CHAP. XI.
IT followeth now that wee declare what sorts of benefites wee ought to giue, and after what manner wee ought to giue them. First of all let vs giue things necessarie, then profitable, thirdly a∣greable, and permanent. Let vs begin with that which is n••cessa∣rie.* 1.1 For we accompt our selues farre more beholding to him that hath giuen vs our life, than to him that enlargeth our honours or instructeth vs in vertues. Neuer will he esteeme it a thing according to the value if he can ea∣sily slight it ouer, and say, take it to thee, I want it not, I am contented with mine owne. So doing thou wilt not be obliged to restore that which hath bin giuen thee, but thou wilt disdaine it and cast it away. But amongst those things which are necessarie some hold the first place, and they are those without which wee cannot liue. Others hold the second: and they are those with∣out which wee ought not to liue; Others the third, without which wee would not deserue to liue: The first of this note are, to bee deliuered out of the enemies handes, exempted from a tyrants wrath and proscription, and other perils, which being both diuers and incertaine beleager and besiege mans life. Which so euer of these we shall haue preuented or cut off, the more greater and terrible it is, the greater thanks shall we receiue. For they will be∣thinke them from what euils we haue deliuered them, and the precedent fear•• of danger which they haue had, reuiueth their remembrance, and giueth life to the desert fore-past, when they bethink themselues from how many miseries they are deliuered. Yet hereby is it not intended if wee should maliciously defer or denie our succours to him that is in any danger, to the end that feare should giue a greater waight to our benefit or merit. In the second ranke are those things without which truely we may liue, but liue so miserably, as death were better than the life; of which kind are libertie, modestie, and a good mind. In the last place we rancke those things, which alliance and parentage, familiar conuersations, and long vse, hath made vs alwaies repute and accompt most deare and precious: as our Children, our Wiues and houses, and all these things whereunto we haue so much addicted and dedicated our hearts and de∣sires, that we had rather die than diuide our selues from their companie. After these necessarie thinges succeede those that are profitable,* 1.2 whose nature and ar∣gument is far more ample and diuers. Here entreth mony (not superfluous but sufficient to entertaine an honorable meanes of life) here entreth honour and the good carriage of affaires, to the end to attaine to greater matters. For no∣thing is more profitable than to be made profitable to a mans owne selfe.* 1.3 The rest is but euen great aboundance and superfluitie which spoileth men, and ma∣keth them effeminate. But when we would intend to doe a pleasure, wee must prouide that the opportunitie may make it more pleasing; that the thing wee intend to present bee not common and ordinarie; that few men haue had the like in times past, and that as few yet in these our daies can match the patterne: and if it be not rich in it selfe, at least let the time and place, wherein wee giue the same•• cause it to be more heighly prized. Let vs bethinke our selues what pre∣sent wee might make, that might yeeld some pleasure and contentment, that might bee more often-times seene and handled, to the end that so often as hee