Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/181

160 them, and as Anacharsis said well of the Athenians heretofore; they used money only to count it: so these their knowledge only to know. So utterly regardless are they of their lives, and of what they do, that (even in my judgement) the vulgar seem with some reason to look upon learning as the Mistress of vice: But it is indeed the Directress to vertue; if we use it as we ought, and conjoyn it with wisdom; to which learning should prepare our Minds, but not seize upon them, and detain them to it self: For as there are some sorts of Trees, that will bear no fruit, unless they are planted by other male ones (as I may call them) so will the Virgin Muses remain barren, unless wedded to the Masculine strength of wisdom. To what end dost thou correct Tacitus? and at the same time suffer so many Errata's in thine own life? Why dost thou illustrate Tranquillus? and yet permit thy self to be benight- Rh