5 Those things Delight every man which1 are [Greek or Hebrew] ▪ as the Philosopher speaks, Suitable 2fitted▪ and accommodated to his Genius and frame▪ of Nature, as in the same Plant, the Bee seedeth on the flower, the Bird on the Seed, the Sheep on the Blade, the Swine on the Root. So in the same Author one man observeth the Rational▪ another the Historical, a third the Elegant and more Rhetorical passages, with special Delight, ⟨p. 215⟩according as they are best accommodated unto the Complexion of each Mind. And I3 find it observed out of Hippocrates, that even in the Body many times that kind of meat which Nature receiveth with Complacency, and with a4 more particular Delight, though in it self it may be •orse▪ yet proveth better nourishment unto that Body than such, as though better in it self, findeth yet a reluctancy and backwardness of Nature to close or correspond with it. The same seeds are not proper for the sand and for the clay▪ nor the same employments of Mind for Men of various and different Constitutions. Nor is there I believe any thing which would more conduce to the general advancement of Arts and Learning, than if every Mans Abilities were fixed and limited to that proper course, which his natural sufficiences did more particularly lead him unto. For hereupon would grow a double Delight, and by consequence improvement (for every thing grows most when it is best pleased) The one from Nature, the other from Custom and acquaintance, which conquereth and digesteth the difficulties5 of every thing we set about, and maketh them yet more natural unto us. And therefore6 the Philosopher reckoning up many things that are pleasant to the mind, putteth these two in the first place. Those things that are Natural, and those that we are accustomed unto, wherein there is least violence offered unto the inclinations and impressions of Nature.
5 Those things Delight every man which1 are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ▪ as the Philosopher speakes, Sutable 2fitted▪ and accommodated to his Genius and frame▪ of Nature, as in the same Plant, the Bee seedeth on the flower, the Bird on the Seed, the Sheepe on the Blade, the Swine on the Roote. So in the same Author one man observeth the Rationall▪ another the Historicall, a third the Elegant and more Rhetoricall passages, with speciall Delight, ⟨p. 215⟩according as they are best accommodated unto the Complexion of each Minde. And I3 finde it observed out of Hipocrates, that even in the Body many times that kinde of meat which Nature receiveth with Complacency, and with a4 more particular Delight, though in it selfe it may be •orse▪ yet proveth better nourishment unto that Body than such, as though better in it selfe, findeth yet a reluctancy and backwardnesse of Nature to close or correspond with it. The same seeds are not proper for the sand and for the clay▪ nor the same imploiments of Minde for Men of various and different Constitutions. Nor is there I beleeve any thing which would more conduce to the generall advancement of Arts and Learning, than if every Mans Abilities were fixed and limited to that proper course, which his naturall sufficiences did more particularly lead him unto. For hereupon would grow a double Delight, and by consequence improvement (for every thing growes most when it is best pleased) The one from Nature, the other from Custome and acquaintance, which conquereth and digesteth the difficulties5 of every thing we set about, and maketh them yet more naturall unto us. And therefore6 the Philosopher reckoning up many things that are pleasant to the minde, putteth these two in the first place. Those things that are Naturall, and those that we are accustomed unto, wherein there is least violence offered unto the inclinations and impressions of Nature.
- 1[…] ▪ lib. 10. cap. 7.〈…〉 ▪ lib. 10. cap. 7.
- 2Plutarch. de A•d. Poc•.
- 3C•l. Rhod•g. lib. 5. cap. 34. [Greek or Hebrew]C•l. Rhod•g. lib. 5. cap. 34. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 4Names. ex Arist. c. 18.
- 5Ethic. l. 10. •. 9.
- 6[Greek or Hebrew] •. l. 1. c. 11.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 •. l. 1. c. 11.
