7.--Some, again who, after they have got authority, or, which
is less, opinion, by their writings, to have read much, dare
presently to feign whole books and authors, and lie safely. For
what never was, will not easily be found, not by the most curious.
Not. 8.--And some, by a cunning protestation against all reading,
and false venditation of their own naturals, think to divert the
sagacity of their readers from themselves, and cool the scent of
their own fox-like thefts; when yet they are so rank, as a man may
find whole pages together usurped from one author; their necessities
compelling them to read for present use, which could not be in many
books; and so come forth more ridiculously and palpably guilty than
those who, because they cannot trace, they yet would slander their
industry.
Not. 9.--But the wretcheder are the obstinate contemners of all
helps and arts; such as presuming on their own naturals (which,
perhaps, are excellent), dare deride all diligence, and seem to mock
at the terms when they understand not the things; thinking that way
to get off wittily with their ignorance. These are imitated often
by such as are their peers in negligence, though they cannot be in
nature; and they utter all they can think with a kind of violence
and indisposition, unexamined, without relation either to person,
place, or any fitness else; and the more wilful and stubborn they
are in it the more learned they are esteemed of the multitude,
through their excellent vice of judgment, who think those things the
stronger that have no art; as if to break were better than to open,
or to rend asunder gentler than to loose.
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