grammar of them; then let then turn them into Latin, or translate
them into any other language, and but see what a jargon and
confusion of speech they make together.

Swearing, that lewdness of the tongue, that scum and excrement of
the mouth, is of all vices the most foolish and senseless. It makes
a man's conversation unpleasant, his discourse fruitless, and his
language nonsense.

It makes conversation unpleasant, at least to those who do not use
the same foolish way of discourse, and, indeed, is an affront to all
the company who swear not as he does; for if I swear and curse in
company I either presume all the company likes it or affront them
who do not.

Then it is fruitless; for no man is believed a jot the more for all
the asseverations, damnings, and swearings he makes. Those who are
used to it themselves do not believe a man the more because they
know they are so customary that they signify little to bind a man's
intention, and they who practise them not have so mean an opinion of
those that do as makes them think they deserve no belief.

Then, they are the spoilers and destroyers of a man's discourse, and
turn it into perfect nonsense; and to make it out I must descend a
little to particulars, and desire the reader a little to foul his
mouth with the brutish, sordid, senseless expressions which some
gentlemen call polite English, and speaking with a grace.

Some part of them indeed, though they are foolish enough, as effects
of a mad, inconsiderate rage, are yet English; as when a man swears