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THE SECOND BOOKE 407
strange, absent and not mine owne. This humor
extends it selfe very farre, as doth the prerogative of
the authority, wherewith husbands looke upon their
owne wives with a vicious disdaine, and many fathers
upon their children : so doe I, and betweene two like
workes would I ever weigh against mine. Not so much
that the jealousie of my preferment, and amendment
troubleth my judgement, and hindereth me from
pleasing my seife, as that mastery her self begets a
contempt of that which a man possesseth and oweth.
Policies, far customes and tongues flatter me; and I
perceive the Latine tongue by the favour of her dignity
to deceive me, beyond what belongs unto her, as
children and the vulgar sort. My neighbours economie;
his house, and his horse, though but of equall value,
is more worth then mine by how much more it is not
mine owne. Besides, because I am most ignorant in
mine owne matters, I admire the assurance, and wonder
at the promise that every man hath of himselfe:
whereas there is almost nothing that I wot I know,
nor that I dare warrant my selfe to be able to doe.
I have not my faculties in proposition or by estate,
and am not instructed in them but after the effect: as
doubtfull of mine owne strength, as uncertaine of
anothers force. Whence it followcth, if commendably
I chance upon any one piece of worke, I rather impute
it to my fortune, then ascribe it to mine industry;
forasmuch as I designe them all to hazard and in feare.
Likewise I have this in generall, that of all the opinions
which Antiquity hath had of men in grose, those which
I most willingly embrace, and whereon I take most
hold, are such as mostvilifie, condemne, and annihilate
us. Me thinks Philosophy hath never better cardes
to shew then when she checketh our presumption,
and crosseth our vanity; when in good sootn she
acknowledgeth her irresolution, her weaknesse and her
ignorance. Me secmeth the over good conceit and
selfe-weening opinion man hath of himselfe, is the.
nurse-mother of the falsest opinions, both publike and
particular. Those which a cocke-horse will pearcb