Howe one may take profite of his enmyes [sic], translated out of Plutarche

Howe one may take profette of his enmyes .

I Perceyue my frende / that thou hast chosen a right pleasant kynde of lynynge / voyde of busynesses of the comon welthe , wherin neuertheles thou doste to the comon welthe moche profette : beinge vnto al them that come vnto the , and eke to them that kepe the company , bothe compenable and pleasant .

But sins it is so , that we may fynde some countrey , that wanteth wylde and hurteful beastis , as it is sayde by Creta : But yet no comon welthe hath bene founde , that hath not norisshed within it selfe , enuy , disdayne , and stryfe : of whiche moste comonly emnities do growe , ye and if there were nothing els , frendshyp it selfe turneth vs to enmitie , whiche the wyse man Chion perceyuynge , asked one that vaunted hym selfe to haue none enmye , if he had also no frende . Me thynketh than it were mete for a man of auctorite / and that medleth in the rule of the comon welth / that amonge other busin●● he shulde haue also consideration of his enmyes , and to take good hede , that this was not spoken for nought of Xenophon : It is a substantial wyse mans parte , to take profette of his enmyes . Therfore I haue gathered to gyther those thinges that came in my minde now of late , as I resoned on this matter , And I haue written them vnto the , in as fewe wordes , takinge hede , as nere as I coulde , that I touche nothinge of those that I wrote afore , in the preceptes of good maner , for I se that boke ofte in thy hande . ¶ To men of the olde worlde it suffised , if they toke no hurte of diuers beastis , and in that tyme they fought with hurtfull beastis only for that purpose . But they that are of later tyme , fyndynge the waye howe to vse wylde beastis , are not onely not hurte , but also they take profette of them , fedynge them with their flesshe , clothyng them with theyr flecis , makynge of theyr mylke and galles , medicines for diseases , and armyng them & defendynge them with theyr skyns : in so moche that now it is to be doubted , that if beastis wanted vnto man , mans lyfe shulde be but beastly , wylde , and nedye . So lyke wyse syns it suffiseth vnto other , to take no hurte of theyr enmyes : and that Xenophon saythe , profette maye be taken of enmyes , Belefe is not to be taken from suche an auctour , but rather the maner and way muste be soughte , wherby this profette maye be gotten by them , that may not lyue without emnities .

The husbande man can not take from euery tree the wylde nature : nor the hunter can not make euery wylde beaste gentil and tame : so that the waye hath bene founde / that for other vsis , bothe vnfrutefull trees and wylde beastis haue bene profitable .

The see water is vnmets to drynke , and vnpleasant , but it noryssheth fysshes , it caryeth vs from place to place / and it serueth in bryngynge in and beryng out wares .

But Satyrus the fyrst tyme that he sawe fyer , whan he wolde haue taken it & kyssed it : Ho , ꝙ Prometheus , thou roughe knaue , if thou take not hede , it wil make thy syppes smerte : for it burneth , if it be touched , it se●uethe not for that purpose : but hit gyuethe lyghte and hete , and is the instrument of all craftes , if one can vse it .

It muste be sene therfore , if also an enmy , that els were hurteful and dangerous , may be touched any other waye , and gyue some particular vse of hym selfe , and do vs very great profette . For there are many thinges hatefull and greuous vnto them , to whom they hapen : out of the whiche neuertheles some vse may be taken . For thou seest many vse some disease of the body , for occasion of quiete and reste . Agayne , labours and trauayles / that haue comen by chaunce / haue made many mans helthe more perfecte by exercise . Besydes this , there hath ben many / to whom outlawrye and losse of money hath bene forderance to study and lernyng / as to Diogenes , and Crates . And Zenon whan he herde that his shyp was drowned : Thou doste very well Fortune , quod he , in dryuynge me to my studyenge mantyll .

For lyke as some lyue thynges / that are good in digestyng , and heleful for the body , if they ete serpentes and scorpions , they degest them : yea and there are some , that are norisshed with stones and shelles , by reason of the force & hete of the sprites , that turne these thinges in to norysshement : where as these / that bene tender and sickelye , can nat awaye with breadde and wyne . So fooles marre and also lose frendshyppes , but they that are wyse , can profitably vse enmities .

Fyrste therfore that that in enmytie is moste hurtfull / semeth vnto me to do great profette / if one take hede to it . What is that ? sayste thou . Truely an enmye alway watchynge / markethe what thou doste / and in sekynge occasion of sklaunder / prieth and peryth alwaye on thy lyuyng , percyng with his syght lyke a Lynx , not only the tymber , the coueryng , and the walles of thy house , but also thy frende , thy seruant , and whom so euer kepeth the company / that as nere as he may , he wyll knowe what thou dost , percynge and tryenge all thy secretes . Where as our frend is by our delay and negligens , ofte tymes are bothe sicke / and dye without our knowlege . And of our enmyes / welnere we marke theyr dremes . So that the disseasis / the dettes / the skoldynges with theyr wyues / shall rather be vnknowne of them / whose they are , than of their enmyes . So , chiefly dothe he marke fautes / and aboue all thynge , them he feketh . Euen lyke as these Grypes , that flye vnto the sauour of stynkyng caryons , and them that are holle and cleane they smelle not : So if there be any thyng foule / or fautie / or af●er apetite , in thy lyfe , this prouokethe thy enmye , the● to he leapethe / who so euer hateth / that he pulleth and twytcheth . Is it not therfore profitable to the , to be constrayned to that poynt / that alway thou lyue hedefully and warely , and that thou nother do nor say any thynge rechelesslye , or vnaduisedlye ? But alwayes , as they that are aferde of some disease kepe precise diete for surfetynge / so to kepe fauteles and vnblamable maners . For suche hede bredethe in vs a purpos and a studye of fautles lyuynge , in restraynyng desyres of the mynde / and in withdrawyng and reuokynge the thoughte . For as these cities , that by theyr nere enmys , and continuall warre , lerne sobernes and diligens / and as they kepe theyr lawes better / and gouerne better the comon welthe : so they , whom enmyte hath dryuen to this poynte / that in their lyfe they be sobre and heedful , to auoyde folye / to do all thynge compinablely without negligens of any thynge / are brought lyttell and lyttel ere they beware , in to a custome of not offendynge , and of redressynge theyr maners , if reason helpe any thynge .

For who that haue this alway in remembrans , that Priam and his chyldren myght be gladde to haue had suche enmyes , wherby they toke hede to them selfes , and were renowmed : truely it shall withdrawe , re●●rayne / and leade them fro suche thynges / that shulde be pleasure and laughter for theyr emnyes .

We se also these musiciens ofte tymes slake and not very hedeful , as ofte as they synge in audiens alone : But if there hapen any disdayne / and stryfe with other : than they do not onely applye theyr myndes better , but dresse their instrumentes more diligently , chuse theyr strynges / tune them more preciselye / in assayenge often theyr acorde : So who that perceyuethe / that he hath a disdayner , both of his name and of his lyuynge , taketh better hede to hym selfe / he examinethe all his dedes , and redresseth all his lyfe . For of trouthe noughtynes hath this propretie , that in offendynge , it ferethe more enmyes than frendes . Therfore Scipio whan some thoughte Rome to be in a suertie , bycause Carthage was distroyed , and the Grekes ouercomen : Ye but nowe , quod he , we are in greattest peryll , sins nowe we haue none , whom we drede or fere .

Take with this the answere of Diogenes very excellent and mete for a philosopher : To one that asked hym / whiche waye he myght be reuenged on his enmye : If thou make , quod he , thy selfe an honeste and a good man .

Moste parte of men are sorye / whan they se the fayre horse / or wel praised dogges of theyr enmyes : And agayne they are sory , if they se theyr lande wel husbanded , or their gardeyne fayre and goodly . What trowest thou than they wyll do / if thou shewe thy selfe an vpright man , wyse / good / & thrifty , excellent in wel sayinge / pure & vncorrupte in matters of charge : In temperance of thy synynge , sobre and mesurable , vsynge to plowe a depe forowe in a wyse brest , when● out do sprynge goodly and fayre councels ? ¶ They that are ouercomen , saythe Pindarus , haue theyr tonge tayde , that they dare not ones hysce . But that is not apliable proprely in euery one , that is ouercomen of theyr enmyes , But in them onely , that se them selfe ouercomen of theyr enmyes / in diligence , in wysedome / in greatnes of the mynde , in gentylnes , and liberalitie . These thynges do folde vp a tonge , as sayth Demosthenes , these do shutte and close vp the mouth , these do stoppe the throte , these cause silence , these cause the , that , as sayth Pyndarus / thou darste not ones hisce . Therfore endeuour thou thy selfe / sins thou mayst , to seme better than they that be nought .

Therfore if thou desyre to greue thyne enmye , do it not this way , to cal hym leude , or dronkerde , knaue , or nygarde , or sluttysshe or slouen , but rather endeuour thou thy selfe to be an honest man / endeuour thy selfe to be sobre , & measurable , to be trewe , and to entreate them gentyllye and indifferently / that kepe company and medle with the. But if it so hapen / that thou falle to chydyng and reuylyng / take hede that thou be cleane without those fautes , for whiche thou rebukest an other . Returne thy selfe in to thyn owne brest / loke in to thyne owne bosome , and marke well / if there be any thyng filthy or subiecte to vice : Lest parauenture some yll tonge haue occasion to cast this in thy tethe : He saluethe other / and is hym selfe full of botchis .

But if he cal the vnferned , aplye thou thy selfe to study , and quicken thy endeuour , if he call the cowarde , styrre thy corage and the redynes of thy mynde / if he calle the vnchast and vicious , chace out of thy mynde the desyre of luste / if any suche printe / vnware to the , stycke in the. For there is nothynge fouler than suche rebuke , that reboundethe to the rebuker . And there is nothynge more greuous or sharper . For lyke as the reflection of light doth most hurte to sore eies , so do yll wordes / whiche trouthe returneth thyther as they came fro .

Truely lyke as the northest wynde drawith cloudes towarde it / so doth yll lyuyng drawe yll speakynge vnto hit . Therfore Plato , as ofte as he sawe any do vncomly , to him selfe was wonte to say : Am I suche in any case ?

Ferthermore he that hath skolded with an other , if he forthwith beholde his owne life , and redresse it , chaungynge it in to the contrary / and correctynge hit : truely he shall take great profette by skoldynge , and otherwyse it is bothe taken and also is a very folisshe thyng . For so comonly men are wont to laugh at him , that is balde or croked , and blameth an other for the same vicis . But it is moste of al to be laughte at , one to cast a rebuke to an other / whiche maye haue some rebuke turned to hym selfe . As Leo of Byzantia , whan a foule croked felowe cast vnto hym the sorenes of his eies : It is natural , ꝙ he , But thou dost cary thyne owne rebuke vpon thy backe .

Therfore beware that thou caste not adulterie in ones tethe , if thou vse a more fylthye flesshelye luste : nor attwite not one of wast / if thou be a nygarde .

Al●meon layde hit to Adrastus / that he was cosyn to a woman / that slewe hir mother . But what sayde he agayne ? He laide to hym agayne not an others faute / but his owne , sayinge : Thou slewest thy mother thyne owne handes .

Domitius iested with Crassus on this wise : Dyddest thou not wepe , whan thy Lampray was deed , whiche thou haddest kepte in thy stewe ? But Crassus returned the checke on this facion : Dyddest thou wepe at all / whan thou berydiste .iij. wyues ?

He that shulde checke an other / maye not be a iester , or a skolder , or a foole : But he muste be suche one / on whom no checke nor faute may cleue . For it semeth that god commande this , KnoWe thy selfe , to no man more than to hym , that shulde blame and checke an other : Lest , if they say what they wyll , they here that that they wolde not . For it is wonte to be as Sophocles sayth : Whan thou hast powred out wordes folisshely / & sayd them with thy good wyll , againe thou shalte here the same agaynst thy wyll .

And that is the profette and commoditie / that may be taken of chidyng with enmies : and no lesse profette cometh of the tother / that is , if one be yll spoken of / and rebuked of his enmyes . Wherupon hit was well and truly spoken of Antisthenes : It behoueth a man for the safegarde of his welthe and prosperitie , eyther to haue sure trustye frendes / or sharpe enmyes , bycause they in warnynge , tother in rebukynge , refrayne hym from vicis .

But truely bycause that now adays frendshyp hath loste hir speche to speake frelye , and flaterie hath tonge inough / warnynge is domme : it remayneth therfore , that we muste here the trouthe of our enmyes . For like as Telephus coulde not be heled of his wounde by no surgen of his owne felowes , and was heled by an other wounde , that Achilles his enmie gaue hym in the same place : so they that haue no frendly warner , muste suffre the wordes of an yll wyllynge enmy , wherby they may correcte & amende their fautes . In whiche tyme the thynge it selfe oughte to be consydered , and not the mynde of the yll speaker . For lyke as he that thought to haue slayne Prometheus of Thessali , by chance strake so a wenne that he had / that he saued the man , and by breakynge the wenne rydde hym of the peryll : so hit is not selden sene , that a rebuke caste out by enmyte and hatred , healeth a sore of the mynde , that was parauenture vnknowen or els vnregarded .

But many that are touched with a rebuke , do not considre this , whether they be gyltie of the shame that is layde to them , but they loke rather , if he that layde hit , haue any thynge in hym , that may be caste agaynste hym . And lyke as wrestlers in the wrestlynge place / do not brusshe away the duste / but one arayethe an other : so with rebukes whan they mete to gyther , one of them shameth an other . But it were more acording , that he that hath had a checke of his enmy , shall take that away that is layde agaynste hym , rather than a spotte that one sheweth hym in his gowne .

Ye and also if one lay to thy charge a faute , that thou arte not gyltie in / yet hit is to be soughte , vpon what causes that yl spekynge dyd growe : and than it oughte to be taken hede of and fered / leste that vnware we do any thynge lyke that , that is layde agaynst vs . As Lacides kynge of Argyne , for his trymme busshe , and a lyttell more pyked apparell / was sklaunderde amonge the common sorte / as tender and womannysshe .

The same hapned to Pompey / bycause he skratched his heed with one fynger , altho he was farre inoughe from tendernes and wantonnes .

So also it dyd hapen vnto Crassus , which to dye a propre ferme , ofte tymes resorted to a woman of religion , for to wynne hir good wyll .

Truely Posthumia by reason of hir liberall laughyng and talkynge with men , was so sklaunderde , that she was accused of adulterie , altho hit was founde , that the faute was not trewe : Yet the bysshop Spurius Minutius at hir departynge warned hir / that she shulde talke with as great drede of shame , as she dyd lyue .

And Themistocles whan he offended nothynge , yet he gatte by Pausanias to be suspecte of treason / by cause he vsed hym so familiarly / and sent hym dayly lettres and messengers . Therfore whan there is any thynge sayde agaynst the , that is not trewe , thou oughtest not therfore / bycause hit i● false / to let it passe . But trye with thy selfe , if thou haue sayde or done any thynge , or assayde any thynge , or if amonge thy familiars there hath any thynge bene , that hath gyuen hym prouable occasion : and if thou fynde it , take hede and auoyde it .

Truely if harde happe , that comethe by chance , teacheth some , what is best to do , as Meropa speakethe in a playe : Fortune in takynge awaye that , that was mooste dere vnto me , hath made me wyse , to my coste . Why shulde we nat aswel vse our enmye for a teacher lesse costly / that may profette vs , and teacheth vs some thyng , that we knewe not afore ? For truelye many thynges an enmye perceyueth better than a frende , bycause that loue blyndeth in the thyng that is loued , as sayth Plato . But vnto hate is ioyned bothe besye serche and bablynge .

Whan Hieron had his stinkyng brethe cast agaynste hym of his enmye / he came home and chode his wyfe , sayinge : Why dyddest not thou shewe me this faute ? But she that was chaste and symple , answered : I had wente , quod she , that all men had sauoured on the same fasshion . So that that , whiche may be sensiblely perceyued , & those thinges that be in the body seene of euery man , thou shalte soner knowe them of thyn ennemyes , than of thy frendes or felowes .

Put to this , that where it is no smal parte of vertue to haue a sobre tonge / alwayes obedient to reason : that thou canst not haue , without thou by moche exercise , hede , and studie , subdue the yl motions of thy mynde , of whiche sorte anger is one . For as from fooles wordes do skape out , and as Homere saythe : The fleinge voyce forsakethe the closure of the mouthe , So is it most wonte to hapen to vnexercised myndes , that slippe and slyde , by vnmoderate anger , by vntemperatnes of mynde , and by smalle hede of lyuynge .

More ouer , as saythe the godly Plato / the lyghtest thynge that is , bothe god and man punysshe with greattest payne . But a tother syde / sylence where as hit is alwaye gyltles / and not only not hurtfull , hit hath besydes in chydynge / a sauour of Socrates constance , or of Hercules force rather / for he also toke lesse hede of greuous wordes , than he dyd of flyes .

Surely where as there is nothynge more graue or fayrer / than whan thy enmy chydeth , to holde thy peace , as one that sayleth by a great rocke , so also dothe suche an exercise sprede ferder . For if thou vse to suffre thyn enmyes chydynge , holdyng thy peace , thou shalte verye easelye suffre thye wyues skoldynge , whan she is angry , & bere without trouble the cryenge of thy frende , and the combre of thy brother . For of thy father & thy mother thou wilte suffre knockes and strokes , and be not moued with angre .

And Socrates dydde suffre Xantippa his wyfe at home to chyde and combre hym , the more easely to kepe company with other / if he vsed to forbere hir . But it is moche better in beinge exercised with checkes , rebukes / & hatredes of enmyes , to vse to subdue angre / and not to chaffe whan thou arte yll spoken to . Therfore on this wyse one ought to vse sobrenes and suffrance , in enmytes . But symplenes , great mynde , and gentylnes is more acordyng in frendshyppes . For it is not so honest to deserue well of a frende , as hit is shame not to do hit , as ofte as nede requireth . But yet it is taken for gentilnes , whan chaunce gyueth occasion / to let passe and not to be reuenged on thyn enmye .

But he that receyueth not his good wyll , & prayseth not his gentylnes , that soroweth the offence of his enmie , & helpeth hym , if he desyre it / & taketh some hede to his chyldren , or to his house / that is in peryll , truely he hath an herte of a dyamant , or els of yron .

Whan Cesar had commanded the ymages of Pompei , that were cast downe , to be sette vp agayne : Thou hast , quod M. Tullius , set vp Pompeis ymages , and stablysshed thyn owne . Wherfore an enmie is not to be dispraised , nor to be deceiued of his honour , whiche is to be praised , & worthye , for bycause a greatter prayse theron cometh vnto them that so do praise . Beside that , he that praiseth one / that deserueth it , is better beleued , whan he blameth , as one that hateth not the man , but that aloweth not his dede .

And that that is moste goodly of all and moste profitable , he shall in no wyse enuye his fortunate frendes / nor his familiars , whan they do any thynge prayse worthye , who so euer vseth to praise his enmyes / and not to gnawe nor byte at theyr good fortunes . Is there any thyng that bredeth suche profette in vs , or that engendreth in our mindes a better vse , than that that takethe from vs disdayne and enuye ? For as in a common welthe there are many thynges necessarye and yet noughte , whiche sins they be comen in custome , & gotten the strengthes of a lawe , yet shall they , to whom they be hurtefull or greuous / not lyghtely do them awaye : So enmytie bryngeth with hit many vicis / as angre , suspection , reioysynge of others harme , remembrance of wronges , and leueth the printes of these in the mynde .

Besydes that many thynges , whiche if thou do them to thyne enmye , seme nother yll nor wrongfull , so remayne they in vs / that skant they can be put away / as is craftynes , deceyte , and subtylties . Wherby ofte tymes by the custome , we shall vse them to our frendes , if we be not ware howe we vse them to our ēmies . Therfore Pythagoras commanded very wel , whan he moued men from takynge of fowle , and of fysshe / and forbad the kyllynge of all gentyll beastis / to th ende that in beastis we shulde vse to tempre our selfes from cruelte and rauenynge . But hit is moche more goodly / in beinge a gentyll , a iuste / and a symple enmye , in debates and stryfes agaynst men , to chastice the foule and deceytefull affections of the mynde / and to subdue them / to th ende that in medlynge with frendes men may vtterly forbere them .

Scaurus was at debate with Domitius , and sewed hym : so a seruant of Domitius afore the matter was pleaded , came vnto Scaurus , and aduertised hym , that he had a secrete thynge to tell hym : but he wolde not suffre the felowe to speke , but toke hym and sente hym to his maister .

Cato whan Murena dyd sewe hym , and sought to gather argumentes of the accusation / there folowed hym ( as was the custome ) they that awayted , what shulde be done , and they ofte tymes wolde aske hym , if that daye he wolde do any thynge / that myght pertayne to his accusynge : and if he denyed it , they beleued hym and went theyr way . And truely that was a greatte token , that they had a good opinion of Cato .

But this is yet fairest of al , that one whan we are acustomed to do vprightly and iustly with our enmyes , we shall neuer medle deceytefully or falselye with our frendes and familiars . But by cause it muste nedes be , that euery kocke haue his combe , and euery mynde of man of hym selfe bredeth stryfe , suspecte , & enuie : it were nat vnprofitable , amonge frendes that haue but holowe myndes , as sayth Pyndarus , if a man poure out the purgynge of suche fautes vpon his enmyes , and to let hit ronne as in to a synke / farre of from his frendes or familiars . Whiche me thynketh Onomademus an honest man perceyued , whiche was in Chio / whan there was a mutenyng there / on that parte that had the better , and warned them of his syde / not to chase them all out , that were of the contrary syde , lest , quod he , that we begynne to falle out with our frendes , if we wante emnyes . And if those vicis on this wyse shulde be consumed on enmyes / they shal the lesse greue frendes .

For truelye the potter shulde not enuie the potter , nor the synger the synger , as Hesiodus sayth : and hit is not mete , that a man shulde disdaine his neibour / or his cosyn / or his brother , if he waxe riche , and haue good fortune . But if there be none other way to ridde thy selfe from stryfe , enuie , & disdaine , than vse thy selfe to be sory for thyn enmies good fortune , and sharpen the edge of angre agaynst them . For as these connynge gardiners thynke to make rosis and violettis the better , if they sowe oynyons and garlyke nere by them , that what so euer sower sauour be in them , it may be purged in to the tother : so an enmye receyuynge in to hym our enuie and waywardnes , shal make vs better and lesse greuous to our frendis , that haue good fortune . Wherfore agaynst them muste be exercised the stryfe of glorie / of rule / and of good gaynynge , but not so moche , that we shuld tourment our selfe , tho they haue more than we : But to marke al thinges by what meanes they passe vs , and let vs endeuour vs to passe them in diligence / endeuonr / sobrenes , and warenes : As Themistocles was wonte to saye / that he coulde not slepe for Myltiades victorie at Maratho .

For he that is brought to so lowe mynde , and fayntyng for enuie , by cause he thinketh hym selfe passed of his enmye , in gouernance , or in obtaynyng of causis , or in fauoure , or auctoritie with frendes / or with noble men , and not rather endeuoureth and assayethe some thinge in dispite of hym / trewly he is holden with a folysshe and a vayne enuye . But he whom hate blyndeth not so , but that he may iuge hym , whom he hateth / & also may loke with indifferent eies , bothe vpon his lyfe / and his maners / his wordes , and his dedes : of a suertie he shall perceyue many of those thynges , that he enuiethe / to come vnto the tother by diligence , prouision / and of dedes well done . And therwithal by exercise sharpynge the takynge hede of passing hym , and the studye of honour / he shal shake of al ydlenes and false herte . So that if we se that they haue gotten in the courte or in the comon welthe , any vnhonest or vndeserued power , eyther by flatery / or by deceite , or by false iugement , or by mede / hit shall not be greuous vnto vs / but rather plesure , in layinge to gether our vpryghte lyuynge with theyr noughtynes . For truely all the golde that is eyther aboue the erthe or vnder the erthe , is not to be compared with vertue , as sayth Plato . It is mete also to haue alway in remembrance that worde of Solon : We woll not saythe he , chaunge the ryches of vertue , neyther for the largesse that is cried by a great nombre / hired for mete , nor for honours , nor for the chiefe place amonge the wyues & concubines of dukes & princis . For there is nothinge to be wondred at / or notable / that groweth of dishoneste . But the louer is blynde in that that he louethe , as saythe Plato / and better we perceyue if our enmyes do any thinge vncomely . Yet maye we not tho they do noughtilye take an vnprofitable gladnes / or and if they do well / be moued with an ydle griefe , but in eche of this is to be thought / that in beinge ware of the tone we maye be better than they / and folowynge the tother that we be no worse .

¶ Thus endeth Plutarche to take profette of enmyes .

To chose ¶ The maner to chose and cherysshe a frende .

TO fylle vp the padges , that els wold haue ben voide , I thought it shuld nother hurt nor displese , to adde herevnto a fewe sayenges / howe a man shulde chose and cherysshe a frende .

Cicero saith , that Scipio compleyned gretly / that men were more diligent in al thynges / than in frendshyppe : euery man knoweth howe many gotes and shepe he hath , but no man can telle howe many frendes he hath : And in the getting of other thinges men vse great care and diligence / but in chosynge of frendes they be verye negligent , nor they haue not as it were markes and tokens / by the which they may deme those that are fete to be receyued in to frendshyppe . The boke sayth / haue not frendshyppe with an yrefull man / nor with a fole : but as Cicero saythe , men firme , and stable , and constant / shulde be taken in to frendshyppe . Of the whiche sorte is great scarsite and lacke / and to iuge whiche they be , is a very harde thynge , except we make a proffe , and we can not make a proffe therof tyll we be entred in to frendshyp . So , frendshyp goth before iugement .

Some there be , that a smal some of money shal shewe how sure frendes they be . Some there are / whiche a littel thinge can not remoue , & yet they be knowen in a great nede .

And if we happe to fynde a frende / that demeth it a foule and a shamfull thynge to set more by money than by frendshyp : yet wher shal we finde them / that wyl not more esteme honours , rowmes , lordships , powers , and abundance of riches , than frendship ? But as the same Cicero saithe , nother profittes , honours , riches , plesures / nor none other such like thinges , shulde be more set by than frendships . But yet he that is a good man , shal do nothing for his frendes sake , that is either against the common welthe , or els agaynst his othe or fidelite . For the offence is not excusable , to say , thou dyddest it for thy frendes sake . And yet the same Cicero , as Gellius doth recite his wordis , saith , that where our frende standethe in ieopardye eyther of his life or of his good renowme / we may some what swarue a syde out of the waye . But what so euer Gellius saith , Cicero teacheth plainly , that we shulde require nothynge of our frende / but that that is honest .

And nowe concernynge the truste that we ought to haue in our frende , Seneca sayth : He that estemethe any man his frende , the which he can not trust so moche as him selfe , doth deceiue hym selfe . And he that maketh and proueth his frende festynge at the table doth fayle . It is vertue , say the Cicero , the whiche bothe wynneth and entertaynethe frendes . A man shulde reason and debate al thinges with his frende , but fyrst he shulde debate and reason with hym , whether he be a frende or no. No man nedeth to mystrust frendship / but fyrste let hym examyne and deme , whether it be frendshyp or not .

They do agaynst the preceptes of Theophraste , the whiche loue before they iuge , and not after they haue demed . Thou shuldeste a longe tyme consydre , whether thou shuldest take any in to thy frendshyppe . and whan it liketh the so to do , than receiue him with all thy very harte , and talke as boldly with him , as though thou were alone . But yet lyue thou after suche fachion , that thou committe nothynge to hym / but that that thou woldest committe to an enmie . But for bicause there be certayne businesses / the whiche custome maketh secrete , make thy frende priuie to al thy cares and thoughtes . Thou shalte do thus , if thou suppose hym to be sure and faythfull . For many shewe the maner and waye to deceiue , while they fere to be deceiued . And some tell them that they mete by the way , & blowe in euery mans eare , it that shulde only be opened & shewed to frendes . Agayne some also drede so moche the conscience of their mooste dere frendes , that if they may , they woll kepe close within them all their secretenes , bycause they woll not put them in truste therwith . None of these two wayes is to be taken / for eche of them both is nought , to truste euery body / and to truste no man . Of whiche two fautes the fyrste is the more honest / and the other the more sure . And thoughe the wyse man be content with hym selfe / yet woll he haue a frende , and it be for none other cause , but to exercise frendshyppe / leste so great a vertue shulde lye asyde . Not for that that Epicure saythe / that he may haue one to tende hym whan he is sicke , or els that maye succoure hym , if he be cast in prison / or be poure and nedy , but that he may haue one / whom sicke and diseased he may tende vpon , and whom he may delyuer out of warde / if he happe to come in his enmyes handes . He that regardeth hym selfe / and for his owne sake seketh frendshyppe , he intendeth yuell : and lyke as he begynneth , so shall he ende . He thynketh he hath got a frende to helpe hym out of prison , whiche , whan he hereth the chaynes rattel , goth his way . These frendshyps , as the people sayth , dure for a tyme . He that is receyued into frendshyp for loue of profyte , as longe as he is profytable , he pleaseth . It is nedeful that the begynnyng and endynge of frendshyp , shulde agre . He that begynneth to be a frende , by cause it is expedient for hym , some price shall please hym agaynst frendshyp , if there be any price in it / that may please him aboue frendshyp . Thou sayste , To what intent shulde I prepare a frende ? I answere , that thou maist haue one , whom thou mayste accompany , whan he is banisshed / for whom thou mayst put thy selfe in daunger of dethe . For the tother is rather a shapmanshyp than a frendshyppe , whiche hath a respecte to profette , and considereth , what auayle he maye gette therby . There is nothynge , that so moche deliteth the mynde , as faythfull frendshyp . And he is well happy / that fyndeth a trewe frende , saythe the boke . O howe great is the goodnes / whan the breastis be prepared redye , in to the whiche all secretenes maye surely descende , whose conscience thou dredest lesse than thyne owne , whose talkynge easeth the grefe and heuynes of thy harte / the sentence gyueth redy and quicke counsaile / the chere dassheth the inwarde sorow , and the very regarde and beholdynge deliteth ? And bycause the vse of frendshyppe is variable and manyfolde , and there be many causes gyuen of suspicion and offence , the whiche is a wise mans parte to eschewe , to helpe / and to suffre . Frendes muste ofte be monisshed , and rebuked , and that muste be taken frendly / whan hit is done of good wyll . But for so moche as Terence saythe , Trouthe bredeth hate / whiche is as a poyson to frendshyppe / we must take hede , that our monition be not sowre , and that the rebuke be without vile wordes . For vile rebukes , as the boke sayth , for doth frendship .

Thus endethe the maner to chose and cherysshe a frende , Imprinted at London in Fletestrete by Thom Berthelet , printer to the kynges most noble grace . Cum priuilegio .