Chapter 9

ANTHONY: Let us now consider good name, honest estimation, and
honourable fame. For these three things are of their own nature
one, and take their differences in effect only of the manner of the
common speech in diversity of degree. For a good name may a man
have, be he never so poor. Honest estimation, in the common
understanding of the people, belongeth not unto any man but him
that is taken for one of some countenance and possessions, and
among his neighbours had in some reputation. In the word of
"honourable fame," folk conceive the renown of great estates, much
and far spoken of, by reason of their laudable acts.

Now, all this gear, used as a thing pleasant and commodious for
this present life, may seem pleasant to him who fasteneth his fancy
thereon. But of the nature of the thing itself I perceive no great
commodity that it hath--I say of the nature of the thing itself,
because it may by chance be some occasion of some commodity. For it
may hap that for the good name the poor man hath, or for the honest
estimation that a man of some possessions and substance standeth in
among his neighbours, or for the honourable fame with which a great
estate is renowned--it may hap, I say, that some man, bearing them
the better, will therefore do them some good. And yet, as for that,
like as it may sometimes so hap (and sometimes doth so hap indeed),
so may it hap sometimes on the other hand (and on the other hand so
it sometimes happeth indeed) that such folk are envied and hated by
others, and as readily take harm by them who envy and hate them as
they take good by them that love them.

But now, to speak of the thing itself in its own proper nature,
what is it but a blast of another man's mouth, as soon past as
spoken? He who setteth his delight on it, feedeth himself but with
wind; be he never so full, he hath little substance therein. And
many times shall he much deceive himself. For he shall think that
many praise him who never speak word of him. And they that do, say
yet much less than he thinketh and far more seldom too. For they
spend not all the day, he may be sure, in talking of him alone. And
those who so commend him the most will yet, I daresay, in every
four-and-twenty hours, shut their eyes and forget him once! Besides
this, while one speaketh well of him in one place, another sitteth
and saith as ill of him in another. And finally, some who most
praise him in his presence, behind his back mock him as fast and
loud laugh him to scorn, and sometimes slily to his own face, too.
And yet are there some fools so fed with this foolish fancy of fame
that they rejoice and glory to think how they are continually
praised all about, as though all the world did nothing else, day
nor night, but ever sit and sing _"Sanctus sanctus, sanctus"_ upon
them!

Chapter 9

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