A Wise man

IS the truth of the true definition of man, that is, a reasonable creature. His disposition alters, alters not. Hee hides himselfe with the attire of the vul∣gar; and in indifferent things is content to be gouerned by them. He lookes ac∣cording to nature, so goes his behauiour. His minde enioyes a continuall smooth∣nesse: so commeth it, that his considera∣tion is alwaies at home. He endures the faults of all men silently, except his friends, and to them he is the mirrour of Page  [unnumbered] their actions; by this meanes his peace commeth not from fortune, but himselfe. He is cunning in men, not to surprize but keepe his owne, and bears off their ill af∣fected hurnours, no otherwise then if they were flies. Hee chuseth not friends by the subsidy-booke, and is not luxurious after acquaintance. He maintaines the strength of his body, not by delica∣cies, but temperance; and his minde by giuing it preheminence ouer his bodie. Hee vnderstands things not by their forme, but qualities; and his compari∣sons intend not to excuse, but to prouoke him higher. He is not subiect to casual∣ties, for Fortune hath nothing to do with the minde, except those drowned in the body: but he hath diuided his soule, from the case of his soule, whose weakenesse hee assists no otherwise then commisera∣tiuely, not that it is his, but that it is. He is thus, and will bee thus: and liues sub∣iect neither to Time nor his frailties; the feruant of vertue, and by vertue, the friend of the highest.