But that is worse
which proceeds out of want, than that which riots out of plenty.
The remedy of fruitfulness is easy, but no labour will help the
contrary; I will like and praise some things in a young writer which
yet, if he continue in, I cannot but justly hate him for the same.
There is a time to be given all things for maturity, and that even
your country husband-man can teach, who to a young plant will not
put the pruning-knife, because it seems to fear the iron, as not
able to admit the scar. No more would I tell a green writer all his
faults, lest I should make him grieve and faint, and at last
despair; for nothing doth more hurt than to make him so afraid of
all things as he can endeavour nothing. Therefore youth ought to be
instructed betimes, and in the best things; for we hold those
longest we take soonest, as the first scent of a vessel lasts, and
the tint the wool first receives; therefore a master should temper
his own powers, and descend to the other's infirmity. If you pour a
glut of water upon a bottle, it receives little of it; but with a
funnel, and by degrees, you shall fill many of them, and spill
little of your own; to their capacity they will all receive and be
full.
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