Xxxiii.—: To praise one’s friend aloud, rising early, has the same effect as cursing him

This aphorism distinguishes between that wisdom which has grown up and ripened into a true habit, and that which only floats in the brain, or is tossed upon the tongue without having taken root. The former, when occasion offers, is presently roused, got ready, and distended, so as to appear greater than itself; whereas the latter, which was pert before, stands amazed and confounded when occasion calls for it: so that the person who thought himself endowed with this wisdom, begins to question whether his preconceptions about it were not mere dreams and empty speculations.

Moderate and sensible praises, dropped occasionally, are of great service to the reputation and fortunes of men; while immoderate, noisy, and fulsome praises do no good, but rather hurt, as the aphorism expresses it. For, 1, they plainly betray themselves to proceed from an excess of goodwill, or to be purposely designed rather to gain favor with the person by false encomiums, than to paint him justly. 2. Sparing and modest praises generally invite the company somewhat to improve them, but profuse and immoderate ones to detract and take off from them. 3. The principal thing is, that immoderate praises procure envy to the person praised, as all extravagant commendations seem to reproach others that may be no less deserving.