CHAP. XXIII.
AS oft as thou distrusteth those ouer whom thou hast command, thou mayest exact farre more then thou needest, to the end that that may be performed which is sufficient. Euery Hyperbole aimeth at this issue; that by a lie a man may attaine vnto the truth. He therefore that said,
That did exceed the snow in whitenesse, And did surpasse the windes in lightnesse.That which could not be said, to the end the most that could be, should be be∣leeued. And he that said,
More fixed then these rockes, more headlong then this torrent.did not thinke that he should perswade this, that any one was so immoueable as a rocke. This excessiue and superlatiue kinde of speech neuer hopeth so much as it dareth; but it affirmeth incredible things, to the end it may attaine vnto credible. When we say, Let him that hath giuen a benefite forget it; our meaning is, that he should be as one that had forgotten it: let no man perceiue that he hath remembrance thereof, or that his memorie is awakened. When we say, That we ought not to redemand a bene••it againe, we do not wholly take a∣way the meanes of redemanding it; for oft-times euill men haue neede of an exacter, and good men also of an admonisher. Why then, shall I not shew an ignorant man the opportunity of requitall? shall I not discouer my necessities vnto him? why eyther should hee belie himselfe, or be sorie that hee knew it not? now and then let some admonition be intermixed; yet such as is modest, which neyther sauoreth of importunity or matter of plea.