CHAP. V.
EVen as therefore Religion reuerenceth the gods,* 1.1 so Superstition violateth them, so all good men should shew Clemencie and Meeknesse, but auoid mercie. For it is nought else but a base∣nesse of the heart which melteth in beholding an other mans miseries. It is therefore most familiar to those of the basest mettals and mindes. Such as are old women and tender hearted females, who weepe to see them weepe, that are condemned, who would willingly breake vp prisons, if so be they were permitted to doe it. Mercie regardeth not the cause but the condition, but Clemencie is conjoyned with reason; I know that a∣mongst ignorant men, the sect of the Stoickes is condemned, for being ouer se∣uere and such a one as could not giue good counsailes to Kings and Princes. For it is obiected against them that they will not suffer the wise man to vse mercie, and to pardon. These objections considered a part, and by themselues are o∣dious. For this were to cast all those headlong into despaire that haue offended, and to subject all offences to punishment. If this bee so, who are more seuere then this sect, which forbiddeth vs to remember that we are men; and exclude mutuall helpe which is the assuredest Hauen against the tempest of Fortune. But I say that there is no sect more benigne and gentle then this is, nor that lo∣ueth men better, nor that is more intent to the good of all men, in such sort as all the scope thereof, is to serue, succour and procure the good, not only of his Schollers, but also of all other men as well in generall as in particular. Mercie is an infirmitie of the minde, by reason of the appearance of other mens mise∣••ies, or a sadnesse conceiued for the euils an other man suffereth, and supposeth that he suffereth them wrongfully. For a wise man neyther troubleth nor tor∣menteth himselfe, his vnderstanding is alwayes cleere, neyther can any thing happen that may obscure the light thereof. Nothing becommeth a man more then greatnesse of courage; But hee cannot haue a noble heart, that feare and sorrow may animate it, or any of these passions obscure or contract it. This shall not befall a wiseman; no, not in his calamities, but he shall dart backe a∣gaine all these arrowes that Fortune hath shot against him, and shall breake them before her face. He shall retaine one and the same countenance, alwaies both peaceable and constant, which hee might not doe if sorrow were lodged in his heart. Ad hereunto that a wiseman is prouident, and hath his counsell in a readinesse; But that which is cleare and pure, neuer proceedeth from sadnesse, which is a trouble of the Soule, and is not proper to examine any action; nor to inuent profitable things, neither oportunely to auoide dangers. So then a wiseman is not mooued with sadnesse for an others miserie, because hee is ex∣empt from miserie; but otherwise, he will willingly and with a ioyfull heart, do all that which the mercifull would doe against their wills.