and body. Therefore, since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all means endeavour to obtain good customs. Certainly custom is most perfect when it beginneth in young years: this we call education; which is, in effect, but an early custom. So we see, in languages the tongue is more pliant to all expressions and sounds, the joints are more supple to all feats of activity and motions, in youth than afterwards. For it is true that late learners cannot so well take the ply;[1] except it be in some minds that have not suffered themselves to fix, but have kept themselves open and prepared to receive continual amendment, which is exceeding rare. But if the force of custom simple and separate be great, the force of custom copulate[2] and conjoined and collegiate[3] is far greater. For there example teacheth, company comforteth,[4] emulation quickeneth, glory raiseth: so as in such places the force of custom is in his[5] exaltation.[6] Certainly the great multiplication[7] of virtues upon human na-
- ↑ Ply. Bent, direction.
- ↑ Copulate. Connected, united.
- ↑ Collegiate. Of or belonging to colleagues; corporate.
- ↑ Comfort, in the Latin sense, to strengthen much. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalms xxiii. 4. "Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her." Shakspere. All's Well that Ends Well. i. 1.
- ↑ His. Its. The pronoun 'its' first appeared in print in John Florio's A Worlde of Wordes, 1598. It does not occur in King James's Bible of 1611, nor in any work of Shakspere published during his lifetime. There are, however, nine 'it's' and one 'its' in the Shakspere folio of 1623. The essay Of Custom and Education first saw the light in the second edition of the Essays, in 1612.
- ↑ Exaltation. In astrological language, a planet was said to be in exaltation when it was in that sign of the zodiac where it was supposed to exert its strongest influence.
- ↑ Multiplication upon. Compare the language of the Collect for the fourth Sunday after Trinity in The Book of Common Prayer: "Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy."
