But especially you must be cunning in the nature
of man: there is the variety of things which are as the elements and
letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order to the present
occasion.
of man: there is the variety of things which are as the elements and
letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order to the present
occasion.
Ben Jonson - Discoveries Made Upon Men, and Some Poems
--Many men believe not themselves what they would persuade
others; and less do the things which they would impose on others; but
least of all know what they themselves most confidently boast. Only they
set the sign of the cross over their outer doors, and sacrifice to their
gut and their groin in their inner closets.
_Jactura vitae_. --What a deal of cold business doth a man misspend the
better part of life in! in scattering compliments, tendering visits,
gathering and venting news, following feasts and plays, making a little
winter-love in a dark corner.
Hypocrita. --_Puritanus Hypocrita est Haereticus_, _quem opinio propriae
perspicaciae_, _qua sibi videtur_, _cum paucis in Ecclesia dogmatibus
errores quosdam animadvertisse_, _de statu mentis deturbavit: unde sacro
furore percitus_, _phrenetice pugnat contra magistratus_, _sic ratus
obedientiam praestare Deo_. {14}
_Mutua auxilia_. --Learning needs rest: sovereignty gives it. Sovereignty
needs counsel: learning affords it. There is such a consociation of
offices between the prince and whom his favour breeds, that they may help
to sustain his power as he their knowledge. It is the greatest part of
his liberality, his favour; and from whom doth he hear discipline more
willingly, or the arts discoursed more gladly, than from those whom his
own bounty and benefits have made able and faithful?
_Cognit. univers_. --In being able to counsel others, a man must be
furnished with a universal store in himself, to the knowledge of all
nature--that is, the matter and seed-plot: there are the seats of all
argument and invention.
But especially you must be cunning in the nature
of man: there is the variety of things which are as the elements and
letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order to the present
occasion. For we see not all letters in single words, nor all places in
particular discourses. That cause seldom happens wherein a man will use
all arguments.
_Consiliarii adjunct_. _Probitas_, _Sapientia_. --The two chief things
that give a man reputation in counsel are the opinion of his honesty and
the opinion of his wisdom: the authority of those two will persuade when
the same counsels uttered by other persons less qualified are of no
efficacy or working.
_Vita recta_. --Wisdom without honesty is mere craft and cozenage. And
therefore the reputation of honesty must first be gotten, which cannot be
but by living well. A good life is a main argument.
_Obsequentia_. --_Humanitas_. --_Solicitudo_. --Next a good life, to beget love
in the persons we counsel, by dissembling our knowledge of ability in
ourselves, and avoiding all suspicion of arrogance, ascribing all to
their instruction, as an ambassador to his master, or a subject to his
sovereign; seasoning all with humanity and sweetness, only expressing
care and solicitude. And not to counsel rashly, or on the sudden, but
with advice and meditation. (_Dat nox consilium_.
others; and less do the things which they would impose on others; but
least of all know what they themselves most confidently boast. Only they
set the sign of the cross over their outer doors, and sacrifice to their
gut and their groin in their inner closets.
_Jactura vitae_. --What a deal of cold business doth a man misspend the
better part of life in! in scattering compliments, tendering visits,
gathering and venting news, following feasts and plays, making a little
winter-love in a dark corner.
Hypocrita. --_Puritanus Hypocrita est Haereticus_, _quem opinio propriae
perspicaciae_, _qua sibi videtur_, _cum paucis in Ecclesia dogmatibus
errores quosdam animadvertisse_, _de statu mentis deturbavit: unde sacro
furore percitus_, _phrenetice pugnat contra magistratus_, _sic ratus
obedientiam praestare Deo_. {14}
_Mutua auxilia_. --Learning needs rest: sovereignty gives it. Sovereignty
needs counsel: learning affords it. There is such a consociation of
offices between the prince and whom his favour breeds, that they may help
to sustain his power as he their knowledge. It is the greatest part of
his liberality, his favour; and from whom doth he hear discipline more
willingly, or the arts discoursed more gladly, than from those whom his
own bounty and benefits have made able and faithful?
_Cognit. univers_. --In being able to counsel others, a man must be
furnished with a universal store in himself, to the knowledge of all
nature--that is, the matter and seed-plot: there are the seats of all
argument and invention.
But especially you must be cunning in the nature
of man: there is the variety of things which are as the elements and
letters, which his art and wisdom must rank and order to the present
occasion. For we see not all letters in single words, nor all places in
particular discourses. That cause seldom happens wherein a man will use
all arguments.
_Consiliarii adjunct_. _Probitas_, _Sapientia_. --The two chief things
that give a man reputation in counsel are the opinion of his honesty and
the opinion of his wisdom: the authority of those two will persuade when
the same counsels uttered by other persons less qualified are of no
efficacy or working.
_Vita recta_. --Wisdom without honesty is mere craft and cozenage. And
therefore the reputation of honesty must first be gotten, which cannot be
but by living well. A good life is a main argument.
_Obsequentia_. --_Humanitas_. --_Solicitudo_. --Next a good life, to beget love
in the persons we counsel, by dissembling our knowledge of ability in
ourselves, and avoiding all suspicion of arrogance, ascribing all to
their instruction, as an ambassador to his master, or a subject to his
sovereign; seasoning all with humanity and sweetness, only expressing
care and solicitude. And not to counsel rashly, or on the sudden, but
with advice and meditation. (_Dat nox consilium_.
