Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/291

Rh great desire that we have to hear their answers, but only because we would find talk, and minister occasion of discourse, seeking thereby to draw from them some words that may yield matter of mirth and pleasant conference: after which sort, Socrates used to provoke Theaetetus and Charmides.

To prevent therefore the answer of another, to turn away men's ears, to divert their eyes and draw their cogitations from him to ourselves, is as much as if we should run before and make haste to kiss one first, who was minded to be kissed of another, or to enforce him to look upon us, whose eyes were set and fixed upon another; considering, that although the party unto whom the demand was made, be either not able nor willing to make answer, it were befitting for a man, after some little pause made, to present himself in all modesty and reverence, and then to frame and accommodate his speech as near unto that as may be, which he thinketh will content the mind of him that made the demand, and so answer (as it were) in the name of the other: for if they who are demanded a question make no good and sufficient answer, great reason they have to be pardoned and held excused; but he who intrudeth himself, and taking the words out of another's mouth, is ready to speak before he be spoken unto, by good right is odious, although he answer otherwise sufficiently; but if he fail, and make no good answer, certes he maketh himself ridiculous, and a very laughing-stock to the whole company.

The second point of exercise and meditation is in a man's own particular answers, wherein he ought especially to be careful and take heed who is given to over-much talk, to the end that they who would provoke him to speak, and all to make themselves merry and to laugh at him, may well know that he answereth not he knows not what inconsiderately, but with good advice and seriously to the point: for such there be in the world, who for no need at all, but only for to pass time in mirth, devise certain questions for the nonce, and in that manner propound them to such persons for no other end but to provoke them to prattle; and therefore they ought to have a good eye and regard before them, not to leap out and run all on a sudden hastily to their answer, as if they were well pleased and beholden unto them for to have such an occasion of speech; but with mature deliberation to consider the nature and behaviour of him that putteth out the question, together with the necessity thereof, and the profit that may ensue thereby; and if it appear, indeed, that the party be in good earnest, and desirous to learn and be