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<h2> Of Anger </h2>
<p>TO SEEK to extinguish anger utterly, is but a bravery of the Stoics. We
have better oracles: Be angry, but sin not. Let not the sun go down upon
your anger. Anger must be limited and confined, both in race and in time.
We will first speak how the natural inclination and habit to be angry, may
be attempted and calmed. Secondly, how the particular motions of anger may
be repressed, or at least refrained from doing mischief. Thirdly, how to
raise anger, or appease anger in another.</p>
<p>For the first; there is no other way but to meditate, and ruminate well
upon the effects of anger, how it troubles man's life. And the best time
to do this, is to look back upon anger, when the fit is thoroughly over.
Seneca saith well, That anger is like ruin, which breaks itself upon that
it falls. The Scripture exhorteth us to possess our souls in patience.
Whosoever is out of patience, is out of possession of his soul. Men must
not turn bees;</p>
<p>... animasque in vulnere ponunt.</p>
<p>Anger is certainly a kind of baseness; as it appears well in the weakness
of those subjects in whom it reigns; children, women, old folks, sick
folks. Only men must beware, that they carry their anger rather with
scorn, than with fear; so that they may seem rather to be above the
injury, than below it; which is a thing easily done, if a man will give
law to himself in it.</p>
<p>For the second point; the causes and motives of anger, are chiefly three.
First, to be too sensible of hurt; for no man is angry, that feels not
himself hurt; and therefore tender and delicate persons must needs be oft
angry; they have so many things to trouble them, which more robust natures
have little sense of. The next is, the apprehension and construction of
the injury offered, to be, in the circumstances thereof, full of contempt:
for contempt is that, which putteth an edge upon anger, as much or more
than the hurt itself. And therefore, when men are ingenious in picking out
circumstances of contempt, they do kindle their anger much. Lastly,
opinion of the touch of a man's reputation, doth multiply and sharpen
anger. Wherein the remedy is, that a man should have, as Consalvo was wont
to say, telam honoris crassiorem. But in all refrainings of anger, it is
the best remedy to win time; and to make a man's self believe, that the
opportunity of his revenge is not yet come, but that he foresees a time
for it; and so to still himself in the meantime, and reserve it.</p>
<p>To contain anger from mischief, though it take hold of a man, there be two
things, whereof you must have special caution. The one, of extreme
bitterness of words, especially if they be aculeate and proper; for
cummunia maledicta are nothing so much; and again, that in anger a man
reveal no secrets; for that, makes him not fit for society. The other,
that you do not peremptorily break off, in any business, in a fit of
anger; but howsoever you show bitterness, do not act anything, that is not
revocable.</p>
<p>For raising and appeasing anger in another; it is done chiefly by choosing
of times, when men are frowardest and worst disposed, to incense them.
Again, by gathering (as was touched before) all that you can find out, to
aggravate the contempt. And the two remedies are by the contraries. The
former to take good times, when first to relate to a man an angry
business; for the first impression is much; and the other is, to sever, as
much as may be, the construction of the injury from the point of contempt;
imputing it to misunderstanding, fear, passion, or what you will.</p>
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<h2> Of Vicissitude Of Things </h2>
<p>SOLOMON saith, There is no new thing upon the earth. So that as Plato had
an imagination, That all knowledge was but remembrance; so Solomon giveth
his sentence, That all novelty is but oblivion. Whereby you may see, that
the river of Lethe runneth as well above ground as below. There is an
abstruse astrologer that saith, If it were not for two things that are
constant (the one is, that the fixed stars ever stand a like distance one
from another, and never come nearer together, nor go further asunder; the
other, that the diurnal motion perpetually keepeth time), no individual
would last one moment. Certain it is, that the matter is in a perpetual
flux, and never at a stay. The great winding-sheets, that bury all things
in oblivion, are two; deluges and earthquakes. As for conflagrations and
great droughts, they do not merely dispeople and destroy. Phaeton's car
went but a day. And the three years' drought in the time of Elias, was but
particular, and left people alive. As for the great burnings by
lightnings, which are often in the West Indies, they are but narrow. But
in the other two destructions, by deluge and earthquake, it is further to
be noted, that the remnant of people which hap to be reserved, are
commonly ignorant and mountainous people, that can give no account of the
time past; so that the oblivion is all one, as if none had been left. If
you consider well of the people of the West Indies, it is very probable
that they are a newer or a younger people, than the people of the Old
World. And it is much more likely, that the destruction that hath
heretofore been there, was not by earthquakes (as the Egyptian priest told
Solon concerning the island of Atlantis, that it was swallowed by an
earthquake), but rather that it was desolated by a particular deluge. For
earthquakes are seldom in those parts. But on the other side, they have
such pouring rivers, as the rivers of Asia and Africk and Europe, are but
brooks to them. Their Andes, likewise, or mountains, are far higher than
those with us; whereby it seems, that the remnants of generation of men,
were in such a particular deluge saved. As for the observation that
Machiavel hath, that the jealousy of sects, doth much extinguish the
memory of things; traducing Gregory the Great, that he did what in him
lay, to extinguish all heathen antiquities; I do not find that those zeals
do any great effects, nor last long; as it appeared in the succession of
Sabinian, who did revive the former antiquities.</p>
<p>The vicissitude of mutations in the superior globe, are no fit matter for
this present argument. It may be, Plato's great year, if the world should
last so long, would have some effect; not in renewing the state of like
individuals (for that is the fume of those, that conceive the celestial
bodies have more accurate influences upon these things below, than indeed
they have), but in gross. Comets, out of question, have likewise power and
effect, over the gross and mass of things; but they are rather gazed upon,
and waited upon in their journey, than wisely observed in their effects;
specially in, their respective effects; that is, what kind of comet, for
magnitude, color, version of the beams, placing in the reign of heaven, or
lasting, produceth what kind of effects.</p>
<p>There is a toy which I have heard, and I would not have it given over, but
waited upon a little. They say it is observed in the Low Countries (I know
not in what part) that every five and thirty years, the same kind and suit
of years and weathers come about again; as great frosts, great wet, great
droughts, warm winters, summers with little heat, and the like; and they
call it the Prime. It is a thing I do the rather mention, because,
computing backwards, I have found some concurrence.</p>
<p>But to leave these points of nature, and to come to men. The greatest
vicissitude of things amongst men, is the vicissitude of sects and
religions. For those orbs rule in men's minds most. The true religion is
built upon the rock; the rest are tossed, upon the waves of time. To
speak, therefore, of the causes of new sects; and to give some counsel
concerning them, as far as the weakness of human judgment can give stay,
to so great revolutions. When the religion formerly received, is rent by
discords; and when the holiness of the professors of religion, is decayed
and full of scandal; and withal the times be stupid, ignorant, and
barbarous; you may doubt the springing up of a new sect; if then also,
there should arise any extravagant and strange spirit, to make himself
author thereof. All which points held, when Mahomet published his law. If
a new sect have not two properties, fear it not; for it will not spread.
The one is the supplanting, or the opposing, of authority established; for
nothing is more popular than that. The other is the giving license to
pleasures, and a voluptuous life. For as for speculative heresies (such as
were in ancient times the Arians, and now the Armenians), though they work
mightily upon men's wits, yet they do not produce any great alterations in
states; except it be by the help of civil occasions. There be three manner
of plantations of new sects. By the power of signs and miracles; by the
eloquence, and wisdom, of speech and persuasion; and by the sword. For
martyrdoms, I reckon them amongst miracles; because they seem to exceed
the strength of human nature: and I may do the like, of superlative and
admirable holiness of life. Surely there is no better way, to stop the
rising of new sects and schisms, than to reform abuses; to compound the
smaller differences; to proceed mildly, and not with sanguinary
persecutions; and rather to take off the principal authors by winning and
advancing them, than to enrage them by violence and bitterness.</p>
<p>The changes and vicissitude in wars are many; but chiefly in three things;
in the seats or stages of the war; in the weapons; and in the manner of
the conduct. Wars, in ancient time, seemed more to move from east to west;
for the Persians, Assyrians, Arabians, Tartars (which were the invaders)
were all eastern people. It is true, the Gauls were western; but we read
but of two incursions of theirs: the one to Gallo-Grecia, the other to
Rome. But east and west have no certain points of heaven; and no more have
the wars, either from the east or west, any certainty of observation. But
north and south are fixed; and it hath seldom or never been seen that the
far southern people have invaded the northern, but contrariwise. Whereby
it is manifest that the northern tract of the world, is in nature the more
martial region: be it in respect of the stars of that hemisphere; or of
the great continents that are upon the north, whereas the south part, for
aught that is known, is almost all sea; or (which is most apparent) of the
cold of the northern parts, which is that which, without aid of
discipline, doth make the bodies hardest, and the courages warmest.</p>
<p>Upon the breaking and shivering of a great state and empire, you may be
sure to have wars. For great empires, while they stand, do enervate and
destroy the forces of the natives which they have subdued, resting upon
their own protecting forces; and then when they fail also, all goes to
ruin, and they become a prey. So was it in the decay of the Roman empire;
and likewise in the empire of Almaigne, after Charles the Great, every
bird taking a feather; and were not unlike to befall to Spain, if it
should break. The great accessions and unions of kingdoms, do likewise
stir up wars; for when a state grows to an over-power, it is like a great
flood, that will be sure to overflow. As it hath been seen in the states
of Rome, Turkey, Spain, and others. Look when the world hath fewest
barbarous peoples, but such as commonly will not marry or generate, except
they know means to live (as it is almost everywhere at this day, except
Tartary), there is no danger of inundations of people; but when there be
great shoals of people, which go on to populate, without foreseeing means
of life and sustentation, it is of necessity that once in an age or two,
they discharge a portion of their people upon other nations; which the
ancient northern people were wont to do by lot; casting lots what part
should stay at home, and what should seek their fortunes. When a warlike
state grows soft and effeminate, they may be sure of a war. For commonly
such states are grownm rich in the time of their degenerating; and so the
prey inviteth, and their decay in valor, encourageth a war.</p>
<p>As for the weapons, it hardly falleth under rule and observation: yet we
see even they, have returns and vicissitudes. For certain it is, that
ordnance was known in the city of the Oxidrakes in India; and was that,
which the Macedonians called thunder and lightning, and magic. And it is
well known that the use of ordnance, hath been in China above two thousand
years. The conditions of weapons, and their improvement, are; First, the
fetching afar off; for that outruns the danger; as it is seen in ordnance
and muskets. Secondly, the strength of the percussion; wherein likewise
ordnance do exceed all arietations and ancient inventions. The third is,
the commodious use of them; as that they may serve in all weathers; that
the carriage may be light and manageable; and the like.</p>
<p>For the conduct of the war: at the first, men rested extremely upon
number: they did put the wars likewise upon main force and valor; pointing
days for pitched fields, and so trying it out upon an even match and they
were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battles. After, they grew
to rest upon number rather competent, than vast; they grew to advantages
of place, cunning diversions, and the like: and they grew more skilful in
the ordering of their battles.</p>
<p>In the youth of a state, arms do flourish; in the middle age of a state,
learning; and then both of them together for a time; in the declining age
of a state, mechanical arts and merchandize. Learning hath his infancy,
when it is but beginning and almost childish; then his youth, when it is
luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and
reduced; and lastly, his old age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust. But it
is not good to look too long upon these turning wheels of vicissitude,
lest we become giddy. As for the philology of them, that is but a circle
of tales, and therefore not fit for this writing.</p>
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<h2> Of Fame </h2>
<p>THE poets make Fame a monster. They describe her in part finely and
elegantly, and in part gravely and sententiously. They say, look how many
feathers she hath, so many eyes she hath underneath; so many tongues; so
many voices; she pricks up so many ears.</p>
<p>This is a flourish. There follow excellent parables; as that, she
gathereth strength in going; that she goeth upon the ground, and yet
hideth her head in the clouds; that in the daytime she sitteth in a watch
tower, and flieth most by night; that she mingleth things done, with
things not done; and that she is a terror to great cities. But that which
passeth all the rest is: They do recount that the Earth, mother of the
giants that made war against Jupiter, and were by him destroyed, thereupon
in an anger brought forth Fame. For certain it is, that rebels, figured by
the giants, and seditious fames and libels, are but brothers and sisters,
masculine and feminine. But now, if a man can tame this monster, and bring
her to feed at the hand, and govern her, and with her fly other ravening
fowl and kill them, it is somewhat worth. But we are infected with the
style of the poets. To speak now in a sad and serious manner: There is
not, in all the politics, a place less handled and more worthy to be
handled, than this of fame. We will therefore speak of these points: What
are false fames; and what are true fames; and how they may be best
discerned; how fames may be sown, and raised; how they may be spread, and
multiplied; and how they may be checked, and laid dead. And other things
concerning the nature of fame. Fame is of that force, as there is scarcely
any great action, wherein it hath not a great part; especially in the war.
Mucianus undid Vitellius, by a fame that he scattered, that Vitellius had
in purpose to remove the legions of Syria into Germany, and the legions of
Germany into Syria; whereupon the legions of Syria were infinitely
inflamed. Julius Caesar took Pompey unprovided, and laid asleep his
industry and preparations, by a fame that he cunningly gave out: Caesar's
own soldiers loved him not, and being wearied with the wars, and laden
with the spoils of Gaul, would forsake him, as soon as he came into Italy.
Livia settled all things for the succession of her son Tiberius, by
continual giving out, that her husband Augustus was upon recovery and
amendment, and it is an usual thing with the pashas, to conceal the death
of the Great Turk from the janizaries and men of war, to save the sacking
of Constantinople and other towns, as their manner is. Themistocles made
Xerxes, king of Persia, post apace out of Grecia, by giving out, that the
Grecians had a purpose to break his bridge of ships, which he had made
athwart Hellespont. There be a thousand such like examples; and the more
they are, the less they need to be repeated; because a man meeteth with
them everywhere. Therefore let all wise governors have as great a watch
and care over fames, as they have of the actions and designs themselves.</p>
<p>[This essay was not finished]</p>
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<h2> A Glossary Of Archaic Words And Phrases </h2>
<p>Abridgment: miniature<br/>
Absurd: stupid, unpolished<br/>
Abuse: cheat, deceive<br/>
Aculeate: stinging<br/>
Adamant: loadstone<br/>
Adust: scorched<br/>
Advoutress: adulteress<br/>
Affect: like, desire<br/>
Antic: clown<br/>
Appose: question<br/>
Arietation: battering-ram<br/>
Audit: revenue<br/>
Avoidance: secret outlet<br/>
Battle: battalion<br/>
Bestow: settle in life<br/>
Blanch: flatter, evade<br/>
Brave: boastful<br/>
Bravery: boast, ostentation<br/>
Broke: deal in brokerage<br/>
Broken: shine by comparison<br/>
Broken music: part music<br/>
Cabinet: secret<br/>
Calendar: weather forecast<br/>
Card: chart, map<br/>
Care not to: are reckless<br/>
Cast: plan<br/>
Cat: cate, cake<br/>
Charge and adventure: cost and<br/>
risk<br/>
Check with: interfere<br/>
Chop: bandy words<br/>
Civil: peaceful<br/>
Close: secret, secretive<br/>
Collect: infer<br/>
Compound: compromise<br/>
Consent: agreement<br/>
Curious: elaborate<br/>
Custom: import duties<br/>
Deceive: rob<br/>
Derive: divert<br/>
Difficileness: moroseness<br/>
Discover: reveal<br/>
Donative: money gift<br/>
Doubt: fear<br/>
Equipollent: equally powerful<br/>
Espial: spy<br/>
Estate: state<br/>
Facility: of easy persuasion<br/>
Fair: rather<br/>
Fame: rumor<br/>
Favor: feature<br/>
Flashy: insipid<br/>
Foot-pace: lobby<br/>
Foreseen: guarded against<br/>
Froward: stubborn<br/>
Futile: babbling<br/>
Globe: complete body<br/>
Glorious: showy, boastful<br/>
Humorous: capricious<br/>
Hundred poll: hundredth head<br/>
Impertinent: irrelevant<br/>
Implicit: entangled<br/>
In a mean: in moderation<br/>
In smother: suppressed<br/>
Indifferent: impartial<br/>
Intend: attend to<br/>
Knap: knoll<br/>
Leese: lose<br/>
Let: hinder<br/>
Loose: shot<br/>
Lot: spell<br/>
Lurch: intercept<br/>
Make: profit, get<br/>
Manage: train<br/>
Mate: conquer<br/>
Material: business-like<br/>
Mere-stone: boundary stone<br/>
Muniting: fortifying<br/>
Nerve: sinew<br/>
Obnoxious: subservient, liable<br/>
Oes: round spangles<br/>
Pair: impair<br/>
Pardon: allowance<br/>
Passable: mediocre<br/>
Pine-apple-tree: pine<br/>
Plantation: colony<br/>
Platform: plan<br/>
Plausible: praiseworthy<br/>
Point device: excessively precise<br/>
Politic: politician<br/>
Poll: extort<br/>
Poser: examiner<br/>
Practice: plotting<br/>
Preoccupate: anticipate<br/>
Prest: prepared<br/>
Prick: plant<br/>
Proper: personal<br/>
Prospective: stereoscope<br/>
Proyne: prune<br/>
Purprise: enclosure<br/>
Push: pimple<br/>
Quarrel: pretext<br/>
Quech: flinch<br/>
Reason: principle<br/>
Recamera: retiring-room<br/>
Return: reaction<br/>
Return: wing running back<br/>
Rise: dignity<br/>
Round: straight<br/>
Save: account for<br/>
Scantling: measure<br/>
Seel: blind<br/>
Shrewd: mischievous<br/>
Sort: associate<br/>
Spial: spy<br/>
Staddle: sapling<br/>
Steal: do secretly<br/>
Stirp: family<br/>
Stond: stop, stand<br/>
Stoved: hot-housed<br/>
Style: title<br/>
Success: outcome<br/>
Sumptuary law: law against<br/>
extravagance<br/>
Superior globe: the heavens<br/>
Temper: proportion<br/>
Tendering: nursing<br/>
Tract: line, trait<br/>
Travel: travail, labor<br/>
Treaties: treatises<br/>
Trench to: touch<br/>
Trivial: common<br/>
Turquet: Turkish dwarf<br/>
Under foot: below value<br/>
Unready: untrained<br/>
Usury: interest<br/>
Value: certify<br/>
Virtuous: able<br/>
Votary: vowed<br/>
Wanton: spoiled<br/>
Wood: maze<br/>
Work: manage, utilize<br/></p>
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