Falsae species fugiendae.--I am glad when I see any man avoid the
infamy of a vice; but to shun the vice itself were better. Till he
do that he is but like the 'pientice, who, being loth to be spied by
his master coming forth of Black Lucy's, went in again; to whom his
master cried, "The more thou runnest that way to hide thyself, the
more thou art in the place." So are those that keep a tavern all
day, that they may not be seen at night. I have known lawyers,
divines--yea, great ones--of this heresy.
Decipimur specie.--There is a greater reverence had of things remote
or strange to us than of much better if they be nearer and fall
under our sense. Men, and almost all sorts of creatures, have their
reputation by distance. Rivers, the farther they run, and more from
their spring, the broader they are, and greater. And where our
original is known, we are less the confident; among strangers we
trust fortune. Yet a man may live as renowned at home, in his own
country, or a private village, as in the whole world. For it is
virtue that gives glory; that will endenizen a man everywhere. It
is only that can naturalise him.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85