20. Particularly as to the affairs of this world, integrity hath many
advantages over all the fine and artificial ways of dissimulation and
deceit; it is much the plainer and easier, much the safer and more
secure way of dealing in the world; it has less of trouble and
difficulty, of entanglement and perplexity, of danger and hazard in it:
it is the shortest and nearest way to our end, carrying us thither in a
straight line, and will hold out and last longest.

21. The arts of deceit and cunning do continually grow weaker and less
effectual and serviceable to them that use them; whereas integrity gains
strength by use, and the more and longer any man practiseth it, the
greater service it does him, by confirming his reputation, and
encouraging those with whom he hath to do, to repose the greatest trust
and confidence in him, which is an unspeakable advantage in the business
and affairs of life.

22. Truth is always consistent with itself, and needs nothing to help it
out; it is always near at hand, and sits upon our lips, and is ready to
drop out before we are aware; whereas a lie is troublesome, and sets a
man's invention upon the rack, and one trick needs a great many more to
make it good.

23. It is like building upon a false foundation, which continually
stands in need of props to shoar it up, and proves at last more
chargeable, than to have raised a substantial building at first upon a
true and solid foundation; for sincerity is firm and substantial, and
there is nothing hollow and unsound in it, and because it is plain and
open, fears no discovery:

24. Of which the crafty man is always in danger, and when he thinks he