Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep
water
Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at:
such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his
mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the
searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it
is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some
men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men,
who seek sleep to hide their counsel; and of good men, especially
studious men, who have got a great deal of wisdom and knowledge
in them, but not very communicative, being slow of speech, and
silent in conversation; but a man of understanding will
draw it out;
he will find ways and means to discover the secret designs of
wicked men, whether against church or state; and, by asking
proper questions, an understanding man will get out useful things
from men of knowledge, the most reserved: some men must be
pumped, and a good deal of pains must be taken with them, to get
out anything of them, as in getting water out of a deep well, and
which when got is very good; and so is that wisdom and knowledge
which is gotten by an inquisitive man from another of superior
knowledge, but not very diffusive of it.