II.] ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 221 



passing the world and all worldly matters : we see, I say, not a fe\t 

 profound and excellent cautions, precepts, positions, extending to much 

 variety of occasions ; whereupon we will stay a while, offering to con 

 sideration some number of examples. 



Seel ct cunctis sermon ibus, qui dicuntur, ne accommodes aurem tuam. ne forte 

 audias servum tuurn maledicentem tibi. 



Here is recommended the provident stay of inquiry of that which 

 we would be loath to find : as it was judged great wisdom in Pompcius 

 Magnus that he burned Sertorius s papers unperuscd. 



Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur, sive ridcat, non invcnict 



requiem. 



Here is described the great disadvantage which a wise man hath in 

 undertaking a lighter person than himself, which is such an engage 

 ment, as whether a man turn the matter to jest, or turn it to heat, or 

 howsoever he change copy, he can no ways quit himself well of it. 



Qui delicate a pueritia nutrit servum suum. postca sentiet cum co;itumacs:n. 



Here is signified, that if a man begin too high a pitch in his favours, 

 it doth commonly end in unkindncss and unthankfulncss. 

 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo, coram regibus stabit, nee crit inter ignobiles. 



Here is observed, that of all virtues for rising to honour, quickness 

 of despatch is the best ; for superiors many times love not to have 

 those they employ too deep or too sufficient, but ready and diligent. 



Vidi cunctos viventcs, qm ambulant sub sole, cum adol-jscente sccundo, qui 

 consurgit pro eo. 



Here is expressed that which was noted by Sylla first, and after 

 him by Tiberius ; &quot; Plures adorant solcm oricntem, quam occident.um 

 vcl mcridianum.&quot; 



Si spiritus potestatem habentis oscenderit super te, locum tuum ne dimheiis, 

 quia curaiio faciet cessire pcccata maxima. 



Here caution is given, that upon displeasure, retiring is of all 

 courses the unfittest ; for a man leavcth things at worst, and dcprivcth 

 himself of means to make them better. 



Erat civitas parva, et pruici in ea viri ; venit contra earn rex mignus, et vailavit 

 earn, inbtruxitque munitiones per gyrum. et perfecta est obsidio ; inventusque 

 est in ea vir pauper ct sapiens, et liberavit cam per sapientiam suam, et 

 nullus deinceps recordatus est hominis illius pauperis. 



Here the corruption of states is set forth, that esteem not virtue or 

 merit longer than they have use of it. 



Mollis responsio frangit iram. 



Here is noted, that silence or rough answer exaspcrateth ; but an 

 answer present and temperate pacificth. 



Itcr pigrorum, quasi sepes spinarum. 



Here is lively represented how laborious sloth proveth in the end ; 

 for when things arc deferred to the labt instant, and nothing prepared 



