THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
THis treacherous practise of Convictolitanis, who a little before (as we may remember) had received so great a benefit from Caesar, proveth true the saying of Cornel. Tacitus, That men are readier to revenge an injury then to requite a good turn;* 1.1 forasmuch as Gratia o∣neri, ultio in quaestu habetur, A good turn is as a burthen and a debt to a man, whereas revenge is reckoned a gain. The debt of loyalty and good affection, wherein Convictolitanis stood engaged to Caesar, for confirming that right un∣to him which civile dissension had made doubt∣full, together with the respect of the generall cause, made him so willing to revolt from the Romans, and in lieu of thankfull acknowledge∣ment to requite him with hostility. A part so odious and detestable, that vertue grieveth to think that a man should be capable of any such wickedness, or be stained with the infamy of so horrible a crime. Other vices are faults in speciall, and are branded with the severall marks of igno∣miny: but ingratitude is equall to the body of evill, and doth countervail the whole nature of hatefull affections;* 1.2 according to that of the Philosopher, Ingratum si dixeris omnia dix∣eris; Ingratitude is culpable of all sorts of wicked∣ness, and deserveth the greatest measure of re∣venge. And the rather for that it taketh away the use of vertue, and maketh men forget to do good. For whereas the nature of goodness is specially seen in communicating it self to the re∣lief of other mens wants, we ought to give all diligence not to hinder this inlargement, nor by a froward and crooked example to prejudice others that stand in need of the like favour.
I have often heard it spoken, but I know not how true it is, and am loath to believe it, that in the exchange of a good turn, the party that re∣ceiveth it hath more assurance of his benefactor, touching a faithfull and friendly disposition for the future time, then he that shewed the kind∣ness can have of the receiver: for men are loath to loose both the fruit and the seed, and will ra∣ther bestow more cost and labour, then forgoe the hope of their first endeavours, expecting both in reason and nature, fruit answerable to their seed: whereas the badness of our nature is such of it self, Ut gratia oneri, ultio in quaestu ha∣betur.