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MAXIME CVII.
Not to appear pleased with ones self.
To be dissatisfied with ones self, is weakness, and to be pleased, folly.) In most men that satisfaction proceeds from ignorance, and ends in a blind felicity, which, indeed, entertains pleasure, but preserves not the Reputation. As it is rare to judge well of the eminent quali∣ties of others, so men applaud to them∣selves in those they have, how vulgar and ordinary soever they be. Diffidence hath always been usefull to the wise, whe∣ther for taking such good measures, that affairs did succeed; or for comforting themselves when they succeeded not. For he that hath foreseen the evil, is the less troubled at it, when it happens. Some∣times Homer himself is asleep, and A∣lexander descends from the Throne of his Majesty, and acknowledges his weakness. Affairs depend on many circumstances, and what hath succeeded at one time, hath been unfortunate at another. But it is the incorrigibility of fools, that they turn their vainest thoughts into flowers, and that their weeds are always sprouting.