The Passions of the Mind in General

...whose doctrine the best highly esteem, whose wits the wisest admire, and whose opinions innumerable doctors do follow? Wherefore we may well glory in this: that our country has afforded most of the masters and of the chiefest wits which at this time both Scotists, Realists, and Nominalists follow, either in philosophy or divinity. And yet for all this, our nation is accounted simple and unwise among several others.

Moreover, let us cast our eyes upon all sorts of arts and trades, from the very shoe to the hat, from the shirt to the cloak, from the kitchen to the court, and we shall see our nation as well-furnished, as complete, and as skillful as any other—and as all travelers can well affirm, far superior to the Spaniards and in no way inferior to the Italians. I must confess that in some trade or other the Italians surpass us, but they are such as either England regards not at all or prizes not very much; but in such as our country esteems, we may either equal or prefer ourselves before them. And yet for all this, a haughty companion did not hesitate, within these few years, to call our nation uncivil and barbarous, and others to repute us as simple and unwary. After some consideration and reflection upon ourselves, with reference to other nations, I found out three causes why those who inhabit these northern climates are accounted simple and unwise.

The first is a natural inclination to virtue and honesty, much more palpable and easy to be perceived in these colder countries than in those hotter climates. This we may prove by common experience: for both Spaniards and Italians, if they can have a Fleming or an Englishman for their servant, if he be as well qualified as those countrymen, will prefer him before their own for fidelity, sincerity, and diligence. The very blushing also of our people shows a better ground upon which virtue may build than certain brazen faces who never change color, although they commit—yea, and are caught in—enormous crimes; for the shame of vice is a good commencement of virtue, because it proceeds from a judgment disliking evil, which is a fitting beginning of good. Wherefore Aristotle calls shamefacedness a virtue, not because it is a true virtue indeed (for it most of all reigns in children,

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book 3, Chapter 8.

children