hath sinned, thus reason with thyself; What do I know whether
this be a sin indeed, as it seems to be? But if it be, what do I
know but that he himself hath already condemned himself for it?
And that is all one as if a man should scratch and tear his own face,
an object of compassion rather than of anger. Again, that he that
would not have a vicious man to sin, is like unto him that would not
have moisture in the fig, nor children to welp nor a horse to neigh,
nor anything else that in the course of nature is necessary.
For what shall he do that hath such an habit? If thou therefore
beest powerful and eloquent, remedy it if thou canst. XIII. If it
be not fitting, do it not. If it be not true, speak it not.
Ever maintain thine own purpose and resolution free from all compulsion
and necessity. XIV. Of everything that presents itself unto thee,
to consider what the true nature of it is, and to unfold it, as it were,
by dividing it into that which is formal: that which is material:
the true use or end of it, and the just time that it is appointed to last.