keepe backe somewhat; And when they know within themselves, they speake of that they doe not well know, would neverthelesse seeme[1] to others to know of that which they may not well speake. Some helpe themselves 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 up 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[2]. Some thinke to beare it[3] by Speaking a great Word and being peremptory; And goe on, and take by admittance[4] that which they cannot make good[5]. Some, whatsoever is beyond their reach, will seeme to despise or make light of it, as Impertinent or Curious[6]; And so would[7] have their Ignorance seeme Iudgement. Some are never without a Difference[8], and commonly, by Amusing Men with a Subtilty, blanch[9] the matter; Of whom A. Gellius saith, Hominem delirum, qui Verborum Minutijs Rerum frangit Pondera[10]. 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[11] the Negative Side, and affect a Credit to obiect[12] and foretell Difficulties: For when propositions are denied[13], there is an End of them; But if they be allowed[14], 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[15], hath so many Tricks to uphold the Credit of their wealth as
- ↑ they nevertheless wish to seem
- ↑ With one eyebrow raised to your forehead and the other lowered to your chin, you answer that cruelty is not to your taste.
- ↑ to carry their point
- ↑ take for granted
- ↑ cannot prove
- ↑ irrelevant or over-subtle
- ↑ wish to
- ↑ without some minute distinction
- ↑ shirk
- ↑ A madman who fritters away matters of weight with verbal quibbles.
- ↑ find more comfort in being on
- ↑ try to acquire a reputation by raising objections
- ↑ when proposals are rejected
- ↑ approved
- ↑ pauper who hides his poverty
