The courtiers manual oracle, or, The art of prudence written originally in Spanish by Baltazar Gracian, and now done into English.
Gracián y Morales, Baltasar, 1601-1658.

MAXIME LXVIII.

To inform, is far better than to put in mind.

Sometimes we are to rememorate, sometimes advise. There are many who fail to doe things which would be excel∣lent, because they thought not of them. Then it is that a good advice is in season, to make them conceive what is important to be done. It is one of the greatest Ta∣lents of a man to have a present mind to think on what he hath to doe, for want whereof many affairs miscarry. He then that comprehends, is to carry the light; and he that needs to be lighted, ought to make application to the other. The first ought to be sparing, and the other dili∣gent. It's enough for the former to clear the way for the latter. This is a very important maxime, and profitable for him that instructs: and in case his first lesson be not sufficient, he ought with pleasure to proceed. Having once conquered the Nay,Page  69 he must dextrously catch hold of a Yea. For it often happens, that nothing is ob∣tained, because nothing attempted.