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The Praise of Folly 5
somewhat to that other cavil, of biting. This
liberty was ever permitted to all men’s wits,
to make their smart witty reflections on the
common errors of mankind, and that too
without offence, as long as this liberty does not
run into licentiousness ; which makes me the
more admire the tender ears of the men of this
age, that can away with solemn Titles. Nay,
you’l meet with some so preposterously religious,
that they will sooner endure the broadest scoffs
even against Christ himself, than hear the
Pope or a Prince be toucht in the least, especially
if it be any thing that concerns their profit ;
whereas he that so taxes the lives of men, without
Naming any one in particular, whither, I pray,
may he be said to bite, or rather to teach and
admonish? Or otherwise, I beseech ye, under
how many notions do I tax my self? Besides, he
that spares no sort of men cannot be said to be
angry with any one in particular, but the vices
of all. And therefore, if there shall happen to
be any one that shall say he is hit, he will but
discover either his guilt or fear. Saint Jerome
sported in this kind with more freedome and
greater sharpnesse, not sparing sometimes men’s