Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	body_n	motion_n	nature_n	2,722	5	5.9141	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33412	Conversations written in French by Monsieur Clerombault ; and put into English by a person of honour.; Conversations. English	Palluau, Philippe de Clérembault, comte de, 1606-1665.; Méré, Antoine Gombault, chevalier de, 1610-1684.; Person of honour.	1672 (1672)	Wing C4642; ESTC R914	61,828	158

we find but too many that are skilled in that way of discourse but for some other things which are less clear and not easie to be conceived one is many times puzled to express them as one has a mind to do 'T is true that a person may be said to be eloquent who first had the conception of them in what manner soever he makes others understand them Those who think well are never too long nor tedious for they seek words only to express their thoughts whereas others study more how to speak finely than how to express themselves As to exactness in speaking I find two sorts which have always good effects the one consists in discerning things as they are and without confounding them for if we fail never so little either in speaking or acting it is presently perceived and taken notice of this depends upon the Wit and Understanding The other justness or exactness of speaking appears in being able to judge of the decency of our expressions and in having true measures how far we ought to go and when to stop This which proceeds chiefly from the relish and judgment we have of things seems to me more doubtful and difficult The exactness of words pleases when it is without affectation and words are not played and gingled withal But I can assure you that one cannot have too much of that kind of justness of Speech which consists in the knowing how to make use of the aptest and most proper words and the best forms of speaking to infuse our thoughts into the minds of others in the same manner we desire neither more nor less These exactnesses are always approved of provided we be not too severe and rigorous in expecting them from others and that we remember that Roman Lady before whom one might not so much as trip for as she was one day pressing and playing upon an excellent man who was something intangled and out of order he told her she was in the right but that she was a little to blame to take away the pleasure of freedom and negligence We are much more civil to Ladies now a-days said the Mareshal than they were in those times and whatever they say now does not discompose any body that understands the World They may venture at any thing especially when they are handsom But an accomplisht person though of never so much merit ought not to be too confident of himself yea the more he excels others the more care he ought to take not to prescribe to the Company but to be complying For naturally every one is afraid of a Master-wit I love those persons who always shew some Wit without offending any one and I perfectly hate those who make use of it only to the displeasing of others It is good to avoid the converse of such as much as one can for this humour proceeds from the pride and maliciousness of their nature which mingles it self in all their actions There are others of them who are more rash than malicious who to vent a Jest will make sport with and play upon every body without considering the consequences What advantage is it to have Wit if one cannot make use of it for the gaining of the good opinion and love of the World One may withdraw and absent ones self if things go not to ones mind but when we come into Company we should carry our selves so that we may be acceptable to those persons with whom we are although we have no great kindness for them For those who think to revenge themselves by a cross Carriage do to themselves more injury than they do to others I know some also who are froward and disagreeable out of a principle of envy This is a fault which disgusts me most of all which discovers a mean Spirit and a narrow Wit For if one well understood what Life and Fortune is it would incline one rather to pity than envy those whom the World thinks happy I have seen some obscure persons and of very ordinary capacities who would equal themselves with the chief men of the World and who by no means would consent to nor allow of their reputations There are others who would gladly please and gain love but neither honour truth nor the benefit of those who hear them can make them say any thing unless it tends directly to their own proper advantage 'T is an ill way they take for the World thinks not well of those who are only for themselves but it always approves of those who endeavour to advance the reputations of those that deserve it Sir said the Chevalier your Art is marvellous For the thing that was in question was only concerning the exactness of Language or something like it yet by degrees and almost insensibly you are fallen upon the discourse of the Commerce of the World and you have described those persons who make ill use of their Wit and who only speak for their own interest which shews that you have observed the Court and that you are not well pleased with the Principles and Manners of it I shall only add to that which you said just now That when any one speaks whatsoever design he may have that of pleasing should always be one but that ought not to be the sole or principal end Nature tends only to things necessary There is nothing in the fairest body of the World which is not necessary for life or motion Good chear is founded upon the necessity of eating and drinking Lodging must be had and that is the cause we love fine houses for at first we only seek those things we cannot want and afterwards we proceed and desire the pleasure into the bargain if we may be allowed to speak so as an accidental thing which rejoyces us though we did not expect it I allow said the Mareshal that a man take the liberty to express himself let it be in what way he pleases and I understand you very well I believe the best way to improve ones self and become knowing is not to study over-much but to entertain our selves often and discourse of those things that open the Understanding And it would be good if I mistake not to accustom our young Prince to this and to place people about him who might instruct him in that manner As for such Ladies as are placed about him I do not see that there need be such care in the choice of them I confess I should only have a regard to those of the pleasantest humour to keep him always chearful For excepting a very few the wisest of them appear to me to have little sense though otherwise they may please You judge well that from some certain agreeableness in the face or shape we can conclude nothing concerning the Understanding And those who are able to discern one from the other are seldom deceived The World will not allow Women to be wise said the Chevalier but I know not why unless it be perhaps because