tempt is that which putteth an edge upon anger, as much or more than the hurt itself. And therefore when men are ingenious in picking out circumstances of contempt, they do kindle their anger much. Lastly, opinion of the touch[1] of a man's reputation doth multiply and sharpen anger. Wherein the remedy is, that a man should have, as Consalvo was wont to say, telam honoris crassiorem.[2] But in all ref rainings of anger, it is the best remedy to win time; and to make a man's self believe, that the opportunity of his revenge is not yet come, but that he foresees a time for it; and so to still himself in the mean time, and reserve it.
To contain[3] anger from mischief, though it take hold of a man, there be two things whereof you must have special caution. The one, of extreme bitterness of words, especially if they be aculeate[4] and proper;[5] for communia maledicta[6] are nothing so much; and again, that in anger a man reveal no secrets; for that makes him not fit for society.
- ↑ Touch. Censure; blame. "I never bare any touch of conscience with greater regret." Eikon Basilike.
- ↑ A thicker web of honor. Consalvo is Gonzalo Fernandez y Aguilar, 1453–1515, commonly called Gonsalvo de Cordova, or El Gran Capitan, 'the Great Captain.' He commanded the armies of Ferdinand the Catholic, and took an active part in the conquest of Granada. "Consalvo would say: The honour of a soldier ought to be of a good strong web; meaning, that it should not be so fine and curious, that every little disgrace should catch and stick to it." Bacon. Apophthegmes New and Old. 180 (89). Compare also, Advancement of Learning, II. xx. 12.
- ↑ Contain. Restrain.
"We can contain ourselves,
Were he the veriest antic in the world."
Shakspere. The Taming of the Shrew. Induction. i.
- ↑ Aculeate. Pointed; incisive; stinging.
- ↑ Proper. Appropriate.
- ↑ General reproaches.
