Of Ceremonies and Respects

He that is only Reall, had need have Exceeding great Parts of Vertue: As the Stone had need to be Rich, that is set without Foile. But if a Man marke it well, it is in praise and Commendation of Men, as it is in Gettings and Gaines: For the Proverbe is true, That light Gaines make heavy Purses; For light Games come thick, whereas Great come but now and then. So it is true, that Small Matters win great Commendation, because they are continually in Use, and in note: whereas the Occasion of any great Vertue, commeth but on Festivals. Therefore it doth much adde, to a Mans Reputation, and is, (as Queene Isabella said) Like perpetuall Letters Commendatory, to have good Formes. To ATtaine them, it almost sufficeth, not to despise them: For so shall a Man observe them in Others: And let him trust himselfe with the rest. For if he Labour too much to Expresse them, he shall lose their Grace; Which is to be Naturall and Unaffected. Some Mens Behaviour, is like a Verse, wherein every Syllable is Measured: How can a man comprehend great Matters, that breaketh his Minde too much to small Observations? Not to use Ceremonies at all, is to teach Others not to use them againe; And so diminisheth Respect to himselfe: Especially they be not to be omitted to Strangers, and Formall Natures: But the Dwelling upon them, & Exalting them above the Moone, is not only Tedious, but doth Diminish the Faith and Credit of him that speakes. And certainly, there is a Kinde, of Conveying of Effectuall and Imprinting Passages, amongst Complements, which is of Singular use, if a Man can hit upon it. Amongst a Mans Peeres, a Man shall be sure of Familiaritie; And therefore, it is good a little to keepe State. Amongst a Mans Inferiours, one shall be sure of Reverence; And therefore it is good a little to be Familiar. He that is too much in any Thing, so that he giveth another Occasion of Sacietie, maketh himselfe cheape. To apply Ones Selfe to others, is good: So it be with Demonstration, that a Man doth it upon Regard, And not upon Facilitie. It is a good Precept, generally in Seconding Another, yet to adde somewhat of Ones Owne: As if you will grant his Opinion, let it be with some Distinction; If you will follow his Motion, let it bee with Condition; If you allow his Counsell, let it be with Alledging further Reason. Men had need beware, how they be too Perfect in Complements; For be they never so Sufficient otherwise, their Enviers will be sure to give them that Attribute, to the Disadvantage of their greater Vertues. It is losse also in businesse, to be too full of Respects, or to be too Curious in Observing Times and Opportunities. Salomon saith; He that considereth the wind, shall not Sow, and he that looketh to the Clouds, shall not reape. A wise Man will make more Opportunities then he findes. Mens Behaviour should be like their Apparell, not too Strait, or point Device, but Free for Exercise or Motion.