Rachel Speght, A muzzle For Melastomus (1617)

“For shame and disgrace (saith Aristotle) is the end of them that shoote such poisoned shafts. Worthy therefore of imitation is that example of Seneca, who when he was told that a certaine man did explain and raile against him, made this milde answere; Some dogs barke more upon custome then curtnesse; and some speake evill of others, not that the defamed deserve it, but because through custome and corruption of their hearts they cannot speake well of any.”