SECT. XII.

FOr the better mayntay∣ning this friendship, & at∣tayning to that perfection, that is demanded in the true vse of societie; you must haue diligent careb what you speak, and how you dis∣course. I doe confesse, it is an excellent thing to speake well, yet for auoyding of ha∣bituall Hypocrisie (I doe ad∣uise you) preferre good thoughts, before good words; speake what you think; and so your thoughts being good, you cannot but speake well; and thinke it e∣uer the safest way, toc speake little, and thinke more: wee doe see dayly basest things most plentifull.

In your silence auoid the censure of Affectatiō, of Sul∣lennesse, and Ignorance, and then care not how little you speake, but how well: it was a good saying, Not that which is much, is well, but that which is well, is much.

dAll discourse ought to be like a Field, without com∣ming home to any man; vse discourse of your selfe spa∣ringly, of others as sparingly, neyther speaking euill of o∣thers, nor good of your selfe.

Affect better discretion in discourse then Eloquence; and to speake agreeable to them you deale with, then in good words or good or∣der.

eVse not many circum∣stances Page  58 before you come to the matter, for that beget∣teth wearinesse, and for es∣chewing of bluntnesse, vse some preamble.

fPriuiledge euer from your Discourse, Religion, matter of State, great Per∣sons, any mans present bu∣sinesse of importance, and all causes that deserueg pittie, euer putting difference be∣twixth saltnesse and bitter∣nesse in your Discourse.