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CHAP. XXIIII.
* 1.1LEt euery man therefore say vnto himselfe as often as he is prouo∣ked, Am I more powerfull then Philip? yet he patiently suffered disgraces without reuenging them. Can I doe more in my pri∣uate house then Diuus Caesar thorow the whole world? yet was he content to locke vp his gates against him that had slandered him. Or why should I for a bolde and jesting answer, a proude looke, or the grumb∣ling and vntowardnesse of my slaue, expiate his fault with whips and fetters? Who am I that no man dare offend mine eares? Many haue pardoned their e∣nemies, shall not I pardon such as are sluggish, negligent, and branglers? Let age excuse a childe, her sex a woman, libertie a stranger, familiaritie a domestick. He offended me but euen now. Let vs bethinke our selues how often he hath contented vs; But oft-times hath he offended otherwise? Let vs endure that which we haue suffered long. He was my friend: he did that which he preten∣ded not. Is he an enemie? He did that which he ought to doe. Shall we endure a wise-man? let vs pardon a foole. Whatsoeuer befalleth vs, let vs say vnto our selues, that the wisest commit many errours, and that no man is so circumspect whom Anger doth not sometimes take tardie: none so mature and stayed, ey∣ther in his wordes or actions, whose grauity may by fortune be drawne into some inconsiderate action: no man so fearefull to offend, that whilst he flyeth from offences, falleth not into them.