Chapter 468

For words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools.

* * * * *

FRANCIS BACON. 1561-1626.

Essay viii. _Of Marriage and Single Life_.

He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

Essay 1. _Of Studies_.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.

* * * * *

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.

* * * * *

Histories make men wise, poets witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep, moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend.

* * * * *

JOHN MILTON. 1608-1674.

_Tract on Education_.

In those vernal seasons of the year, when the air is calm and pleasant, it were an injury and a sullennes against Nature not to go out and see her riches, and partake in her rejoicing with heaven and earth.

_The Reason of Church Government urged against Prelaty_. _Introduction to Book 2_.

A poet soaring in the high reason of his fancy, with his garland and singing robes, about him.

* * * * *

Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still air of delightful studies.

* * * * *

_Areopagitica_.

Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks; methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam.

* * * * *

_Apology for Smectymmius_.

He who would not be frustrate of his hope to write well hereafter in laudable things, ought himself to be a true poem.

* * * * *

THOMAS FULLER. 1608-1661.

_Holy State_. Book ii. Ch. 20. The Good Sea-captain.

But our captain counts the image of God, nevertheless his image cut in ebony, as if done in ivory.