For sufficient lords are able to make these
discoveries themselves. Neither will an honourable person inquire
who eats and drinks together, what that man plays, whom this man
loves, with whom such a one walks, what discourse they hold, who
sleeps with whom. They are base and servile natures that busy
themselves about these disquisitions. How often have I seen (and
worthily) these censors of the family undertaken by some honest
rustic and cudgelled thriftily! These are commonly the off-scouring
and dregs of men that do these things, or calumniate others; yet I
know not truly which is worse--he that maligns all, or that praises
all. There is as a vice in praising, and as frequent, as in
detracting.
It pleased your lordship of late to ask my opinion touching the
education of your sons, and especially to the advancement of their
studies. To which, though I returned somewhat for the present,
which rather manifested a will in me than gave any just resolution
to the thing propounded, I have upon better cogitation called those
aids about me, both of mind and memory, which shall venture my
thoughts clearer, if not fuller, to your lordship's demand.
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