But now it is come to that extreme
folly, or rather madness, with some, that he that flatters them
modestly or sparingly is thought to malign them. If their friend
consent not to their vices, though he do not contradict them, he is
nevertheless an enemy. When they do all things the worst way, even
then they look for praise. Nay, they will hire fellows to flatter
them with suits and suppers, and to prostitute their judgments.
They have livery-friends, friends of the dish, and of the spit, that
wait their turns, as my lord has his feasts and guests.
De vita humana.--I have considered our whole life is like a play:
wherein every man forgetful of himself, is in travail with
expression of another. Nay, we so insist in imitating others, as we
cannot when it is necessary return to ourselves; like children, that
imitate the vices of stammerers so long, till at last they become
such; and make the habit to another nature, as it is never
forgotten.
De piis et probis.--Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages
wherein they live and illustrate the times. God did never let them
be wanting to the world: as Abel, for an example of innocency,
Enoch of purity, Noah of trust in God's mercies, Abraham of faith,
and so of the rest.
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