1625: london
hostage situation
He that hath wife and children hath given hos
tages to fortune, for they are impediments to
great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.
Certainly the best works—and of greatest
merit for the public—have proceeded from the
unmarried or childless men, which both in af
fection and means have married and endowed
the public. Yet it were great reason that those
that have children should have greatest care of
future times, unto which they know they must
transmit their dearest pledges. some there are,
who though they lead a single life, yet their
thoughts do end with themselves and account
future times impertinences. nay, there are some
other that account wife and children but as bills
of charges. nay more, there are some foolish,
rich, covetous men that take a pride in having
no children, because they may be thought so
much the richer. For perhaps they have heard
some talk, “such an one is a great rich man,”
and another except to it, “Yea, but he hath a
great charge of children,” as if it were an abate
ment to his riches. but the most ordinary cause
of a single life is liberty, especially in certain
selfpleasing and humorous minds, which are
so sensible of every restraint, as they will go
near to think their girdles and garters to be
bonds and shackles.
