are touching the managing of Exercise and 

 Custom ; which being so conducted, doth prove indeed 

 another nature; but being governed by chance, doth 

 commonly prove but an ape of nature, and bringeth forth 

 that which is lame and counterfeit. 



So if we should handle books and studies, and what 

 influence and operation they have upon manners, are there 

 not divers precepts of great caution and direction apper- 

 taining thereunto ? Did not one of the fathers in great , 

 indignation call Poesy vinum daemonum^ because it in- 

 creased temptations, perturbations, and vain opinions? 



