The treasure of tranquillity. Or A manuall of morall discourses tending to the tranquillity of minde. Translated out of French by I.M. Master of Arts.

DISC. 7.

Of the choice of friends.

SEeing that the life of man ne∣cessarily hath need of friend∣ship and fellowship (for it were a matter both harsh and hard for a man to haue alwayes his mind bended about businesse; and it should be yet more wearisome if he had not one with whom he might take some release) I finde that we proue commonly too negligent and carelesse in ma∣king our choice. We ought in my iudgement to chuse such folkes for our friends as be of a mild and meeke conuersation, and who because of their calme

and quiet disposition do deserue to be loued. Neither is there a∣ny thing that so much doth con∣tent, & delight the mind of man, as doth a faithfull and trustie friendship. For it is a great con∣tentment to find a person so dis∣posed, vnto whom ye may safe∣ly impart your most secret af∣faires: whose counsell may ad∣uise you, whose cheerfulnesse may qualifie all your cares, and whose presence may appease all your paines, and expell your pensiuenesse of mind: and there∣fore ye must endeauor to chuse such friends as are free from co∣uetousnesse, and all notorious vice. For vice like the fire taketh hold of that which is neerest vn∣to it. So that we must doe as men are wont in the time of plague and pestilence: which is to separate and seuer the sicke

from the whole: it being a con∣tagion and an occasion of sick∣nesse to let them liue together. Neuerthelesse I do not like that we should be in our choice too scrupulous, but seeing we can∣not find folkes altogether per∣fect, wee must hold those for good which be lesse euill.

But in the election of friends, ye ought chiefly to auoid such as be extremely sullen or sad, who weepe and waile at all things: and dispaire of all things, al∣although otherwise they be such as do loue you, and would proue faithfull inough vnto you. For it is a thing that must needs trou∣ble vs much to haue such a man for our friend as is alwayes sad, sighing and sobbing at euery oc∣casion. For seeing that friend∣ship, and fellowship is ordained to driue away discontent, sorrow

and griefe, it were neither rea∣sonable nor conuenient to chuse such a one for your comforter and friend, as in stead of deligh∣ting you, and of lightning your griefe, should by his sullennesse and sadnesse increase your sor∣row, and euery day occasion vn∣to you some new vaine appre∣hension and feare.