practical philosophers of the world, (as they think of themselves)
so full of affected gravity, or such professed lovers of virtue
and honesty, what wretches be they in very deed; how vile and
contemptible in themselves? O man! what ado doest thou keep?
Do what thy nature doth now require. Resolve upon it, if thou mayest:
and take no thought, whether anybody shall know it or no.
Yea, but sayest thou, I must not expect a Plato's commonwealth.
If they profit though never so little, I must be content;
and think much even of that little progress. Doth then any of them
forsake their former false opinions that I should think they profit?
For without a change of opinions, alas! what is all that ostentation,
but mere wretchedness of slavish. minds, that groan privately,
and yet would make a show of obedience to reason, and truth? Go too
now and tell me of Alexander and Philippus, and Demetrius Phalereus.
Whether they understood what the common nature requireth, and could rule
themselves or no, they know best themselves. But if they kept a life,
and swaggered; I (God be thanked) am not bound to imitate them.
The effect of true philosophy is, unaffected simplicity and modesty.
Persuade me not to ostentation and vainglory.