excellent gifts
and fortunes, for which, Narcissus-like, we admire, flatter, and applaud
ourselves, and think all the world esteems so of us; and as deformed women
easily believe those that tell them they be fair, we are too credulous of
our own good parts and praises, too well persuaded of ourselves. We brag
and venditate our [1916]own works, and scorn all others in respect of us;
_Inflati scientia_, (saith Paul) our wisdom, [1917]our learning, all our
geese are swans, and we as basely esteem and vilify other men's, as we do
over-highly prize and value our own. We will not suffer them to be _in
secundis_, no, not _in tertiis_; what, _Mecum confertur Ulysses_? they are
_Mures, Muscae, culices prae se_, nits and flies compared to his inexorable
and supercilious, eminent and arrogant worship: though indeed they be far
before him. Only wise, only rich, only fortunate, valorous, and fair,
puffed up with this tympany of self-conceit; [1918]as that proud Pharisee,
they are not (as they suppose) "like other men," of a purer and more
precious metal: [1919]_Soli rei gerendi sunt efficaces_, which that wise
Periander held of such: [1920]_meditantur omne qui prius negotium_, &c.
_Novi quendam_ (saith [1921]Erasmus) I knew one so arrogant that he thought
himself inferior to no man living, like [1922]Callisthenes the philosopher,
that neither held Alexander's acts, or any other subject worthy of his pen,
such was his insolency; or Seleucus king of Syria, who thought none fit to
contend with him but the Romans. [1923]_Eos solos dignos ratus quibuscum de
imperio certaret_. That which Tully writ to Atticus long since, is still in
force. [1924]"There was never yet true poet nor orator, that thought any
other better than himself." And such for the most part are your princes,
potentates, great philosophers, historiographers, authors of sects or
heresies, and all our great scholars, as [1925]Hierom defines; "a natural
philosopher is a glorious creature, and a very slave of rumour, fame, and
popular opinion," and though they write _de contemptu gloriae_, yet as he
observes, they will put their names to their books. _Vobis et famae, me
semper dedi_, saith Trebellius Pollio, I have wholly consecrated myself to
you and fame. "'Tis all my desire, night and day, 'tis all my study to
raise my name." Proud [1926]Pliny seconds him; _Quamquam O_! &c. and that
vainglorious [1927]orator is not ashamed to confess in an Epistle of his to
Marcus Lecceius,