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THose who hate us for our own sakes, do so either, because we have offended them, or else (as it is frequent from great men to∣wards their inferiors) because they have in∣jured us; and the Italian Proverb says, He
that offends, never forgives. It is a custom amongst mindes, puft up with a prosperous Fortune, to hate those themselves have wrong∣ed. The injuries that these kinde of men do us, are best remedied in our seeming not to understand them: But if it chance, that the greatness of the wrong, do wrest out of us some testimony of our sense of the injury received, we must quickly after our grief is over, seem to have lost the memory of all; otherwise, if they see us still impatiently suffer it, fearing our revenge, they will seek to prevent us with a greater mischief.
Cheifly we must beware of threats, if that we not ready, and sure to execute them; for threats do both warn our adversary to be∣ware, and provoke his hatred to double our in∣juries; affording us nothing but shame, in seeming to breathe revenge, but to be destitute of power. I know this kinde of moderati∣on will not be approved by all kinde of men, especially such as are greedy after vengeance; who think no injury is to be passed over without resentment, not onely by reason of the sweetness that is found in revenge; but also, because they say by suffer∣ing one injury, you invite another; where∣fore we must persecute those that offend us with an immortal hate: But these men whilst they desire to render themselves formidable, do effect nothing else but make all men flie
their Company. For since we mortals are Creatures prone to falls, and slips, and are carried away sometimes with affection, and at other times with passion; and in conside∣ration, every one for fear of offending, will flie from these kinde of malignant, rash, and revengeful persons; and as wilde beasts, leave them to their own solitude. Since, if any one offends one of them, he must expect all that rage and malice can afford at his hands; Lastly, if any one provoke one of the malicious Hot-spurs, he expecting a se∣vere resentment, and fearing a home revenge, will strive to be aforehand with him.
For this Reason therefore, for the avoid∣ing all these evils, I think the contrary way is to be chosen, and gentleness to be preferred; which truly, in the greatest injuries is not hard to be personated, when we consider the reasons and consequences of a passionate resent∣ment, and the condition of the persons from whom we receive them. In lighter injuries, that we see arise rather out of passion, then malice or design, we ought to be so little offended with them, that it may not be perceived we are sensible of them. If the injury is great and foul, we must not show our selves wholly careless of our esteem and reputation; yet without seeming too implaca∣ble towards them that provoked us, as they may have reason to think there is no hope of
a reconcilement, or place for pardon upon any reasonable satisfaction left them. And there∣fore it will be pertinent in this case to com∣plain unto his friends that hath injured us, of our wrongs, and to make them judge of our difference.
Injuries that are offered in a petulant in∣sulting humor, I think ought to be presently vindicated, not so much out of a desire of revenge, as for the chastisement of him that did them; and to teach him how to demean himself more modestly hereafter, as well towards others, as our selves. But these in∣juries also are not to be prosecuted with an inveterate hatred, nay, we ought to declare, that the necessity of complaint, and seeking revenge is put upon us, and that we are ready to be friends after a satisfaction given vs, that is any way compa••ible with the in∣jury we received. And if so be they give any secret testimonies of ••egret, or seek in the least maner unto us, we must return into favor with them, and by way of amends, let this suffice instead of a submission, That they profess they cannot want your friend∣ship.