When Malice groweth critical, it loseth its Credit.
It must go under the Disguise of Plainness, or else it is exposed.
Anger may have some Excuse for being blind, but Malice none: for Malice hath time to look before it.
When Malice is overgrown, it cometh to be the highest degree of Impertinence. For that reason, it must not be fed and pampered, which is apt to make it play the fool. But where it is wise and steady, there is no Precaution, that can be quite Proof against it.
Ill-will is seldom cured on a sudden, it must go off by degrees, by insensible Transpiration.
Malice may be sometimes out of Breath, Envy never. A Man may make Peace with Hatred, but never with Envy.
No Passion is better heard by our will, than that of Envy: No Passion is admitted to have Audience with less Exception.
Envy taketh the Shape of Flattery, and that maketh Men hug it so close, that they cannot part with it.
The sure way to be commended is to get into a Condition of being pitied. For Envy will not give its leave to commend a Man, till he is miserable.
A Man is undone, when Envy will not vouchsafe to look upon him.