OF CERIMONIES, AND RESPECTES

HE

:

CAP: 3

E that is onely reall, needeth exceeding greate partes of vertue, as the stone had neede to bee exceeding riche that is set wthout foyle: but commonly it is in praise, as it is in gaine for as the proverbe is true, that light gaines make heavie purses, because they come thicke: whereas the greate come but now, and then so it is as true that small matters win greate commendation, because they are continually in vse, and in noate, whereas the occasion of any greate vertue commeth but on hollidaies: to attaine good formes it sufficeth not to despise them, for so shall a man obserue them in others, and let him trust himselfe wth the rest: for if he care to expresse them he shall loose their grace, wch is to be naturall, and vnaffected: some mens behaviour is like a verse, wherein every sillable is measured: how can a man ob. serue greate matters, that breaketh his minde to much in small observations? not to vse ceremonies at all, is to teache others not to vse them againe, and so diminish his respect: especially

T

they are not to be omitted to straungers, and straunge natures: among a mans equalls a man shallbe sure of familiarity, and therefore it is good a litle to keepe state: among a mans inferiours a man shallbe sure of reverence, and therefore it is good a litle to be familiar: he that is to much in any thing, so that he giveth another occasion of satiety maketh himselfe cheape: to apply ones selfe to others is good, so it be wth demonstration that a man doth it vpon regarde, and not vpon facility: it is a good precept generally in seconding another, yet to adde somewhat of his owne: if you graunt his opinion let it be wth some distinction: if you will followe his motion let it be wth condition: if you allowe his counsaile, let it be wth aliedging farther reason.

OF FOLLOWERS, AND FREINDES

CAP: 4

OSTLY followers are not to be liked, least

maketh his winges shorter: I reckon to be costly not them alone wch charge the purse, but wch are wearisome, and importunate in suites: ordinary followers ought to challenge no higher conditions, then countenaunce, recommendation, and protection from wrong: factious followers are worse to be liked wch followe not vpon affection to him wth whome they raunge themselues, but vpon some discontentment received against some others, wherevpon commonly insueth that ill intelligence, that many times we see betweene greate personages: the following of certaine states awnswerable to that wch a greate personage himselfe professeth: as of souldiers to him that hath bin imploied in the warres, and the like hath ever bin a thing civill, and well taken euen in Monarchies, so it be wthout too much pompe, or popularity: but the most honorable kinde of following is to be followed, as one that intendeth to advaunce vertue, and

desert in all sortes of persons: and yet where there is no imminent ods in sufficiency, it is better to take wth the more passable, then wth the more able: in government of charge it is good to vse men of one ranke equally: for to countenaunce some extraordinarily is to make them insolent and the rest discontent, because they may claime a due: but in favours to vse men wth much difference, and election is good, for it maketh the persons preferred more thankfull, and the rest affectious, because all is of favour: it is good not to make to much of any man at first, because one cannot holde out that proportion. to be governed by one is not good, and to be distracted by many is worse: but to take advise of freindes is ever honorable : for lookers on many times see more then gamsters, and the vale best discovereth the hill. there is litle freindeship in the worlde, and least of all betweene equalls, that wch is, is betweene superiour, and inferiour, whose fortunes may comprehende the one the other.

ΜΑ

OF SUITERS

CAP: 5

ANY ill matters are vndertaken, and many good matters wth ill mindes: some embrace suites wch never meane to deale effectually in them, but if they see, there may be life in the matter by some other meane, they will be content to win a thanke, or take a second rewarde: some take holde of suites onely for an occasion to crosse some others, or to make an information, whereof they could not otherwise haue apt pretext, wthout care of what become of the suite, when that turne is served: nay some vndertake suites wth a full purpose to let them fall to the ende to gratify the adverse party, or competitor. surely there is in sorte a right in every sute, either a right of equity, if it be a sute of controversy, or a right of desert, if it be a sute of petition: if affection leade a man to favour the wrong side, in Iustice rather let him vse his countenaunce to compound the matter then to carry it: if affection leade a man to favour the lesse worthy in desert, let him doe wthout depraving, or disabling the better