Laudator Temporis Acti

Abraham Cowley (1618-1667), "Of Obscurity":

[T]he pleasantest condition of life is, in incognito. What a brave priviledge is it, to be free from all Contentions, from all Envying or being Envied, from receiving or paying all kind of Ceremonies! It is in my mind a very delightful pastime, for two good and agreeable friends to travel up and down together, in places where they are by no body known, nor know any body.

Id.:

If we engage into a large Acquaintance and various familiarities, we set open our gates to the Invaders of most of our time: we expose our life to a Quotidian Ague of frigid impertinencies, which would make a wise man tremble to think of. Now, as for being known much by sight, and pointed at, I cannot comprehend the honour that lies in that: Whatsoever it be, every Mountebank has it more than the best Doctor, and the Hangman more than the Lord Chief Justice of a City.

Hat tip: Eric Thomson.