Page 113
APHORISME XXIII.
THe 1 1.1 tongue and the hand are vnruly members, where honestie and reason haue not the ruling of them. The tongue is alwaies the more readie; but the hand in this is the more dangerous that, what is spoken may be helped, by supposition of mista∣king, or disagreement in the reporters, or death: whereas that of the hand appeareth to posteritie, suruiueth the spea∣ker and hearers, and remaineth as a thousand witnesses. 2 1.5 Wherefore as no vice laies a more foule afpersion vpon man, then that of ingrati∣tude: 3 1.8 So no euidence is so strong to taint him therewith, or conuict him thereof, as his owne hand-writing in detestation of that vice, and ap∣probation of the contrarie.
Iohn-Iouian Pontano a man singularly learned in all knowledge of good letters, had to his high commendation published some workes of the morall vertues: had bene Tutor to Alphonso in his minoritie: had long bene Secretary to him and his father: had bene greatly preferred, and enriched by them both. This man notwithstanding, at the Coronation of Charles the 8. in Naples, made the gratulatory Oration, in the name of the whole citie: wherein he strained his eloquence (but more his honestie) not so much in extolling and magnifying the French, as in de∣prauing and detracting from his olde Masters, to his owne per∣petuall shame, and dislike euen of the French themselues. So hard it is for some men to obserue those precepts in their owne course of life, which with singular learning and iudgement they haue taught to others.
