delays; give easy access; keep times appointed; go through with that which is in hand, and interlace not business but of necessity. For corruption; do not only bind thine own hands or thy servants' hands from taking, but bind the hands of suitors also from offering. For integrity used doth the one; but integrity professed, and with a manifest detestation of bribery, doth the other. And avoid not only the fault, but the suspicion. Whosoever is found variable, and changeth manifestly without manifest cause, giveth suspicion of corruption. Therefore always when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, and declare it, together with the reasons that move thee to change; and do not think to steal[1] it. A servant or a favourite, if he be inward,[2] and no other apparent cause of esteem, is commonly thought but a by-way to close[3] corruption. For roughness; it is a needless cause of discontent: severity breedeth fear, but roughness breedeth hate. Even reproofs from authority ought to be grave, and not taunting. As for facility; it is worse than bribery. For bribes come but now and then; but if importunity or idle respects[4]
- ↑ Steal. To conceal.
"'T were good, methinks, to steal our marriage."
Shakspere. The Taming of the Shrew. iii. 2. - ↑ Inward. Intimate, confidential.
"For what is inward between us, let it pass."
Shakspere. Love's Labour's Lost. v. 1. - ↑ Close. Secret; of persons, secretive, sly.
"Close villain, I
Will have this secret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it."
Shakspere. Cymbeline. iii. 5. - ↑ Respects. Considerations.
"But the respects thereof are nice and trivial."
Shakspere. King Richard III. iii. 7.
