Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	according_a	judgement_n	word_n	1,690	5	3.9979	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A32715	Two discourses	Charleton, Walter, 1619-1707.	1669 (1669)	Wing C3694; ESTC R7401	49,868	248

pleasant conceipt or facete expression such as the Latins call sales lepores facetiae the Italians Scherzo giuoco burla and the French raillerie and gaudisserie SECT III. ART 1. FRom the recital of the Names we pass to the consideration of the Nature of Wit The Understanding of a Man You know Sir is commonly measured either by the rectitud● of his Iudgement or the celerity of his Imagination By Iudgement we distinguish subtilty in objects neerly resembling each other and discerning the real dissimilitude betwixt them prevent delusion by their apparent similitude This Act of the Mind the Grecians term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins Iudicium and Dignotio and we Discretion The Faculty it self Aristotle Ethic. 6. c. 7. names ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins subtilitas ingenij from them the Italians sottigliezza and sottilitá the French subtilitè and we subtilty which is no other but a certain perspicacity of the Mind whereby it is able to compare things one with another ' and discern the difference betwixt them notwithstanding they appear very much alike Herein Old men caeteris paribus usually excel Young because by long Experience which is nothing else but Remembrance of what Antecedents have been followed by what Consequents they have learned the Marks or sings by which things are to be compared and distinguished and Men of nimble Apprehension caeteris paribus have the advantage of those who are of slow because they observe more signs of difference in less time ART 2. By Imagination on the contrary we conceive some certain similitude in objects really unlike and pleasantly confound them in discourse Which by its unexpected Fineness and allusion surprising the Hearer renders him less curious of the truth of what is said This is very evident in the use of Simile's Metaphors Allegories and other Tropes and Figures of Rhetorick which are therefore called the Ornaments of speech serving rather for plausibility than for demonstration And indeed their power over the Affections of the greatest part of Mankind whether by the word Affection we understand what the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Passion or what they term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mores Manners is so great that the whole Art of Oratory is grounded thereupon and he is the most Excellent in that Art who by the help of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Images of things absent formed in his Imagination doth represent them in so lively colours that they appear present Hereupon doubtless it was that Quintilian institut Orator lib. 6. cap. 11. saith a good Orator must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui sibires voces actus secundum verum optimè fingat Now the Imagination be in common to all Men yea and to Brute Animals also yet is it not equal in all Men. Some are naturally endowed Celeritate imaginandi with a quickness of imagination that is an easie succession of one thought upon another others are but slow of imagination which defect of the Mind is called Tarditas ingenij dulness and if great stupor stupidity or sottishness From Celerity of Imagination there ariseth a twofold difference of Wit Some are naturally inclined to indulge their thoughts the liberty of Ranging and love not to confine them Others delight in fixing their mind upon one object and narrowly examining it The former sort are allowed to have Laudabilem Phantasiam and have a Genius disposed to Poësy and Invention unless their Phansie be immoderately quick and ranging for then it passes into Folly such as theirs who are not able to finish the discourse they have begun being suddenly taken off and carryed away by new thoughts altogether impertinent Which undecent shifting of thoughts is properly named Extra vagancy The Latter are said to have Iudicium probabile and therefore are fit to study Philosophy Civil Law and Controversies ART 3. For the most part both these Virtues of the Mind are indeed conjoyned in the same Persons but seldom equally eminent and the several degrees of pre-dominion of the one over the other constitute the chief differences of Men as to Wit or Understanding Phansie without moderation of Judgement seldom attains to commendation but judgement or Discretion though unassisted by Phansie alwayes deserves praise In Poets both Phansie and Judgement are required but Phansie ought to have the upper hand because all Poems of what sort soever please chiefly by Novelty In Historians Judgement ought to have the chair because the Virtue of History consisteth in Method Truth and Election of things worthy narration nor is there need of more Phansie than what may serve to adorn the stile with elegant language In Panegyries and Invectives Phansie ought to take place because they have for their end not truth but praise or dispraise which are effected by comparisons illustrious or vile or ridiculous and Judgement doth only suggest Circumstances by whic● the action is rendred laudable o● blameable In Hortatives and Pleadings of Causes according as verity or simulation doth principally conduce to the advantage of the Argument so Judgement o● Phansie is to have preheminence In Demonstration in Counsel and in all severe investigation of Truth only Judgement is required unless perhaps sometimes there be occasion for some convenient similitude to illustrate what is alledged But as for Metaphors they are wholly to be excluded as equivocal and ●ntroductory to fallacy and herefore to admit them in grave Counsel or strict Ratiocination is no less than manifest folly and impertinency In all serious discourse if there appear want of Discretion however pleasant Phansie shall shew it self yet Wit will be defective but if Judgement be manifest though the Phansie be but vulgar the Wit shall be commended ART 4. But in all besides that discretion of times places and persons which renders Phansie commendable and wherein Civil prudence and the good Menage o● affairs doth principally consist● there is required also Constant Pr●secution of the Scope or End pr●posed that is frequent applica●●on of our thoughts to the subje●● about which we are conversa●● For so there will occur to us a● similitudes such as will not on● illustrate but also adorn o● discourse and excite pleasure 〈◊〉 the hea●ers by the rarity of the invention Whereas if there 〈◊〉 not a constant regulation 〈◊〉 thoughts to some certain En● the more we are conducted 〈◊〉 heat of Phansie the nearer 〈◊〉 come to Extravagancy which is degree of Madness such as is o●served in those Rambling 〈◊〉 who as we said even now h●ving entred into discourse of o● ●hing are by every new hint however remote and impertinent transported from their sub●ect into so many digressions and Parentheses that not recovering what at first they intended to speak they lose themselves as in a Labyrinth The Reason of which Errour seems to be grounded upon defect of Experience which makes them imagine that to be new and remarkable which to more knowing heads is really stale and trivial and that to be great and

whence the diversity of Wits may arise and remitting You to the serious consideration of what that Excellent Man Mr. Hobbes hath delivered lib. de Homine cap. 13. concerning the Mutation of Mens Ingenies by Passions Custome Experience the goods of Fortune Opinion of ones self c. I pas● to the principal Differences themselves and their Descriptions which animated by Your Command I proposed to my self chiefly to handle in this hasty exercise of my blunt and unequal Pen. SECT V. ART 1. TO go about to describe th● great variety of Ingen●●● among Men though of b●● one and the same Nation● were an attempt equally vai● with his who should endeavo●● to number the Sands nor 〈◊〉 impossible than for a Painter 〈◊〉 pourtrey all the several faces in an Army upon one table As it is sufficient therefore to a well-drawn Landskip to contain the most eminent hills buildings trees and other objects situate in the prospect of the Eye within that Horizon so may it be some satisfaction to You if among a vast number of different Wits I select the most Eminent such as appear to be the springs or Sources of many Virtues and not fewer Vices and then represent them in Colours so suitable to their several Natures that You may be able to discern and distinguish each from the rest notwithstanding the neer affinity and resemblance which some of them have with others I call them the Sources of many Virtues and Vices because this may pass for a Maxime Ingenia quando assuescendo it● confirmata sunt ut facilè nec reluctant● ratione suas edant actiones dicuntu● Mores qui si boni sunt Virtutes sin mali Vitia appellantur ART 2. To address then to their Descriptions That which occu● in the first place is the READY 〈◊〉 nimble Wit Wherewith su●● as are endowed have a certai● Extemporary acuteness of co●ceipt accompanied with a qui● delivery of their thoughts so 〈◊〉 they can at pleasure entertai● their Auditors with facetious pa●sages and fluent discourses ev●● upon very light occasions The● have indeed much of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spve habilitas in promptu excogitandi quid dicto sit opus formerly described and are therefore excellent at suddain Repartés but being generally impatient of second thoughts and Deliberation they seem fitter for pleasant Colloquies and Drollery than for Counsel and Design Like Fly-boats good only in fair weather and shallow waters and then too more for pleasure than traffick If they be as for the most part they are narrow in the Hold and destitute of Ballast sufficient to counterpoize their large Sails they ●eel with every blast of Argument and are often driven upon the sands of a Non-plus but where favoured with the breath of common Applause they sail smoothly and proudly and like the City Pageants discharg● whole Volleys of Squibbs and Crackers and skirmish most furiously ART 3. Of these You meet with tw● sorts Some carry away the bel● in Table-talk and familiar conversation with short but pi●●quant touches of Phansie such a● playes chiefly upon the defect● or misfortunes of others in th● company yet without gall● their teeth are sharp but not ve●nemous and they rather nib●ble than bite Others approaching nearer to the dignity of Elo●quence are provided whenever they please to imploy the●● talent either in publick or pri●vate to speak volubly and to the purpose yet not so much from solidity of Judgement as strength of Memory which instantly supplies them with whatever they have heard or read agreeable to their Theme The fine descants and poinant remarks of both sorts are commonly admired not only by ignorant Ears but also by some of Scholastick Erudition who observing the facility of their vein in breaking sharp jests and pouring forth a torrent of not undecent expressions are apt to grow out of love with themselves and to be offended with their own flowness of Conception which permits them not to do the like without premeditation and pumping And they have reason For what can You imagine more speciously resembling true industry and gracefull Elocution than the opportune and pertinent Hitts of these facetious Spirits what more Elegant than to make acute reflections upon every occurrent and to give hometouches with gentleness which are the less resented because they appear suddain and jocular I● to this Promptness and Iocundity o● Wit either Nature hath been so● liberal as to add comeliness o● Person or Fortune so propitious as to conjoyn dignity of Condition especially if it be animated by great and secure Confidence then● is their liberty of jesting as it● were authorized in all places nor ungrateful to those whom it provokes yea oftentimes by its very Galliardise it wins the Palm from solid and exact Prudence if lodged in Men of excellent abilities but slow Expression Of the advantages redounding to a ready Wit from that Gracefulness of Person which the Grecians termed Tò 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latins dignitas oris You have an eminent Example in Dion the Syracusan who thereby much ingratiating himself to the people was so prosperous in his ambition that he ruined Dionysius and succeeded him in the Soveraignyy of Sicily and Corn. Nepos puts the same in his Character where among his natural Endowments he reckons as chief ingenium docile come magnamque corporis dignitatem quae non minimum commendatur ART 4. But this so charming swiftness of both Phansie and Tongue i● not exempt from its Failings and those shamefull ones too sometimes For take them from their familiar and private conversation into grave and severe Assemblies whence all extemporary flashes of Wit all Phantastick allusions all Personal reflections are excluded and there engage them in an Encountre● with solid Wisdom not in light skirmishes but a pitcht field of long and serious debate concerning any important question and then You shall soon discover their weakness and contemn that barrenness of understanding which is uncapable of struggling with the difficulties of Apodictical knowledge and the deduction of truth from a long series of Reasons Again if those very concise sayings and lucky Repartés for the Court hath now naturaliz'd that Word wherein they are so happy and which at first hearing were entertained with so much of pleasure and admiration be written down and brought to a strict examination of their Pertinency Coherence and Verity how shallow how frothy how forced will they be found how much will they lose of that Applause which their tickling of the ear and present flight through the Imagination had gain'd In the greatest part therefore of such Men You ought to expect no deep and continued River of Wit but only ● few Plashes and those too not altogether free from mudd an● putrefaction SECT VI. ART 1. IN the second place comes th● RANGING Wit whose Pregnancy is so diffused that it flie● at all things and commonly assisted with prolix Eloquenc●● discourseth copiously rather tha● closely without premeditatio●