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IT hath been an Opinion,
that the French are wiser then they seeme; And
the Spaniards seeme wiser then they are. But
howsoeuer it be between Nations, Certainly it is so between
Man and Man. For as the Apostle saith of
Godlinesse; Hauing a shew of Godlinesse, but
denying the Power thereof; So certainly,
there are in Point of Wisedome, and Sufficiency, that doe Nothing or Little, very
solemnly; Magno conatu Nugas. It is a
Ridiculous Thing, and fit for a Satyre, to
Persons of Iudgement, to see what shifts
these Formalists haue, and what Prospectiues, to make Superficies to seeme Body,
that hath Depth and Bulke. Some are so
Close and Reserued, as they will not shew
their Wares, but by a darke Light; And
seeme alwaies to keepe backe somewhat;
And when they know within themselues, they speake of that they doe not
well know, would neuerthelesse seeme to
others, to know of that which they may
not well speake. Some helpe themselues
with Countenance, and Gesture, and are
wise by Signes; As Cicero saith of Piso,
that when he answered him, he fetched
one of his Browes, vp to his Forehead, and
bent the other downe to his Chin: Respondes, altero ad Frontem sublato, altero ad
Mentum depresso Supercilio; Crudelitatem
tibi non placere. Some thinke to beare it,
by Speaking a great Word, and being peremptory; And goe on, and take by admittance that, which they cannot make
good. Some, whatsoeuer is beyond their
reach, will seeme to despise or make light
of it, as Impertinent, or Curious; And so
would haue their Ignorance seeme Iudgement. Some are neuer without a difference, and commonly by Amusing
Men with a Subtilty, blanch the matter;
Of whom A. Gellius saith; Hominem delirum, qui Verborum Minutijs Rerum frangit
Pondera. Of which kinde also, Plato in
his Protagoras bringeth in Prodicus, in
Scorne, and maketh him make a Speech,
that consisteth of distinctions from the
Beginning to the End. Generally, Such
Men in all Deliberations, finde ease to be
of the Negatiue Side; and affect a Credit,
to obiect and foretell Difficulties: For
when propositions are denied, there is an
End of them; But if they be allowed, it requireth a New Worke: which false Point
of Wisedome, is the Bane of Businesse.
To conclude, there is no decaying Merchant, or Inward Beggar, hath so many Tricks, to vphold the Credit of their
wealth, as these Empty persons haue, to
maintaine the Credit of their Sufficiency.
Seeming Wise-men may make shift to get
Opinion: But let no Man choose them
for Employment; For certainly, you were
better take for Businesse, a Man somewhat
Absurd, then ouer Formall.
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