False complaints. Or The censure of an vnthankfull mind, the labour of Carolus Pascalius translated into English by W.C. A worke very learned and fit for all estates in this age of vnnecessarie discontentments, shewing how all complaine, but all without cause

Of those that are vnthankefull vnto men. CHAP. 29. (Book 29)

HItherto haue I proceeded with all the diligence and care I could, to repell those darts which the vnthankefull mind throweth against God: to these of ours, let any man adde whatsoeuer, he is guiltie of himselfe, neither can I or any man els expresse those things, for they are placed in the low∣est bottome of the mind, where lyeth secret all that poysō which mans impudēcie, vttereth against God, euery man as he inwardly searcheth himselfe, shall finde it, hee only who is the seer of hearts, and also the measurer of times, and the vm∣pire of thoughts: and to whome all secretes are

open; apprehēdeth the impurities of an others brest, these which we haue set downe which either may be learned by reading, or touched and knowne by ex∣perience; it is fit the Readers should take in good part.

Those that are more speciall, and more secret are left to euery man himselfe; it is sufficient for me, to haue shewed those thinges, wherein men in this kinde most vsually offend; furthermore least I should permit by negligence any thing that appertaineth to this subiect; I will in one word set downe those, which by this worst vice delude the society of man, the fault of an vngratefull mind, although it sticke fast by the rootes of every vice, yet as I thinke it ta∣keth chiefely his increase, and nourishment, from folly, couetousnesse, and pride. For the vnthankefull person, neither acknowledgeth the benefits recei∣ued; neither regardeth him that gaue them; but him that is ready to giue, wheresoeuer hee is, hee fin∣deth him out and hangeth vpon him. He gapeth after things, soone heard, desired, hoped. Hee ac∣counteth him of whom he hath receiued a benefit, as a creditor, whose name hee blotteth out as not being minded to pay him. Surely in that he thin∣keth, that he ought him a benefit, which gaue him one and was not in his debt, hee is a foole, hee that neither repayeth nor thinketh of repaying that which hee hath receiued, is the robber of an other, and the sordide miser of his owne, and in that hee

doth not acknowledge them, he is proudely maliti∣ous and malitiously forgetfull. Therefore an vn∣thankefull person (howsoeuer hee wickedly dissem∣bles) dooth know that hee hath receiued a benefit, but hee taketh the thankes from it that is due vnto it, and either passeth it all ouer with silence, and daw∣beth ouer the memory of it, or impudently deny∣eth the fact. I say, denyeth either by dissembling by wordes or in deede; neither dooth the memo∣ry of an vngratefull person so much faile him, as his vnluckinesse, malitiousnesse, and dissembling o∣uerruleth him, which he himself denies not, by often saying, many sacrifice, but fewe are hearde from hence there spring many kindes of vnthankfull per∣sons, some requite a benefit as they thinke but secret∣ly, and as fearing least it should appeare, so carefull they are, least any man should see it, neither are they so much ashamed to requite it, as to confesse that good turne, which to confesse they ought not to bee ashamed; of this kinde are those for the most part who are bound to their inferiours; to these I may ioyne those who are bound for those giftes, whereby they are more wise, and more learned, yet either they returne some small thing, for so great a bene∣fit (and with much a doe) or looke a squint or not at all, at those by whom they are inriched with those benefits which cannot be requited either with gold or siluer, and if peraduenture they do acknowledge the benefit, they so frame thēselues, that they seeme

not to repay it: But to bestow as it were some bene∣fit vpon their inferiours: like to these are those which either contemne, or hate their Schoole Masters, and those whom they haue had as instructers and infor∣mers of their young yeares; by all these for the most part a benefit is so requited, that a man had rather not haue it requited at all. In this kinde often and very greatly Princes offend towards men painefull and industrious; such as are most obsequious vnto them; thus often, Generalles, and Captaines of∣fend towards souldiers of excellent vertue; and the lesse and inferiour persons are not in this kinde lesse froward, then those great and mighty, whilst they often swell, and are pust vp more then either they know or can performe; and whilst they doe admire their owne and odiously extoll them, the bounty of others dooth grow vile and base with them; surely though they be wittie and learned, yet they are swel∣ling and arrogant, and indeed unthankfull; and euill interpreters of an other mans liberality. Of this kind was Lentulus, he whom Augustus had drawne from the Courts and pleading, to great riches and ho∣nour; yet found him vnthankefull, for hee was not afraide to say, that the Emperour had not bestowed so much vpon him, as he lost by pleading, & the vse of his eloquence. Amongst vnthankful persons I rec∣kon him who is thankful for feare, for he feareth that in his doubtful estate, he shall be forsakē if he be not esteemed for some recompence, and the significatiō

of a gratefull minde. Others require a benefit in some part, but it is of an other mans, whilst in the meane time they spare their owne.

These vnderstand not that there is scarse any re∣quittall of thankes, but with some coste, nay not without the helpe first of vertue, then of our wealth, and our increasing happinesse (others and these are men of an euill disposition) wish euill to those, of whom they haue receiued a benefit, that in the mi∣sery of an other they may haue occasion to be found thankefull. Neither doe they this so much to helpe him that needeth his helpe, as laying aside all conscience, for a vaine rumour of glory. Others (whilst they are ouer desirous to seeme thankfull) they fall into that vice which they shun; and which exceedingly they hate in others: they are sory (they say) for the least thing to be bound either to this man or to that; they are so impatient for the receiuing of a benefit, that as ouerloaden with some great burdē, they are presently desirous to lay it off, these whilst they cannot indure to sustaine the benefits of others show plainely that they will no way haue other be beholding to them: others presently return the thing they haue receiued or the like value, as a debtor doth gold or siluer, they dare bestowe nothing be∣sides the principall. These in giuing backe againe that, which they haue receiued, or some thing of the same value, doe not requite a benefit; for see∣ing euery requitall of a benefit, is rather the thanks

of the minde, then of the thing, hee that requiteth not a thing giuen, with the same thankefull minde that it is giuen, doth not requite a benefit.

From hence it followeth, that hee which dooth not requite a benefit, because when he would, hee cannot, is often thankefull; whereas he that requi∣teth it not with thy minde, is euer vnthankefull. O∣thers slowly and sluggishly requiting a benefit, re∣quite it not at all; for with these a benefit dooth so wither, that by degrees it vanisheth away; these Saint Ambrose pronounceth to bee vnthankefull, as all those who expect to be called vpon to requite a benefit receiued; others in requiting an old bene∣fit, expect a newe, neither doe they know how to giue any thanks, but such as haue hookes in them; which what way soeuer they are applyed, they euer eatch something. This is the Courtiers manner to insnare the liberality of others, in this deceitfull kinde of thankes; and with this minde, speake of the old benefits, to gaine new and much greater by it. Thus they banish benefits out of the society of men, and instead of benefits, bring in a deceitfull gaining kind of trafficke, and plaine filthie basenesse, wher∣with the honesty of all benefits is blemisht. Hee also is vnthankefull whome thou hast not tyed vnto thee with thy benefits, nor giueth thee no thanks for them, but requiteth them with euill wordes, and to these addeth also euill deeds.

Thus he hateth him to whome hee oweth mo

of a debtor, and one that is bound, he becommeth an enemy, euer quarreling, iniurious, full of braw∣ling, threatning, and reuenging. This worst kind of men (from whom there is nothing to be reaped but a haruest of much euill) one resembleth to a ramme which often butteth with his hornes at him that is higher; I should rather thinke such a one to be that Woulse, of which was made the Greeke E∣pigram, which I haue assayled to translate word for word:

Ifeede the wolfe, with milke (against my will) But so my shepheard needs will me commaunde, Fed with my milke, he fearcely doth me kill: For kinde no kindnes is able to withstand.

This kinde of vnthankfull persons, the wise man no∣teth in these words; he that rewardeth euill for good, euill shall not depart from his house. Like vnto these are they to whom we must giue thankes (and against our wils) for miuries and reproches that are done vnto vs; Of this kind are these cruell heades, tyrants, diffemblers, framed to arrogancy, cruelty, and impyety, who in the midst of sacreledge and flaughter, according to their clemency and good na∣ture bestow wicked and cruell fanours; at the enuy whereof they blush not, but amongst their sighes & grones, are content to suffer flattering thankes to be bestowed vpō thē, & find praise in hainous offences.

To conclude they thinke it meete not onely to haue thankes but to receiue giftes from those whom they haue spoyled. Neither haue Princes only this great and heauie hand, but others also, such a one did Marcus Caelius describe Appius Claudius to bee, writing to Marcus Tullius, in these words. I am a∣shamed to confesse vnto thee, and to complaine of the iniuries of the most vngratefull man Appius, who beganne to hate me because he ought me ma∣ny good turnes, and when that miserable man could not command himselfe to pay them, he made open warre with mee: wisely and after his manner (sayth Tacitus) benefits are so long acceptable, as that there is hope they may berequited; but when they be∣ginne to exceede for thankes, they reape hatred; These are the wayes so farre as I knowe whereby men are for the most part vnthankefull; that is euill deceiuers of benefits receiued; In which vyce (as Cicero sayth) there is no vyce wanting; Doubt∣lesse there is none a greater enemy to humane socie∣tie. By this meanes mutuall charitie is extingui∣shed, the hope of mutuall helpe is cut off, and all the traffick of humanitie and kindnesse is stopt. For the going and comming of thankes being taken a∣way, those whom thou seest, are no more men, but wilde beasts in the shape of men, euer rauening that which is neerest vnto them. The vnthankfull person is an enemy of all men; nay of all humanity it selfe: hee is a gulfe that draweth all thinges vnto him,

without respect of any but of himselfe, It may whol∣ly bee dispaired that there should be any intercourse of humanity with him, who admitteth no inter∣change either of thinges, or wordes: For as their is no greater argument of loue and courtesie then in∣geniously to receiue, and to giue thankes: so there is no surer signe of a very crooked nature, then to bee vnthankfull: those that haue called an vnthank∣full person, a tunne that is bored through, because it holdeth nothing, but all is lost that is put into it, In my opinion they haue saide little what he is: He is I know not what worse thing, a plague, a poyson, those are more significant in my opiniō which haue giuen to the vnthankefull person, the ewe tree for his badge, a tree sad and vnluckie, full of hurtfull fruite (if those poysoned berries may be called fruite) and a deadly shadowe, nay antiquity did account this vice so odious that the Latins did not thinke it worthy to haue a name, besides what maruaile is it, if as there is no man so hurtfull to all, so there bee no man so hated of all as hee that is infected with this vice.

There is nothing sayth Plautus more burden∣some then an vnthankefull person. It is much better that thou shouldest bee euer bountfiull, then vnthankefull; For the good will com∣mende him, but this euen the badde themselues will dispraise. VVee haue that same excellent speech of ENNIVS to AVGVSTVS, taking it

impatiently that it was not in his owne power, not to be vnthankefull.

This one iniurie (saith he) O Caesar thou hast done vnto mee, that I liue and die vnthankefull. All which things though they be verie true, and that it is certaine that there is nothing a greater enemie or more odious then an vnthankefull person, yet wee must not hate them, but blame them, and amend them, least peraduenture we hate our selues. For who is there if hee looke more truely, and more se∣uerely into himselfe, that is not prone vnto this vice? who is there that loueth not himselfe, so much that almost he despiseth all others? Who is there so vpright, that leaneth not this way? The greatest men oftentimes, and such as were the conquerors of o∣ther vices (if this were not wanting vnto them) are triumphed ouer, of this fault only; neither is this the staine and blemish of particular persons, and men vnlearned, but of the most and most skilfull: yea (which is more strange) of all, and often of those who are much esteemed for their excellent wisedome. The Senat of Rome is said vnthankefully to haue re∣quited the first builder of their City: nay, Rome it selfe was held most vnthankefull to Camillus and Sci∣pio Africanus, the two greatest and worthyest pillers of that Empire. Surely these are said to be the words of Africanus: O vngratfull Countrie, thou shalt not inioye so much as my bones. Hee might truely exclame:

Punishment is all that tryumph gaines, And doth our Conquests merit only staines?

The Carthagians were not free from this fault, when as they gaue Zantippus the Lacedemonian cap∣taine, for taking of Regulus, an honorable re∣ward, but secretly to the ma•…•…riners to bee drowned. An vngratfull minde in the men of Carthage, could not indure that the Lacedemonians should gaine the honor of this taken enemie. The Prophet Esay that seuere rooter vp of impietie, in the verie beginning of his Prophesie, in plaine termes vpbraydeth the Iewes with their great vnthankefulnes; the oxe know eth his owner, and the Asse his maisters cribbe, but Israell hath not knowne, my people hath not vnder∣stood. Thus God by Ezechiell reprooueth the great vnthankfulnes of Hierusalem, Ezech. 16. Wisely saith Si•…•…maclius, it is neuer fittenor safe for a Common∣wealth to be vnthankefull. It is truely also saide of Marcus Aurelius (that wise and most experienced Prince) that two things especially are to bee obser∣ued of a Prince, not to reuenge his enemies, nor to bee vnthankefull toward his frendes. As it is true in pri∣uate persons, so that common saying is most true in Princes: The earth yeeldeth not any thing worse, then an vnthankefull person. Here it is fit to admonish all not to detract from their bountie, by reason of the ingratitude of any, nay rather let him desire to bee e∣steemed a man beneficiall, because this vertue lieth contemned; especially in this age which hath scarse

left any place either for benefits or thankes. Let him thinke that the greatest reward of this vertue, is in the vertue it selfe. Therefore let him not require thanks for a pleasure done: For thankes perish as soone as they are required; nay the only remembrance of a benefitte, is an vpbray ding, no lesse hatefull in the giuer, then forget fulnesse in the receiuer. It is a ri∣diculous leuitie to suffer the occeasions, and matters of well doing to perish; because the benefitte with some one man hath perished: Nay, if any where, then here we must be constant; For the first vertue continueth not vnlesse thou adde a second to it: For thou canst scarce defende former benefits; but with following benefits, In giuing and receiuing of bene∣fits, we must not euer follow which way thinges leade vs, but what way reason counselleth. It is of so much value saith (Seneca) to finde one thankefull, that thou must prooue euen those that are vnthankefull. Ther∣fore let euerie one do this, whilst he giueth former benefits, to thinke of those which must be giuen after;