And
thus they themselves make every man mock them, flatter them, and
deceive them--those, I say, who are of such a vainglorious mind.
For if they be content to hear the truth, let them then make much
of those who tell them the truth, and withdraw their ears from them
who falsely flatter them, and they shall be more truly served than
with twenty requests praying men to tell them true.
King Ladislaus--our Lord absolve his soul!--used much this manner
among his servants. When one of them praised any deed of his or any
quality in him, if he perceived that they said but the truth he
would let it pass by uncontrolled. But when he saw that they set a
gloss on it for his praise of their own making besides, then would
he shortly say unto them, "I pray thee, good fellow, when thou
sayest grace at my board, never bring in a _Gloria Patri_ without a
_sicut erat._ Any act that ever I did, if thou report it again to
mine honour with a _Gloria Patri,_ never report it but with a
_sicut erat_--that is, even as it was and none otherwise. And lift
me not up with lies, for I love it not." If men would use this way
with them that this noble king used, it would diminish much of
their false flattery.
I can well approve that men should commend such things as they see
praiseworthy in other men--keeping them within the bounds of
truth--to give them the greater courage to the increase of them.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281