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THE SECOND BOOKE 317
angrie we more violently give our selves to defend our
proposition, emprint it in our selves, and embrace the
same with more vehemencie and approbation than we
did being in our temperate and reposed sense. You
relate simply your case unto a Lawyer; he answers
faltring and doubtfully unto it, whereby you perceive
it is indifferent unto him to defend either this or that
side, all is one to him. Have you paid him well, have
you given him a good baite or fee to make him earnestly
apprehend it, beginnes he to be enterested in the
matter, is his will moved or his minde enflamcd ? Then
will his reason be moved and his knowledge en flamed
with all. See then an apparent and undoubted truth
presents it self to his understanding, wherein he discovers
a new light, and believes it in good sooth, and
so perswades himselfe. Shall I tell you ? I wot not
whether the heate proceeding of spight and obstinacie
against the impression and violence of a magistrate and
of danger : or the interest of reputation have induced
some man to maintaine, even in the fiery flames, the
opinion for which amongst his friends and at libertie
he would never have beene moved nor have ventured
his fingers end. The motions and fits which our soule
receiveth by corporall passions doe greatly prevaile
in her, but more her owne, with which it is so fully
possest, as happily it may be maintained she hath no
other way or motion than by the blasts of her windes,
and that without their agitation she should remaine
without action, as a ship at sea which the winds have
utterly forsaken. And he who should maintaine that
following the Peripatetike faction should offer us no
great wrong, since it is knowne that the greatest number
of the soules actions proceede and have neede of this
impulsion of passion; valor (say they) cannot be perfected
without the assistance of choler.
Semper Aiax fortis, fortissimus tamen in furore, 1
Ajax every valor had,
Most then, when he was most mad.
1 CIC. Tusc. Qu. 1. iv.