Politeuphuia VVits common wealth.

Of Gladnes.

Defi. Gladnesse or pleasure, is properly called that delight which mooueth and tickleth our sences; which quickly slideth and slippeth a∣way, and for the most part leaueth behind it occasions rather of repentance, then of calling it againe to remembrance.

OVr pleasures are inductions to our griefs. Oft hath a tragick entrance happy end.

Gladnes with griefe continually is mixt.

Sorrow fore-going gladnes, graceth it.

Immoderate desires, delights, and hopes, haue made, doe make, and will make, very many fooles.

There is nothing more to bee reioyced at, then a good and quiet conscience, vvhich at the latter day shall be a witnesse to iustifie, & not to condemne vs.

The gladnesse of the hart, addeth length to our life, but sorrow of lyfe, hastens death.

Bee gladde of that day wherein thy tongue hath not mis-said, and thy hart hath repented thy sinnes.

Disordinate laughter causeth death, and vi∣olent pleasures mighty dangers.

All men are glad to see their riches increase, but fewe men are diligent to amplifie theyr vertues.

All worldly gladnes rideth vppon the wings of Time, and but in heauen, no perfect ioy is found.

Be not gladde of thine enemies fall, for hee that sitteth surest may be ouerthrowne.

It is better to enter the house of mourning, then the habitation of gladnesse. Origen.

The gladnes of contemplation is the swee∣test solace.

Sith ioyes are short, take gladnesse when it comes, for sorrowes headlong follow one an other.

Couer thy gladnes in thy hart, least thy de∣lights be discouered.

Pleasures while they flatter a man, they sting him to death.

After the delectation and pleasures of the body, followeth the destruction of the flesh. Mar. Aur.

Pleasures vnbrideled, carrieth a man head∣long

into all licentious lyuing.

Pleasures bring losse and dammage to the party that too much delighteth in thē, they ingender in his minde sorrow, sottishnes, for∣getfulnes of wisedome, and insolencie.

The sweete and simple breath of heauenlie gladnes, is the easier to bee altered, because it hath not passed through worldly wickednes, nor feelingly found the euils which euill car∣rieth with it. S. P. S.

Hee that is giuen to pleasure, iudgeth all things, not according to reason, but accor∣ding to sence.

Gladnesse is the booke of all euils, quench∣ing the light of the soule, hindring good coū∣saile, and turning men aside from the way of vertue.

Pleasure is a cruell beast, making men her slaues, & chaining them with golden chaines.

Pleasure is so much more odious, by hovve much more she hideth her venom, vnder the garment of good liking.

Pleasure is a certaine exultation, or an ex∣ceeding reioycing, sprung of the euents of things desired.

Pleasure amongst vertues, is like a harlot a∣mongst honest women; for by her flatterie shee destroyeth man. Cic.

Pleasure is of two sorts, one is said of honest and good things, the other of dishonest. In respect of honest thinges, it is called Voluntas, in respect of dishonest, it is called Voluptas.

Bodily pleasure, is extreame miserie. An∣tisthenes.

The companion of pleasure is payne.

A wise man ought not to be puffed vp with pleasure, for it is the foode of filthines, it kyl∣leth the body, weakeneth the iudgement, and taketh away our vnderstanding.

Hee is not worthy the name of a man, that spendeth a whole day in pleasure.

Qui minus deliciarum nouit in vita minus ti∣met mortem.

Gaudia principium nostri sunt saepe doloris.

Gaudia non remanent, sed fugitiua volant.