unworthy[1], Especially in the mother; As Salomon saith, A wise sonne reioyceth the Father, but an ungracious sonne shames the Mother. A Man shall see, where there is a House full of Children, one or two of the Eldest respected[2], and the Youngest made wantons[3]; But in the middest, some that are as it were forgotten, who, many times, never thelesse, prove the best. The Illiberalitie of Parents, in allowance towards their Children, is an harmefull Errour; Makes them base; Acquaints them with Shifts; Makes them sort[4] with meane Company; And makes them surfet more[5], when they come to Plenty: And therefore, the Proofe[6] is best, when Men keepe their Authority towards their Children, but not their Purse. Men have a foolish manner (both Parents, and Schoolemasters, and Servants) in creating and breeding an Emulation between Brothers during Childhood, which many times sorteth to[7] Discord when they are Men, And disturbeth Families. The Italians make little difference betweene Children and Nephewes or neere Kinsfolkes; But so[8] they be of the Lumpe[9], they care not, though they passe not through their owne Body. And, to say Truth, in Nature it is much a like matter; In so much that we see a Nephew sometimes resembleth an Uncle or a Kinsman more then his owne Parent, As the Bloud happens. Let Parents choose betimes the Vocations and Courses they meane their Children should take; For then they are most flexible; And let them not too much apply themselves[10] to the Disposition of their Children, as thinking they will take best to that which they have most Minde to. It is true that, if the Affection[11] or Aptnesse of the Children be Extraordinary, then it is good not to crosse it; But generally, the Precept is good, Optimum elige, suave et facile illud faciet Consuetudo[12]. Younger Brothers are commonly Fortunate, but seldome or never where the Elder are disinherited.
