Page 40 [40]
OCR
The Praise of Folly 9 nothing but a more than Womanish obstinacy of scolding: but I’le imitate those Antients, who, that they might the better avoid that infamous appellation of Sophi or Wise, chose rather to be call’d Sophisters. Their business was to celebrate the Praises of the gods and valiant men. And the like Encomium shall ye hear from me, but neither of Hercules nor Solon, but mine own dear Self, that is to say, Folly. Nor do I esteem those Wise-men a rush, that call it a foolish and insolent thing to praise one’s self. Be it as foolish as they would make it, so they confess it proper: and what can be more, than that Folly be her own Trumpet? For who can set me out better than my self, unless perhaps I could be better known to another than to my self? Though yet I think it somewhat more modest than the general practice of our Nobles and Wise men, who, throwing away all shame, hire some flattering Orator or Lying Poet, from whose mouth they may hear their praises, that is to say meer lyes; and yet, composing themselves with a seeming modesty, spread out their Peacock’s plumes and erect their Crests, whilst this impudent Flatterer
