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1 COnsider, peace, and friend∣ship to be certain publick goods, because the nature of them is to extend not to one alone, but to many. Adde, that there is no fruit more pleasant in mans life, then that of friendship, and that with∣out peace, man injoves nothing of his own in quiet, nor doth any
thing of that which he possesseth yield him profit.
2. Again, consider, that discord arising out of light beginnings, en∣creaseth without measure: for when as once an ill impression is made upon one or both parties, all the others actions, though done with a good intention, are taken in the worse part, and are themselves corrupted. To this may be added, that he who soweth discord crea∣teth mischief for himself, and his friends, who had a good opinion of him; for had they not been his friends they would not have afford∣ed any credit to him concerning that other who should have been a friend.
Conclude, how deservedly a de∣tracting whisperer, and his charm∣ing noise is detestable to God and man, being an enemy of the divine Grace, and Nature it self. Stop thy ears to those who speak ill of any one, but chiefly of thy friends. Specially if thou hast any thing a∣gainst
thy friend, carefully seek the means, that without offence thou mayest reveal it to him; and there∣by know what he is able to say in defence of himself: and if thou findest any calumny imposed upon him, ever afterwards beware of him, who wittingly and willing∣ly created it. Shun both him and his discourses, give no ear unto him, because thou mayest be cer∣tain most hainous mischiefs by his means do hang over thee.