For men keep still in that point one quality of children, that
praise must prick them forth. But better it were to do well and
look for none. Howbeit, those who cannot find it in their hearts to
commend another man's good deed show themselves either envious or
else of nature very cold and dull. But without question, he who
putteth his pleasure in the praise of the people hath but a foolish
fancy. For if his finger do but ache of a hot blain, a great many
men's mouths blowing out his praise will scantly do him, among them
all, so much ease as to have one boy blow on his finger!
XI
Let us now consider likewise what great worldly wealth ariseth unto
men by great offices and authority--to those worldly-disposed
people, I say, who desire them for no better purpose. For of those
who desire them for better, we shall speak after anon.
The great thing that they all chiefly like therein is that they may
bear a rule, command and control other men, and live uncommanded
and uncontrolled themselves. And yet this commodity took I so
little heed of, that I never was aware it was so great, until a
good friend of ours merrily told me once that his wife once in a
great anger taught it to him. For when her husband had no desire to
grow greatly upward in the world, nor would labour for office of
authority, and beside that forsook a right worshipful office when
it was offered him, she fell in hand with him, he told me.
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