A philosophicall discourse, entituled, The anatomie of the minde. Nevvlie made and set forth by T.R.

¶Of VVylynesse, Craftynesse, and Subtiltie. Chap. 16.

HAuing declared y^e nature of Wary∣nesse, we are now come to y^e rest. Of which because they haue great affini••ie, and séeme to haue but one, and the same significatiō, we wyl but m••ke one chap∣ter. The difference betwee•••• Crafty∣nesse, and Wylynesse, is, because the one is in dexteritie of wit,* 1.1 natur••ll•• the other is gotten by experience. Tho first is called Versutia,* 1.2 and those Versuti, which can easely conceiue, by reuoluing thinges in theyr minde: the latter is called Calliditas, and those Callidi, whose mind by practise is so hardned, euen as the hande of a workman by great labor, and hath gotten as it were another skin by continuall occupying. And so sayth Cicero▪ But more properly to speake Wylynesse in darke speache:* 1.3 and Craf∣tynesse in counsayling, and in our af∣faires is perceaued. Example of the

firste we haue many, as are all doubtful speeche of men, and all the oracles of Apollo, which diuersly might be vnder∣stoode. As was that of Apollo,* 1.4 to Craesus which consulting whether hee mighte passe the riuer Halys or no, this aun∣swere was made him that hée passinge Halys, should make shipwrack of much welth: (which being doubtfull, and might be vnderstoode eyther of the losse of his owne or enemies wealth) perswa∣ded himselfe that he might safely aduen∣ture, and that his going should bée the cause of the losse of his enemyes goods: but hée was deceaued, and throughe a vaine confidence sustained the damage of all his wealth, his enemies being saulfe. Of the latter, may Rhascus, and Rhascopolis two brethren,* 1.5 bée exam∣ples. For when the Romane armie (wherof part was conducted by Cassius, the other by Antonius) would come through their dominions,* 1.6 doubting the worst for faufegard of them selues, they consulted howe they might with the fauor of the Romanes, haue the rule of their contries: their consultation tooke

this effecte, that they should faine them selues deadly foes, and sworne enemies eache to other, yea, and gather eache of them an armie: and one of them to take parte with Cassius, the other with An∣tonius, that so he that was vanquished shoulde be saued by his brother.

There is another which hath a great affinitie with these former.* 1.7 and laste mentioned parte of Prudence, which is called Subtiltie, in Latin Astutia. It is called Astutia,* 1.8 from a cittie which was called Astu: whereof it commeth that Astutia,* 1.9 which we call in our tongue Subtiltie, shall be a certaine ciuile craf∣tinesse. And therefore it is defined to bée a certaine craftie wisedome, gotten by dayly practise in ciuile matters.* 1.10 Hanni∣ball maye be an example hereof. On a tyme being ouercome by Iulius a consull of Rome▪ sent worde secreetely to the se∣nate of Carthage to know theyr minds, whether it were best to set vppon the Romanes or no, worde was returned, that they thought it best, with all speede to gather his men together, and againe ••o wage battayle. Hanniball by long

pra••••ice & great experience, knewe (not∣withstanding his coloring) what was ••est to be done, and therefore he thought good to staye for a tyme and not sodainly geue the onset. The Senators pondring his wordes, dyd not so muche, as in countenance contrary him, but wyl∣lingly went into his opinion. This ciuile wisdome d••e••h not onely bewtify a mans honestie, and makes him in all things which he takes in hand heedefull and circumspect, but also encreaseth our eloquence, and maketh vs to speake with great attentiō of these which heare vs: and then it leaueth the name of Subtiltie, and is called Ciuilitie, be∣cause that by a ciuile accompanying of our neyghbors, we attaine by custome, a certaine kinde of pleasant talke. But to come nigher to our purpose. It maye seeme straunge, that wee a∣scribe vnto Prudence, the most prin∣cipall of the vertues, Wylynesse, Craf∣tinesse, and Subtiltie, whiche are coumpted vices, vnsitting for a wyse man▪ For who doeth not execrate and abhorre him, whose dealinges are not

plaine, and simple, but craftie and subtile?* 1.11 Or compare all the behauiors of euerie man, and tell howe many ver∣tuous and godly doo delighte in those names, or would seeme wyly, craftie, and subtile? Againe what wicked man is there which cloaketh not his knaue∣ry vnder some shift or other? So that it seemeth odious to a good man to haue this name of subtilty. &c. And therefore howe can these parts bée comprehended vnder Prudence, when as none taketh any pleasure in them, but only persons vngratious? But certainly as they are to be abhorred when they are vsed to wicked purposes:* 1.12 so are they to be em∣braced as euident signes of an excellent wit, when they be referred to honest ends. For who doth not commend that subtile pollicie of Apelles,* 1.13 which pain∣ting the image of Antigonus (whiche had but one eye) because the deformitie of his blindnes should not be perceiued, he made him to stand of the one side, and & so by art seemed to be a worthy person, to want no gift of nature? Or who doth not like of those craftie deuises which

Physitions oftentimes doo vse,* 1.14 & vnder the shewe of honny, wyll giue their pa∣tients gaule, and so vnder such shiftes for their helth sake defend them: wheras if they went plainly to worke, the sicke woulde neuer take that whiche were wholesome, if vn••othsome? Or that of Zeno who to deliuer his fellowe citti∣zens from thraldome,* 1.15 deuised a notable pollicie? for being after his conspiracye taken, was by tormentors most cruelly afflicted, that so by pains he might con∣fesse all such as were of his counsayle: whereby fyrst he accused the tyrantes most deere friends, and caused them pre∣sently before his face to be executed lyke traitors: afterward telling the tormen∣tors that hee had some waighty thing to enforme the king of, desired that hee might speake a word or two in▪ the kings eare, who comming vnto him, and liste∣ning what he would saye, by the byting of Zeno lost his eare, which Zeno spit in his face. Whiche deuise of his made a gap to Zenos contreimen, to set them selues free from seruitude and sla∣uery. And so they did, for seeing the

tyrant to haue done to death his dée••e friends set vpon him, and with stones in the market place killed him. Againe who doth not abhor those persons which beate their braines to the encrease of wic∣kednesse, & by subtile sleight bring many into misery? And therfore they are much to be praised, which would neuer seeke y^e ruine of any town, armie or contrey, but onely by méere fortitude, not by snares, shifts, and subtiltie. And as greatly is Alexanders praise,* 1.16 which being coun∣sailed by Parmenio his seruaunt, by snares and subtiltie to séeke the subuer∣sion of his enemies,* 1.17 saide na••e Parme∣nio, My estate wyl not suffer me so to do, but if I were Parmenio, I might do so. Anotable aunswere.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Wylynesse.
• * 1.2

  Versutia▪ Craf••••n••sse Cal••i••itas.
• * 1.3

  Cicero. lib. 3 de Natura Deor▪
• * 1.4

  Apollo. Craesus▪
• * 1.5

  Rhascus and Rhas∣copolis.
• * 1.6

  Cassius. Antonius.
• * 1.7

  Subtiltie.
• * 1.8

  Astutia
• * 1.9

  Astu.
• * 1.10

  Hanniball▪
• * 1.11

  Obiection.
• * 1.12

  Solution.
• * 1.13

  Apelles. Antigonus.
• * 1.14

  Physitions
• * 1.15

  Zeno.
• * 1.16

  Alexander.
• * 1.17

  Parmenio.