XVI. But besides flattering lies, there are many others which are
hurtful in various ways, notwithstanding we find them classed among
the jocose and officious ones. A coward brags of his prowess, and
martial deeds; a stander-by who hears him, and believes what he says,
endeavours to make a friend of him, in hopes that he will bear him out
in any fray or quarrel in which he should happen to be engaged; and in
consequence of the confidence he puts in this support, he precipitates
himself into some dispute, where his bravo deserts him, and he loses
his life. An ignorant fellow, palms himself upon simple people for a
learned man, and they, by believing all he says to be right and true,
get their heads filled with extravagances, which they afterwards by
venting in other companies, expose their folly, and so by a very easy
and short method, acquire the reputation of blockheads.
A neglected or disappointed man, brags of the interest he has with a
great person; and some who hear and believe what he says, fancy he
will be a good channel through which they may convey an application to
that great person, and induce him to assist them in a matter they have
much at heart, and in which they are deeply interested, and in hopes
of the great benefits they may derive from his friendship and aid, pay
great court to him, and waste the greatest part of their substance in
presents and bribes to him. A spiritual puffer, brags of the miracles
he has seen and experienced of such and such a saint; which one way
or other, is generally attended with prejudicial consequences to the
cause of religion. The physician brags of a skill or knowledge he does
not possess; a valetudinary person who hears him, believing him to
be an Esculapius, surrenders himself without further enquiry to his
management, and becomes a voluntary victim. A young mariner, brags of
his great abilities and skill in navigating and conducting a ship,
which afterwards being trusted to him, is shipwrecked and dashed to
pieces, on some rock or shoal. The same dangers, in a greater or a
less degree, and in proportion to the matters that are confided to
their management, are we exposed to, by trusting vaunters in all arts
and professions, who although they are unskilful, presume to boast of
their great knowledge. I should never have done, was I to set about
enumerating all the species of lies, which go under the name of jocose
and officious, and which are attended with pernicious consequences.