F 2 ESSA YS CIVIL AND MORAL. 



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 

 brcakcth 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 

 thercfoie it is good a little to keep state. Amongst a man s in- 

 rcriors one shall be sure of reverence; and therefore it is good a 

 little to be familiar, lie that is too much in anything, so that he 

 giveth another occasion of satiety, makcth 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 somewhat 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 alledging farther reason. Men had need beware how they 

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

 wise, their enviers will be sure to give them that attribute, to the 

 disadvantage of their greater virtues. It is loss also in business to be 

 full of respects, or to be too curious in observing times and oppor 

 tunities : Solomon saith, &quot;He that considered! the wind shall not sow; 

 and he that looketh to the clouds shall not reap.&quot; A wise man will 

 make more opportunities than he finds. Men s behaviour should be 

 like their apparel; not too strait or point device, but free for exercise 

 or motion. 



L1II. OF PRAISE. 



Praise is the reflexion of virtue : but it is as the glass or body 

 which giveth the reflexion. If it be from the common people, it is 

 commonly false and nought ; and rather followeth vain persons than 

 virtuous, for the common people understand not many excellent 

 virtues : the lowest virtues draw praise from them : the middle virtues 

 work in them astonishment or admiration ; but of the highest virtues 

 they have no sense or perceiving at all : but showi, and species virtutibus 

 w ;//f.f, serve best with them. Certainly fame is like a river, that 

 beareth up things light and swoln, and drowns things weighty and solid : 

 but if persons of quality and judgment concur, then it is, as the 

 Scripture saith, &quot; Nomcn bonum instar ungucnti fragrantis.&quot; It filleth 

 all round about, and will not easily away : for the odours of ointments 

 are more durable than those of flowers. There be so many false 



