But you shall see some so abound with words, without any seasoning
or taste of matter, in so profound a security, as while they are
speaking, for the most part they confess to speak they know not
what.
Of the two (if either were to be wished) I would rather have a plain
downright wisdom, than a foolish and affected eloquence. For what
is so furious and Bedlam like as a vain sound of chosen and
excellent words, without any subject of sentence or science mixed?
Optanda.--Thersites Homeri.--Whom the disease of talking still once
possesseth, he can never hold his peace. Nay, rather than he will
not discourse he will hire men to hear him. And so heard, not
hearkened unto, he comes off most times like a mountebank, that when
he hath praised his medicines, finds none will take them, or trust
him. He is like Homer's Thersites.
[Greek text]; speaking without judgement or measure.
"Loquax magis, quam facundus,
Satis loquentiae, sapientiae parum.{31a}
[Greek verse]. {31b}
Optimus est homini linguae thesaurus, et ingens
Gratia, quae parcis mensurat singula verbis."
Homeri Ulysses.--Demacatus Plutarchi.
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