Sophism I.—: What men praise and celebrate, is good; what they dispraise and censure, evil

This sophism deceives four ways; viz., either through ignorance, deceit, party, or the natural disposition of the praiser or dispraiser. 1. Through ignorance; for what signifies the judgment of the rabble in distinguishing good and evil? Phocion took it right, who, being applauded by the multitude, asked, What he had done amiss? 2. Through deceit; for those who praise or dispraise commonly have their own views in it, and speak not their real sentiments.

“Laudat venales, qui vult extrudere, merces.”

“It is faulty, it is faulty, says the buyer; but when he is gone, he congratulates himself upon the bargain.” 3. Through party; for men immoderately extol those of their own and depress those of the opposite party. 4. Through disposition or temper; for some men are naturally formed servile and fawning, and others captious and morose; so that when such persons praise or dispraise, they do but gratify their humor, without much regard to truth.