XXII
OF CUNNING
We take Cunning for[1] a Sinister or Crooked Wisedome. And certainly, there is great difference between a Cunning Man and a Wise Man, Not onely in Point of Honesty, but in point of Ability. There be that can packe the Cards,[2] and yet cannot play well; So there are some that are good in Canvasses,[3] and Factions, that are otherwise Weake Men. Againe, it is one thing to understand Persons, and another thing to understand Matters; For many are perfect in Men's Humours that are not greatly Capable of the Reall Part of Businesse;[4] Which is the Constitution of one that hath studied Men more then Bookes. Such Men are fitter for Practise[5] then for Counsell, And they are good but[6] in their own Alley:[7] Turne them to New Men and they have lost their Ayme; So as[8] the old Rule, to know a Foole from a Wise Man, Mitte ambos nudos ad ignotos et videbis,[9] doth scarce hold for them. And because these Cunning Men are like Haberdashers[10] of Small Wares, it is not amisse to set forth their Shop.[11]
It is a point of Cunning, to wait upon[12] him with whom you speake, with your eye. As the lesuites give it in precept; For there be many Wise Men that have Secret Hearts and Transparant Countenances. Yet this would[13] be done with a demure Abasing[14] of your Eye sometimes, as the lesuites also doe use.[15]
Another is, that when you have any thing to obtaine of present dispatch,[16] you entertaine and amuse the party with
- ↑ We understand by 'cunning'
- ↑ can secure a good hand by cheating
- ↑ intrigues
- ↑ capable of the material part, namely, business
- ↑ intrigue
- ↑ only
- ↑ bowling-alley
- ↑ so that
- ↑ Turn them both adrift among strangers, and then you will see the difference
- ↑ pedlars, small tradespeople
- ↑ stock-in-trade (of tricks)
- ↑ closely watch
- ↑ should
- ↑ a modest turning-down
- ↑ are in the habit of doing
- ↑ of urgent importance
