For men of present
spirits, and of greater wits than study, do please more in the
things they invent than in those they bring. And I have heard some
of them compelled to speak, out of necessity, that have so
infinitely exceeded themselves, as it was better both for them and
their auditory that they were so surprised, not prepared. Nor was
it safe then to cross them, for their adversary, their anger made
them more eloquent. Yet these men I could not but love and admire,
that they returned to their studies. They left not diligence (as
many do) when their rashness prospered; for diligence is a great
aid, even to an indifferent wit; when we are not contented with the
examples of our own age, but would know the face of the former.
Indeed, the more we confer with the more we profit by, if the
persons be chosen.
Dominus Verulamius.--One, though he be excellent and the chief, is
not to be imitated alone; for no imitator ever grew up to his
author; likeness is always on this side truth. Yet there happened
in my time one noble speaker who was full of gravity in his
speaking; his language (where he could spare or pass by a jest) was
nobly censorious.
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