It was a witty answer of Socrates, who replyed, when one askt him, why he tooke such a mans bitter rayling so patiently; It is enough for one to bee angry at a time. For if a wise man contend with a foolish man, saith Sa∣lomon, whether he bee angry, or laugh, there is no rest, Prov. 29. 9. Whereas gentle speech appeaseth wrath, and patience bridleth the secret pratlings of mockers, and blunt∣eth the point of their reproach. Had not Gideon, Judg. 8. learned to speake faire aswell as to smite, he had found worke enough from the swords of Josephs sonnes. but his good words are as victorious as his sword; his paci∣fication of friends, better then his execution of enemies, Vers. 2. 3.
As it is not good to slatter, or lye; no more is it in some cases to speake the truth: we know the Asse, and the Hownd in the Fable, were both kild by the Lyon: the one for his flattery in commending the sweetnesse of his breath, the other for his plaine dealing; when he af∣firmed, it had an ill savour: whereas the Fox by pre∣tending he could not smell, by reason of a cold he had got, saved his life.
Rage is not ingendred, but by the concurrence of cho∣lers, which are easily produced one of another; and borne at an instant. When the stone and the steele meets, the issue ingendred from thence, is fire: whereas the Sword of anger being struck upon the soft pillow of a milde spirit, is broken. The shot of the Cannon hurts not Wooll, and such like yeelding things; but that which is hard, stubborne and resisting. Hee is fuller of passion than reason, that will flame at every vaine tongues puffe. A man that studies revenge, keepes his owne wounds greene and open, which otherwise would beale and doe w••ll. Anger to the soule, is like a coale on the flesh, or garment; cast it off suddenly it doth little harme, but