died:
they will forbear upon all such occasions, neglect, contemn, or take no
notice of them, dissemble, or wisely turn it off. If it be a natural
impediment, as a red nose, squint eyes, crooked legs, or any such
imperfection, infirmity, disgrace, reproach, the best way is to speak of it
first thyself, [4034]and so thou shalt surely take away all occasions from
others to jest at, or contemn, that they may perceive thee to be careless
of it. Vatinius was wont to scoff at his own deformed feet, to prevent his
enemies' obloquies and sarcasms in that kind; or else by prevention, as
Cotys, king of Thrace, that brake a company of fine glasses presented to
him, with his own hands, lest he should be overmuch moved when they were
broken by chance. And sometimes again, so that it be discreetly and
moderately done, it shall not be amiss to make resistance, to take down
such a saucy companion, no better means to vindicate himself to purchase
final peace: for he that suffers himself to be ridden, or through
pusillanimity or sottishness will let every man baffle him, shall be a
common laughing stock to flout at. As a cur that goes through a village, if
he clap his tail between his legs, and run away, every cur will insult over
him: but if he bristle up himself, and stand to it, give but a
counter-snarl, there's not a dog dares meddle with him: much is in a man's
courage and discreet carriage of himself.

Many other grievances there are, which happen to mortals in this life, from
friends, wives, children, servants, masters, companions, neighbours, our
own defaults, ignorance, errors, intemperance, indiscretion, infirmities,
&c., and many good remedies to mitigate and oppose them, many divine
precepts to counterpoise our hearts, special antidotes both in Scriptures
and human authors, which, whoso will observe, shall purchase much ease and
quietness unto himself: I will point out a few. Those prophetical,
apostolical admonitions are well known to all; what Solomon, Siracides, our
Saviour Christ himself hath said tending to this purpose, as "fear God:
obey the prince: be sober and watch: pray continually: be angry but sin
not: remember thy last: fashion not yourselves to this world, &c., apply
yourselves to the times: strive not with a mighty man: recompense good for
evil, let nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but with
meekness of mind, every man esteeming of others better than himself: love
one another;" or that epitome of