The fourth Principle.
pp. 15–162 passages
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The fourth Principle.
4. Be as willing to hear as to speak; 1a man should hear twice as much as he should speak, and it seems to be intimated in his having two cares, but one tongue. Were there in times of discourse more hearers and fewer speakers, there would probably be easier and speedier determinations; much talk hinders observation, and keeps things from being weighed. A man shall meet with such talkatives, as (like the ⟨p. 16⟩beating of an unbraced drum) are able to beat some men out of their wits, at least their patience; they are so confusedly busy, and so busily confused.
4. Be as willing to hear as to speak; 1a man should hear twice as much as he should speak, and it seems to be intimated in his having two cares, but one tongue. Were there in times of discourse more hearers and fewer speakers, there would probably be easier and speedier determinations; much talk hinders observation, and keeps things from being weigh'd. A man shall meet with such talkatives, as (like the ⟨p. 16⟩beating of an unbrac'd drum) are able to beat some men out of their wits, at least their patience; they are so confusedly busie, and so busily confused.
- 14 Principle, hear much, speak little.