The mind is like a bow, the stronger by being unbent. But the
temper in spirits is all, when to command a man's wit, when to
favour it. I have known a man vehement on both sides, that knew no
mean, either to intermit his studies or call upon them again. When
he hath set himself to writing he would join night to day, press
upon himself without release, not minding it, till he fainted; and
when he left off, resolve himself into all sports and looseness
again, that it was almost a despair to draw him to his book; but
once got to it, he grew stronger and more earnest by the ease. His
whole powers were renewed; he would work out of himself what he
desired, but with such excess as his study could not be ruled; he
knew not how to dispose his own abilities, or husband them; he was
of that immoderate power against himself. Nor was he only a strong,
but an absolute speaker and writer; but his subtlety did not show
itself; his judgment thought that a vice; for the ambush hurts more
that is hid. He never forced his language, nor went out of the
highway of speaking but for some great necessity or apparent profit;
for he denied figures to be invented for ornament, but for aid; and
still thought it an extreme madness to bind or wrest that which
ought to be right.
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