Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, act i. sc. 5.
Rudely thou wrongest my deare hart’s desire,
In finding fault with her too portly pride;
For in those lofty lookes is close implide
Scorn of base things and ’sdeigne of foule dishonor,
Such pride is praise; such portlinesse is honor.
Spenser, Sonnet 5.
Pragmatical. This is always employed at the present in an ill sense; the ‘pragmatical’ man is not merely busy, but over-busy, officious, meddling; nay, more than this, with an assumption of bustling self-importance. The word’s etymology does not require this ill sense, which is merely superinduced upon it, and from which it was not indeed always, but often free in its earlier use.
It may appear at the first a new and unwonted argument, to teach men how to raise and make their fortune; but the handling thereof concerneth learning greatly both in honour and in substance. In honour, because pragmatical men may not go away with an opinion that learning is like a lark, that can mount and sing and please herself, and nothing else; but may know that she holdeth as well of the hawk, that can soar aloft, and also descend and strike upon the prey.—Lord Bacon, Advancement of Learning, b. ii.
We cannot always be contemplative or pragmatical abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions wherein the enlarged soul may leave off her severe schooling.—Milton, Tetrachordon.