all the petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man's self;[1] certainly the lover is more. For there was never proud man thought so absurdly well of himself as the lover doth of the person loved; and therefore it was well said, That it is impossible to love and to be wise.[2] Neither doth this weakness appear to others only, and not to the party loved; but to the loved most of all, except the love be reciproque.[3] For it is a true rule, that love is ever rewarded either with the reciproque or with an inward and secret contempt. By how much the more men ought to beware of this passion, which loseth not only other things, but itself. As for the other losses, the poet's relation doth well figure them; That he that preferred Helena, quitted the gifts of Juno and Pallas. For whosoever esteemeth too much of amorous affection quitteth both riches and wisdom. This passion hath his floods in the very times of weakness; which are great prosperity and great adversity; though this latter hath been less observed; both which times kindle love, and make it more fervent, and therefore shew it to be the child of folly. They do best, who if they cannot but admit love, yet make it keep quarter;[4] and sever it wholly from their serious affairs and actions of life; for if it check[5] once with business, it troubleth men's fortunes, and maketh men that they can no ways[6] be
- ↑ Plutarch. De adulatore et amico. 1.
- ↑ Amare et sapere vix Deo conceditur. It is hardly granted by God to love and to be wise. Publilii Syri Mimi Sententiae. 15.
- ↑ Reciproque. Reciprocal.
- ↑ Quarter. Proper or appointed place; now used in the plural, 'quarters.'
- ↑ Check with. Interfere with.
- ↑ Way. Wise; no ways means in no wise.
