The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XXXVI.

YEt will I nearely examine the greatnesse of that I haue promi∣sed. The valew of the thing, which I haue promised to bestow, shall giue mee counsaile. If it be a small matter, I will giue it; not because hee is worthy, but because I haue promised. Neither will I giue it as a benefit, but only to redeeme my word, and hereaf∣ter will I take better heede, and by my losse I will chastise my rashnesse in pro∣mising; and to the end I may haue a more feeling and sensible apprehension of the same, and henceforward be more circumspect in that I speake, I will, (as the common prouerbe saith) pay a fine for my tongue. But if it be a thing of grea∣ter price, I would not, (as Mece••as saith) spend two hundreth and fiftie thou∣sand crownes, to buy mine owne blame: I will diligently compare both these things betweene themselues. It is something to keepe a mans word when hee hath promised, and againe it importeth very much to take care that wee giue to such a one as deserueth the same: yet must we cōsider how great our promise is: If it be a thing of small valew, I will giue it as though I winked thereat. But if it may be either greatly to my losse, or greatly to my shame. I had rather ex∣cuse my selfe once for not doing it, then condemne my selfe alwaies for giuing it. In briefe, all the waight of the matter consisteth (as I say) in this to know of what valew and estimate the promise is that I haue made. For I will not only re∣taine that which I haue rashly promised, but I will redemand also that which I haue giuen amisse. He is out of his wits, that binds his faith for an error.