Hee commonly commiserates his equalls for their weakenesses , and loues to teach , rather then learne the thing hee knowes not . Giue him but such a handle , and hee will bee sure to hold it till one be weary , and will instruct with such confidence , that though he produce no reason , a man must beleeue him on his word , or hee 'le be angry . If hee write or speake a discourse of any length , he cannot forbeare but hee must make knowne somewhat of his owne custome , or humor , or life , With I was this , or did this , or like this , or thus am , or was wont : belike , supposing that all men would be glad to make him the patterne of their life and actions .

As hee is distastfull to , so he distasteth all men ; for according to his owne estimate , he must needs hold himselfe vnder-valued , euen by those that prize him aboue his iust worth , then which nothing more vexes him . For though when himselfe detracts , he thinkes the detracted ought to beare it , as a righteous censure : yet if another be but sleepy in his discourse , or when hee talkes , be taken from him with any businesse , hee is presently grieued thereat , as a high neglect .

If hee reade anothers writings , hee findes somewhat to correct , but nothing to prayse , and so in their actions . Himselfe being in his owne Iudgement beyond censure . If hee meete with one of his owne nature , there 's presently warres , and it will appeare that he detests himselfe in the person of his enemy , more then another can do him in his owne . But meeting with modesty , hee deuoures it , makes it his prey , and nourisheth his Arrogance with such food ; for whatsoeuer the one shall in modesty lay from himselfe , the other will take , and yet thinke too little .

But it is best when hee encounters a cunning Flatterer , for such a one will spurre him on , and blow his folly vp to madnesse , and set him out to the laughter of them hee most contemned . Or as the Foxe serued the Crow , make him to let fall the meate from his mouth with attempting to sing . Or put him forward to seeke an emploiment , which hee , not knowing his owne strength , will bee alwayes ready to take vpon him , and so ruine him . For such a one will not feare to vndergoe , what hee does not vnderstand . All which be the fittest traps for this Vice .

Some are Arrogant ( as one may say ) indirectly , and will extoll such a man in such a faculty , as the hearers allow him to be better in , then the party so by him praised . But it comes all to one purpose ; for the face of Arrogance , howsoeuer painted , is not without deformitie . Yet I would not wish a man to bee so much affrighted with it , as to start to the contrary vice Pusillanimitie . For a man should not derogate from himselfe , there beeing too many , ready enough for that office , at least to beleeue him , as one that best knowes , what hee most wants . And certainely hee that doth Sentence himselfe , hath no colour for an Appeale , nor person to appeale vnto , vnlesse it be from his words , to his deedes , which need then to bee very remarkeable . Howsoeuer , he must acknowledge it to bee great folly , to haue denyed that ability in himselfe , which hee desires to haue made knowne .

But such men bee seldome found , that say not of themselues full as much as they can doe .

If we doe but view these men that haue their desires , and enioy their wishes , certainly we should not think it so glorious , and happy a thing , as it is giuen out for . Vexation , and trouble continually attend it . And besides they bee not much more burthensome to others , then grieuous to themselues . Long to continue at the height , is seldome seene . Extraordinary fauours be vncertaine , and slippery . Retire they cannot without staggering , nor descend , if not precipitately . Light burdens bee easily taken on , or cast off , without feeling ; but if wee bee ouer-loaden , wee seldome faile but fall or sinke . And no man proceeds so happily , but sometimes hee is crost , the trauels and wayes of this life be so mixt and confused . Therefore Ambitious men had need prefixe a certaine limit to their increase , and not to attend the retyring of Fortune .

To affect superiority aboue others , when a mans desire is predominant ouer his reason , argues distemper and weakenesse .

Some great men that haue , or haue had great Offices , complaine of the paines and vexation they suffer , or haue suffered , with the weight & burthen of their charge , being worn in yeeres , and decayed both in spirit and strength . If therefore according to this they would , or could haue beene content to withdraw , or retire themselues , in respect of weaknesse and debility , from Publique affayres , it would haue expressed an excellent temper , and moderation . But few such voluntaries bee found . The traines of Ambition , Profit , and Pompe , detaine them , and whilest they say they hate the trouble , they shew by continuing , that they adore the glory , and gaine that followes it .

But lest we may confound Ambitious , with worthy desires , take these few differences , or distinctions . For the desire of glory in it selfe is not ill , but it is the excesse , or defect that makes it so . The meane betweene both cannot be exprest in one word , yet is commendable and allowed for a Vertue . So saith Aristotle , Laudatur habitus qui modum adhibet in expectanda gloria , etiamsi uacet nomine . Shewing the affecting of glory to be matter both of Vertue , and Vice , according as it is gouerned , as well as any other passion of the minde .

The vndergoing , or vndertaking of Publique businesse , so it be more for the generall good , then a mans priuate respect , is euer profitable to the Common-wealth ; but to affect it too much in any kind whatsoeuer , is alwayes taken in the worst sense .

For men of place , or Fauorites to bee zealous in the streame , or generall course of businesse , is commendable , but to be violent , or singular , in the particulars , vnsufferably dangerous .

To desire precedency aboue others in respect of ones seruice , or merit , is a good emulation . Nam honos alit artes , omnesque incenduntur ad studia gloria , saith Cicero . For aduancement nourisheth Learning , and all men are enflamed to study , by the hope of honour and glory subsequent . But to aspire vnto it without either , intolerable Arrogance .

To bee hunting after all preferment , to follow euery shadow , shewes a man to be inconstant , and expresseth leuity : but to refuse Honor when it is offered , which as Seneca saith , is Fructus verae virtutis honestissimus , the honestest reward of Vertue , argues Pusillanimity .

If a man seeke or labour to attaine fauour , and preferment , with this onely intention , that by that way , he may haue better meanes to doe good , to reduce ill Custome , to the most ancient , and commendable formes , and to amend breaches , or intrusions , or decayes , with particular respect to this , without the least tincture of vaine-glory , or any other selfe-desire , this kinde of Ambition I admit as a Vertue , and in this case , I allow it to be generous .

Our first thoughts should be to make our selues worthy to receiue dignity , and employment ; thesecond , that the world should haue a good estimation , and opinion of our merit ; and ( that which generally with others is the first ) with vs should be the third , fruition of that wee thinke our selues able to discharge , and the world thinkes vs worthy to enioy , and not that which our priuat respects , and particular Ambition makes vs forward to desire . According to Pliny in an Epistle : Omnia metir ● dignitate malim quam ambitione .

Scientia quae est remota à iustitia , calliditas potius quam sapientia est appellanda , saith Plato . Knowledge separated from that which is vpright , is rather called craft , then wisedome . So a mind that is prepared and ready for any great action , neuer so worthy , or full of hazzard , if the inducement to this be onely his owne particular ends , or profit , and not the publike , or common good , this certainly is better termed in him impudent and rash Ambition , then either Valor , or Vertue .

To conclude , men that haue good aymes and ends in aspiring , are not so expressely Votaries to the Publique , as that they bee secluded ( by honest and iust wayes , free from scandall , importunitie , vexation , and tax ) euen by the meanes of the present fauour , and place they enioy , to raise or encrease their Fortune● , to honor and aduance their Posteritie , so it bee done with moderation , and modestie .

Following this in all places where they come , the very name of a Manuscript rauisheth them , though it bee but copied out of some absurd booke , printed the last Mart ; which once knowne , as it will be , by their often enquiry for things of that kinde , ( any thing , it 's no matter what , neither doe they know more then in generall the name of a Manuscript ) few mornings passe , that some poore Scribe or other doth not coozen them in that kinde .

Meeting with any of their owne Nation , they will endeuour to make them beleeue that they are as well acquainted with the counsell , proiects , and policies of that State or Court where they liue , as any that be there , though of the highest employment . They will tell what wayes they haue found out in Cyphring , and what charge they haue been at for Intelligence , which is demonstrated by hauing some papers wauing in their hands , though emptie , or at least but filled with their Hosts last account .

They will protest their entirenesse and inwardnesse with the men of the greatest name and employment in those parts , though peraduenture they neuer saw their faces , nor neuer heard them spoken of , but by a Mountebanke in the Piazza .

But for the great Ones , in their owne Country , what is it not they will say , to make vs beleeue they are with them the onely great and entire men of the world ? Which familiaritie betwixt them they will endeuour to expresse by shewing their names to letters , though counterfaite , and Coppies of letters they pretend they haue writ to them , though neuer sent .

They will further tell you , that they are absent thus long abroad , ( the State at home taking knowledge of their abilitie ) because they would yet reserue some libertie to themselues , and not bee wholly taken vp ( as they be sure , if they were returned they should bee ) with publike employment .

And then they will returne to generalls , and speake of Intentions , and Treaties , and Things , where they will stop with a shrug , or a Desunt nonnulla , and so referre you to the Starres for a consequence : as if these things were too secret , too deepe for your knowledge , or to make you beleeue that the multiplicity of affaires and State-businesse distract and trouble their minds ; when God knowes , the most that they thinke or ruminate vpon , is to get the estimation and opinion in the world , of that which they haue no colour to pretend to , viz. Witte .

Againe , being abroad , they will translate the very Gazzette , the most ordinarie and vncertaine newes in the World , to send ouer by whole bundles into England , which some particular friends of theirs , that know no more of forraigne busines , then their letters infuse into them , by this means are made to beleeue that the senders are serious , intelligent , and graue , and so they looke too , when they come home ; but that s all . And better vse I know not which way to put them to , then as a signe for those things they outwardly , yet vnhandsomly imitate .

That little which they speake , or thinke , or doe , smels of State . For to get but the name of an employment abroad , they will engage themselues , their friends , and fortunes . That is the vttermost of their Ambition .

But that small reputation which report gaue them heere , their owne presence at their returne , doth vtterly make to vanish . And by this meanes , which no other way could euer bring to their knowledge , they finde the fruit of their ostentation , and those vaine imaginations which before possessed them . And thus much briefly of an affected Statist . Now to other sorts .

It 's Affectation in one , though naturally an elegant Speaker , not to descend a little to the capacitie of such as he conferres withall . For to some Country Husbandmen , one were as good speake Latine , as good English .

To vse , in discoursing of an ordinary subiect , words of a high , sounding , and Tragicke straine , is as vnseemelie , as walking on stilts , where one may as well goe in slippers .

Likewise Rusticitie in speech , and base popular phrases , in themselues shew want of education , but affected , discouer folly to boote .

Old Antique words , such as haue beene dead , buried , and rotten in the time of our Great Grand-fathers , would become the ghost of Chaucer on a Stage , but not a man of the present time .

Likewise , New words , like a new Coyne , will not easily be receiued , till both their weight , and stampe haue beene examined . To which may be referred the saying of Pomponius Marcellus , who finding fault with some thing that was said in an Oration of Tyberius Caesars , Atteius Capito contrarily affirmed , that if it were not now Latine , yet it would bee heereafter . That is not so ( saith Marcellus ) for though Caesar can giue naturalization in the City of Rome , to men , yet he cannot doe so to words . For they can neuer be admitted , till Custome haue allowed them . That must bee referred to publike vsance , not to Caesars power .