File:Men and manners of old Florence (1909) (14584915267).jpg

Identifier: menmannersofoldf00biag (find matches)
Title: Men and manners of old Florence
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Biagi, Guido, 1855-1925
Subjects:
Publisher: Chicago, A. C. McClurg and co.
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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airsbefore they inquire of thee, and in matters both ofhonour and disgrace they can greatly harm thee.And above all things be circumspect! When thou art in the house of another, bewareof speaking evil of any person belonging to thathouse. Moreover, beware when thou art in the street,or against a division of planks or a thin wall, ofsaying aught that thou wouldst not that every manshould hear. When thou enterest into a chamber,say nothing until thou knowest for a certainty whois in that chamber ; because, behind the curtain orsome other hidden place, there might be shut upor concealed a person who would hearken unto allthy deeds or sayings. If thou desirest to speak ofsecret things, go thou to speak thy secrets in an openplace, or in a field, or meadow or open ground, butlook well that there be no person near who can hearthee ; and beware of hedges, of trees, caves, or walls,or the corners of streets, where other persons mightbe hidden. But wherefore all these precautions .? Perhaps to
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ZL -^ FLORENTINE MIND AND MANNERS 8i whisper into the ear of friend or companion advicelike this, the last which I shall repeat here : When thou sittest among the judges, receivethou no gifts which have been sent unto thee fromeither side ; but I tell thee, on the contrary, that ifin a court of law thou hast need of the friendshipof some lord or ruler of a place, his friendship isvery easily gained if thou makest gifts unto him.Look and see who of his household is the most inhis confidence, and make thou friends first with thatperson and bestow something upon him, and thenask help and counsel of him, and he will show theehow to obtain the love of his lord and how to presentunto him the thing for which the man nearest hislord hath the greatest desire. Truly this reads almost like a scene from Shake-speare ! lago in secret converse with Shylock !

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